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Seren, your running number will probably obliterate the pirate logo. If in doubt ask info@comrades.com, but here are the rules:-
RUNNING KIT, SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING
Runners are encouraged to wear club colours officially registered with their provincial bodies (however this is not compulsory), or unbranded running kits (ASA Rule 13.1). In the event of a team competition, athletes must wear their club colours as officially registered with their provincial bodies. THE TWO OFFICIAL 2017 COMRADES MARATHON RACE NUMBERS MUST BE WORN ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF YOUR UPPER BODY GARMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE, AND NOT ON YOUR RUNNING SHORTS, AS THIS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.
The sponsored cap which, which you will receive in your runner's goodie bag, is the PREFERRED (but not compulsory) branded headgear permitted on race day. Runners must familiarize themselves with and abide by the advertising rules as per the IAAF and ASA Rulebooks. (IAAF Rule 143 and ASA Rule 13.1 and advertising regulations.) These provisions apply for the duration of the race including warming up, all race ceremonies and official press conference. Under no circumstances may a runner display a political slogan in any matter or form. (IAAF Rule 2(a)).
The above text and tons of other stuff are posted here: http://www.comrades.com/marathoncentre/race-information
They might think the words ISLWYN across my chest with a dragoin is politaical
Great running as ever by loads of people and hopefully the small niggles you can sort now.
I listened to the podcast this monday. Excellent as ever. The main thing was, sort out niggles now and under no circumstances chance a higher seeding pen for Comrades - its not worth it to save a couple of minutes at the start.
I read the email regarding the buses to be the same. Last year i am sure you could but tickets for supporters both ways. Look forward to hearing any updates from anyone.
Things ain't looking good; just been taking a couple of painkillers so I sleep OK; so I can track my symptoms during the day in the hope that I would shake this thing, but that hasn't happened yet. Odds are I'll give Manchester a miss. That'll leave qualification at either Two Oceans, or, if I don't make the grade there I'll pitch up at Milton Keynes on 1st May; Blackpool is closer, but a week earlier and only a week after 2O, and I was in no state to run long a week after Wexham... I'm as worried as a very worried person
seem to have painted myself into quite a tight corner.
Hope everyone else is improving, recovering and qualifying!
I've decided to taper a bit for Boston over the next two weeks, in the hope of gaining enough rest and strength to manage a sub 5. All very well, but even if that works it doesn't leave me with ideal build up towards Comrades.
However, onwards and upwards!
Thanks both, I've just splashed out on MK as today was the last for them posting out numbers etc. Worked out I can get an early train from Chester on the day and still make the 10am start; so it'll be a nice training run if I ace it on the Cape of Good Hope; I also needed a substitute for Manchester for the charity commitments I've gathered so far.
Terry, I think tapering is the best approach, despite my antics I have always erred on the side of caution and reached start lines fully rested, its amazing what reserves you can tap into if you are not burned out. All the best for Boston!
Terry, you've made steady progress on those 7 weeks!
So, was anyone in here running in central London this morning? Spotted a bloke in a blue long-sleeved Comrades top running over Tower Bridge at about 9am
Good luck to everyone running tomorrow, training or racing!
Thanks RR. I talked to Heisenberg this afternoon and he made me the purest blue crystal pseudoephedrine I've ever seen, he said it was the special mix with paracetamol that gave it the unique translucent hue. He assured me that, as long as I don't have any heart conditions, running with it in my system would be fine (although if I win the event I might get disqualified and banned from further races for some time). I've only been on it for a couple of hours and its not having much of an effect actually but I can take another hit in two more. My main problem is my teeth jangle with pain every step I take and my brain grates against the inside of my skull causing similar discomfort. He reckoned I should pump up the fluids too; so I'm having another cup of tea.
