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Rene’s Comrades Wishes

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Dear Comrades Super-heroes,

The Ultimate Human Race; there is no better way to explain the Comrades Marathon. Yes we are all runners but the big C is simply that something else. 18 000 runners, 89km. ENOUGH SAID!

Congratulations for making it this far! With two days to go until Comrades 2014 it is time to look back at the progress you have made. Think back to December, on the beach, till now. Remind yourself of the months of preparation, early mornings and sacrifices you made to get you to the start line.

This quote from Paul Maurer pretty much summarises the build up towards The Ultimate Human race for me:

“Running isn’t a sport for pretty boys. It’s about the sweat in your hair and the blisters on your feet.
It’s the frozen spit on your chin and the nausea in your gut.
It’s about throbbing calves and cramps at midnight that are strong enough to wake the dead.
It’s about getting out the door and running when the rest of the world is only dreaming about having the passion that you need to live each and every day with.
It’s about being on a lonely road and running like a champion even when there’s not a single soul in sight to cheer you on.
Running is all about having the desire to train and persevere until every fiber in your legs, mind, and heart is turned to steel.
And when you’ve finally forged hard enough, you will have become the best runner you can be. And that’s all that you can ask for.”

Best of luck for Sunday!
Rene

Newsflash! #NedbankGreenMile is Set to Rock the Stars

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Nedbank is ready to roll with all the entertainment acts lined up to rock the stars of the show, the Comrades Marathon runners, along the #NedbankGreenMile on Kloof’s Old Main Road on Sunday, 1 June, when it transforms into the themed #ROCKSTAR #NedbankGreenMile – the only official spectator point along the Comrades Marathon route located approximately 26 km from the finish line.

Promoting only KZN talent, the rock stars performing on the electrifying #NedbankGreenMile, this year themed “Rock & Roll”, will be homegrown, ‘youthful’ and energetic. One such star is the immensely talented Durban musician and South African Idols finalist, Krystle T, whose soulful vocals are set to inspire weary runners as they embark on the final stretch of this gruelling 89km ultra-marathon.

Also preparing to get crowds and runners rocking is Durban-based band, Afritude, while St Nicholas Diocesan School’s Marimba Band will be thumping out tropical tunes. Add to the mix the fun-filled antics of the Barnyard Theatre Crew; African brass and youth development band,
The Field Foundation; and the Medical Battalion Pipe Band, and the #NedbankGreenMile will be the place to be for a fun-filled, family-friendly day out.

Throughout the day, there’ll also be performances by Durban High Drummies, the sexy Sharkettes dancers, local cheerleaders, drama students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, giant puppets and Durban DJs.

The dedicated kid’s entertainment zone will feature clown and puppet shows, sand art, jumping castles, face painters and a balloon sculptor throughout the day.

Entry into the #NedbankGreenMile is free and all are welcome to join in on the festivities, which start at 8am and end at 2.30pm on race day. So come dressed like rockstars to get your runners home!

How to find the #NedbankGreenMile
Easy access to the #NedbankGreenMile can be gained from the M13 Hillcrest – Pinetown alternative highway travelling east towards Durban at the Pioneer off ramp. Follow the sign boards or follow www.facebook.com/nedbanksport or @nedbanksport on twitter for more information.

Enter the Modern Athlete Don Lock Memorial Race

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Take a run out Cape Town! Get your entries in here.

The Don Lock Memorial Road Race has always been an 8km event (formally 5 miler) and the shortest official race on the Road Running Calendar in the Western Cape, making it easily accessible to both registered athletes and fun runners / walkers alike.

In 2014, Celtic Harriers will be introducing a 15km road race option for those runners seeking a slightly longer race route.

The race started way back in 1960 by club member Alex Jones after his good friend Don Lock, also a Celtic member, was tragically killed in a motor car accident. This event is held between the Rondebosch Common – where it originally used to start and finish, and Imam Haron (formerly Lansdowne) Road in Claremont and is still held over the same course for all these years.
The first nine years were won by the Police athlete Willie Olivier, while the most wins scored by a woman belongs to Elana Meyer who also holds the women’s record at 25 minutes 35 seconds. The men’s record is 22 minutes 51 secs held by John September.

