Annika, or the art of running without pressure (and with fries at the finish line) 😊
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
At Kuristo, we love stories of people who discovered running for the love of it—and Annika’s journey is a perfect example. Just two and a half years ago, she hated running. Today? She laces up her shoes regularly, crushes kilometers in the Soignes Forest, and even dreams of completing the 60K Promenade Verte loop in one go. Her secret? "Stop overthinking, just go."
How long have you been part of the club?Exactly a year. I joined at the beginning of May last year.
Are you a casual, regular, or hardcore runner?
Regular. I try to come on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Have you always been sporty?
Yes! I’ve always been the sporty one in my family. In school, I tried lots of different sports, especially basketball. Later, I was part of my university’s rowing team. Now, I run and do bouldering regularly, and I always look forward to summer for stand-up paddleboarding.
How did you get into running? And how did you find Kuristo?
Even though I’ve always been the sporty one in my family, I hated running for a long time! Then, about two and a half years ago, I came across tons of articles and studies about the physical and mental benefits of running. At some point, I told myself: "Okay, no more excuses—I need to learn to love running." I started slowly with a Couch to 5K program. A year later, I ran my first half-marathon here in Brussels.
Last year, I was looking for a morning running group in Woluwe because I’m not a morning person and needed some peer pressure to get out and run early. I didn’t find one… but I found Kuristo! 😊
What’s your most memorable running or training experience?
Last year, Aurora and I did a 19K run along the Promenade Verte. We started at Neuhaus Chocolate in Anderlecht and finished at the Tram friterie in Auderghem. A run in nature, with great company, perfect weather, chocolate, and fries—it was an amazing day!
And your worst memory?
Last winter, I had knee issues, and it was a pretty frustrating time. I thought it was getting better, then it would flare up again, which was discouraging. I adjusted my insoles and worked on my running technique, and now it’s so much better.
Do you prefer trail running or urban running?
Trail! I love it!
What motivates you to run even when you don’t feel like it?
I tell myself: "Don’t overthink it, just go." I also remind myself: "1K takes 6 minutes… 5K takes 30 minutes—it’s not that much."
Do you run for performance or for fun?
Fun, 100%. 😊
Music or silence during your runs?
Podcasts, chats with other Kuristos, or silence.
What are your hobbies outside of running?
If only I had enough time for all my hobbies! I go bouldering at least once a week. I also love outdoor sports like snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and cycling. I love traveling and discovering new things, especially related to animals and archaeology. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my guinea pigs. And to relax, I crochet—right now, I’m making a Pikachu cushion for my nephew! 😊
What’s your favorite type of training?
Forest runs. We’re so lucky to have the beautiful Soignes Forest right nearby.
What’s the one race you never want to miss?
The 9K Silvesterlauf in the historic center of Aachen on December 31st. The weather is usually terrible, but at the finish, you get a huge slice of Streuselkuchen. It’s a perfect way to end the year and start a new one!
What’s your goal for this year?
No specific goal, really. If I can improve my half-marathon time in November (if the Brussels half is still happening…), that’d be a nice bonus. But I run mostly for fun, with no pressure.
What’s your ultimate dream?
I’ve already achieved my main goal, which was to love running. Now, my aim is to keep it simple. Everything else is a bonus.But… it would be crazy—but so fun—to run the 60K Promenade Verte loop around Brussels in one go. I’ve done it once by bike, but on foot? That would be a whole different experience.
A movie or series that marked you?
Wolf Hall, the BBC series about Thomas Cromwell, based on Hilary Mantel’s novels.
A book you recommend?
Die Stadt der Träumenden Bücher (The City of Dreaming Books) by Walter Moers.
Your favorite food?
I love almost everything except cheese. I adore lemon sorbet, mangoes, and spicy dishes—sunshine on a plate! In Mumbai, there was an amazing green curry.
Your favorite drink?
Black coffee.
Your dream place to live?
Somewhere warm and sunny by the sea, with wild nature. And most importantly, the ability to travel a lot. I love discovering, exploring, and trying new things.
