Comrades Marathon - The challenge of a lifetime
It had been a sleepness night prior to the 2010 Comrades Marathon as I was on edge in the lead up to the start of the big race with the massive challenge that lay ahead.
There was a great atmosphere on the start line in Pietermaritzburg despite the initial chaos in dodge through the crowds and be in the right starting group. I managed to make my way through the eager crowds and break through some barriers to find myself one group ahead from where I was meant to be. On a dark and cold monring the temperatures were hovering around 4 degrees with the atmosphere building with a mix of anticipation and concern about the challenge that confronted us all. In helping to keep warm I decided to wear a colourful hoodie with fluro skulls being hard not to miss.
The pre-race rituals included the traditional Zulu mining son "Shosholoza" and the South African National Anthem with all 16,500 runners now ready to take on the long road ahead. During the build up I found myself standing next to the 11 hour pacer and mentioned that should he see me struggling on the course to help pull me along for the ride on his bus. Only a few moments later the starting cannon fired and the long awaited 90km journey to Durban had begun.
The colourful hoodie proved great fodder for a number of comments and I was really pleased to have the extra warmth over the opening 20km while the sun was still down. It was cloae to the 20km mark that I spotted a local family on the side of the road and I caught the eye of a little girl and passed my hoodie to her so as to reveal the Marathon Man!
There were large crowds and a party atmosphere at a number of points along the course and it was great to see my girlfriend Susie twice along the way and on one occassion flying the Aussie flag on a large stick for all to see.
The decision not to check out the course prior to the event proved to be valuable. The extent of the hills were more like skyscrapers in many ways as at some points there seemed to be no end to the climbs. Now on many occassions prior to the race I had been told that the down run was harder than the up run - well if this was a down run then I could not cconsider the up run.
It was great to see a number of familiar faces from Australia in the race and as I approached the marathon distance I met up with Mari-Mar Walton from Tarvelling Fitness. I was struggling a little on another steep hill at this time and I could only continue to put one foot in front of the next to get to the top.
Approaching Cowie's Hill there was a large group approach and this time it was the 11 hour bus with the leader that I had met on the start line lending a few words of encouragement to stay with the group. At this stage I had little to give and was doing my best to maintain my steady pace to make it across the finish line. It was disappointing to lose touch with the 11 hour bus although I was simply keen to run my own race at this time rather than push it too hard and take any major risks.
On reaching the final 7km it was very inspiring to find the majority of the run down hill. This was where I really enjoyed the journey home with the majority of the distance now behind me and the finish line close by I was confident that I could make it home and pushed hard to pass more than 300 people on this final adventure into Durban.
The most magical experience of the day was to catch up to the 11 bus on the approach to Kingsmead Stadium and run in with the runners to achieve a sub 11 hour time and collect a Bronze Medal. It was a true honour to complete the distance and join the Comrades Marathon finishers club.
Split Race Time Time of Day Dist. Done Dist. To Go Speed
Camperdown (62kms to go) 2:49:17 8:19:20 26.77 62.4 6.32
Drummond (halfway) 5:06:35 10:36:38 44.97 44.2 6.82
Winston Park (31kms to go) 6:56:52 12:26:55 58.27 30.9 7.15
Cowies Hill (18kms to go) 8:35:42 14:05:45 70.97 18.2 7.27
Mayville (7kms to go) 10:08:13 15:38:16 82.17 7 7.4
Finish 10:57:39 16:27:42 89.17 0 7.38
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Comrades Marathon Race Day
The Comrades Marathon Race Day is here and I am very pleased to report that fortunately this is the best prepared I have ever been for a run. With all final details having been signed off and completed prior to race morning this has been a blessing and one that simply could not have been achieved if not for the incredible work from my girlfriend Susie.
I would like to take this occassion to express my gratitude and appreciation to Susie for putting up with me through all the months of training and preparing for this amazing adventure to South Africa. Now is the time for the performance of a lifetime to make it through to the finish line and complete the 90km adventure.