Among the male winners include Stellenbosch athlete, De Villiers Lamprecht, the first South African to run a sub 4 minute mile in South Africa while club mate Danie Malan held the world 1000 m record for many years. Other top women runners who have won this race include Monica Drögemoller, Isavelle Roche-Kelly and Juliet Prowse.

All participants will receive a race memorabilia giveaway as well as a FREE Modern Athlete.

 

Digi-Mag Editors Cut

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If you're a digi-mag subscriber, you can get exclusive content this month!

– Clips showing off the Comrades Marathon: the emotions, the triumphs & the rich history.
– A list of Comrades runners & celebs to follow on Twitter in the lead-up and on race day.
– Our podcasts give you a detailed walk-through of the Comrades Marathon route, from what to expect on your journey.

Take a look here.
To subscribe to our digi-mag (it's FREE), click here.

What is your Comrades Pacing Strategy?

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Pacing can make or break your Comrades Marathon. Go out too fast on Sunday and you are in for a long day. Go out too slow and you will be chasing the clock all day. But how do you get your pacing strategy spot on?

You are going to lose some time at the start. Everyone does. It is normal. Don’t try and make that time up in the first five to ten kilometres of the race. The Comrades Marathon is called that because it is a marathon. It is not called the Comrades Sprint. Running too fast too early can be extremely costly. If you find yourself running faster than you should running on race day, back off and slow down. In the words of Comrades Coach Lindsey Parry, “If you don’t slow down now, Comrades will slow you down later”.

Lindsey gives some more great advice on this episode of the Ask Coach Parry podcast about how to run the perfectly paced Comrades Marathon.

Comrades Marathon Medical Waiting Area

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With one week to go to the 2014 Comrades Marathon, friends and family of participants can rest easy even if their runner requires medical treatment at the Finish Venue Medical Tent on Race Day – Sunday, the 1st of June 2014.


The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has gone the extra mile by hosting its Medical Waiting Area, a facility designed to assist those people whose loved ones are receiving medical attention in the Medical Tent.


As a rule, only runners seeking medical care are allowed in the Medical Tent, rendering the area out of bounds to the greater public. However, the CMA’s Medical Portfolio has gone beyond the realm of just the runner, by taking the emotional needs of the runner’s loved ones into account as well.
Concerned friends and family members of the injured or ill runner may visit the General Information Tent and apply for an entry permit to access the Medical Waiting Area, should they wish to enquire about the status of the runner or request any medically related advice.


Please note that access to the Medical Tent by the general public will be firmly restricted and the CMA asks that all people be cooperative in this regard.


Tea, coffee, TV facilities and access to certain medical staff will be available here.
Comrades Doctor, Dr Jeremy Boulter says, ‘It can be traumatic to have a friend or family member be admitted to the Medical Tent. We have therefore tried to make the experience a little less stressful by creating the Medical Waiting Area.’


Dr Boulter adds, ‘Sometimes it’s the little things that count. The CMA’s intention is that the runners and their supporters enjoy a memorable day without worry or stress. To this end, we are doing our bit to make the Comrades Finish Venue; and the Medical Tent for that matter, that much more accommodating.’

Bossing the Big One

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Last year, Charne Bosman shone in her debut Comrades Marathon, placing fifth and also the first SA woman home. She chats to Modern Athlete about eyeing a podium spot this year, and running in memory of her late father.

In 2013, Charne’s move up to the big ultras fell perfectly into place: Having won the SA Marathon title early in 2012 and then finished second later that year in the Bonitas City to City 50km, she ran a sparkling 3:40 in her debut Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, placing third in the women’s race. This was later changed to second following the disqualification of winner Natalia Volgina for a doping infringement. Then she followed that up with a 6:53 in her first Comrades Marathon to take fifth place, and was also the first local woman over the line. “After Comrades, people saw me as a proper athlete. I had no idea how huge it was! If anything, it’s South Africa’s own Olympics,” says Charne. “I’ve put the race on this pedestal, so it was always going to be my main focus this year.”

