Eish have I been lazy. I have not updated my blog in a year. From a training point of view much has changed and my challenges where on a different level. I also attempted other types of races. This year I truly earned my comrades medal.
After last years comrades I went into a program of rest and muscle building. The consequence is that I had the same body fat percentage but was heavier going into all races.
I took a pass on the 2 oceans. In retrospect it was a good decision, because the race was dubbed the 2 oceans swim.
I completed a gruelling Long tom ultra, which runs from Sabie to Lydenberg. This race is much tougher than oceans, and was quite a test of my endurance.
I also did the sunrise monster, which was also quite testing.
This year I found it incredibly difficult to training during the week, so I did all my training in the weekends. Bottom line it is simply not sufficient.
I also cycled the Argus cycle tour. I don't respect the race, or cycling in general. I just showed up and raced and completed comfortably. I have adjusted my view of cycling and the goal is excelling and not just finishing, a different set of parameters.Prior to Argus I had only used my bike twice, 10km and 80 km. The race is wonderful event but the temperatures where quite difficult to content with.
I showed up at the start of comrades, with less confidence than the previous year. I changed strategy quite a few times through the year, Dr tim noakes view of fat and carbs got me thinking about quick fixes. The bottom line you have to eat right and train consistently. I did not do that this year.
Each comrades route has preparation that goes into it. the down run has its own set of parameters. Less sleep and cold conditions are just some of them, in addition to running a further 2.5 km than the "up".
Comrades day
I got up at 12:30am, ate my breakfast and prepared for the race i.e clothes, shoes and prayer. At 2am I boarded the bus for Petermaritzburg. I arrived at PMB at around 230am. I had a toilet session. This was really uncomfortable, because I couldn't wash, just toilet paper.I got to the race start at 3:30 am. 2 whole hours before the race was due to start. The time felt like it went quickly but it was really really cold. I estimate the temperature was closer to the single digits.
5:15am all the festivities for the lead up to the race begin.National athem, shoshaloza, chariots of fire, the cockerel howl and bang. I don't listen to music but the lead up and atmosphere certainly build your confidence.
530am, it took 7mins to reach the start. My legs felt stiff, as if there was abit of lead on my ankles, but I trudged through. My pace was not bad. I met a few members from my running club. They were in good spirits.
I didn't see any water points for the 1st 10km, but I ran most of it. Only walking a few hills.We descended polly shorts, I was wondering how I got up this hill last year. Now I felt a breeze coming from the south. The cold plus the wind made running quite difficult. At quite afew points we had to run into the wind.It was cold for the 1st 40km. If this was a marathon, I would have had a good one, but this is comrades it is 2 marathons and then some.
The 11, and 2 off 12 hour buses past me, there speeds were ridiculous approximately 6:10-6:30 min/km. I couldn't keep up and decided to run my own race. I felt defeated, because as a rule of thumb if the 12 hour bus passes you, you are essentially finished. You will not finish in time.
The stress was getting to me, one runner actually started smoking in the middle of the race. I doubt he made it. I calmed down did some maths and pushed through at a adjusted strategy. I ran passed the orphaned children and they were so hopeful, smiles, singing, waving, my regret is that I didn't have the energy to high five a few of them. I just smiled and pushed on.
I ran passed harrison flats, and remembered where I had seen my wonderful supportive wife, I smiled and that gave me confidence. Because no matter what other people say I earned my right to be in this race and my wife understand and supports my sacrifices.
At inchanga the sun came out, and now I felt the energy returning. I passed the cut off points in good time.The down hills were quite helpful in terms of time but there is a trade off your knees take pounding. At a few points the ACE supporters were there giving their all. I ran a large portion of the race with my boy Arno, Irene, his mom, Roewyn, ACE president and Craig, ACE member. We became our own support crew.
The last 3 hours were treacherous. I was not planning on giving up, but at this point I was at my closest. I had to keep at 8 min/km after running for 9 hours for the last 20 odd km. I knew the terrain and it felt like the hills were just coming. The run through westville had the worst support because you can hear the people saying that he is not going to make it.
On 45th cutting I met my wonderful wife, she ran along side me, even though she is asthmatic and gave me a bottle of water, and urged me on. At the top of 45th was an Afrikaans dude, who gave some useful advice, 10km to go, keep this rate you will finish. Good luck. I ran all the down hills.
For the last 3 hours I counted every step. Ran 100 steps and walked 50 steps. It took every ounce of strength to remain focused, both mentally and physically. On toll gate came a guy on a bicycle, I would like to thank him personally, if I ever get the opportunity. he came next to us, he said , "don't worry about the rate and math, just run and I will talk you through it". That is what he did encouraged us all the way until the last km.
On the last km I heard azaan for the Magrib namaaz, I was running, I could see the stadium. I had 10mins to finish the last km. I had run walked my way to the stadium, kingsmead. The annoying run around the ground. I stopped just before the finish to take in the sight of being the center of attention, be it with other runners, and I ran to the finish with 4mins left to spare. I was exhilarated.
I picked up my trinkets (medal), and sat down to have a break. I could not even drink 200ml of energade, vomited it all out. I hobbled to the car. My in-laws mom and dad helped me out, my wife was there cheering and trying to carry me. I went home, had a bath and slept. I was not interested in eating/drinking.
The down run is definitely more difficult than the up. It felt as if there were more up hills on the down run than on the "up" run. the lead up to the finish is abit sterile. 2.5 km more is 2.5km. You feel it. I am happy and thankful to Allah for giving me the strength to finish, having great support and an awesome wife at my side.
Next up for this sucker for punishment, Ironman 2013! I will pledge to blog more on this new journey, god willing!
