Dumoulin stopped the clock at 2:29:21<\/a> in the Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday in what\u2019s the latest reminder that even long-retired pros are still better at sport than you.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to run under two and a half hours, and I succeeded. But it was painful and difficult,\u201d Dumoulin told Het Laatste Nieuws<\/a> after his ordeal.<\/p>\n Dumoulin\u2019s time Sunday was good for 116th of more than 23,000 starters, and a result even the best-ranked club runners might strive decades for.<\/p>\n Dumoulin blows up but still blows away life-long runners<\/p>\n Dumoulin retired in summer 2022 with a time trial world title, a Maglia Rosa, and a second-place finish at the Tour de France<\/a>.<\/p>\n It seems not all the lessons the 34-year-old learned on the bike translated to his running shoes in his marathon debut.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, I started way too fast,\u201d Dumoulin told HLN. \u201cI was running so well that I thought, \u2018I\u2019ll see.\u2019 I don\u2019t do that on the bike. I know what I can do and how to pace myself when I\u2019m riding.<\/p>\n \u201cWith running, I secretly know that too, but I just enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, Dumoulin blew up hard.<\/p>\n He ran the first half marathon in 1:09, and the second half in 1:20. This was no time trial specialist \u201cnegative split.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s such a difference between my fitness and what my muscles and tendons can handle,\u201d Dumoulin said Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m was in a strong group, and physically, I think, \u2018I\u2019m going to give it a try.\u2019 But halfway through, I felt everything tense up and thought, \u2018This is going to be a long way.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cI briefly thought I might have to drop out,\u201d he continued. \u201cI stopped twice with cramps, after 25 and 35 kilometers, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Cramps aside, Dumoulin\u2019s 3:32 minute per kilometer average pace [5:41 per mile] was seriously impressive.<\/p>\n Like any retired or active pro, Dumoulin is clearly a physiological freak.<\/p>\n But his marathon endeavor didn\u2019t come fresh off the couch.<\/p>\n The Dutchman had already run the 2023 Amsterdam half marathon in 1:10:04, and he told HLN on Sunday he\u2019d trained hard to break the mythical 2:30 barrier.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Pro cyclists are smokin\u2019 fast in running shoes, too<\/p>\n It\u2019s around this time every year that we\u2019re reminded how frustratingly fast pro riders are in other endurance disciplines.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s running, swimming, skimo, or rowing, they\u2019re just so\u00a0much better than us in what they see as casual cross-training.<\/p>\n Indeed, Geraint Thomas blew the cobwebs off of his very recent retirement this month to run a sub-20 5k. That\u2019s not crazy impressive, but certainly WorldTour-level for the self-confessed running noobie.<\/p>\n Last year, Nacer Bouhanni sped out of his retirement to run a 2:34 marathon.<\/p>\n Visma-Lease a Bike climber Bart Lemmen and gravel privateer [and son of British track running legend, Steve \u2013 ed] Freddy Ovett were among the dozens of other pros who switched their cleats for running shoes with wild success<\/a> last autumn.<\/p>\n Running to be robust: Modern peloton shifts stance on cross-training Running was, until recently, strictly off-limits in the world of pro cycling.<\/p>\n It can be a gateway to DOMs, grumbling tendons, and twisted ankles.<\/p>\n Fast forward a few years, and running in the off-season is actively encouraged by team trainers and physiotherapists.<\/p>\n \u201cI really support riders running,\u201d Visma-Lease a Bike head of performance Mathieu Heijboer told Velo. \u201cIt makes them more robust, less injury-prone, and it\u2019s good for their bones. We really want to make them complete athletes, not just riders.\u201d<\/p>\n Running even sees the ultimate endorsee \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n![\"Retired](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-20-at-08.41.13-1200x690.png\"\/)
Dumoulin\u2019s official results from the 2025 Amsterdam Marathon show a not-so pro pacing strategy.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Poga\u010dar\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CAuldPhoto-2025-Dauphine-Stage8-8065-1200x800.jpg\"\/)
Tadej Poga\u010dar is among the riders who run for cross-training. (Photo: Chris Auld)<\/p>\n