GETTING THROUGH IT


However, Charne’s build-up to this year’s ‘Down Run’ has been far from easy. Shortly after her stellar showing in last year’s Comrades, her father passed away in July, and for Charne, who says he was her biggest supporter, it was a life-changing moment. “He was always at races with my mom. He went with me to medicals and travelled to see me compete. I think the positive thing I can take out of it, was that he knew I was running well at that stage, and this year’s run will be for him.” She says she will pin a small photo of her dad onto her kit at Comrades and he will be her inspiration in the race. “If I want to give up, I will just remind myself that I’m running with him. He will be there with me through every kilometre.”

On top of her huge loss, Charne’s health also took strain this past year. Last November, she noticed her heart rate going off the charts during a training run, and was subsequently diagnosed with an overactive thyroid. After receiving medication, Charne hit the road again, but it seized up a week before this year’s Old Mutual Om Die Dam 50km. “I felt tired and lost a lot of weight, and I remember struggling on race day from the 34km mark. Eventually, the doctors and I found out that taking my kelp supplements only makes it worse!” After cutting the kelp out, Charne got back to training feeling positive again. “I was scared the 2014 Comrades would be out of reach, but I did a few long runs in March and felt strong again. Despite everything that’s happened, I knew I’d get through all of this. I’ve always believed that you won’t get tests in life you can’t survive. Running has also helped me through it all.”

STICKING TO THE PLAN


Even after her incredible ‘Big C’ debut, she’s determined to correct a few mistakes from 2013. “I think I over-trained last year, and I was struggling with a knee niggle, so I was distracted by that, too,” she says. “Then I didn’t eat on the route and was sent to the medical tent for drips at the finish. This time, it’s about arriving at the start healthy, and I’ve been introducing bananas and potatoes in my training runs as well.” Her husband of eight years, Carel, will also be a constant support on the route, once again riding on his motorcycle from water point to water point. “He was there to give me drinks throughout and keep me going. He’s a cyclist, so he knows the kind of lifestyle I live.”

Now it’s all about getting the small stuff right for Charne. The introduction of strength work into her training has helped her quads and the Nedbank running club’s training camp in hilly Graskop was the perfect mimic of the Comrades route. “I just want to enjoy the moment. I have a plan, so I must concentrate on keeping my head, not going too hard at Field’s Hill, and then getting onto that podium. It’s time for South Africans to shine again!”

Follow Charne on Twitter: @charnebosman

Road 2 Comrades: An Ode to Coach Laurie

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Last year Laurie Lewis suffered a great personal loss just before the Comrades Marathon, and had a really difficult run as a result, but this year he has coached and motivated a team of 18 runners to the 2014 ‘Big C,’ and we want to say a huge thank you – BY DERRYN SHORT


Our journey started this year, runners congregating at Virgin Active in Roodepoort to take advantage of the treacherous hills of Weltevreden Park. It’s a daunting task getting 18 runners of different abilities in sync with each other – but not for Laurie! He believes in us so strongly that he put two training programmes together, one for the speedy Bill Rowan candidates as well as a Bronze programme for the endurance bunnies. After a few weeks, the strongest connection of camaraderie became part of our Road 2 Comrades family. We’re always sharing a race, pushing each other up a hill and celebrating as each of us qualified for our 89km pilgrimage on 1 June.

We always talk about what we had to do to get there, but what we don’t talk about often enough is the support. Laurie is a hero that’s assisted a team of novices and experienced runners alike to live out their Comrades dream, but he’s travelled a tragic road. You see, he lost his son, Chad, in a motor accident just before the 2013 Comrades. It was Laurie’s dream to run Comrades with his son, supporting each other on the route and crossing the line hand in hand, but last year, Laurie ran the gruelling 89km in Chad’s memory, and I will never forget the moment he moved to the centre of the stadium after his finish, with a bunch of balloons, then let them go – his son’s spirit symbolically reaching the heavens.


MOTIVATIONAL MENTOR


Laurie motivates us all, religiously sending out training programmes and pace charts at the beginning of every month, and every morning we wake up to another inspiring message from him. He’s advised us on what to do when we pick up injuries. He helps us with eating right and choosing the best supplements to make our journey easier.

