Let’s go together!
From a 14-year-old racing in short triathlons to pursuing Ironman Hawaii as a professional athlete. Gradually I worked my way to a professional Ironman career, which lasted from 2007 up to 2011. My journey was supported by sponsors who joined me locally and later on internationally. In return their name was on my gear and I started coaching and training their employees and friends to build and maintain fitness to join running and cycling events.
It was a blast! Even though I did not race Ironman Hawaii, what I trained and raced for. Transitioning from professional triathlon, I felt the need to sport together with others and to unite people for runs and bike rides.Â
That need to bring athletes together lead to Running Coffee. A club where running meets the comfort of a cup of coffee, bonded by the social aspect of enjoying both together.Â
It was and still is not about speed, level, experience or gear. It focuses on the camaraderie of being together, explore new routes, and with a pace so every runner can keep up to grab a well deserved coffee at the end.Â
Running Coffee is great to being out together, but not every body is into running, so together with some runners who joined we decided to go for a ride.
And so Cycling Espresso was founded in 2013, the first organized coffee ride in the world. Like at Running Coffee these rides were all about socializing and camaraderie of heading out together and getting back together. All after a great coffee at the start.Â
Everybody with a helmet was and still is welcome to join while promoting the social aspect of being in it together. Adapting routes, adjusting speed and helping those in need to get home safely.Â
Today, thousands joined Cycling Espresso Rides, in various international places. Although we have spread our message of being open for everybody, some still feel barriers to join.
These barriers where a reason to take coaching more professional. The years of experience starting back in 2007 were combined in DuursportCoach. A coaching platform for athletes of every level, experience and sport. Or well, triathlon and it specific sports on it’s own.Â
It helped athletes to achieve their personal goals in triathlon, running and cycling. Bringing structure to their annual plan, weekly training routine and the individual workouts by using Trainingpeaks to plan and track their progress.
Still riders and runners kept saying they would not join Running Coffee or Cycling Espresso, since the barrier of joining was just too high and they lacked the confidence to join.
And then there was EEVOO. The combination of social, sport and coaching. A place where you can find a suitable plan or personal coaching to feel confident to join the clubs or race your planned race.Â
The double letters mean we are in it together. You, me and all others. Only together we can Stay Fit or get fast and be confident. Doubling down on the benefits of balanced plans and having good company to stay motivated.
Only together we can fine tune workouts, plans and clubs. No matter is this means starting up something new or build on what is already there. We both will benefit from this.
