Page 17 - ARUBA TODAY

A17
Friday 22 June 2018

Aruba’s Top Athletes

Road to IRONMAN 70.3 Costa Rica

ORANJESTAD ― This week started this year with triath-
we had the chance to in- lon. Running is “just” the
terview the strong and cou- last part of triathlons and
rageous Amadee Nicolaas. according to most ath-
The 29th year old Amadee letes the hardest part of
was born and raised on the sport. I wanted to chal-
the island of Aruba and lenge myself and this is why
has been in the sport of I decided to give triathlon
Running and Triathlon for a try. I AM CURRENTLY IN
quite some time. Her dedi- LOVE AND ADDICTED to
cation and perseverance this swim bike and run sport.
has gotten her a long way Why do one sport if you
in these sports and many can do all three together?
athletes admire her and I completed 3 sprint dis-
see her as an inspiration. tance triathlons, 1 Olympic
Upcoming Sunday the 24th distance triathlon and by
of June Amadee will be at- end of June 24, 2018 I will
tending her first IRONMAN be an Ironman70.3 Finisher!
70.3 in Costa Rica which This is just the beginning!
will consist of 1.9km swim,
90km bike and finishing - What event would you
with a 21.1km run. We wish like to take part of next and
Amadee all the best on her what are your future goals?
journey. There are a lot of personal
goals for the future. I am in
-At what age did you start my ‘glory’ years at the mo-
practicing these sports and ment and I am planning
what kept you practicing to stay in this moment for
them till now? a while together with my
Competitive running for 5 coach with proper training
years. Why running? Run- and guidance. Next race
ning builds a tenacity and is Ironman70.3 Costa Rica
mental toughness that (1.9km swim- 90 km bike-
translates into every area 21.1km run). In October
of your life. If you can han- I have the next BIG race
dle getting through 26.2 which is the Chicago Mar-
miles (42.2km), you can athon. Trainings will start in
handle anything. This is why July and we are definitely
once you start running and going for a PR! My ultimate
love the feeling you get af- marathon goal is to Qualify
terwards you will never stop for the Boston Marathon.
doing this. Running is like a When you're surrounded
therapy session. And as Bo- by people who share a
nus: IT IS FREE! Furthermore, passionate commitment
you can run any time of the around a common pur-
day! The trail/road is never pose, anything is possible.
closed. Whether you want With the guidance of my
to get in a workout at 10pm coach we WILL definitely
or 4am, you can. These are make this happen!
some of the reasons why I Furthermore, I want to fin-
am still in love with running. ish a couple of Ironman70.3
However, there are some and marathons in the fol-
sacrifices to become a bet- lowing years and when I
ter runner and you have to feel ready and my coach
suffer from time to time but thinks I am ready we will
I LOVE this kind of suffering go for an Ironman140.6
because in the end you will (Full IM). Full Ironman con-
only get faster and stron- sists of 3.8 km swimming,
ger! If you want to get bet- 180km biking and followed
ter you have to put in work by running a full marathon
and time. At this moment (42.2km). Then who knows?
I am working with Coach Ultra marathons? Ronde satisfied with the running ba and Sport Caribe Aruba Aruba Top Athletes is a
Aldrick Maduro (Al train- van Aruba single? I am and triathlon events on for believing in the local new section in ArubaTo-
ing Performance) and we looking forward to many Aruba. What I love the most athletes! I am honored to day dedicated to all local
have some goals for the sportive and active years are the people you get to be part of Team Adidas athletes representing the
future. So I am looking for- ahead. know during these events/ (female runner)! Thank island of Aruba. Once a
ward to my coming running races. The running and tri- you, thank you, thank you month we will bring to you
years! -What changes would you athlon community is awe- for the support, MY TEAM a local athlete from a vari-
like to see in these sports? some! At last I want to give ROCKS! ety of sports happening on
Triathlon for 6 months. I just All in all, I am happy and a shout out to Adidas Aru- About the island of Aruba.q