Comrades 2019

Debra Bourne · November 2018

Becca, well run! Advance good luck for New York.

seren nos: I agree - simple and effective. (Nowadays I find it easier to keep my fitness where I can run a marathon/50K or two any weekend.)

1owrez · November 2018

Comrades 2019 Qualification
27Aug Qualification Starts
16Sep Goodwood (M) justanothrrnr-Q3:54-PenD
16Sep Berlin (M) Running Rodent-Q4:44-PenH
24Sep Emilia-Romagna, Italy (IM) Peter R-Q3:48-PenB-Going-for-Green
07Oct Chester (M) seren nos-Q4:28-PenG, marty74-Q3:25-PenC
07Oct Bremen (M) Becca7-Q4:28-PenG
07Oct Chicago (M) Mc Hilly-Q4:40-PenH, Slow Duck-Q3:57-PenD(or E)-Going-for-Double-Yellow
14Oct Leicester (M) Max Mladenovic 2-Q3:35-PenC
21Oct Amsterdam (M) Mac3-Q3:20-PenC seagypsy-Q4:20-PenG mordo-Q4:39-PenH
28Oct Marine Corps (M) jkissane-Q3:21-PenC
04Nov Soweto Marathon (M) Bike It-Q4:46-PenH
04Nov New York (M) Matt-Q3:59-PenD
18Nov Mega Challenge (M) TCP
23Dec Portsmouth Coastal Waterside (M) justanothrrnr, seren nos, Peter R
06Jan Xiamen (M) 1owrez
02Feb Pilgrim Challenge (U) mordo
17Feb Seville (M) Mac3
17Feb St Valentine's (30k) Becca7
25Feb 100 Marathon Club AGM (M) TCP
03Mar Tokyo (M) Becca7
17Mar Utrecht (M) Mac3
24Mar Canalathon (75k) mordo
07Apr Manchester (M) seagypsy
13Apr TinT Fortitude (M) TCP
14Apr Boston UK (M) Terry48, Debra Bourne, 1owrez
14Apr TinT Gauntlet (M) TCP
15Apr Boston USA (M)
15Apr TinT Dauntless (M) TCP
16Apr TinT Resolute (M) TCP
17Apr TinT Perseverance (M) TCP
18Apr TinT Adversity (M) TCP
19Apr TinT Intrepid (M) TCP
20Apr TinT Indomitable (M) TCP
21Apr TinT Unbreakable (M) TCP
22Apr TinT Invincible (M) TCP
28Apr London (M) Becca7, 1owrez thomasclowes
02May Qualification and Race4Charity (PenCC) Closes
09Jun Comrades

Accommodation
Belaire Terry48, Becca7, Mc Hilly, Max Mladenovic 2 justanothrrnr Mac3
Hilton 1owrez, Dannirr, Running Rodent
Blue Waters jkissane

Flights
Terry48 AF LHR-CDG ArrJNB26th 09:55 Ret12th
Max Mladenovic 2 KLM/AF BHX-AMS ArrJNB4th Ret15th
thomasclowes, serenos BA LHR ArrDUR7th05:35 Ret18th
1owrez BA/VA MAN-LHR ArrJNB7th06:30Dep08:55ArrDUR10:00 Ret10th

justanothrrnr · November 2018

This came up on my social media feed, thought it would be interesting for some of the new folks to get an idea of how Comrades is the focal race for any SA running club

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-X0zRYvcC2I&feature=youtu.be#dialog

Bike It · November 2018

A bit more about Soweto Marathon.

Given my current fitness, lack of training and hip issue I did decide to run 30 minute and then walk 2 minutes. Also I targeted the sub-4:35 run, but would be happy with sub 4:50 to qualify.

The first half is mostly downhill, but undulating and with a big bump around 17km. I felt comfortable to 16km before this hill started. At halfway the time was 2:10 and I knew it would be 'an uphill battle' to get to a 4:35 finish. I relaxed and didn't push it. The course is very undulating in the second half and hardly a flat part. My pace slowed due to tiredness and I had to walk up the bigger hills. All in all it had the characteristics of a mini-Comrades. It is probably 70% of the difficult of the second half of the up run and I didn't already have 44km in my legs when I started!

I was overtaken by the sub 4:35 bus with 4km to go and I expect they missed their target unless they ran at tempo pace to the finish. I felt sorry for them as I knew they were off target. I overtaken by the sub-4:50 bus with about 600m to go. I stuck with them purely so I would have a chance for my kids to see me on TV. I finished in 4:44 chip time and 4:46 gun time

Overall as race of contrasts - drinkers and dagga smokers cheering on as families and church communities sing gospel. Development and celebration of the freedom movement next to poverty. Mine dumps and impatient drivers. The funeral home next to the butcher, etc. Run through areas of shacks and then finish in the stadium hosting the 2010 world cup final.

