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Comrades 2016
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No 2017 thread yet becca, is it your turn to start one?
Done. http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/ultra-/-adventure-racing/comrades-2017/330089.html
thanks for the concern Patricia, I'll take it easy
it is just an opportunity too good to miss, I happen to have to go to Germany for a weeks training course from work, the town we are staying in has a half marathon, nice medium to large (5000 runners) event.....A running friend I first met in Beijing doesn't live far away.... so I had to do it, but I will happily be a tourist runner, enjoying seeing a different country and not understanding a word anyone is saying 
I suppose I better start writing my blog.....
I'm amused by your pacing offer, Goldenboy
. Don't forget I saw your Strava stats in the run-up to Comrades!
I spent most of yesterday drawing up a schedule for the Berlin 100Meilen and reading blogs from runners in previous years. A great way to dispel the post-Comrades blues.
As is volunteering at the Hampstead Heath parkrun at 9 this morning (I'm a timekeeper, if anyone else is going to be there). And to think that this time last week, we were lining up opposite the Suncoast Casino in Durban with 2,000 others, nervously wondering what Comrades would have in store for us on Sunday...
John - I was run director at our parkrun today and got seriously distracted by everyone asking about the Comrades!
Considering 2 Oceans for next year but would also like to give the CCC a go if I can get in the ballot and of course Comrades remains tempting......,,
I started writing an epic mentioning everyone I met and became beached so switched to something simpler and personal, still a work in progress, hope my addled mind recounts something generally chronologically consistent...
The bus to Pietermaritzburg is awful, we arrive terribly late, as a result we miss our official starting pen and this costs precious seconds getting over the start line.
My plan to latch onto a 12 hour bus at whatever point they overtake me evaporates, last year this happened about two thirds of the way in, this year it happens at the 84k to go mark. They are travelling at a ridiculously fast pace. I have to let them go. Plan A gone. I don't really have a plan B. Before the run I'd jokingly said to fellow runners my plan B was the sweeper bus.
At the two cut-offs prior to half way I have 20 minutes to spare and the day feels fine.
As I approach half way even green number runners are getting nervous, it encourages me to press on. I have never contemplated being in time trouble and don't recall the half way cut-off time. 1km out I pass a big red sign declaring cut-off at 6h10m, my watch says 6h02m, on any other day this would not be no problem, but I've already run over a marathon distance today and this is Comrades.
The crowd are screaming at us to run... and I run for my life! None of it flat, none of it straight, up daft steep slopes curving into precarious downs and finally the long sweeping drop to Drummond and the horrible rising climb back up to the cut-off point - why isn't it at the bottom of this slope? Damn, damn, damn, run, run, ruuuuun!
I make cut-off with 11 seconds to spare; 6:09:49, my careful run-walk strategy (power walk up the hills, run the flats and downs) and a lack of route awareness have nearly cost me the day and my back-to-back. As I sprint through the gap at Drummond I instantly know the fix I am in. I roar with both frustration and the adrenaline of achievement. The stark reality of the task that lays ahead smacks me between the eyes; I have 5h50m left in the day to cover the same amount of ground I've just managed in 6h10m. One thing I do know; the likelihood of anyone achieving this is not that high, its why this last chance cut-off of is set at 6h10m. I really am in dire straits, but, possibly foolishly, I'm not afraid of the task that lies in front of me, I have preserved myself perfectly so far, I could not be in better shape than I am now, on this route, for this run, in my mind it is "game on!" I am going to Durban!
The run before me is now a series of 4 further cut-offs, each one designed to pluck distressed runners from the jaws of destruction (stress that could kill), to take them off the road of suffering as their attempts today fade. I pass the 42km to go sign; the classic marathon distance, my watch says 5h30m left. I take comfort in knowing this is my worst marathon time ever, and then it hits me; that was in Chicago, a pancake flat easy marathon, at least the temperature that day had been 29C though.
I make further cut-offs with less than a handful of minutes to spare, passing thousands of struggling runners, dogged by sweeper vans eager to take me aboard, past people flat out on the ground getting medical attention. I drink the ultra-runner’s elixir; Coke, at every support point, constantly pour water over my overheated frame, hold my personal mantra "stand up, relax, run", grind down the miles through the aching discomfort.
