Esther Akihary
Friday, June 19, 2015
This week has been one of my craziest weeks this year where I even had to cancel runs to make sure that I have enough time to do what I have to do. I never do this I always squeeze in a run so when I do you must know it is real!
I have been putting a lot of work into the project for August, it promises to be better than last year I hope it will be :). For those of you that are not out and about at the clurbs today be inspired by Esther. Its rare that I get to feature olympians but when they respond I have the biggest smile on my face and ooooooh those muscle tights...
Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
My name is Esther Akihary, I’m 28 years old and I’m a professional track and field athlete. I’m a sprinter. In 2012 I went to the Olympics with the Dutch 4x100m relay team. I also won the silver medal in the 4x100 during the European Chamionships in Helsinki (Finland) in 2012. Now I’m on the road to Rio 2016, and I hope to compete once more in the Olympics! Next to being a professional athlete I work as a Vitalitycoach. I live, work and train in Eindhoven (Netherlands).
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
Running is my professional life and I have to plan my work around that, because I still have to pay my bills. I studied law and graduated in 2011, but it was hard to combine a job with sports, so I have started my own company, as a vitalitycoach. I now plan my own hours and choose to work parttime and earn less money than I could be making because I have a dream to go to the Olympics once more!
Q. When and why did you start running?
My father inspired me to start running, because he went jogging all the time. When I was old enough to ride a bicycle I always went with him to take his bottle of water and a towel. I first started running on the track when I was nine years old. The village I lived in held a school race on the track. I ended somewhere between no. 1 and the last runner, but I had fun! After that day I became a member of the local athletics team.
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
I have a clear goal, and not even a bad day can stop me from going after that goal!
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
I’m actually a sprinter, so I don’t do long distances that much. In competition the longest I’ve ran is 3,5 (7km), and in training about 5 miles (10km).
My Puma gear and some music.
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
I don’t think all youth lacks excersizing, but it would be nice if more kids could find their passion in sports! Not only for their physical health, but also for their mental health. Study results are proven to be better when your physical condition is good. Sports is fun, social, moving boudaries, getting to know yourself and so much more! But I’d like to tell the youth: It is never to late to get started!!
Q. What was your best running experience?
I have more than one, but racing the European Championships in 2012 was awesome! Later we took home the silver medal and got a ticket to the Olympics in London!
Q. What was your worst running experience?
Making a false start in the semi finals during the Dutch National Championships.
Q. How do you push through the pain?
Keep my goal in mind.
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
Make sure you have a clear goal! Most important thing is that you have passion and work hard to reach that goal. Without passion it’s just hard work and without hard work a goal becomes a dream. So set your goals, work very hard and do it with passion. Feel the energy that passion gives you!
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
Instagram: @FitFastEssie
Twitter: @EstherAkihary
LinkedIn: Esther Akihary
Website: www.estherakihary.com
- My best running shoe is Puma Faas300
- I love running because I do it with passion and that gives positive energy!
- Injury is a sign of your body to take some time to recover and gives you time to focus on other elements of training, like core stability or weight lifiting.
- My body is like a machine.
- My running playlist has Usher with “More” on it! “The headliner, finisher, I'm the closer, winner. Best when under pressure with seconds left I show up.” Love it!
- I hate running when I’m in pain because of an injury. I actually want to run, but hate the pain.
- Pain is good, when you know you’re working hard, but pain can be bad when you’re really injured.
- The road to Rio!
- Sweat is working hard
- In future, I would like to run the 4x100 meters in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics.
- Indie means being independent, daring to go your own way!
- I do not like runners who complain they’re tired.
#RunRevolution
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