It is mostly my legs strength and endurance I need to build now. I have a long,long,long way to go before I am reasonably fit again.

A new personal worst marathon by about 30 minutes. It can't get much worse and can only get better. I'm qualified now and so will get in my training and get a faster marathon in before the qualifying window closes.

I got very bad chaffing as my legs seem larger and softer for some reason. The pain was so bad I ran with the outside skin of my short tucked into the liner - I must have looked like Borat. Thankfully I finally found a tub of vaseline from one of the spectators. I also go very bad sunburn!

Onwards and upwards

Bike It · November 2018

In other news my entry was finally delivered yesterday and took 14 days 4 hours for 515km. Less than a marathon a day........

I now have to hear whether I am entered after the judgement on 'SA National' entry fee as a Permanent Resident

1owrez · November 2018

Soweto pops up in the list when I do a trawl of where to run each year and I must admit to being irrationally concerned about whether it would be a safe thing to do? Although the course profile is probably more of an issue than my other fears.

Loved your descriptions of the on route sights Bike It, that was a very measured and intelligent run given your current level of fitness. Hoping your entry is a formality for them to rubber stamp.

I got similarly chafed at London this year, thank goodness, finally, several miles after I really needed it, for St John's ambulance and my self conscious vaselined hand up the skirt for relief (if you recall I was masquerading as Mary Quant).

Southern Snail · November 2018

Becca - well done on your marathon at the weekend. I never saw that challenge otherwise would have had a go. Was it a definite entry or into another ballot? I notice strive are doing a challenge this week for London next year but you just enter a draw when you've done it and theres already 26000 + people in it

Bike It - really hope theres no problem with your entry

Becca7 · November 2018

Nicely done BikeIt. Good luck for the race entry.

Snail, I'm not sure how well publicised this virtual event was on Strava prior to it selling out as it was a New York Road Runners event and they just used Strava as the means to log the runs. The entries opened in the summer and there were only 500 places so it sold out within hours and I was pretty lucky that I heard about it in time. Good luck for the London one.

Bike It · November 2018

Yes Lowrez it is safe enough to run Soweto Marathon. I must say that I am pretty nervous around it and don't normally go there. It just not safe to get a qualifier unless you can run 4:20ish at a flat cool mara. Altitude is 1700m which makes a difference together with the course elevation and heat.

TCP · November 2018

Finally got my act together this week. I did a bit of research and formulated a training plan. I've run ultras before but never one the road and not for a couple of years. I also booked my flights and hotel so all good.

British Airways - BA0057

5 Jun 2019 (21:25)
Heathrow (London)
6 Jun 2019 (09:15)
Johannesburg

Comair Ltd - BA6207
6 Jun 2019 (15:40)
Johannesburg
6 Jun 2019 (16:45)
Durban

ONOMO Hotel Durban

1owrez · November 2018

Jar, that guy makes me want to join a running club.

So Strava is even more useful than I thought it was - I am obviously not connected right though to get exposure to these opportunities?

Never heard of that hotel before TCP? Is it a recent re-name or has it always been around? Looks really nice.

Thanks for the further gen Bike It - I am definitely not in 4:20 form currently; got a 2 miler in last weekend, planning another tonight, maybe more. But thise weekend is a bit congested - seeing King Crimson on Friday night and then getting up early on Saturday to go to the FIDE World Chess championships a game that advances as quickly as I run!

marty74 · November 2018

I'm at the ONOMO as well this year. Its next to the breakwater lodge so not far to to the start or the expo. I saw it there last year so guess its perhaps a couple of years old???

