I signed up for the Paris Marathon on April 12, 2026.
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Yesterday, I raced Copenhagen Marathon #CPH42. This is my (extensive) race report.
At least the first half of the race was supposed to be just transport. Getting through without screwing up, saving as much energy as possible. I ran with the 4h10m pacers, and that was a good decision. Cruise control was activated, and instead of worrying about pace and doing all sorts of mental gymnastics on my own, I could just run along.
5/x
Already at 1k, I needed to use the toilet. Excellent timing, Aske...
At 5k, I poured what was supposed to be my first gel all over my hands rather than ingest it.
At 8k, I could wash off the gel at a water station.
I was cruising through the streets of Copenhagen, feeling good and taking it all in. The War on Drugs provided most of the soundtrack; the steady beat of “Under the Pressure” is close to perfect for such easy running.
6/x
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Already at 1k, I needed to use the toilet. Excellent timing, Aske...
At 5k, I poured what was supposed to be my first gel all over my hands rather than ingest it.
At 8k, I could wash off the gel at a water station.
I was cruising through the streets of Copenhagen, feeling good and taking it all in. The War on Drugs provided most of the soundtrack; the steady beat of “Under the Pressure” is close to perfect for such easy running.
6/x
Stride after stride became meter after meter became km after km. All went according to plan.
At 8k, I noticed a guy with a can of Red Bull in his backpack. That carbonated beverage got a good shaking. I wonder what happened later when he opened it..?
At 10k, there was a shrubbery, and the pee predicament was solved. Moments later, I destroyed a little girl’s confidence as I denied her a high-five (for sanitary reasons; I'm no monster).
7/x
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Stride after stride became meter after meter became km after km. All went according to plan.
At 8k, I noticed a guy with a can of Red Bull in his backpack. That carbonated beverage got a good shaking. I wonder what happened later when he opened it..?
At 10k, there was a shrubbery, and the pee predicament was solved. Moments later, I destroyed a little girl’s confidence as I denied her a high-five (for sanitary reasons; I'm no monster).
7/x
Throughout the first half, staying with my group, I felt strong and disciplined. My training was really paying off.
At 19k, we passed a band that played Bon Jovi cover songs. They were terrific, and had I not been doing a marathon, I would have stopped to listen. (“O-o-o-oh, we’re halfway theeere!” would, however, have hit harder 2k down the road.) There were many live acts out there to support us and make it a party, but this one was A+.
8/x
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Throughout the first half, staying with my group, I felt strong and disciplined. My training was really paying off.
At 19k, we passed a band that played Bon Jovi cover songs. They were terrific, and had I not been doing a marathon, I would have stopped to listen. (“O-o-o-oh, we’re halfway theeere!” would, however, have hit harder 2k down the road.) There were many live acts out there to support us and make it a party, but this one was A+.
8/x
The crowd was absolutely amazing. So many people from Copenhagen were out to celebrate and support. Loud music, funny signs, cheers, so much encouragement.
Kids will often hold out their hands for a high-five, and I’ve made a habit out of returning it whenever possible. It makes them happy, and it boosts my energy.
At 24k, on Frederiksberg Allé, the atmosphere was particularly electric. It was beautiful.
But wait, where were the pacers?
9/x
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The crowd was absolutely amazing. So many people from Copenhagen were out to celebrate and support. Loud music, funny signs, cheers, so much encouragement.
Kids will often hold out their hands for a high-five, and I’ve made a habit out of returning it whenever possible. It makes them happy, and it boosts my energy.
At 24k, on Frederiksberg Allé, the atmosphere was particularly electric. It was beautiful.
But wait, where were the pacers?
9/x
The 4h10m pacers were now 50 metres behind me. I had somehow slightly increased my pace and moved past them without noticing it.
I quickly decided this was ok. I felt strong and in control, and I would probably have pushed for an acceleration soon anyway. And if I would later start to run slower, the pacing group would just catch up with me and I would tag along again.
I continued to run disciplined and eased through the city center.
10/x
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The 4h10m pacers were now 50 metres behind me. I had somehow slightly increased my pace and moved past them without noticing it.
I quickly decided this was ok. I felt strong and in control, and I would probably have pushed for an acceleration soon anyway. And if I would later start to run slower, the pacing group would just catch up with me and I would tag along again.
I continued to run disciplined and eased through the city center.
10/x
At 30k, many runners had to stop and stretch due to cramps, many were toast. Not me though; I was getting tired, sure, but I had locked-in and was running better and stronger than I had expected.
And there was my wife and daughter!!! With a peeled orange and the water bottle I forgot at home. I was so happy to see them, even though they didn’t want a sweaty hug.
