Erben Wennemars loves sport. He also likes to have a good time participating in whatever challenge he sets himself and the past week is certainly no exception.
As a first time participant in the gruelling ABSA Cape Epic, Wennemars and teammate Rob Harmeling have traversed some of the toughest mountain biking terrain that South Africa has to offer. Combined with extreme weather conditions, the former Olympic speed-skater spirits were high throughout the eight day trek around the Western Cape. Part of a large contingent of Dutch riders spearheaded by mountain biking legend Bart Brentjens, Wennemars and former Tour de France stage winner Harmeling crossed the finish line at Meerendal Wine Estate in a highly respectable 65th position overall.
Given that Wennemar’s elite sporting background is that of a sprint specialist, it is fascinating that someone with a fast-twitch muscularity can excel at endurance events. In a sporting world that is becoming increasingly specialised, the Dalfsen native’s sheer versatility is the exception to the rule stating that long distance events are not suited for those whose athletic talents lie over short bursts.
Or is it?
Wennemar’s muscular physique is testament to his years of training and competing in sprint and middle distances ranging from 500m to 1500m. Given his personal best time of 1:49 over 1500m in 1997, the Dutchman’s endurance adaptability could be compared to that of an 800m runner or even a decathlete. Now in his elite sporting retirement, pursuing sports such as mountain biking and marathon running suggests reverse periodization over a much longer term, where a career of short efforts has ensured a fresh and healthy transition to longer endurance efforts. In short, his body is not beat up from years of mega-mileage and, together with his love of sporting challenges, indicates an approach and motivation that is essentially fresh and pure.
With a brief period of rest, recovery and sightseeing in South Africa before returning home, Wennemars is looking ahead to similar challenges in 2015. With the Rotterdam Marathon in fast approaching in mid-April, the passionate Dutchman is looking to improve his personal best time of 2hr52min.
All in the name of fun of course.