The dreaded Fields Hill approaches. The hill everyone warned me not to run down. It’s too steep, too cambered, too curving, those that attack it end up as medical tent fodder at its base. This is no time for pussyfooting about though. I am still going to Durban today! The hill is ridiculous, I have to stop myself falling flat on my face running down it, I cut every corner, scream around every bend, fall with the camber, barrel down the straight bits. 3.2km of free-fall. As the sweeping bend at the bottom arrives I prepare to meet my maker in oblivion as my quads beg me to stop the punishment, but somehow I sublimely coast onward to Durban laughing at the wonderfulness of the day. I feel like Homer Simpson; stupidly unaware of why I’m still running… “So long suckers! I’m bound for Cowie’s”
I come through the final 45th cutting check-point with 5 minutes to spare and 55 minutes of the day left to cover 7k. Turning the bend onto the gargantuan freeway up the feeder lane it is impossible to run under the conditions of fatigue that swamp me. Switching (to horizontal flight - name the TV show!) to power walk mode I force myself up the slipway on to the wide sweeping freeway to Durban and force myself back to running. Another rise 2k ahead makes me curse at how close this is becoming; the top has water and Coke, even at this late stage I take them on board. The tannoy booms beat box music, the DJ constantly shouts only 5k to go, my watch says 40 minutes. I have never run 5k in more than 40 minutes, but I've never before run it after 53 miles of Comrades down-run.
Over this last rise lies the prize, this is the last effort, to the ultimate cut-off, I throw my sunglasses aside; the sun set some time ago. I empty my last 3 sachets of cooling water over myself. The road is wide, I keep in my own space, my mantra "stand up, relax, run" powering me forwards, I stay away from run destroying cats eyes, the 4k and then the 3k markers disappear on my right, I push on trying to lift my pace, dare not look at the clock, the crowd are there lining the streets but I'm zoned so far in its silent. Am I still running? Where is the 2k marker? It’s been an eternity. I must have passed it. It never arrives. The yellow 1k arch comes into view. I feel like I am flying.
The stadium commentary breaks through my trance. Along the sweeping curve around the outside of Kingsmead cricket ground the commentator warning rings out, constantly repeating; press on, time is short, cut-off is here. The approach takes forever. Momentary relief hits as the ground entrance beckons then turns to frustration as the congested path forces me around unwanted angles but ultimately bursting out onto grass.
Grass! The final few metres that curve and curve endlessly. Where is the finish line? Where is it? I didn't come all this way to fail! I leap forwards cutting left and then right, passing runners through what space opens before me. The 89km timing mat gives false hope again! Finally the curve delivers the glaringly beautiful bright red finish I crave. The clock counting me to my Comrades victory at 11:57:59. I scream my elation at the right hand field cameras punching the air low and hard as I cross the line, raising my arms in triumph. Slowing to a walk I sense the eyes of the world upon me as I cross centre field, arrays of cameras soaking up the spectacle.
As my fellow finishers surge forward eagerly queuing for their medals I step to the quiet left side of the finish area and watch the drama of the 12 hour cut-off; the gun, the flowers, the elation, agony, and disappointment. I have taken part in the greatest road race on Earth, faced the biggest running challenge of my life, fought a battle against time all day and ultimately achieved my goal, still standing, I feel a deep, deep satisfaction. I re-join the queue for my medals and merge back into the anonymity of normal life...
Blimey lowrez, well done. Nice negative split.
Fantastic lowrez. Thanks for sharing with us, you encapsulate the day perfectly and as becca says, a HUGE negative split. Expect its one of the biggest of the day. Same time next year
Thanks guys you are the best
Dannirr found me on TV at the finish if you are interested, 10878 enters from stage left and exits on the right... worth hanging on for the 12 hour gun too if you give it a click
Terrific report that and the gutsiest run. Do we know whether the lady who was being carried actually made it? And would it have counted anyway? Also, what about the runner who raises his/her arms apparently in triumph at the line but misses the 12hr gun by a fraction - did the celebration cost a finish?
The 12hr cut off is a visceral moment in sport. Absolutely brutal, and so compelling.
Awesome going Lowrez . Really pleased for you.
lowrez: fantastic report and fantastic running for that negative-split.
PHOTOS! In three batches, chronicling my time not-running Comrades last weekend...
Pre-run (including in the start pens): https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcb_debra/albums/72157666775942783
At the stadium, from and in the International area: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcb_debra/albums/72157669283468106
Post-Comrades, Monday pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcb_debra/albums/72157668918281292
Apologies for the ones that are blurred, and for those that were so blurred I didn't include them, but it was a small camera and couldn't really with the low light levels in the start pens or towards the end of the day.
If anyone wants an image at higher res, let me know.
Well done Lowrez- I doubt many runners, even at the pointy end of the race, got a negative split.
I don't think the lady who couldn't stand made it.
Fantastic report Lowrez perfectly summed up your and I guess a few others greatest day of our running lives.