Onwards
Then I hit the wall...
11/x
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At 30k, many runners had to stop and stretch due to cramps, many were toast. Not me though; I was getting tired, sure, but I had locked-in and was running better and stronger than I had expected.
And there was my wife and daughter!!! With a peeled orange and the water bottle I forgot at home. I was so happy to see them, even though they didn’t want a sweaty hug.
Onwards
Then I hit the wall...
11/x
Around 31/32k, like a switch had been flipped, all power left my legs. From one stride to the next, my strong running simply died. My stomach objected to more water or more gels.
But curiously, I remained mentally strong and somewhat in control. I knew exactly what happened, what would come next, and what I needed to do. This was the moment I had trained for, the challenge I had signed up for. I had chosen this.
Still, it hurt.
12/x
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Around 31/32k, like a switch had been flipped, all power left my legs. From one stride to the next, my strong running simply died. My stomach objected to more water or more gels.
But curiously, I remained mentally strong and somewhat in control. I knew exactly what happened, what would come next, and what I needed to do. This was the moment I had trained for, the challenge I had signed up for. I had chosen this.
Still, it hurt.
12/x
I knew I had to keep going. Stopping wouldn’t bring me closer to the finish line, and it wouldn’t help me. So I kept running. Every stride was a struggle.
At 33k, my colleague was there again, cheering me on.
I focused on the moment, on getting to the next distance marker. The mental training from so many runs paid off. “Your pain is no credential here”; staying mindfully in control and getting through was what mattered.
13/x
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I knew I had to keep going. Stopping wouldn’t bring me closer to the finish line, and it wouldn’t help me. So I kept running. Every stride was a struggle.
At 33k, my colleague was there again, cheering me on.
I focused on the moment, on getting to the next distance marker. The mental training from so many runs paid off. “Your pain is no credential here”; staying mindfully in control and getting through was what mattered.
13/x
34k passed. 35k. 36k. I forced my legs to keep going, enforced positive self-coaching. I knew that at some point, I would regain power. My pace dropped from around 5’51” to around 6’51”; this was a 3/10 pace with a 9/10 effort. It was alright.
Remember when I said “I would tag along” when the pacers caught up? That plan was good - except I couldn’t keep up with them.
I accepted I would probably not beat my own PR as I had expected to do.
14/x
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34k passed. 35k. 36k. I forced my legs to keep going, enforced positive self-coaching. I knew that at some point, I would regain power. My pace dropped from around 5’51” to around 6’51”; this was a 3/10 pace with a 9/10 effort. It was alright.
Remember when I said “I would tag along” when the pacers caught up? That plan was good - except I couldn’t keep up with them.
I accepted I would probably not beat my own PR as I had expected to do.
14/x
Around 37k, there was @coachbennett in the crowd!!!
When I met him at the #CPH42 expo, he said he would be around this place on the course. As many of you know, he is one of my heroes, so I was looking out for him; I could use his support.
What I got was a smile, a high-five, and words of wisdom: “You’re doing great, babe!” Not sure about the babe thing, but I took what I could get. Thank you, Coach.
38k. 39k. 40k. Still running; getting there.
15/x
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Around 37k, there was @coachbennett in the crowd!!!
When I met him at the #CPH42 expo, he said he would be around this place on the course. As many of you know, he is one of my heroes, so I was looking out for him; I could use his support.
What I got was a smile, a high-five, and words of wisdom: “You’re doing great, babe!” Not sure about the babe thing, but I took what I could get. Thank you, Coach.
38k. 39k. 40k. Still running; getting there.
15/x
At 41k, wife and daughter were there again. I couldn’t stop to greet them, I had to keep going. It was still hard, but my legs and stomach felt better. I managed to increase pace.
And then I turned the last corner. It was a visceral moment. The thunderous cheering from the crowd. The final efforts of fellow runners giving all they had. The heavy legs. The celebration and smiles. So much joy. The finish line just up there.
600 m to go.
16/x
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At 41k, wife and daughter were there again. I couldn’t stop to greet them, I had to keep going. It was still hard, but my legs and stomach felt better. I managed to increase pace.
And then I turned the last corner. It was a visceral moment. The thunderous cheering from the crowd. The final efforts of fellow runners giving all they had. The heavy legs. The celebration and smiles. So much joy. The finish line just up there.
600 m to go.
16/x
At 42.195k, I finished the Copenhagen Marathon with a smile and a profound sense of gratitude and accomplishment. I even managed to throw in a sprint for the last 200m while I celebrated, yelled, and punched holes in the air.
This was truly a victorious moment, and an emotional one as well.
