Those who wish to join this objective can still do so by submitting their application. The selected participants will be invited to collective training on Tuesday May 7 in Brussels before being accompanied on D-Day in their effort by the winner of the 2019 edition, who then completed the distance in 1h00.34.
Want to be coached by Valentin Poncelet for your 20 km from Brussels? Apply here!
A few weeks before the most popular running event of the year in Belgium, the opportunity was perfect to seek out the advice that a former winner wishes to share with the many participants who will discover the distance or who will have a goal around the 2 hours.
1. Pay attention to your equipment
“The first thing I will pay attention to when contacting my group will be to pay attention to the equipment. There is no question of investing excessively and having the best possible equipment but, on the other hand, you must have shoes designed for running and adapted to your profile and your objective. This is essential to avoid injuries and it would be a mistake to come to the 20 Km of Brussels with shoes usually used for another sport, for example. For the rest of the equipment, the important thing is to have tested it before and feel comfortable with it, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises on race day. ”
Running advice: which shoe to choose for your next 20 km from Brussels? (VIDEO)
2. Don’t force it during the last month
“There is one month left before the 20 Km of Brussels. For those who have been practicing regularly for several weeks or months, I trust them, they are on the right path to going below the 2 hour mark. For those who have done nothing or almost nothing yet, it is high time to get started. Be careful though, you must above all be progressive and regular. Doing 4 outings a week at once when you only did one before is the best way to get injured. Like absolutely wanting to do 20 kilometers in training when you usually do 8. There is also no obligation to run the full distance before the D-Day. Gradually increase to reach 16 or 17 km is the advice I give. With the atmosphere and motivation on race day, you will get there without any worries. ”
3. Test yourself on a race before
“There's has many races all over Belgium. Two or three weeks before your objective of the 20 Km of Brussels, do not hesitate to register for an event, over a distance between 10 and 15 kilometers. It's an ideal way to test your sensations and check your equipment in racing conditions. But also to test your supplies.”
4. Hydrate on race day
“When you run the 20 Km of Brussels in around 2 hours, it is essential to integrate hydration into your race schedule and your preparation. It's a long effort, perhaps longer than some people imagine. Especially if it's hot. Be careful, hydrating properly does not mean drinking from the 15th kilometer when you are out of breath. This is a regular gesture that you must do throughout the race and that you must have integrated into your plan. But no worries, there are plenty of refreshment stations within 20 km of Brussels. ”
Hydration: the different alternatives for runners
5. There is Tervueren… but especially the tunnels
“Many talk about Avenue de Tervueren. Yes, it's going up. But the end of the race is in sight and there are a lot of supporters. If the race was managed well overall, this will pass. My point of attention on the route rather concerns the tunnels, which follow one another at the start of the route. They can be very brittle and it's way too early to get into the red. You have to manage them and agree to slow down each time you go out. Generally speaking, a distance like 20 km must be managed with an overall vision from start to finish, to correctly dose the effort. Be equipped with a GPS watch is interesting in this case because it allows you to keep an eye on your progress.”
6. Enjoy the ambiance
“The 20 km of Brussels can be run without headphones on. You have to enjoy this unique atmosphere along the route. Besides, I'm looking forward to running in the crowd this year because I'm convinced that there are even more people than when the first runners pass. You have to take this energy that you receive from people. Just running in the streets of Brussels closed to traffic is already an experience that should boost you. ”
Our advice for a successful 20 km from Brussels (VIDEOS)
7. Don't change your eating habits
“My last piece of advice is not to disrupt your eating habits in the days leading up to the race. Of course, avoid alcohol and excesses. But don't start trying new things or stuffing yourself with more pasta than usual the day before, for example. If your stomach is not used to this treatment, it may upset it and interfere with your run. The day before, don't innovate and stick to what you're used to doing in terms of food.”
