As I wait for the Taxi to arrive, my mind wandered around last year Comrades attempt. Much happened during the trip and thinking back I wouldn't repeat those this year. Yes, hindsight is always twenty-twenty and our species hardly learn from history. Given that, here are are three things I wouldn't repeat this year.
#1 - Run in Vibrams - Balaji and I ran last year Comrades in Vibrams. He completed and continues run in Vibrams but I haven't fully recovered from the heel pain that reared its ugly head around 55k mark last year. I have tried lots of 'stuff' to heal the heel but my left heel still a bother. It could be due to a whole lot of things like my stride, gait and importantly age. I do know of several runners who 'swear' by Vibrams and are very happy. But, Vibrams is not for me at this juncture and I will be running this Comrades in my trusted ASICS GT2000.
#2 - Run around before race day - Thinking back it was crazy. Don't know what we (particularly I) were thinking. Balaji & I 'switched' our accommodation 18 hours before the raceday triggering a whole set of events that took us almost to a 'breaking' point.
On that fateful Saturday, we were homeless for several hours and found ourselves in an entirely environs without transportation, contacts or telephone. We scrambled around to find a transport to the starting point, Petermartizberg which is 90k away. Thankfully Gideon came to our rescue. After that, I had to rush to the airport to receive Sita and kids who were coming to support me. and before that, I had to 'stock' the kitchen.
To make the long story short, all that running around left me / us tired both physically and mentally. This year, I will not repeat the last year drama and instead simply rest.
#3 - Flag down a rescue vehicle - All of us know long distance running is more of a mind game than sheer muscle power. Last Comrades, I was physically drained around 55K. My left heel was hurting and I found the 'runner rescue' vehicles cruising by too tempting.
Running on empty tank, I simply 'lost' the mind game and meekly flagged down a rescue vehicle ending my Comrades dream. This year, I will stay on the course as long as I can and will not voluntarily get in to a rescue vehicle.
#1 - Run in Vibrams - Balaji and I ran last year Comrades in Vibrams. He completed and continues run in Vibrams but I haven't fully recovered from the heel pain that reared its ugly head around 55k mark last year. I have tried lots of 'stuff' to heal the heel but my left heel still a bother. It could be due to a whole lot of things like my stride, gait and importantly age. I do know of several runners who 'swear' by Vibrams and are very happy. But, Vibrams is not for me at this juncture and I will be running this Comrades in my trusted ASICS GT2000.
#2 - Run around before race day - Thinking back it was crazy. Don't know what we (particularly I) were thinking. Balaji & I 'switched' our accommodation 18 hours before the raceday triggering a whole set of events that took us almost to a 'breaking' point.
On that fateful Saturday, we were homeless for several hours and found ourselves in an entirely environs without transportation, contacts or telephone. We scrambled around to find a transport to the starting point, Petermartizberg which is 90k away. Thankfully Gideon came to our rescue. After that, I had to rush to the airport to receive Sita and kids who were coming to support me. and before that, I had to 'stock' the kitchen.
To make the long story short, all that running around left me / us tired both physically and mentally. This year, I will not repeat the last year drama and instead simply rest.
#3 - Flag down a rescue vehicle - All of us know long distance running is more of a mind game than sheer muscle power. Last Comrades, I was physically drained around 55K. My left heel was hurting and I found the 'runner rescue' vehicles cruising by too tempting.
Running on empty tank, I simply 'lost' the mind game and meekly flagged down a rescue vehicle ending my Comrades dream. This year, I will stay on the course as long as I can and will not voluntarily get in to a rescue vehicle.
Now, I am off to Dubai.. and will do my next post from Durban.. until then Adios Amigos..
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