I'm thinking of starting and seeing how it evolves; if I end up wide of the mark I can always retire. I'll actually trot past my parked-up car at mile 12 - must resist the temptation to give in there if I'm on target for a finish! The Internet can convince you of anything, but, a general rule appears to be "symptoms above the neck; OK to run; below; give it a miss". Whilst my ribcage aches a bit from sneezing and I wheeze out a cough once in a while due to being generally congested I'm not counting those as proper symptoms. There's a lot of reflection on "getting out there and blowing everything away"; I'm a tad tired of resting actually; it doesn't seem to be achieving anything and if I can sneak a sub5 then its pressure off.
Nicely run Mr.Z! Good luck to all tomorrow!
I'm resting from running this week to allow a sore shin to heal. It seems to be improving and I can hop on it, so hopefully I can start running again soon. Don't want to have to miss Boston!
Am resting up too for next weeks trail marathon. Mind you I've done nothing today and I'm so tired
Right, this blue stuff doesn't seem to kill any pain at all, but it does seem to make sinuses feel like a pack of rats are running around in them; strangely therapeutic; so I have tried an ibuprofen on top and I it feels ethereally smooth man, so this is the concoction for me tomorrow... must fill in the back of me number now.
Good luck for Boston (USA) soon Becca! Hopping reminds me of Michael Palin's Ripping Yarns and the hopping race. Hope the shin settles.
I hope this isn't the start of a slide into a drug fuelled rampage of runs for me; its a dangerous line to cross. Reading up on the pros and cons before; I couldn't really find anything that commented on what to take for a headache before a run. The literature is all about long term use and how placebo based studies illustrate painkillers have no real impact on painful muscles or recovery so there is no point taking them, in fact kidney damage can ensue if you habitually consume them. Chemist did say though that as long as I felt OK a brief hit of this over the counter stuff should be OK, but to pack in if I got dizzy etc.
Don't do drugs kids!
Oops I did it again; 5:10 by my watch. Don't think I could have run it any better; I just died in the final 6 miles.
Oh well onward to the next events...
I had my best 21k of the year this morning - for the first time not feeling super fatigued
I'll now embark on some progressive taper over the next two weeks' lead up to Boston, in the hope of building enough strength for a qualifier.
Terry: glad you had a good run today.
I'm not 100% recovered yet from last Sunday from last Sunday - I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but I am a bit disappointed. Left home at 08.15 and ran to the club to marshal for the Croydon Half Marathon, so stood around for three hours or so, then ran just over 18 miles, half on trail, half on road. getting very tired towards the end - but when some random stranger carrying a bag of shopping or something 'raced' me along the side of the sports fields about a mile from home I summoned up some energy and ran at 8:30/mile for that stretch - just shows how much fatigue is in the mind rather than the legs! I'm away at a conference Thursday to Sunday and won't get any long runs in - I'll try to get up early enough to run for an hour each of Fri/Sat/Sun and might manage a semi-long on the Sunday depending what time I get home.
Saw a couple of comrades out on the route - a woman who appeared to have a 70/80 commemorative type patch on the shoulder of her shirt and a giant of a bloke who came in right after I did but who had qualified at another event.
At least the run appears to have sorted my man flu; I continued to take the medication on course but have ceased since I finished. It didn't tone down my nagging hamstring but I can't say that had anything to do with my tardiness. I have let that dig me into this hole I think. I need to get out on more training runs and ignore it. Got a massage booked for Tuesday after which I plan to hit the road again.
Terry, it would be super to meet you at MK, but I really hope it doesn't come to that! At OMTOM I'll have a 12 minute per mile average to play with; I suppose the problem is going to be I can't currently sustain an 11:30 average over 26, and, there is a big climb towards the end of OMTOM.
Anyone know the rules about having a non-bearded passport photo, but, stumping up at customs with several days of growth? Whilst ill I did not shave and am thinking of not raising the blade again until I qualify (this could be the start of a permanent Strange and Weird) but if I won't make it out of the country or into SA because of the confusion then I better mow it.
Good work on your routine Terry, got everything crossed for Boston
You are putting in some great miles Debra
Thank you for the on-the-day cooling suggestions, as I don't think I'll get much chance for acclimatising to heat in the next couple of months.