Sofico Marathon Ambassador Program

What a ride it has been. Going from never having run more than 16km to completing a full 42km marathon in just six months. After months of training, setbacks, and pushing through injuries, it’s time to reflect on this journey one last time.

When my coach, Aron, told me in January that it was still possible to run a full marathon successfully despite my injury, I must admit, I wasn’t entirely convinced. The fear of re-injury was real, but with consistent core exercises and the help of my physiotherapist, Olivier, I managed to stick to my intensive training plan without any further issues.

I even managed to complete a 29km run just a few weeks before the marathon, which gave me a real boost of confidence. After all, what’s 13 more kilometers, right? Feeling invincible, I even stopped doing my core exercises because, well, what difference could three more weeks make?

Reality check

I was quickly humbled the week of the marathon. On Tuesday, I went out for an easy 7km run, just a light jog to keep the legs fresh. But after that run, I felt it. The same injury that had sidelined me for over a month was back. This time on the left side instead of the right. Although the pain was less intense, I knew this was serious.

But quitting so close to race day was not an option. My coach and physiotherapist reassured me that finishing was still possible, though it would probably hurt. Normally, I avoid painkillers, but if I wanted to complete the marathon I would need them.

I have to admit, I didn’t expect to enjoy the marathon as much as I did. The cheering from friends and family gave me a massive energy boost, the weather was perfect, and the city’s scenery was breathtaking.

Then came kilometer 32…

As I passed the Planet Group Arena, my legs felt heavier. Cramps started creeping in. I tried to fight them off with water and by slowing my pace slightly, but by kilometer 36, things got tough. Every step was a battle. I wanted nothing more than for it to be over.

But knowing the finish line was so close gave me just enough energy to push through.

I want to thank my trainer Aron, my physiotherapist Olivier and a massive shoutout to my mom, who cycled alongside me for those final kilometers! Reaching the finish line felt surreal. The overwhelming satisfaction of completing the marathon—especially with an injury was incredible. I was also very relieved that I no longer had to train four times a week!

I remember Gémar, our CEO, asking me if I would continue running marathons. I told him it was a terrible question to ask right after finishing one! But now, reflecting on the experience, I might just consider it. Running a marathon in under four hours is still a goal of mine, and now that I know what mistakes not to make, I feel much more confident about giving it another shot.

With only two weeks until the marathon, I’m feeling more and more confident that this might actually be possible. The goal of running the marathon in under four hours won’t be achievable due to an injury in November, but that’s no big deal. Completing the full marathon will be rewarding enough!

These past few weeks, I’ve been running a lot—about 40 to 45 km per week. Luckily, I took a week off for a skiing trip, though I still managed to squeeze in one running session. The views were absolutely stunning! Since we’re still in the winter months, I’ve done a lot of running in the dark. However, we were lucky enough to get some sunny Sundays, which are ideal for those long-distance runs! Running in the sun after weeks of training in darkness or grey weather really gives me a boost.

With my runs getting longer, it was also time to invest in some new running gear. I bought myself a running vest that holds two flasks and has enough pockets for all my gels. At the same time, I’m focusing on training my stomach to handle the gels properly. This weekend, I’m planning to simulate the marathon with my longest training run. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to test my stomach with an energy-rich breakfast and the gels I’ll need during the race. Of course, I won’t be consuming as many as I will on marathon day, but it’ll still be a good test.

Hi everyone,

Time for my second update! Marathons are all about motivation and giving it your all, but I think it’s equally important to acknowledge when things don’t go as planned—and to remind ourselves it’s okay to feel less motivated sometimes.

As I shared in my last update, I got injured at the end of November after a month of intense training. When I heard I couldn’t run for at least five weeks to let my leg heal, I’ll admit it was a blow to my motivation. For a marathon, consistent running is key to getting your legs used to the stress, so the thought of not running for a month felt like losing all the progress I’d made in the past six weeks. And let’s just say the holiday indulgences didn’t help either. 😉

I tried compensating with swimming and cycling, but deep down, I knew I had to get back to running to truly build strength.

After the holidays, it was time to start fresh. I eased back into running and, though I could still feel a bit of the injury, I knew the worst was behind me. It felt so good to finally believe I could give this another solid shot!

Last week, we had our second test day. Since I’d only been running again for two weeks, I didn’t expect big changes from the first test. My fat percentage even went up (holiday treats, I’m looking at you!). But to my surprise, my overall condition had improved! That little win gave me a much-needed boost.

Then it was time to get serious. My trainer Aron sat me down and laid out the facts: aiming for the full marathon was still possible, but it would take real commitment from here on out.

I also got myself a foam roller to help relax my muscles since they’ve been getting pretty sore. On top of that, I booked an appointment with a physiotherapist to treat my injury and made a trip to Decathlon for some new running gear, power gels, and protein powder.

Now, I’m ready to go all in and give it my best shot! I don’t have much more to share other than this: it’s okay to feel demotivated sometimes. The best thing you can do is talk to your friends and family—they’ll always support and believe in you, and that energy is exactly what you need to keep going!

This year, as part of the ambassador program, we had two options: the half marathon or the full marathon. To be honest, I wasn’t much of a runner before this; the longest distance I had ever run was 10 miles. Choosing the full marathon felt a bit like a gamble. However, as someone who cycles frequently, I felt confident in my baseline fitness. With that in mind, I committed to the full marathon.

My journey got off to a delayed start because I was on vacation during the program’s official kickoff event. Missing the kickoff day was a bit disappointing, but I was still happy to be part of the ambassador program.

In the first week of training, I had the opportunity to do a full body composition and conditioning scan at Golazo Energy Lab. This scan gave me valuable insights into my physical fitness and body composition. Of course, some of the findings—like my body fat percentage—weren’t exactly thrilling. But after a productive conversation with my trainer, Aron, I felt motivated and ready to begin my training.

Training in the Dark
Starting a marathon training plan in October means running in the dark. My weekly routine quickly became a mix of interval and endurance runs during the weekdays and long, slow runs on the weekends. I was guided by the mantra “running slow makes you fast.” One of my favorite spots for training was the soft running track around the Rozebroeken swimming pool. However, running through the nearby park often felt like an adventure, especially when visibility was so low I could barely see my hand in front of me.

My confidence grew as my legs got stronger, and while my calves occasionally ached, I was making steady progress. A trip to the Runners Lab also helped elevate my training experience. I got my first pair of quality running shoes, learned about nutrition, and gained insights into the best footwear for my running stride.

Unfortunately, not everything has gone smoothly. During a recent long run, I started experiencing pain in my leg. At the time, it didn’t seem serious. However, the next day, I found myself walking with a limp. Despite the discomfort, I attempted another long run the following weekend, thinking a week of rest would be enough. I still felt it, but the pain was bearable. Only now, my limp has gotten worse, and I need to rest even longer.

This setback has been frustrating, but I’m staying optimistic. I’m eager to get back to my training plan as soon as I’m able and will approach it with renewed caution and determination. Until then, I’ll continue to build my endurance through alternative activities like cycling and swimming and keep my eyes on the bigger picture: crossing that marathon finish line.

That’s it for my first marathon update. Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey so far. I’ll be sharing more updates as I progress, so stay tuned to see how this adventure unfolds.

Until next time!

| Meet the Ambassadors 2025

Simon Piscador

| Training updates

Follow Simon's journey

From 16 to 42km

Third update

Marathon update

Why I decided to run a marathon