Follow your dreams, stop talking and start doing
If you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done. It’s out of your comfort zone you grow and that is what’s giving you energy in life.
Joep is a 37-year-old very energetic and goal-oriented young man that always try to push his limits. He is an engineer for a living, has got three kids and his greatest hobby is running. He started with running only three years ago and this year he did his first Skyrace.
In June 2019 Joep won the prize Skyrunner Rookie of the month in the SkyRunner Challenge for doing his first Skyrace. The Livigno Skymarathon, 34 km, 2 450 D+, that is a very demanding and challenging race.
This is Joep’s story…
Congrats Joep to your first Skyrace, Livigno Skymarathon. Can you tell us a little about the race and your experiences from that?
Thank you! I can only describe the race in one word: Breath-taking! I really enjoyed the race. The mountains are really amazing.
Who is Joep and your story behind?
I’m a very energetic guy that always try to push the limits. I think I found that in skyrunning!
Can you describe yourself with two sentences?
I would describe myself as unstoppable and I never ever quit.
What is most important for you in life?
My family and running are the most important for me in life.
Your passion for Skyrunning? Where is that coming from?
Six months before the race I saw a video of the Livigno skyrace on Youtube. The only thing I could think of was, I WANT THAT TOO. I was hooked with the “Skyrun virus”.
Have you always had an active lifestyle, or have you done any change direction in life that you like to mention?
No, three years ago I started with running. I’m a person that needs some action and two years ago I started with trailrunning.
What do you do for a living?
I’m an Automotive Engineer OEM CAR Manufacturer.
Can you describe your significant personal strengths and how that helped you in the Skyrunning and life in general?
Just like the two words as I describe myself -> Unstoppable, never quit and never give up. I do have this mindset my whole life, so it is a significant personal strength.
Do you usually push yourself outside your comfort zone? How does it feel at the time? Can you see that the rewards coming out of this is worth this little extra effort?
I always push myself outside my comfort zone. It’s just likeed the old saying: If you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done. Out of my comfort zone give me the energy in life.
How did your training preparations look like for your first Skyrace? How does a normal week with training and all that look like for you right now?
In the Netherlands everything is flat, I am lucky that I live in the South and here are some little bumps (very little). There are a lot of trail runs in the South so a lot of people from come to the South. Most of the time I make around 40 – 50 km a week in 3 runs. Once a week a do a uphill training at Snowworld. At Snowworld is the largest stairs from the Netherlands. So, I will run 10 time uphill and go down the stairs. This is around 500 D+.
How does your race plans and goals look like for 2019?
Marathon Eindhoven October and Beartrail 58 km October.
Do you have any dreams and goals for the future that you like to share?
Some goals are 100+km ultra’s in the mountains and someday the Marathon Des Sable. I actually hate the warm weather, but I want to see If I can do a multistage in the warm weather.
How does your game plan look like for that?
Train, train and keep on training. Next year I will do some more “Skyruns”.
What is your inner drive?
It is in my nature to set the bar as high as I possibly can.
Which are your best advices or tips to other people that like to start with Skyrunning?
Follow your dreams, stop talking and start doing!
Facts
Name: Joep Jussen
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 37
Family: Married, 3 kids
Country/town: Heerlen, The Netherlands
Your team or sponsor now: ICECARD.shop
Occupation: Lead Engineer
Education: Higher Professional Education
Thank you!
Thank you, Joep, for taking your time sharing! Wishing you all the best luck in the future with your Skyrunning and everything that you want to do.
Happy SkyRunning!
/Katinka Nyberg