51k, 51 Years, and One Powerful Message for Women’s Health
When one of the incredible women from our Tuscany Run Retreat told me she was planning to run 51 kilometres for her 51st birthday, I just smiled and thought — of course she is.
Not because it’s easy (it’s a huge challenge!), but because that’s who she is: determined, joyful, and using her love of movement to make a difference. She’s dedicating her run to raise awareness for something that affects so many women, often without them even knowing — low iron.
Sharing Is Caring — and Awareness Saves Lives
This weekend, she’ll be running her 51K, and she’s inviting all of us to join her – in person or virtually – by running or walking 5.1K to raise awareness for iron deficiency in women.
You might think of low iron as something small, but the truth is powerful and worrying:
More than one in three women will experience iron deficiency at some point in their lives.
And yet, so few are ever diagnosed.
When iron stores are low, your body doesn’t have enough oxygen-carrying capacity. That can leave you feeling constantly tired, even after a good night’s sleep. But it can show up in other sneaky ways too, ways many women ignore or brush off as “just life.”
Meet Marjolijn — Our 51 at 51 Iron Lady
Let me tell you a bit more about the woman behind this movement.
In 2022, Marjolijn, a 50-year-old runner from the Netherlands, signed up for her first marathon, Amsterdam. She was full of energy and determination. But as her training picked up, something didn’t feel right. Despite running more and pushing harder, her endurance wasn’t improving. Her VO₂ max dropped, her tendons and muscles ached constantly, and soon she found herself struggling just to walk to the supermarket.
It took nine months, several physiotherapists, and finally a sports physician before her GP discovered the real issue: severely low iron storage (ferritin <30 mcg/l).
She remembers thinking, how could this have gone unnoticed for so long?
Being a woman, premenopausal, a runner, and a vegetarian — all of these factors increased her risk, yet she had no idea. Her hemoglobin levels were still within “normal” range, so no one thought to dig deeper.
That’s where a huge gap lies — the “normal” for women is often dangerously low compared to men, leaving many of us dismissed when we describe symptoms like fatigue, irritability, or muscle pain.
After months of taking oral iron with little progress, it wasn’t until July 2024, when she finally received an iron IV, that her recovery truly began. Her energy returned, her strength came back, and her running spirit reignited.
Now, as she turns 51, she’s celebrating her comeback and her health by running 51 kilometres — a symbol of strength, awareness, and hope for women everywhere.
She’s calling it the “51 at 51 Iron Lady Ultra Run.”
She’s also raising money for charity through her 51 at 51 Iron Lady Ultra Run — if you’d like to join by running and donating, or if you can’t run but would love to contribute, you can support her cause here:
https://voicesforwomen.nl/help-mee/word-donateur/
And she’s inviting us all to join her in spreading the message: check your ferritin, listen to your body, and never underestimate your strength.
Could This Be You?
Do you ever experience:
- Unexplained fatigue or poor exercise tolerance
- Muscle ache or soreness that doesn’t quite make sense
- Irritability, brain fog, or restless legs
- Hair loss, tinnitus (ringing in your ears), or dizziness
If so, it’s worth checking your iron storage (ferritin) levels.
Your ferritin should be well above 30 mcg/l — ideally 50 or more if you’re active.
If your levels are low, don’t ignore it. Iron deficiency isn’t something to “push through.” Start supplementing, and keep supporting your levels, especially if you menstruate, donate blood, or follow a vegetarian diet.
Why This Matters to Our Community
This is exactly why I started creating Tri2Discover retreats and programs — to show women that health and movement aren’t about perfection; they’re about connection, awareness, and feeling your best.
In my own journey with triathlon and community, I’ve met so many women who’ve brushed off symptoms for years — until they realised something was actually missing (quite literally!).
When one woman in our community chooses to do something bold and meaningful like this — 51 kilometres for her 51st — it’s a ripple effect. It reminds all of us that our bodies deserve care, not punishment. That our health deserves curiosity, not guilt. And that when we share stories, we all grow stronger.
Join Us — Run for Iron
So this weekend, I’m joining her.
Not for the full 51K (she’s amazing!), but for at least 5.1K — to stand with her, and for every woman who needs this reminder.
If you’d like to be part of it too, here’s how:
💛 Run or walk 5.1K (or any distance) this weekend.
💛 Tag @Tri2Discover and use #RunForIron.
💛 Share your story, photo, or reason for running.
Let’s fill our feeds (and our hearts) with something that matters.
Because when women come together, awareness turns into action.
And when we look after our health, we give others permission to do the same.
Here’s to strong bodies, full hearts, and plenty of iron.
Let’s run for it. 🌿