1owrez · November 2018

Comrades 2019 Qualification
27Aug Qualification Starts
16Sep Goodwood (M) justanothrrnr-Q3:54-PenD
16Sep Berlin (M) Running Rodent-Q4:44-PenH
24Sep Emilia-Romagna, Italy (IM) Peter R-Q3:48-PenB-Going-for-Green
07Oct Chester (M) seren nos-Q4:28-PenG, marty74-Q3:25-PenC
07Oct Bremen (M) Becca7-Q4:28-PenG
07Oct Chicago (M) Mc Hilly-Q4:40-PenH, Slow Duck-Q3:57-PenD(or E)-Going-for-Double-Yellow
14Oct Leicester (M) Max Mladenovic 2-Q3:35-PenC
21Oct Amsterdam (M) Mac3-Q3:20-PenC, seagypsy-Q4:20-PenG, mordo-Q4:39-PenH
28Oct Marine Corps (M) jkissane-Q3:21-PenC
04Nov Soweto Marathon (M) Bike It-Q4:46-PenH
04Nov New York (M) Matt-Q3:59-PenD
18Nov Mega Challenge (M) TCP
23Dec Portsmouth Coastal Waterside (M) justanothrrnr, seren nos, Peter R
06Jan Xiamen (M) 1owrez
02Feb Pilgrim Challenge (U) mordo
17Feb Seville (M) Mac3
17Feb St Valentine's (30k) Becca7
25Feb 100 Marathon Club AGM (M) TCP
03Mar Tokyo (M) Becca7
17Mar Utrecht (M) Mac3
24Mar Canalathon (75k) mordo
07Apr Manchester (M) seagypsy
13Apr TinT Fortitude (M) TCP
14Apr Boston UK (M) Terry48, Debra Bourne, 1owrez
14Apr TinT Gauntlet (M) TCP
15Apr Boston USA (M)
15Apr TinT Dauntless (M) TCP
16Apr TinT Resolute (M) TCP
17Apr TinT Perseverance (M) TCP
18Apr TinT Adversity (M) TCP
19Apr TinT Intrepid (M) TCP
20Apr TinT Indomitable (M) TCP
21Apr TinT Unbreakable (M) TCP
22Apr TinT Invincible (M) TCP
28Apr London (M) Becca7, 1owrez, thomasclowes
02May Qualification and Race4Charity (PenCC) Closes
09Jun Comrades

Accommodation
Belaire Terry48, Becca7, Mc Hilly, Max Mladenovic 2, justanothrrnr, Mac3
Hilton 1owrez, Dannirr, Running Rodent
Blue Waters jkissane
ONOMO TCP, marty74

Flights
Terry48 AF LHR-CDG ArrJNB26th 09:55 Ret12th
Max Mladenovic 2 KLM/AF BHX-AMS ArrJNB4th Ret15th
TCP BA LHR ArrJNB6th09:15Dep15:40ArrDUR16:45
thomasclowes, serenos BA LHR ArrDUR7th05:35 Ret18th
1owrez BA/VA MAN-LHR ArrJNB7th06:30Dep08:55ArrDUR10:00 Ret10th

1owrez · November 2018

I did another 2 miler last night and it was a little less stressful than the 2 at the weekend. I have been working on my glutes, did some post run stuff and my body is clearly "engaging" better on muscle groups etc which is encouraging. One thing I am noticing quite markedly is when I take my trainers off which are just a bog standard pair of ASICS it seems like a terribly long "step down" reaction from my calfs and posture. Its almost like I am climbing out of some kind of walking aid back onto normal ground. Is my body giving me a hint that I should be actually running in something a bit flatter rather than these obviously raised platforms I've got?

Mac3 · November 2018

Belated congrats to BikeIt and JK for your qualifiers. It's nice to know you have that out of the way but still have the opportunity to improve on it, if you wish to.

Lowrez - I thought the foam wedges were part of your outfits or you have a preference for high heels?! It's an interesting and much debated subject but there is not much evidence either way it seems to suggest which is better for distance runners. It does of course depend on running style and biomechanics and if you are a heel striker that may work better if you use the traditional c.10mm drops. The raise takes pressure off your achilles but the disadvantage is that it can make you pronate more, particularly on downhills. I read of one study but it was not conclusive but found that runners using different shoes generally resulted in different stresses being applied (sort of obvious) and overall less injuries. I switched to zero drop this year as my regular brand (mizuno wave rider) has been getting progressively heavier and with me landing mid-foot I didn't feel the need for extra heel cushioning and shoe weight. My Altra Torin 3s are lighter as a result but still retain cushioning. Switching to zero drop immediately may put different stresses on your feet, achilles, calves etc so that may need some transition. There are shoes that are in the say 5-7mm drop range which would be an easier transition. They seem to work well for me and I find it a more natural footstrike and I used them at Comrades this year and found it easier on the many downhills, and also less pressure on the toes. They haven't changed my stride length but I believe my cadence is a little higher. I know Debra is using a flat lightweight shoe (Inov8?) in races but it would be interesting to hear what others views are on the subject.

Slow Duck · November 2018

I’ve booked myself into ONOMO too - as my usual favourite (City Lodge) is already fully booked!

Just flights to sort out now...

marty74 · November 2018

SD - that was my reason!!!

1owrez · November 2018

Mac - thanks for the mega feedback - I think I have an "opportunity" to try a few things this early on in my campaign for me - currently sat at my desk at work as usual but with what feels like a bag of ferrets scurrying around beneath me - glutes are certainly responding to the persuasion I am putting them through pre and post run. These 10 weeks or so of complete down time were a pitch at letting my bones get rested and re-set before coming back again.

