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Isabeau van Rompuy – Finisher Marathon des Sables

Nice to meet you: Isabeau van Rompuy

You would be astonished at just how far your limits lie if you keep pushing yourself. It’s a credo that Isabeau van Rompuy, a PhD candidate at the Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute and Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, takes to heart. Isabeau was one of 500 women and 1,500 competitors in total who finished the infamous Marathon des Sables this year, a gruelling 270 km race through the Moroccan Sahara. According to Isabeau, physical pain and discomfort set in early in the race. It is mental strength that will carry you to the finish.

Isabeau likes to challenge herself, no matter where she finds the inspiration. “I saw a programme on Belgian television 15 years ago in which a Belgian actor ran the Marathon des Sables and thought: ‘I want to do the same someday.’ This year, the stars aligned and I signed up for the 40th edition of the marathon.”

The marathon is self-sufficient, meaning participants carry all their food and supplies with them throughout the six stages. “I started with about 10 kilograms of equipment, which became lighter with each stage.”

The soles of her feet

Isabeau did not require much training beforehand because she was already accustomed to running 100 km ultramarathons. “I also competed in handball at a high level. I have been involved in sports since I was a child.”

Still, the marathon took its toll. “The skin on my feet was completely gone after about 100 km, and I was not even halfway through the race. I also started hallucinating at night because of exhaustion and a calorie deficit.”

But quitting was never an option for Isabeau. She finished the race in 53:25:26 and placed 727th overall. “I need to feel that I am alive somehow. And it is in these extremes that I have that experience.”

These challenges have also given her a positive attitude towards difficult situations. “I have always been down-to-earth, but I feel that I stress less and can put things into perspective because I know what I am capable of.”

Isabeau van Rompuy

Alzheimer Centrum Limburg

Isabeau also ran the marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, where she works as a PhD candidate. “The centre celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, coincidentally the same year I signed up for the marathon, so that worked out well.” Isabeau researches the impact that ethnic and cultural differences can have on people with dementia, their caregivers and healthcare professionals.

“For example, I focused on people of Indonesian heritage living in the Netherlands. In their culture, older people remain at home and are cared for by their families for as long as possible. The professional care they receive at home should be sensitive to cultural differences to help prevent misunderstandings or conflict. For example, taking your shoes off before entering the house or asking whether you may shake someone’s hand.”

Isabeau is in her final year, and her findings will be incorporated into an online training programme that helps healthcare professionals become more culturally aware in their interactions with patients.

The next challenge

Isabeau is not sure whether she will stay in academia after completing her PhD or pursue something completely different. “What I am sure of is my next challenge. I would like to participate in an ultramarathon around Mont Blanc, a race with a total elevation gain of 10,000 metres.”

Text: Ruben Beeckman

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