Although Laurie wasn’t able to run with Chad, he’s trained and will be running with 18 of his ‘children’ this year, including me. Laurie found me in a dark place last year. I had lost faith because I failed to finish Comrades 2013, and he took me under his wing. He’s been my pillar of strength, voice of reason and gift of hope. This year, it’s all about running the world’s greatest ultra for Laurie and Chad.

LOVE FOR LAURIE

ALAN ROBB: “My wife passed away a week before the 2012 Comrades and my son died in a car accident years ago. Laurie and I didn’t have good runs last year and he caught up to me with 2km to go, and we walked to the finish together. We shared tears and hugs as we remembered our lost loved ones.”

CHANTEL: “I’ve been sticking to Laurie’s training programme and it has paid off greatly. He is always prepared to share his vast knowledge on running and his years of experience. He has been inspirational in my own journey to my second Comrades.”

VANESSA: “Laurie has helped me with info on my injuries. Without his help, I wouldn’t have stayed focused. He is the reason I’m staying on track to complete my 10th Comrades!”

RIAAD: “Laurie has restored my confidence by talking to me positively. Without his help, I’d be out in the wilderness and wouldn’t have a positive attitude.”

FRANCOIS: “Laurie and the team were incredible. Laurie did a tremendous job with the training programmes, training routes, arranging water points and always having a positive attitude in tough times.”

In Between Bulletins

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Kaya FM sports editor and presenter Mosibodi Whitehead enjoys two passions, radio work and running, and this year he will be chasing his fourth consecutive Comrades medal.

Getting into radio was never ‘the plan’ for Mosibodi Whitehead, given that he studied a B.Sc at varsity, but when the 2010 Soccer World Cup came to SA and local radio stations needed more hands, he found himself on the air at Kaya FM. “It all happened by chance and I thought it would be good for an extra buck,” he says, but four years on he is still there, and loving every minute.

Similarly, going from being a soccer player at varsity to becoming a Comrades Marathon runner was not part of the original plan… “I had done no running since school, but during my studies I often used to sit at our house in Benoni, looking out the window, and see runners out training, and on the day the Slow Mag Marathon was held, I used to go out and cheer the runners on. So one day I decided it is something that I should do, too.”

SERIOUS TRAINING


He started by doing a few short training runs and a week later took part in his first 5km fun run, then started to train harder and gradually went up to 10s and 21s. However, he never even thought about doing Comrades until he went to visit his sister in Trinidad in 2010 and had a layover in New York. “I decided to do a race in the area and while sitting on a bus, I was listening to the enthusiastic American runners talking about ‘this race’ in South Africa called the Comrades Marathon, and how amazing it was.”

That was when Mosibodi decided to make the 2011 ‘Big C’ his goal, which meant he had to learn to juggle working hours with training. “It was nice that I had more time in the mornings to train, but in the evenings I would miss time trials,” he says. “When I finally did my first Comrades, I absolutely hated it! But just those last 10 steps made it all worth it – the sense of achievement is unbelievable – and that immediately had me planning the following year’s race.” Now, with three consecutive Comrades finishes to his name, Mosibodi’s goal for Comrades 2014 is to run it under 10 hours.

“My training has gone relatively well. I did a marathon in March as well as the Two Oceans, which was a lot tougher than I had anticipated. One thing that really keeps me going is my lovely wife Neiloe’s great cooking, and also rather having fresh legs than over-trained ones,” says Mosibodi. “Running has now become part of my lifestyle and something that I balance my daily activities with. I will be running forever!”

Tune into Kaya FM to listen to Mosibodi’s Sports Show at 8-9pm on Mondays and 6-9pm on Fridays.

RUNNING FOR SHOES


Mosibodi runs his races as part of Team #ShoesOnFeet for the Put Foot Foundation, as part of the Old Mutual More Than Yourself campaign, to raise money to pay for shoes for kids without school shoes. “My friend and I were running a race in Kempton Park and we saw some school children with no shoes on, and he said to me, since I am on air, I should try and do something about it. At the same time Old Mutual was running their campaign and I got involved.”
To get involved, go to www.putfootfoundation.org.