Right there, I didn’t want it to end - and simultanously very much wanted it to end. I had given all I had to give, and gotten so much in return.
17/x
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At 42.195k, I finished the Copenhagen Marathon with a smile and a profound sense of gratitude and accomplishment. I even managed to throw in a sprint for the last 200m while I celebrated, yelled, and punched holes in the air.
This was truly a victorious moment, and an emotional one as well.
Right there, I didn’t want it to end - and simultanously very much wanted it to end. I had given all I had to give, and gotten so much in return.
17/x
I had three goals for this year's #CPH42, and I think I achieved all three of them:
1) To cross both the start and the finish lines.
2) To have fun.
3) To be in control of the last 10k.I would have loved to beat my PR too - but I’ll look to that in connection with Malmö Marathon on October 3. I already look forward to it.
18/18
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Yesterday, I raced Copenhagen Marathon #CPH42. This is my (extensive) race report.
At least the first half of the race was supposed to be just transport. Getting through without screwing up, saving as much energy as possible. I ran with the 4h10m pacers, and that was a good decision. Cruise control was activated, and instead of worrying about pace and doing all sorts of mental gymnastics on my own, I could just run along.
5/x
Oh boy oh boy oh boy, (cracking open a drink and getting ready to read the race report)
Feel free to mute my responses as they come in
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Already at 1k, I needed to use the toilet. Excellent timing, Aske...
At 5k, I poured what was supposed to be my first gel all over my hands rather than ingest it.
At 8k, I could wash off the gel at a water station.
I was cruising through the streets of Copenhagen, feeling good and taking it all in. The War on Drugs provided most of the soundtrack; the steady beat of “Under the Pressure” is close to perfect for such easy running.
6/x
Oh damn!
If only you could take energy in through the skin!
That was definitely an unfortunate start!But, really great to hear the experience with the pacers. Keeping track and looking at the watch and pace can be a bit much on top of everything else!
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Stride after stride became meter after meter became km after km. All went according to plan.
At 8k, I noticed a guy with a can of Red Bull in his backpack. That carbonated beverage got a good shaking. I wonder what happened later when he opened it..?
At 10k, there was a shrubbery, and the pee predicament was solved. Moments later, I destroyed a little girl’s confidence as I denied her a high-five (for sanitary reasons; I'm no monster).
7/x
It's so awesome with all the people cheering, but I'm also very often reluctant to high-five those hands, with my own sticky sweaty palms
I try to smile and wave though, and I'm sure you didn't really ruin her experience
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The crowd was absolutely amazing. So many people from Copenhagen were out to celebrate and support. Loud music, funny signs, cheers, so much encouragement.
Kids will often hold out their hands for a high-five, and I’ve made a habit out of returning it whenever possible. It makes them happy, and it boosts my energy.
At 24k, on Frederiksberg Allé, the atmosphere was particularly electric. It was beautiful.
But wait, where were the pacers?
9/x
It really does often feel like a power up when you pass some of the enthusiastic supporters along the way!
I was tracking you on Frederiksberg Allé, thinking how it was nice that the route was downhill at that point, instead of running it uphill.
I guess that's why you slightly passed the pacers
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The 4h10m pacers were now 50 metres behind me. I had somehow slightly increased my pace and moved past them without noticing it.
I quickly decided this was ok. I felt strong and in control, and I would probably have pushed for an acceleration soon anyway. And if I would later start to run slower, the pacing group would just catch up with me and I would tag along again.
I continued to run disciplined and eased through the city center.
10/x
It really sounds like you've had an extremely great run at this point with the kilometers just passing by slowly and you enjoying the ride around the city.
I also noticed the increase in pace when I checked in with you (virtually) at the 25k split!
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At 30k, many runners had to stop and stretch due to cramps, many were toast. Not me though; I was getting tired, sure, but I had locked-in and was running better and stronger than I had expected.
And there was my wife and daughter!!! With a peeled orange and the water bottle I forgot at home. I was so happy to see them, even though they didn’t want a sweaty hug.
Onwards
Then I hit the wall...
11/x
Damn that's great timing! To have that moral boost right at that time in the race!
I guess it wasn't quite a coincidence that they were positioned at 30k
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Around 31/32k, like a switch had been flipped, all power left my legs. From one stride to the next, my strong running simply died. My stomach objected to more water or more gels.
But curiously, I remained mentally strong and somewhat in control. I knew exactly what happened, what would come next, and what I needed to do. This was the moment I had trained for, the challenge I had signed up for. I had chosen this.
Still, it hurt.
12/x
That's a tough situation to be in, seems like your strength training (mental strength that is) has really paid off and given you that extra something needed to focus on the moment.
