Karin Janssen

Hi hi,
I am dream team participant Karin van den Brink-Janssen. I live in Baarlo with my husband and son. After a life of being overweight and having surgery in 2021, I am now literally and figuratively living a lighter life. I have always exercised, even if I am overweight. But jeez…. It’s so much more fun and easier to do!
In April 2023, after months of hard training, I managed to run the 5K myself. I finished last; They were already cleaning up the ribbons and the medals were gone, but I was euphoric!
After this performance, I missed a goal to work towards and so running came to an end.
Until in September I received a text from my cousin that she had been admitted to the dream team and asked if this would not be something for me as well. After a day of thought, I shared this with my husband. He was also enthusiastic and encouraged me to direct my motivation. There was a new goal all at once; the 10 kilometers on the Venloop 2024!
And so it was that a week later I was allowed to start with the Venloop dream team.

And so the vastelaovend is already over and it is only five weeks until the Venloop.
Where we started as strangers to each other in September, we have grown into a dream team family.

We celebrate successes and are there for each other when the going gets tough. Very nice!
Accompanied by Henk, we have already covered many kilometres, through all weathers.
I didn’t mind that training in winter, but how wonderful it is that spring is coming and to hear the birds singing again!
So the Berden spring 7.5-kilometre run is also just around the corner.
Due to a knee injury, things are not running smoothly for a while, but I will try to run it.
And so is the Venloop on 24 March.
Getting to that finish line together with my dream team family and then toasting together with Henk and Vivian! That’s my goal I’m going for!

April 2024:
Time to write one last blog.
I take you through the weeks before the Venloop, the Venloop day and the weeks after the Venloop.

3 March:
The Berden Spring Run. How nervous I was… I was looking forward to it, nauseated by it, excited about it, resolved to enjoy it and start calmly.
That quiet start unfortunately didn’t work out. I ran with the crowd. After about 3 kilometres, my music stopped and my knee hurt. Also, it was hot! Lovely for the spectators, for me as a runner it was less pleasant and uncomfortable after a winter of training. Pushing on, running every now and then and picking myself up. That’s how I managed to cross the finish line. Very happy with this beautiful medal. What a fun event, that Berden Spring Run!
After this run, I started having doubts. Can I handle the 10? Shouldn’t I go back to the 5 kilometres with my knee injury?
Trainer Henk and coordinator Vivian remained fully confident and, as a result, I kept going for the 10 kilometres.

13 March:
1.5 weeks before the Venloop.
We were going to do course reconnaissance this evening.
Goal was to run slowly, listen to my knee and run for a while if it would play up.
This worked! Wow!!! I’m going to do the 10 kilometres!
No longer with a target in terms of time, as I had before my knee injury.
Running out like I had done this evening with the course reconnaissance was my new goal.
I felt great!

24 March 2024
The day of the Venloop has arrived.
I had a good night’s sleep after yesterday’s pasta party.
My knee was taped well again, thank you Lotte!
All the stuff was ready the night before, so all I had to do was have breakfast.
Travelling by bus to Venlo was very relaxing. Thanks to Arriva, who offered free transport during this Venloop day!
I arrived at Venloop in plenty of time and then went to watch the youth runners. What a lot there were! Youth has the future!

Time to gather with the dream team. We were able to visit the office of Bij Nabben, welfare and finance. Thank you Daisy! This prime location was decorated and hung full of cheers, super!
Time flew…
Taking a team photo, putting on a number, getting the music ready and warming up.
Some very nice words from Henk and Vivian, wishing each other good luck and off to the start.
Enjoy! That was the most important thing for the next 10 kilometres!
I felt pretty calm all morning, but just before the start I felt some tension.
The starting gun sounded and it was about to begin.
A rollercoaster… That’s how I experienced those 10 kilometres.

I take you through my thoughts during the Venloop.
Slow start succeeded.
Ouch, my knee hurts.
What a crowd along the side.
Nice it’s raining a bit so lots of oxygen.
Hey, there are my parents, waving!
Phew… I’m only halfway.
How nice of you to stand there, Henk!
Keep going, one step at a time.
Why did I want this?
Yes! There stand my very dearest men! Luf joe!
Ouch, my knee hurts more and more.
Just walking.
Fortunately, I am not the only one.
Having a nice chat with another runner.
Still 2 kilometres to go.
How nice that this song comes on now, does me good.
I tip another runner against side pain.
I can’t do any more, just walk.
Come on, the parade is in sight.
Wow! The sun is starting to shine.
Ouch, my knee.
Pohhh… what a lot of people are here cheering.
That Parade is actually quite long.
Come on, the last few metres.
The finish line in sight.
Ouch, I’m in a lot of pain.
I FINISH!!!!

For a moment I collapse and feel all the pain. Then Henk and Vivian are standing there waiting for me with a medal. It feels very unreal to receive it. Off to the park to my Dream team mates.
Congratulations, hugs and happiness. We did it!
I am super proud of everyone!

Each of us fills the rest of the day differently. One needed rest, the other went to see friends and I went to cheer on the half-marathon runners. I stood clapping and cheering from the first to the last runner. Pain on my hands from clapping and the cold, but they all deserve it!
Then home. Nice shower, dinner and bed.

25 March:
The day after.

My body, apart from my knee, actually feels quite good. A quick app with the others to ask how things are going there. Muscle pain is a common answer, but otherwise there is a lot of euphoria.
I don’t have that euphoria myself. Due to my injury, I haven’t really enjoyed myself. I have been more about survival. I immediately agree with myself that I will participate again next year. Then I want to enjoy myself, injury-free!!!

3 April:
Farewell evening Dream team.
During this evening, we reflected, made plans, there were nice words and presents, laughed and cried. This Dreamteam family is here to stay!

Venloop Dreamteam organisation, thank you very much!
What an honour to have been part of this! Keep up the good work!
I hope many more people will become part of this fantastic initiative!

Ow, and one more thing…. the medal hangs in the living room and I’m becoming a bit proud of it anyway.