Stay Home Story with Koen Bouwman

How are you?
Good! I am feeling healthy at the moment. It is a very odd situation in which we find ourselves now. With all the big problems in the world and the health of many people at risk, I can easily put the life of being a top athlete aside. Health is the most important of all.

What do your workouts and training look like at the moment?
I’ve been on the Tacx trainer for only one hour until now. That was because a training buddy convinced me to do that. Furthermore, I do all training sessions outdoors for as long as possible. I no longer follow my training schedule. I’m doing my own thing and do what I think is best for me now. Luckily, the team allows us to do so.

How do you get on with your days?
I started to redecorate my backyard. I have to dig out 7.5 cubic meters of sand by hand and then carry it through the house with a wheelbarrow. We want to have a large corner sofa directly at the water where I live. It is a nice and time-consuming job, so perfect for this time.

Such a long period without racing also has an effect on you mentally. How do you motivate yourself?
Actually, that is going very well. The beautiful weather of the past two weeks was really a great advantage. I train about twenty hours a week with ease. I will pick up the heavy interval training with my trainer when we get the green light to get racing again.

Do you watch a lot of series or movies at the moment? And what is your top three?
I’m not really into TV or Netflix. At the moment I am not watching anything, but if it the weather gets worse again, I may have to figure something out.

Which songs do you play on your playlist by default?
I hardly ever train on the Tacx at home, and during my outdoor training rides I never really listen to music for safety reasons. With music you do not hear the traffic that is coming from behind. And if I would turn the volume down, I wouldn’t hear the music because of the wind.

Do you have any tips for people to stay fit?
I recommend that people try to maintain a tight schedule. Staying up late once or twice a week and sleeping in is really no problem, but if you have a good rhythm and pattern during those other five days, it’s easier to start doing some exercises. And most importantly: do not exaggerate causing you to have no morale anymore to continue after three days.

With good training also comes healthy food. What is your favourite dish?
Cantonese chicken with thick noodles and prawn crackers. I don’t have the exact recipe myself, but my mother often cooks this when we visit my parents.

What other sports do you like?
Other sports not so much, but I like fishing and doing some jobs in and around the house.

What is your favourite game? Or do you prefer board games?
Surely I prefer board games. And then the games on which you have a real influence yourself. We have been playing risk with my group of friends for years. At home or with my family, we often play Cluedo, Monopoly or the Settlers of Catan.

Which apps on your phone are running in overtime?
Funda and Marktplaats.

What is your guilty pleasure?
The orange chips from Doritos and dark chocolate. Those are very nice from time to time.