In being one of only 144 competitors representing Australia from more than 23,000 competitors this is a special honour and one that I intend to use as a motivating force to help me take one more step closer to the finish line.
See you all on the other side ...
I would like to take this occassion to express my gratitude and appreciation to Susie for putting up with me through all the months of training and preparing for this amazing adventure to South Africa. Now is the time for the performance of a lifetime to make it through to the finish line and complete the 90km adventure.
In being one of only 144 competitors representing Australia from more than 23,000 competitors this is a special honour and one that I intend to use as a motivating force to help me take one more step closer to the finish line.
See you all on the other side ...
Friday, May 28, 2010
Comrades Marathon Build Up
On arrival in South Africa we first set out on a great adventure through Johannesburg where we were to tour Soweto, Orlando Stadium, Hector Pieterson Museum and the Apartheid Museum providing a valuable insight into the nations challenges of the past. There certainly have been some significant changes in South Africa with the country preparing to unite for the eyes of the world to be watching the Football World Cup soon to start.
Next we made our way by twin propeller aircraft to Pietermaritzburg so as to settle in and prepare for the Comrades Marathon start line. Now Pietermaritzburg certainly is a change of pace from Johannesburg and it feels more like a small country town in comparison. The first stop was to the Comrades Museum to offically register for the race and collect the race number and find out a little more about the history of the race. This was a magic experience although the scale model of the course sure did freak me out a little!
The next adventure was to Durban to check out the Comrades Marathon Expo. Following the N3 Express Way so as to avoid the majority of the Comrades course and save the best for race day we were greeted with traffic chaos with many streets closed around the city in preparation for the Football World Cup. The Expo was quite large and it was great to walk straight into a free massage area to have a rub down within minutes of arrival. It was nice to see a few familiar faces and meet Stephen Muzhingi who had previously won the 2009 event posting the second fastest time in history with 5:23:27.
Now as we approach the final hours the anticipation is building and the nerves really setting in with the realisation that the 90km adventure very close ...
Next we made our way by twin propeller aircraft to Pietermaritzburg so as to settle in and prepare for the Comrades Marathon start line. Now Pietermaritzburg certainly is a change of pace from Johannesburg and it feels more like a small country town in comparison. The first stop was to the Comrades Museum to offically register for the race and collect the race number and find out a little more about the history of the race. This was a magic experience although the scale model of the course sure did freak me out a little!
The next adventure was to Durban to check out the Comrades Marathon Expo. Following the N3 Express Way so as to avoid the majority of the Comrades course and save the best for race day we were greeted with traffic chaos with many streets closed around the city in preparation for the Football World Cup. The Expo was quite large and it was great to walk straight into a free massage area to have a rub down within minutes of arrival. It was nice to see a few familiar faces and meet Stephen Muzhingi who had previously won the 2009 event posting the second fastest time in history with 5:23:27.
Now as we approach the final hours the anticipation is building and the nerves really setting in with the realisation that the 90km adventure very close ...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
South Africa Here We Come!
OK - Well finally after many months of preparation and hundreds of kilometres training completed it is now time to board the V Australia flight today and head across to South Africa for the challenge of a lifetime.
While I am sure there will be a massive World Cup fever in the air there is also sure to be a number of international runners heading across to join more than 20,000 entered in this 85th Anniversary year of the Comrades Marathon.
Please be sure to follow my progress this Sunday 30 May on www.comrades.com and send your messages of support by email to trent@marathonman.com.au
Here we go kids - this is it!!!
While I am sure there will be a massive World Cup fever in the air there is also sure to be a number of international runners heading across to join more than 20,000 entered in this 85th Anniversary year of the Comrades Marathon.
Please be sure to follow my progress this Sunday 30 May on www.comrades.com and send your messages of support by email to trent@marathonman.com.au
Here we go kids - this is it!!!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Six Foot Track Marathon 2010
The Six Foot Track Marathon is recognised as one of the best ultra marathon events in Australia. What has been described as "the toughest marathon in Australia" is held each March in the Blue Mountains, Katoomba, NSW, Australia, between the brutal bush fire season and Easter. With more than 25 years of experience under its belt, this is the premier trail Marathon in Australia, and it is expected that the full quota of 850 runners will start each year's event. The runners will run along the Six Foot Track, a bridle trail originally cut in 1884 starting from the Historic "Marked Tree" at Katoomba to the Jenolan Caves, a distance of 45 kms.