Brilliant, Lowrez. And great pictures, Debra. Thanks to you both.
Thanks for those photos Debra. I wanted to get a copy of the UK post race photo as i didnt get one on the day. Any idea how i can? I tried to download from Flickr but i need to create an account (which i can do, i am just thinking of easier ways).
Lowrez your run is legendary in my book. I have a few friends stories that I use for inspiration when things get tough and your story will now be in my mental list. As i said before, its text book. I expect Lindsay Parry to be using it next year as the 'perfect' finish pacing story
Wonderful reading Lowrez, anonymity indeed. Ironically its us behind the pseudonyms that will truly appreciate what went into last week's race.
PG3: message me your email address, tell me which photo you want (I presume one or more of the group photos on the steps outside the Mugg & Bean?) and I will email you the photo or send several by WeTransfer (a very useful method for large files).
I hope this works; I scanned in a souvenir the hosting service is free so it trundles a bit but you should end up with 27MB of pdf
Great run report Lowrez and what a gutsy run, you must have really dug deep to up your pace in the second half. In terms of pacing my run was the exact opposite of yours - a huge positive split !
In the first half I tried to monitor my time as I enjoyed the unique pink colours of the African sunrise and the mountain views. Running felt good despite the climbs.
In the second half time just drifted away from me as exhaustion from no where just hit me and my legs slowed down as my quads hurt and I had to concentrate very hard to do a walk run strategy and enjoy the crowds. I f only I could have stayed with the Bus, but I lost them at a drinks station and didn't feel strong enough to up my pace .... if only. Then my plan changed from a Bill Rowen (perhaps too early when I look back at my times) to soaking up the atmosphere as I wasn't sure if I would ever be back.
I will never forget the African music and runners singing on the route, entering the Stadium and achieving my back to back medal and of course all the new friendships I made.
Does anybody keep reliving the race in their minds? I have periods of the race where I just can't remember how I arrived at a particular point which really bugs me, and then others which are very vivid. I'm starting to write down my race experiences.
Thank you for the photo's Debra, I manged to email them to myself
That's a great souvenir, lowrez. Thanks for scanning it.
Patricia - I had that imperfect memory problem from my previous down run - there was a lot that I remembered but I realised during this year's run that I had remembered things in a terribly wrong order.
Hi Patricia,
You are welcome - let me know if you want any of them at a higher resolution (I uploaded them at only a very moderate res).
Lowrez: thank you for the file; I managed to pick up a paper copy of that, but it's great to have this version. Do let me know if you want high-res versions of any of the pics of your plaque.
Off to have a walk around the park and maybe a 30 or 60 second jog...
Thanks everybody for the kind words on my report
. With the dust settled a little bit I am somewhat embarrassed at how "me, me, me" it was; daft runner gets into stupid difficulties and manages to scrape a finish seems more appropriate now 
. I feel like I am tagging along for a ride on he coat tails of some astounding runners on this thread, just managing to cling on when you athletes are attacking this event and putting yourselves through a much tougher regime than I am stringing together with my ant hills and hedges!
Well done on your back-to-back Patricia - you did great adjusting your approach to keep things going. There are some surreal moments on my run that keep coming back to me - I kept feeling solace in green number runners and it kept backfiring on me! On the approach to Kearsney College I ran a short distance with a green number woman, my usual opening line was "how are we doing, are we far off the next check point, is it achievable" just looking for a spark of reassurance etc. She started explaining how this was her local training route and that she worked at the college and how she was expecting a rousing round of applause when we arrived... however, we were so late in the day that we jogged up to rows of empty seats, not a uniformed pupil in sight. I joked that the whole school was going to be on detention tomorrow! She then turned off the route into the school entrance and wished me good luck??? I was baffled - was I not safely running with a green number multiple completer finisher? Not this year! She had only ever intended running this far all along! Whaat!?? She then told me I'd better crack on - it wouldn't be easy making the next cut-off from this far back! Arrgghhh!
Debra - I have managed to download absolutely everything from flickr, there is this amazing button on the first picture of each set that rockets the lot onto your PC. So for the wall of honour I have dscn2218 (508kb) nice clear close-up, and then dscn2219 (658kb) , dscn2220 (579kb), all 2048x1536, those second two if I zoom in on them I can just about read the plaque. Are they the high-res versions (ha ha we are talking high-res and I am lowrez) if you do have anything higher def I would love it.
Also - hope this is not too much to ask - there are obviously a number of people off this forum in the pictures? But I'm sure I can't identify all of them... are you able to produce a list of who is in what picture????