Goals and disappointments

My adventure towards the Vasaloppet 2026 started with a goal I set myself. I want to ski and finish this fantastic cross-country race. That goal gave me a lot of motivation to train at least 4 times a week. Also in the next year, I will keep up this pace, and even extend the number of training hours. Of course, I also set intermediate goals for myself to work towards. This keeps the motivation high. The first goal was the Kromme Rijn Loppet which I told you about in a previous post. The next big goal for this winter was the 22km of the Koasalauf in St Johan in Tirol. I had been preparing for this since November to do a first-ever race in the snow. But unfortunately, it turned into a big disappointment.

Not because it didn't work out. No, I wasn't even able to start. The race was supposed to go ahead on Saturday, February 8. On Tuesday 28 January, however, the news came. "Der Koasalauf ist leider abgesagt!" (The Koasalauf has been cancelled) Given the limited amounts of snow and the not-so-good weather forecasts, the organisers took no chances and cancelled.

The motivation and good vibes of my preparation were instantly gone. It had been from my active career as a korfball player since I had felt this disappointed. Months of training and preparation that I couldn't use in the end. Motivation immediately below zero. I did look into rescheduling to another race. But in the end, personal and professional schedules did not allow it. But still, I would do my "race". If only to come out of winter feeling good and knowing that I met my schedule and planning. On Tuesday 8 April, 2 months after the planned date, I will do my alternative Koasalauf after all. That week we are on winter holiday in the Lechtal Valley. Hopefully, the trails in Warth will still be available at that time and I will be able to run my 22km there. Fingers crossed.

I had already realised that the road to Mora would not be an easy one. A broken collarbone and 2 solid falls had already proved that. But every disappointment is also a learning moment. During my 90 kilometres between Sälen and Mora, it will not only come down to physical preparedness. Mental resilience will certainly also be essential to overcome difficult moments. So I now embrace this disappointment, because it makes me stronger. Another year of preparation is ahead of me. The next plans and intermediate goals are already in place. And if another setback happens, we will get back up and move on.