What I Didn't Like About The Amsterdam Marathon

Running the Amsterdam Marathon was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon, though not entirely for the right reasons. These are my highs and lows.

Completing my 14th marathon in just 2.5 years has been a journey of highs and lows, and the Amsterdam Marathon was no exception. While there were great moments, some parts of the experience fell short, with certain challenges that took away from the excitement of the race.

The Ups and Downs: Amsterdam Edition

Here are the key frustrations I faced along the course - but don’t worry - there is a happy ending:

• Busy and Narrow Course: As runners find there pace, most marathons “thin out” quickly after the start. Not in Amsterdam though. At several points, the course became incredibly narrow and overcrowded. Navigating through this felt more like an obstacle course than a marathon, which was especially frustrating given that these spots were clustered in some of the most scenic areas – spots I would have loved to enjoy without the crowd crush.

• The Water Route: Known to be a tough stretch, the part of the course that went down the water and then back up felt never-ending. With strong winds (de…