I moved during Covid into the area and although everything was closed, it has been love at first sight. Industrial, meets creative locations, meets stylish new-builts, meets quiet and nature. Sometimes maybe a little too quiet. Especially if you are a (female) runner.
If you are like me a morning runner, I don't have to tell you that pretty much half of the year our runs are in the dark. In central Amsterdam that never bothered me much, as there is always someone cycling through Vondelpark, lots of dog walkers and early commuters. Here in Noord I often find myself all alone on the streets, some are hardly lit or not lit at all. I run always, and don't get me wrong, I love a dark and quiet run. Just not always. Sometimes they feel too quiet and as a female runner, as angry as it makes me, I do feel like I have to plan my routes around my physical safety and cannot always run when and where I want.
Amsterdam Run Club's
During my time as a lululemon run ambassador it has been so beautiful to see the running community grow. With lululemon, but also all over Amsterdam. Run clubs have been popping up like mushrooms. It has been such a joy to witness runners movement journey and I hopefully inspired a few people on the way to try out trail running or explore longer distances and a more holistic approach to running. I have joined a few other Amsterdam Run Clubs, but they have all been too far away to make it regularly.
The idea of starting a run club has been in my mind for years. And no, it was for whatever reason never the right time. And yes, there was also this thought: what if no one shows up? People always showed up to every lululemon community run and what is the worst thing that could happen: I would go for another solo run.
Run Club details
I found a beautiful, local cafe that hosts us for bag drops and amazing coffee afterwards. The owner Nour is so kind and is extra an hour earlier in Noord to open ' Gentle Place Coffee' for us every Wednesday 7am.
Every mover is welcome, pace is around 6:30 -7:00 min per km. Chatttable as I would call it. Distance is about 6-7km. Every first Wednesday we head tot the track for (optional) intervals.
Hope to run with you soon,
Mirjam
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