Bieke Schipperen (19) from Raamsdonksveer was the fastest A-junior during the Warandeloop in Tilburg and thus qualified for the European Cross Country Championships on Sunday, December 10. Her good development is partly because she emigrated to America. “Here I am in a group of more than fifty athletes and every day I can train with others. In the Netherlands I was often alone on the track.”
It was not surprising that Bieke chose to run as a little girl. “I come from a real running background. When my parents competed, my brother Stan and I went along. We often signed up for the kids run. Running may not sound very attractive to children, but I don’t know any better and I enjoy doing it.”
At athletics club Scorpio in Oosterhout, Bieke was known as a great talent. But to take even bigger steps as an athlete, she decided to move to America in 2022. Initially, a year at Florida State University was planned, but she has decided to complete her four-year studies there. “The combination of top sport and study is perfect here.”
“Deviating from the schedule is really not allowed in America.”
The approach in America differs from that of its old athletics club. “In the Netherlands I had the freedom to occasionally deviate from the training schedule in consultation with my trainer. That’s really not possible in America. You get a program there and you stick to it. Not that it’s a big deal, because I’m used to it. This adventure in America offers me the opportunity to see what I can get out of it in the field of top sports.”
In addition to training hard in America, Bieke has something else that brings her success: a book. “I write in it every day how my training was, but also how I feel. Every week I hand the book in to my trainer. This allows her to see how things are going, what we need to work on and tailor the training accordingly.”
“Sometimes nerves take over the feeling of enthusiasm.”
The booklet is not only intended to update her trainer. “I’m always excited for competitions, but sometimes nerves take over that feeling. When I am faced with a tough competition and I read in my book about a very tough training I have had, it gives me the confidence that I can do it. Enthusiasm then takes over again.”
On December 10 she will be at the start of the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels. She obviously wants to perform as well as possible there. However, her heart lies in running on the track. “I need the cross to perform on the track. You can’t simulate a competitive effort in training. Cross also has an advantage, because you are purely concerned with your position in the field. On the track you can see the time on the board every lap.”