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A palace, costumes and sneakers

Hi y'all,

Almost every kid at one point in it's life dreams about castles, knights, horses, lands, dressing up, ballrooms, kings and queens. Some kids grow up to actually become the person living in a castle however most of us mortals don't. Castles however hardly ever stop filling our hearts with somekind of magic and they still spark our imagination. It might be because you enjoy history and want to learn about a country and the people in it, it might be because you love landscaping and interior design, it might be because you simply love a great piece of architecture or maybe even all of the above. So when the change comes along to run around on castle grounds that are normally closed to the public, seeing an amazing palace up close, having a canon being fired at the start of your run and even receiving a medal that resembles a royal distinction would you decline that call? OFCOURSE NOT!!!

Well I damn well made sure I was part of the fun and trust me when I say it was FUN! The race course featured a 3.5km lap around Paleis Soestdijk. Now for those of you that have never seen Paleis Soestdijk:


The palace and it's grounds have housed a lot of famous people and, like any real castles, has a few very good stories to tell. If you'd like to know more about them please start your journey here https://www.paleissoestdijk.nl/het-paleis/geschiedenis-van-paleis-soestdijk.html 

The run itself was well organised in all aspects. I parked my car at Baarn trainstation where a coach bus was waiting for me to take me to the palace in 4 minutes time. We were welcomed by constumed lackeys, lords and ladies and led to the centre of the action. Warming was done at the garden in front of the palace and afterwards we were all walked to the coral. The shot fired to signify the start is normally done by gun but not in this run....an actual canon was fired. I kid you not and it was LOUD! 

We trotted of and the 3.5km lap took us over many different surfaces like ashfalt, grass, pebles and even sand. the road twisted and turned so many times you coulnd't even get bored if you tried and it was hilly....not something I counted on. I had to work hard for this one. Last week's 10km run took me 01:14 so I figured I would be running this one in 01:17 but I ended up running it in 01:09 ...so even though It wasn't easy I felt good about myself. Along the track we had several water posts which was good because at km 5 I realized it was a little hotter than I had anticipated on so the water was really helpful. When we crossed the finish line I got that amazing medal and that to me was literally the crown to top of this golden run.

Literally each and every volunteer was completely sweet and welcoming, the views sparked my imagination and before I forget....there was a running group present called De Maxima Loopgroep https://sites.google.com/site/maximaloopgroep/maxima-loopgroep1 and they did some serious fundraising next to being the sparkly personalities on the course. I would love to see Queen Maxima joining them next year on this run. It would add to the Royal this run already has proven to be. If you by any change end up reading this Majesty it would certainly mean the world to this fantastic rungroup and the most amazing organisation if you could join them.

This marathon girl met some pretty amazing people today and had a blast running. I will definately join this run next year. Thank you all. It wasn't easy for me but I am proud and happy that I did it. I mean...a real palace, a good canon being fired, lackeys, lords and ladies...and an amazing piece of bling that now proudly dangles in my living room. This is one happy runner.

That's it for now. Keep it unreal and make it happen
Until we read again, as always
Love Marlies

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