I wrote this yesterday, then Eskom intervened. I haven't changed the tenses, so just pretend you read it yesterday (Saturday)
2 February
PE Bay Ultra MarathonEveryone prepares for races a different way.
I tend to over-pack, and try do way too many things at once. But eventually I calm down, and get my lists and to-do lists sorted out. Then I tend to procrastinate against sleeping. But, thanks to Eskom, it was lights out at about 21:00, and I was forced to sleep.
Last night I set out all my kit, and made sure that I had everything. This morning all I had to do was pack my bags in the car and go.
My last longer run was the Kasouga trail run in December. It was the 8km that turned into a 9km.
My pre-race nutrition was poor, and I was determined to learn from my mistakes (a tortilla quesadilla filled with ham, cheese and tomato does not work with me. The cheese is too oily and too fatty).
So last night was left over chicken and rice, with a "taco salad" from Spar (salad with sweet corn and black beans).
This morning was oats, a boiled egg, and coffee.
I slept well, despite being woken up to blaring lights at 2am, and again at 3am thinking I had overslept. Little did I know how close I came to really oversleeping – I had forgotten to switch off my phone’s torch, so when my alarm went off at 04:40, I only had 7% battery remaining. Phew. Close.
I arrived at Pollock Beach with about 40min to spare.
I faffed around with my race number and vest. This would be my first time using a running vest- a kind stranger gave me his old Salomon running vest. It's quite tired but still works.
I don't have soft flasks, but 500ml plastic water bottles work well! I had two bottles but decided to take only one, with about 3/4 water and some Rehidrat. There are 6 water points on the route, so I would be covered with hydration.
As more people arrived, the energy surrounding the start began to rise, and I felt at peace. It wasn't nearly as long a wait as the Sanlam Marathon, which was a relief.
And, at 06:30, we were off.
The leaders took off while the rest of us walked, jostling each other until we got on to the road and could spread out. I found a nice group and kept pace with them. The first few km were faster than I would normally do, but I felt good and kept at it.
Now, if you ever have issues with your digestive system working... enter a half marathon.
I am not going to go into too many details, but I have learnt that next time I must pack tissues or wet wipes or something.
The water points were spaced out well, and provided water for the first half, and coke and water for the second half.
Every now and then I thought of walking to conserve energy- I wanted a good final push at the end. But, I felt good. I settled into a comfortable pace. My knee wasn't hurting, I wasn't breathing too hard, the headwind wasn't too bad. So I carried on. Eyeing out suitable bushes as I went. I let my thoughts flow free, and tried to keep track of the people I was playing "leap frog" with, in between wishing my stomach to settle.
People came and went, then walked, and I'd pass them. Bushes came and went. And I decided to get to the half way mark, which was the turnaround point (it was an out-and-back route). Surely there will be a toilet there!
And, there was! Oh sweet blue port-a-loo! I think I even laughed out loud with relief.
But, it turned to a laugh of anguish - locked shut. Noooo!
I ran the first 10km non-stop. I am quite chuffed about that.
I allowed myself a break and walked for a bit. It helped my stomach, but I had resigned myself to the fact that I would have to find a bush. There was no way I would manage another 10km of this...
...
...
I made a plan, trotted off to a suitable spot. And carried on, feeling a lot better.
People who had shot off at the start were within sight, and I gradually gained on them. A lot more had adopted the walk-run "rawlk" method by now. I would over-take, and a few minutes later they would shoot past. Only to slow to a slow walk again. I made sure to not over-do it when I started running after each walk, and, after some food (Nature's Valley Oat and Chocolate bar, yum!) settled back into a steady run.
My goal was to finish in less than 2h30min.
If I maintained 7min/km, I would do it. 1.5 Park Run's to go.
1 Park Run to go.
3km.
My feet were a little sore, but the rest of my body felt good. It was becoming a mental game.
I distracted myself by counting, and trying to be friendly and motivational when I passed other runners, and by setting my eyes on runners I wanted to pass.
I didn't think The Wall was approaching, but I had half of my GU gel; I didn't want to falter in the last 500m.
2km.
14 minutes.
14 minutes is nothing. I can do this.
It's all in my head.
I had about 16 minutes until 2h30min.
1km
7 minutes. Yes. Keep the pace. Keep going. You are within reach of your goal.
Surfers were in the sea, the swell most inviting as the sun glistened off the water. Oh the sea.
People were cheering.
100m
Yes, I got this.
I saw the finish line and picked up the pace, sprinting the last 50m, and crossed the line in 2h28min23sec.
Yes!
My new PB for a half-marathon event.
I couldn't feel my face, and I am pretty sure I could taste sounds. But after standing in the sea for a bit, and then sitting down and munching some fruit, I felt better.
Overall, I am glad I entered. I didn't do any distance training. In fact, I have come right back on my running, focusing on cycling and hiking instead. So I am really happy with how I did.
Normally I don't like out-and-back routes, but I had only ever done them as solo training runs. I quite enjoyed this one. And we couldn't have asked for better weather!
I just wish that they had had one or two porta-loo's along the route, and maybe some banana's at the water tables. I almost didn't pack snacks as every event I have done has had food.
Topic: My African Dream (Read 159662 times)