I have in the past run in some lower Innov8 shoes - can't think why I switched back - possibly at the advent of my Comrades take-on a few years back and a maybe irrational concern that doing that kind of distance needed a "proper" shoe. Certainly up for seeing if a more flatter world will give a different post run reaction so I will dust off, what I think might be a brand new pair, of whatever they are for my next run and see how it goes. Maybe I will continue to mix it from there in, or maybe I will find myself leaning one way or the other as time goes by.

1owrez · November 2018

The team at Community Chest are preparing to launch a new Facebook page banner - look how famous I am ha ha

I'm not usually this "in your face" about collecting for charity here as I think we all do this from time to time, but given the effort they have put in to produce the above I can't stop myself asking that if anyone has any loose change wearing a hole in their pocket it will be made really good use of if you deposit it here

It will be invested locally in Durban to help the vulnerable and at risk who need support with basic education, shelter, food, health, physical & emotional care.

Running Rodent · November 2018

Hmm, just spotted a BA offer. I have a BA Amex card and they’ve clearly spotted that I’ve been pricing flights to Durban. They’ve offered me £100 off if I book direct flights before the end of December. I probably won’t because the direct flight back leaves way too early on the Tues, but if anyone else has a BA card, worth checking if they’ve offered you the same thing.

1owrez · November 2018

Just squeezed in, sitting here sweaty after 5k! But I bet y'all have done 5k easily in the past few days so you will already be qualified, get in there before your coach turns back into a pumpkin and your coach horses change back into mice!

Terry48 · November 2018

Lowrez, I've also got one of those messages. Who knows - miracles do sometimes happen (even though my own legs have turned into mice lately).

I ploughed (about 50% walked) through the Seagrave Wolds Challenge on Saturday (16 miles in 4h35m). I'm not a cross country runner and this was just mud, mud, more mud, lots of hills, ploughed fields and finally the the heavens opened for the last 1/2 hour! The nicest parts were refreshment stops in two villages where the most amazing array of cakes and refreshments were on offer. I spent about ten minutes 'resting' in each of those! Even more at the finish, including apple crumble and custard! The cross country specialists among our group would have loved this event!

Mac3 · November 2018

Well done Terry, sounds like a tough event and that will put endurance in your legs. Worth it for the aid stations by the sounds of it!

1owrez · November 2018

Those support stations sound wonderful Terry

, well done in those conditions

Becca7 · November 2018

Well done Terry. That race is local to me and I've run it I think 5 times before but not recently, so I'm sorry I missed you on Saturday. The mud around north Leicestershire does stick and it's a tough race.

Bike It · November 2018

Good run Terry - always invigorating to get a it muddy (in my perspective anyway) and always enjoyable when cake involved.

I resumed 'training' on Sunday with a 2h run and as a result I have a bad back

I did enter the Vaal Marathon in March which is reasonable close to home and very flat bar 2 bumps on every lap

Terry48 · November 2018

Thanks Bike It. In all my years of running in SA I don't remember any proper sticky, slimy mud - I usually avoid those sorts of runs here.

Sorry about the bad back development. I hope that resolves soon. For what its worth, I've often developed similar problems after a period of getting lazy/forgetful about doing regular back related stretching exercises.

I ran Vaal Marathon (I think 3 times, at least twice) way back in the early 1980's. My main memory of it was indeed that it's very flat. (As was the Standerton Marathon which I also ran a few times).

jkissane · November 2018

That x-country race sounds interesting Terry, well done on slogging through. The refreshments sound good

Two more events ticked off for me in the past few weeks, a 26k race in the Dublin mountains where thankfully I didn't end up with broken bits & stitches in my head like last year! Then did my annual 30 mile race yesterday where I eked out a ~1.5 min improvement but didn't manage to get under four hours as I'd hoped to manage, just over 3 mins out. Think I need to get a lot more long runs in training before now & June for sure!

Has everyone sorted out their flights? That's next on my list but it's look a little more expensive than last year so far anyway.

1owrez · November 2018

Well done in staying in one piece JK, really good work at this stage of the campaign. I sorted flights a while ago, if you look at the base of the last events post there are a few listed there. I don't think prices vary that much, every once in a while there is a sale by some airline or other.

Friend of mine is just back from SA, not sure how he achieved this, but, the contents of this pack are amazingly moreish...

Becca7 · November 2018

Well done JK.

A double marathon for me this weekend, with the Maravan, run around a caravan park in Cleethorpes. A surprisingly enjoyable event, considering that it's seven laps. I've now run 8 marathons there, two ahead of both Comrades and London. I'm still somewhat short of pace but felt like I was running more smoothly at this event. I've taken up weightlifting and I think that is helping my hamstrings to engage more.

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