249 days as I write this.
249 days until the start of the summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero next year.
And what happened to that fleeting wedge of time that slipped by since London 2012?
Time flies as they say. But if you’re an athlete with eyes on Olympic qualification it flicks by at light speed. So it is, I can but imagine, for Esther who must keep shaving hundredths of seconds from her sprint times to earn a place on her national team. And with the summer season now concluded, there is only the narrow window of winter qualifications remaining for her to safeguard one of those precious berths.
Good stuff, then, that we’re in a happy place of reflection when it comes to the end of another year.
“I look back on my season really satisfied,” Esther concludes. “It wasn’t a perfect season, but it was more than I had hoped for.”
Meaning?
“After Geneva I broke our club record twice. First at my home track in Eindhoven in 11.78 and a few weeks later in Heusden in 11.70. My training buddy Sacha already broke my record in August after I finished competitions. She ran 11.58, so she also broke my PB (which is 11.59). A weird moment, because she broke my PB, but with all the experience I have now I felt a bit sad at first not attending the competition myself. But I know I didn’t run there because my body was tired. I would have liked to run that same time – of course, it would be weird if I didn’t – but I am also really happy for Sacha that she finally ran like she does in training!”
And the thing is, with Esther, you know she means that. It’s a case of not wanting to see your team mate outpace you, and simultaneously maintaining an awareness that if she doesn’t beat you on occasion and vice-versa, you’re no good as training companions.
“This season we made a super fast team. So I’m really proud to train with such a fast girl. Together we have one goal: Rio!”
There’s a ceaseless sequence of highs and lows though. That’s what top-level athletics is all about, or so I’ve come to realise. Ecstatic glory followed by the leaden weight of disappointment, and then, if you can learn from the latter, the return to the former.
“My last competitions were the nationals. The 100m didn’t go too well. I ran 11.92, very disappointing. I didn’t make it to the finals. I came tenth in total. Luckily I did make it to the finals in the 200m, but the time of 24.60 was disappointing as well. The last day in the nationals was the best day. A perfect ending to a good season. We won a gold medal in the 4x100m relay with our club in a very fast time of 45.32 which is the 3rd fastest time ever run by a club team. And we won the bronze medal in de 4x400m relay. So two medals in one weekend and five races. It was tough,” Esther admits, “but good”.
“So that was my summer season. I’m back on track. I ran good times in the 100m. I’m so much faster and closer to making it into the team than I was in 2011 – I ran 11.97 back then and I needed 11.69 to come along with the team. But this time the competition is stronger and younger. I’m aware of that. So it will not be easy, not at all. But the start has been made. Not only the past three years, and especially last year. But also three weeks ago, when the winter training started again.”
And…ah, I hate to ask it. I mean I’m feeling the tension now as if I’m attempting to qualify myself. So the start of winter training – it’s progressing…fine?
“Right from the moment that we started I noticed that I was tired. My practice went well, but I couldn’t rest like I wanted.”
Esther isn’t a professional athlete. She must earn her living as a trainer and somehow shoehorn her Olympian schedule in the little gaps that remain once the bills are paid. If you want to make it in the most prestigious arena of sport though, sacrifices must be made.
“So I decided to work less in the gym. It was a big decision, because I really love all my clients and I didn’t want to let any of them down. But this year has to be mostly about me. It feels selfish sometimes, but in this case I have to be. I cannot wake up at 5.50 in the morning and train until 22.00 in the evening. So starting from November I’m working eight hours a week. Not that much, but it’s more than enough.”
Ecstatic glory. Leaden disappointment. The constant battle to evade the latter.
“I don’t want to look back next summer and say I could have been faster if I would have worked less. So to prevent that excuse I’m making important decisions.”
Decisions that are already showing a potential pay-off.
“Right now I feel good. I’m working hard on the track and my body feels fit. That’s super important. Stay fit and work hard.”
Stay fit. Yes but also: stay tuned. Because in Part 5 of our #RoadtoRio series we’ll be drawing tantalisingly close to Esther’s moment of truth – is she Rio bound?
In the mean time keep up to date with Esther by following her @EstherAkihary and at her official website estherakihary.com
Images copyright Peter van Nobelen, used with kind permission.