The gruelling race was launched in March 1984 to mark the centenary of the opening of this historic track. Since the first race, which fielded a mere seven runners, the event has attracted much acclaim for its toughness, its stunning scenery, challenging conditions and great camaraderie. The event now attracts a field of local, national and international entrants who travel from as far as Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, England and the USA.
They come from all walks of life - business people to triathletes with many runners returning year after year. Females account for 15% of the field and this is increasing yearly. There are steep hills to go up and down, and the mighty Cox's River to cross. There is dirt and dust, and heat and humidity, as the event is at the tail-end of the long hot Australian summer.
Following completion of the event for the first time in 2009 it was always important for me to return in 2010 to test myself on both feet after seriously rolling my left ankle in the opening stages last time around.
This race started cautiously with the priority to take the opening 5km steadily to ensure success over the 45km distance. Starting out with Doug, Michael and Dennis we were later to run our own race.
There are seventeen aid stations and logistics support is ably carried out by the NSW Rural Fire Service. They do a great job, and all proceeds of the race go the NSW Rural Fire Service Brigades in the Blue Mountains and the Six Foot Track Heritage Trust with approximately $40,000-$50,000 being raised each year.
The course is always challenging and with the recent rain Cox's River was flowing strongly with no other way across other than swimming across. Now after 15km I may not have been paying close enough attention to the fact that my new ipod around my waist was soon to be submersed in the River! Oh well - I had not had the chance to even test it out and would never get the chance.
The remaining 30km would be a test although compared to the previous year on one leg I was driven to succeed in the lead up to the ultimate human challenge over twice the distance of the Six Foot Track with the Comrades Marathon in South Africa soon approaching.
It was great to meet up with other runners along the course and share stories and the challenges of the adventure. There was nothing sweeter than hearing the roar of the crowd as I approached the Jenolan Caves finish line crossing in 6:24:24.
The gruelling race was launched in March 1984 to mark the centenary of the opening of this historic track. Since the first race, which fielded a mere seven runners, the event has attracted much acclaim for its toughness, its stunning scenery, challenging conditions and great camaraderie. The event now attracts a field of local, national and international entrants who travel from as far as Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, England and the USA.
They come from all walks of life - business people to triathletes with many runners returning year after year. Females account for 15% of the field and this is increasing yearly. There are steep hills to go up and down, and the mighty Cox's River to cross. There is dirt and dust, and heat and humidity, as the event is at the tail-end of the long hot Australian summer.
Following completion of the event for the first time in 2009 it was always important for me to return in 2010 to test myself on both feet after seriously rolling my left ankle in the opening stages last time around.
This race started cautiously with the priority to take the opening 5km steadily to ensure success over the 45km distance. Starting out with Doug, Michael and Dennis we were later to run our own race.
There are seventeen aid stations and logistics support is ably carried out by the NSW Rural Fire Service. They do a great job, and all proceeds of the race go the NSW Rural Fire Service Brigades in the Blue Mountains and the Six Foot Track Heritage Trust with approximately $40,000-$50,000 being raised each year.
The course is always challenging and with the recent rain Cox's River was flowing strongly with no other way across other than swimming across. Now after 15km I may not have been paying close enough attention to the fact that my new ipod around my waist was soon to be submersed in the River! Oh well - I had not had the chance to even test it out and would never get the chance.
The remaining 30km would be a test although compared to the previous year on one leg I was driven to succeed in the lead up to the ultimate human challenge over twice the distance of the Six Foot Track with the Comrades Marathon in South Africa soon approaching.
It was great to meet up with other runners along the course and share stories and the challenges of the adventure. There was nothing sweeter than hearing the roar of the crowd as I approached the Jenolan Caves finish line crossing in 6:24:24.
