In this interview with Volare Sports, Silke Jonkman, an ambitious and talented long-distance runner, shares her journey. Silke opens up about her path from her first strides in running to the goals she still aims to achieve. Her answers offer an inspiring look into the life of an elite athlete, filled with challenges and triumphs.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

“I’m Silke Jonkman, 27 years old, and I live in Haren, a village near Groningen. I train with Team4Mijl under coach Eddy Kiemel. Running isn’t just my sport; it’s a huge part of my life.”

What inspired you to become an athlete?

“My passion for running started young. I joined the 4 Mijl of Groningen every year, one of the biggest running events in the Netherlands. I improved bit by bit each year, and eventually, I even won in the junior category. That opened the door to the athletics club, and from that moment on, I was hooked—I never left!”

What is the hardest part of training for major races or marathons?

“When you’re training seriously, you log high mileage and do intense sessions. This means you’re almost always a bit tired. Sometimes it’s hard to find the energy for that second training session of the day. What helps me is training with my teammates. Running with others makes it more fun and less difficult. I also remind myself to be grateful that I can run at all—when you’re injured, you miss it a lot, so I try to hold on to that sense of appreciation.”

How do you take care of yourself, both physically and mentally, during intense training?

“As an elite athlete, taking care of yourself is essential. For me, that mainly means eating well and getting enough sleep. Relaxation is also important! I try to find occasional distractions outside of running—I enjoy cooking or having coffee with friends. That balance helps me stay strong, both mentally and physically.”

What has been your most memorable running experience so far?

“My first 10,000 meters at the Night of the 10,000m PB’s in London is still one of my highlights. It was my first international race, and I was able to run with a completely free mindset. The result was a PR of 32:25, which is still my best time. On top of that, it’s always special to run in Dutch national colors. I’ve had the honor to represent the Netherlands three times in major tournaments, including the European Championships in Munich and Turin. Every time, it’s special.”

What would you say to young girls with big dreams?

“‘The Sky Is the Limit!’ It may sound like a cliché, but I genuinely believe it. At the start of 2022, I was still injured, and my best result was maybe a top 10 finish at the Dutch Championships. But four months later, I qualified for the European Championships! So it’s important to dream big and believe in yourself. Only then do you stand a chance of making that dream come true.”

What goals or dreams do you hope to achieve in the future?

“I want to keep developing as an athlete and work on my endurance so that I can train even better. Ultimately, I hope this will lead to more international qualifications and strong performances. A medal at a European Championship would be fantastic, and competing in the Olympics is also a dream. Whatever happens, we’ll see—but I’m going for it!”

Silke Jonkman shows just how far dreams and hard work can take you. Her journey is an inspiration to everyone with ambition and determination. At Volare Sports, we’re proud of her achievements and wish her all the best for the future!