Athena is a marketer, content creator, and dedicated runner originally from Antwerp, now living in Amsterdam. Running has always been part of her life, but it was completing a half marathon in New York in 2017 that solidified her commitment to the sport.
Since then, she’s deepened her passion through local running groups and personal challenges, including managing a chronic condition that taught her resilience and gratitude. For Athena, running is more than exercise, it’s a way to reconnect with her body, build community, and live fully in the present moment.
From childhood races to half marathons
Running has always been a passion. I remember finishing second in a cross-country race at age nine, outpaced only by a girl from an athletics team, a moment that sparked my competitive drive. While I’d run on and off throughout the years, my first official race came in 2013 during the Nike “We Own the Night” 10K in London. But it wasn’t until I ran my first half marathon in New York in 2017 that I really committed to running. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, but training all those weeks along the Westside Highway is one of my favorite memories from my time in New York.
Finding my communities
Joining the Running Junkies in 2023 reignited my passion, as running with incredibly talented people weekly has been both inspiring and motivating. Connecting with other Amsterdam communities, especially Saturday morning Bambas runs followed by market trips, has become one of my favorite rituals and a great way to meet people in the city.
A new appreciation for movement
I’ve always loved movement, whether it’s running, hitting the gym or a hot yoga class. As long as I’m active, I’m happy. But I found a whole new level of appreciation for my body and health in 2017 after being diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease. At first, I didn’t realize how much it would change my life. I’ve had multiple hospitalizations, taken countless medications, more blood tests and doctors visits than I can remember, and long stretches of time bedridden with pain and exhaustion. Through these experiences, I developed a deep gratitude for my health and for simply being able to move.
It’s true that you don’t fully appreciate health until it’s compromised. Lying in a hospital bed, wishing my body would function normally, was a humbling experience. I lost trust in my body, but instead of asking, “why me?” I chose to embrace this condition as a lesson. It’s taught me so much about health, resilience, and the importance of living in the present.
Reconnecting with my body
Running, to me, has become a way to reconnect with my body and regain that trust. On days when I feel unmotivated, I remind myself of the times I couldn’t even walk 200 meters without stopping due to pain and exhaustion. Running now represents resilience; it’s my way of reminding myself of all that I’m capable of. During races, my mantra is simply “I’ve been through way harder things than this.”
From hospital bed to half marathon
My chronic illness has pushed me to make lifestyle changes and reprioritize my health in ways I hadn’t imagined. After a challenging hospitalization this past spring, I gained even more clarity on what truly matters to me. Just seven weeks after being discharged, I found myself running my second half marathon, this time in the stunning Lofoten Islands of Norway. It was one of my favorite races to date; I signed up spontaneously on race day, with no expectations, and just enjoyed the experience. The course was breathtaking, winding past white beaches with turquoise waters, crossing bridges to small islands, all against a backdrop of green mountains. It reminded me exactly why I love running.
Looking back, running has been my constant through every high and low, shaping who I am and helping me find strength I didn’t know I had. It’s a daily reminder to appreciate my health, embrace the present, and push my limits, no matter what challenges come my way. Running has been a journey that’s about so much more than the miles. It’s a testament to resilience and a commitment to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