Sydney Half Marathon 2010
Following the recent Comrades Marathon training schedule I originally signed up for the Sydney Half Marathon as a training run for the adventures that were ahead in South Africa.
Little did I realise this would be a very important run following rolling my left ankle quite badly the previous Sunday. In preparation I had picked up a new pair of calf compression socks that were to prove brilliant. With the major race plans only a matter of two weeks away it was important test the ankle in race conditions and be sure that all would be fine for May 30 across in South Africa.
I love turning out in my home city to see a number of familiar faces and run around the same streets that I get to train over many weekend training runs. It is such a magic city to live in and with beautiful weather and Raelene Boyle behind the starters gun we were away.
There was no chance of running too hard in this Half Marathon and it was always a matter of go out and see how the ankle holds up and should all be feeling fine then maybe push a little harder towards the back end.
The first half of the run was feeling good and I managed to hold myself back from the usual excitement of pushing ahea with the faster runners and then paying for it towards the end. The ankle was holding up fine and I was feeling great about having the pain killers before heding out in the morning. It was interesting to note that one side was a real dryness of the mouth and with the water stations spread out every 5km or more there was not much relief. Gotta say that the days of drinking water and sports drinks out of cups in major events surely must not be far away. It is almost impossible to get much liquid down when on the go and I am pretty sure most would welcome the introduction of the water and sports drink sachets next year!
Following a solid and steady performance I was pleased to come across the line in 1:48:14 which is not too bad an effort considering that I had been conscious of my ankle and did not wish to do too much damge prior to Comrades. The god news is that this was als only 1 minute outside my Personal Best so this gives me confidence for the future that it is possible to set a new benchmark.
I was pleased to wait around the finish line to cheer home a good friend Markus Schar who was guiding Ben a blind runner across the line. In the end they posted a very respectable 2:11:40. This was a tremendous effort for Ben as it was aso his first Half Marathon prior to representing the Australian Blind Cricket team in the West Indies later this year. Congratulations to Markus, Ben and all who completed the event today ... Next challenge - the 90km Comrades Marathon 30 May 2010
Little did I realise this would be a very important run following rolling my left ankle quite badly the previous Sunday. In preparation I had picked up a new pair of calf compression socks that were to prove brilliant. With the major race plans only a matter of two weeks away it was important test the ankle in race conditions and be sure that all would be fine for May 30 across in South Africa.
I love turning out in my home city to see a number of familiar faces and run around the same streets that I get to train over many weekend training runs. It is such a magic city to live in and with beautiful weather and Raelene Boyle behind the starters gun we were away.
There was no chance of running too hard in this Half Marathon and it was always a matter of go out and see how the ankle holds up and should all be feeling fine then maybe push a little harder towards the back end.
The first half of the run was feeling good and I managed to hold myself back from the usual excitement of pushing ahea with the faster runners and then paying for it towards the end. The ankle was holding up fine and I was feeling great about having the pain killers before heding out in the morning. It was interesting to note that one side was a real dryness of the mouth and with the water stations spread out every 5km or more there was not much relief. Gotta say that the days of drinking water and sports drinks out of cups in major events surely must not be far away. It is almost impossible to get much liquid down when on the go and I am pretty sure most would welcome the introduction of the water and sports drink sachets next year!
Following a solid and steady performance I was pleased to come across the line in 1:48:14 which is not too bad an effort considering that I had been conscious of my ankle and did not wish to do too much damge prior to Comrades. The god news is that this was als only 1 minute outside my Personal Best so this gives me confidence for the future that it is possible to set a new benchmark.
I was pleased to wait around the finish line to cheer home a good friend Markus Schar who was guiding Ben a blind runner across the line. In the end they posted a very respectable 2:11:40. This was a tremendous effort for Ben as it was aso his first Half Marathon prior to representing the Australian Blind Cricket team in the West Indies later this year. Congratulations to Markus, Ben and all who completed the event today ... Next challenge - the 90km Comrades Marathon 30 May 2010
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