16 July 2026

First TNH with dip in lake

We are already in the third heatwave of the year. But I hadn’t gone for a dip yet. In my first year, I already ended up in the water on my third trip. It happened more often after that. I'm not even sure I ended up in the water at all last year.

This week we would have another demo event; this time of Nnormal shoes. I already have a pair, but that doesn't have to stop me. I got to the shop straight from graduation, and the people there immediately noticed I was already wearing one of the models that we could try. I could have worn something else, but I wanted to have the Nnormals in case graduation would make me late, I wouldn't have time to borrow shoes. The shop had three different models there, so I borrowed a pair that was a bit more hybrid than fell, in a size 5.5. Nnormal sizes are a bit small.

Off we were! Up the zigzags. And northwest, to Deiniolen. I wasn't feeling it at all. I had to drag myself along the route. That wasn't promising much for the race I would have, in the very same area, in two days’ time. But a lot can happen in two days. The shoes were fine, by the way. We were doing a route that really suited hybrids! 


A picture I nicked from the Strava of fellow runner Trevor

It was warm but quite doable! I did try to stand in the shade every time we were waiting for stragglers. Only after having run some 7 km did I start to vaguely feel like running. I wasn't the only one not feeling it that night; Trevor was really complaining when after these 7 km we still weren't done with going uphill. But we got back to the shop. And there were soft drinks there, and pizza.

What I feared would happen had indeed happened: my Nnormals had ended up lumped with the demonstration models. Luckily, the latter all have their size written in permanent marker on the back, so I just scouted for the only pair that didn't have that. And these were indeed mine! Success.

After some pizza one of the ladies suggested going to the lake and having a dip. I thought it was a brilliant idea! It was easily hot enough, and I hadn't been yet. I was the first one to get there. I took my top off and went in in the rest of my running clothes.

The other people were really prepared: they got into their actual swimming outfits, and had towels for afterwards. No such thing for me! We had a nice swim with five people and a dog (Tinka’s dog Moos quite likes swimming too). And when we got out I just put on a dry T-shirt, and put a plastic bag on the car seat. Good enough! It had been really refreshing…

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