Did you ever have something go so well, only to watch it crumble before your eyes? That is the way it goes sometimes. My Comrades 2013 was the culmination of a year of hard work and 4 years of planning, but it didn’t end how I expected.
Michael and I got down to Durban, did the expo, and readied ourselves well before the girls joined. Dinner with Kirsten and some guys left us ready to rock. The morning was quick but we stood on the line for the obligatory national anthem, Shosholuza, and Chariots of Fire before we were off into the dark. It dawned hotter than anyone could want, and with sweat dripping off our bodies in the pre-dawn haze, it was a sign of things to come.
Michael, Kirsten, and I stayed together for a good 25k, up and over Cowies and Fields with no problems. I asked Michael how he was doing, and with a thumbs up he replied well, and I never saw him again. The next time I looked over he was out of sight and I was left to run with Kirsten, wondering all the while if Michael stopped to poop and would be coming back. He never did.
Kirsten and I rolled along through Hillcrest and up Botha’s Hill with ease. I felt extremely strong and confident. Kirsten looked in trouble. He kept quiet and complained that his glute was in poor shape. There were times when I thought he would abandon the race. Not that I would wish this on my training partner, but my confidence was high knowing that I was good and this great runner was not. That would change.
We hit halfway in a brisk 3:30:20, about 6.5 minutes ahead of the preset pace. While this was not a good move, I had everything going well for me. I was feeling perfect and had all my legs and body about me. But what looms directly after halfway is the mighty Inchanga. Normally, two walk breaks are warranted on this monster of a hill. But we cruised up it, and only near the very top could I convince Kirsten to talk a walk break. Soon after this walk we were out onto the infamous Harrison Flats. While moving along, I started to feel a bit dull. I though perhaps a gel and some calories just needed to kick in and I would be solid. But sadly, this just never happened. What began as a low point in the run continued downhill into a terrible spiral of pain and struggle.
After Camperdown I began to really have trouble feeling good. Kirsten stayed with me, both of us convinced it was just a nutrition problem, until Umlass Road, where I sent him on. Immediately I struggled. The cramps began at 19k to go and never let up. Groins and calf muscles would twinge on both ups and downs, and I rarely could manage more than a kilometer, but often about 200m, without a walk. And let’s not forget Polly Shorts lies in the stretch to the finish. I limped, hobbled, seized, and shuffled to the finish. Every time I felt a cramp I pulled up to a walk. As soon as I did, I immediately became dizzy and wobbled across the road, nearly passing out about 5 times. I made it into the stadium and across the line in 7:53, a terrible performance for my training and early pace.
Exhausted and fearing medical attention, I crashed down but soon rehydrated. I couldn’t have been more disappointed. Everything was for this race. Silver had been on my radar for 3 years and I put in so much work, so much sacrifice this year, all for one race, something I have never really done before. I laid it out all for one effort. Now, I am never going to be disappointed in finishing an ultra, I have learned that, and I am thankful for my 3rd Comrades Bill Rowan. However, I am truly saddened by this result and it has taken a lot to get back to it (I have a 100 miler coming up and I need the head back in the game). What happened? I must admit I probably went out too fast. However, this could not account for the sudden blow up. In 2011 I was out just as fast and was struggling throughout the race with that pace, slowing, and still finishing in 7:45. This time I cruised, with no issues, through halfway only to instantly blow up around 70K. Why? It was as if the nutrition wasn’t going it. It was one of the hottest races on record, with temps exceeding 90 degrees on the course. Perhaps that was the issue as I am repeatedly having difficulties in hot races. The body isn’t responding.
Michael and I got down to Durban, did the expo, and readied ourselves well before the girls joined. Dinner with Kirsten and some guys left us ready to rock. The morning was quick but we stood on the line for the obligatory national anthem, Shosholuza, and Chariots of Fire before we were off into the dark. It dawned hotter than anyone could want, and with sweat dripping off our bodies in the pre-dawn haze, it was a sign of things to come.
Michael, Kirsten, and I stayed together for a good 25k, up and over Cowies and Fields with no problems. I asked Michael how he was doing, and with a thumbs up he replied well, and I never saw him again. The next time I looked over he was out of sight and I was left to run with Kirsten, wondering all the while if Michael stopped to poop and would be coming back. He never did.
Kirsten and I rolled along through Hillcrest and up Botha’s Hill with ease. I felt extremely strong and confident. Kirsten looked in trouble. He kept quiet and complained that his glute was in poor shape. There were times when I thought he would abandon the race. Not that I would wish this on my training partner, but my confidence was high knowing that I was good and this great runner was not. That would change.
We hit halfway in a brisk 3:30:20, about 6.5 minutes ahead of the preset pace. While this was not a good move, I had everything going well for me. I was feeling perfect and had all my legs and body about me. But what looms directly after halfway is the mighty Inchanga. Normally, two walk breaks are warranted on this monster of a hill. But we cruised up it, and only near the very top could I convince Kirsten to talk a walk break. Soon after this walk we were out onto the infamous Harrison Flats. While moving along, I started to feel a bit dull. I though perhaps a gel and some calories just needed to kick in and I would be solid. But sadly, this just never happened. What began as a low point in the run continued downhill into a terrible spiral of pain and struggle.
After Camperdown I began to really have trouble feeling good. Kirsten stayed with me, both of us convinced it was just a nutrition problem, until Umlass Road, where I sent him on. Immediately I struggled. The cramps began at 19k to go and never let up. Groins and calf muscles would twinge on both ups and downs, and I rarely could manage more than a kilometer, but often about 200m, without a walk. And let’s not forget Polly Shorts lies in the stretch to the finish. I limped, hobbled, seized, and shuffled to the finish. Every time I felt a cramp I pulled up to a walk. As soon as I did, I immediately became dizzy and wobbled across the road, nearly passing out about 5 times. I made it into the stadium and across the line in 7:53, a terrible performance for my training and early pace.
 |
| Pale, dehydrated, and cramped up at the finish, short of Silver again. |
Exhausted and fearing medical attention, I crashed down but soon rehydrated. I couldn’t have been more disappointed. Everything was for this race. Silver had been on my radar for 3 years and I put in so much work, so much sacrifice this year, all for one race, something I have never really done before. I laid it out all for one effort. Now, I am never going to be disappointed in finishing an ultra, I have learned that, and I am thankful for my 3rd Comrades Bill Rowan. However, I am truly saddened by this result and it has taken a lot to get back to it (I have a 100 miler coming up and I need the head back in the game). What happened? I must admit I probably went out too fast. However, this could not account for the sudden blow up. In 2011 I was out just as fast and was struggling throughout the race with that pace, slowing, and still finishing in 7:45. This time I cruised, with no issues, through halfway only to instantly blow up around 70K. Why? It was as if the nutrition wasn’t going it. It was one of the hottest races on record, with temps exceeding 90 degrees on the course. Perhaps that was the issue as I am repeatedly having difficulties in hot races. The body isn’t responding.
