Sunday, April 17, 2011 - Antwerp My first marathon Will it succeed? the doubt is big, but also the urge to succeed in this scheme is big! My supporters are already at their posts ! Eddy Champagne will be riding with his bike most of the way and will provide food and drinks along the way. Supporters : Line - Georges and Monique and Yvonne - Hilde and Kathleen			one last kiss before I leave	to homepage to running
	together with Georges we explore the start - on the avenue Thonet on the left bank		there is already a lot of people on the road - there are some 2000 participants expected	to homepage to running
	We are looking for the different pacers with the balloons - what end time do we want to reach ?		4h30 might be a bit too ambitious for this first time !	to homepage to running
	We still have a little time : and we are keeping us warm as best we can - a little more reflection before we start		It's almost time : we get ready - and walk to the starting point !	to homepage to running
	And here we go : the start is given and everything gets moving !		The first few hundred meters are over, we are now turning onto Blancefloerlaan!	to homepage to running
	The runners come out of the 'Rabbit Pipe' (the old tunnel) !		The fast runners are already on the Ankerrui !	to homepage to running
	They have already built up a substantial lead over the bulk of the other runners !		A little later, on the Ankerrui, the other runners arrive!	to homepage to running
	And also the group of 4h30 passes by at the Ankerrui !		At the Brouwersvliet a surprise awaits : a Jembe and drum band !	to homepage to running
	Once at the Jordaenskaai, the field of participants is already quite spread out!		We are already at the Jan van Gentstraat (near the new Palace of Justice) !	to homepage to running
	In the distance comes Eddy!		Already a little closer now - he is being waited on by Eddy C.!	to homepage to running
	Gradually, the last runners arre passing this beverage station !		we are now in Brusselstraat - the southernmost part of the Singel!	to homepage to running
	At the Atheneum of Hoboken : we are now about 10 km away !		My supporters have a surprise : Line and Yvonne with a banner !	to homepage to running
	Come on Speedy Eddy !!!		Here's Eddy !!!	to homepage to running
	Eddy at the Athenaeum of Hoboken		And we run into the Resistance Avenue!	to homepage to running
	At the end of Steyn Street - yet another drink station !		And Eddy is still in shape!	to homepage to running
	On the Krijgsbaan - at the Hoboken swimming dock : MUSIC !		We are approaching the entrance to the cemetery of Antwerp - the Schoonselhof!	to homepage to running
	At the Schoonselhof !		Another drink station - on the Bosheidelaan - almost at km 18 !	to homepage to running
	At the Berkenrijslaan : here are my supporters !		A last salute, and we are off again : into the tunnel !	to homepage to running
	We have now arrived at the Berchem Stadionstraat! km 25 and the km's are starting to weigh heavy		The Unitas Avenue - at the Boekenberg Park - running has now become very tough !	to homepage to running
	But voilà : here comes Eddy		And at the sight of his supporters , he can smile a little too !	to homepage to running
	The supporters also have to be photographed !		And then Eddy is gone again!	to homepage to running
	The supporters are looking out : he is coming !		And there he is, speedy Eddy! Banner ready, and camera at the ready!	to homepage to running
	That's what I call : supporting !!!		And after supporting: the inner man needs to be strengthened !	to homepage to running
	We are already in Deurne!		On the Gabriël Vervoortlaan, there is once again ambiance	to homepage to running
	Eddy is gradually becoming very Tired!		At the Swiss Pharmacy 2 beauties are waiting for Eddy !	to homepage to running
	They could still laugh about it - but Eddy got really tired		Meanwhile, we are already at the Griffier Schobbenslaan in Deurne - almost at the Ter Rivierenhof - and here too MUSIC	to homepage to running
	At the entrance of the Ter Rivierenhof ! The legs really didn't want to go anymore !		To the Italiëlei - a bagpiper - one more bit and the end is near !	to homepage to running
	At last : the Suikerrui !!! a last effort can be made now !		Only a few meters to go : Hooray !!! Phew !!! and there are my supporters !!!	to homepage to running
	We're going to take off our hat!		and wave to the supporters - Tired but satisfied !	to homepage to running
	JOEHOE !!! !		and still just within the limit time - not bad for my first marathon!	to homepage to running
	A nice Medal ! well deserved !		And a tired EDDY!	to homepage to running
	Hilde comes to support Eddy after his severe effort!		posing for a moment	to homepage to running
	When Eddy can no longer stoop to tie his shoelace, Hilde is happy to come and lend a helping hand !!!		You have to show something like that more than once!	to homepage to running
	Have a little chat ... !!		and then it's time for a real Antwerp terrace !	to homepage to running
	Eddy looks really tired !		Tired but satisfied !	to homepage to running
	Explaining once again how it all went		chatting about a great achievement !	to homepage to running
	Drinking and chatting about this wonderful day !			to homepage to running