The Long Runs Commence

Right now my goal is to run the Nelson Mandela Marathon on August 27, nine weeks away.  So today, I had my first "long run" leading up to running 42.2 hilly kilometers on August 27.

A year ago, I would have been mildly freaked out by running 18 kilometers on my own from uMhlanga to Durban.  This time, I loaded up a bank card, chapstick and my cell phone into my little belt and headed on my way, telling my husband I'd see him in two hours at the beach.  I had so many thoughts going through my head in those two hours.  Sometimes I really wish there were something stuck to my brain to record the crazy musings of my brain while running.

Off I went.  Two kilometers in, I had to stop and take a few pictures.  The view was too pretty not to.

How's the lighthouse with the sky?

And the aloe with the sky?

I kept on running but then was again distracted when I came upon this...

Coral Gables -- not quite but reminded me of living in Miami, FL.

And I'm lucky to run by this petrol station, that has decent bathrooms, a cash machine and free water.

I stopped to get money and a drink.  (and stopped my watch)

I had two hundred meters to go to make it to 18 kilometers, so I kept on going to the end of the pier. And heard little voices shouting "mom".  They belonged to those little blobs in the water. 

And finally, I hit 18 kilometers.  

I was happy with my consistent pace.  

I did stop three times for about five-minute increments (photos, to return an urgent text message and for a drink at the petrol station) where I was able to regain my breath, etc. And that probably helped a lot.  In a race, you don't get that luxury.  But, today was to ease myself into those long runs again and I am so happy that I loved this run.  I really did.  

I had a little something to eat while watching my kids frolic in the waves and then I joined them!

The water was so nice and amazingly clear.  

How lucky I am to be able to finish my run with a dip in the sea?

I am so glad that I enjoyed this first long run.  The next long schlep is 21 kilometers in two weeks.  I'm actually looking forward to it! (I have a time in mind that I'd like to do it in so we will see if I accomplish my goal!)

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore

I've been living in South Africa for 6.5 years.  In this time, I've just adjusted to many aspects of South African living, some of which are better than others.  One aspect I really dislike is the complete disregard for pedestrians. South Africa is a country with A LOT of pedestrians.  Yet, sadly, no one gives them right of way or plans for them.  Instead, when you start to run or walk on SA roads, you often put your life at risk.  There aren't many sidewalks for you to walk on -- or there might be sidewalks but then they just abruptly end.  And if you cross in front of a car at a sidewalk, the car will most likely just keep going.  It's frustrating.  And irritating. And annoying.  Especially given that so much of the population walks everywhere. 

As I was running the other day, I took the picture above -- it epitomized some of my running frustrations: monkeys (they can chase you), sidewalks that just abruptly end, and cars that zoom by you. What are some of your running frustrations?

Spar Ladies Race

Today I ran my sixth Spar Ladies Race today.  The first time I did it was the first time I had ever run 10 kilometers and I ran it then in 1:06.  The second year I ran it in 1:05. The third year I ran it in 1:05 again.  The fourth year I ran again with my confused male and got in at just over an hour according to the official time clock and just under with my watch.  Last year I made it in 1:03.  Today I really really wanted to make it in under an hour.

I wanted to know that when I run nine times the distance in exactly a year that I had started with the base of being able to run ten kilometers in an hour.  The countdown is on! Comrades is exactly a year from today!

Well, I almost made my goal.  Almost.  But sadly I was eighteen seconds over.  It's not that big of a deal... But, let's say I run a qualifying marathon in 5:00:18.  I won't qualify.  Let's say I pull into Comrades at 12:00:18.  I won't get a medal.  So, next time I have to hustle just a little bit more so that indeed I can accomplish my goals. Today's goal was nearly met, but let's hope my next ten-kilometer race can indeed be lowered to a sub-hour finish.

I do love the immediate SMS with your time on it. 

Here's the start line.  For the first time, I ran at the front with the women in clubs.  This really should have helped me get a sub hour.  But it didn't. :-(

The line behind us stretching long and far of runners waiting to get to the start line.  

After the run, I spotted this guy chowing on aloe! 

I never knew that monkeys liked aloes so much!

He ate it like corn on the cob!

Hopefully, my next goal will be attainable.  The Total Sports Women's Race is in July so I will try another time to get under an hour.  Then the next goal is a sub 2:15 half marathon.  And then a sub 5:00 hour marathon.  And then finally an under twelve hour finish at Comrades.  I've got this! Right?

The Plan - on Global Running Day

It's Global Running Day, so to commemorate it, I am planning my Comrades run.

I entered this picture in a drawing via Twitter for a new pair of shoes...

To qualify for Comrades, you have to run a marathon (42.2 kilometers, 26 miles) in less than five hours.  It can be any marathon, hilly or flat, hot or cold, etc.  Not all marathons are created equal in how hard they are.  The only marathon I've run is one of the hardest in South Africa, the Mandela Marathon and I ran it in six hours, an hour over the time limit.  Now, in this marathon, I didn't push myself. I wanted to finish with a smile. I wanted to savor the moments and I wanted to take it all in.  And that I did.  I loved it. I didn't struggle. I didn't waver.  I was barely sore the next day -- probably because I walked a lot.  But, I took six hours.  To qualify for Comrades, you have to do a marathon in less than five hours.  

Guess what marathon is again on my list and that I am currently in training for? Yep, the Mandela Marathon.  Why you ask? Why choose such a hard marathon to run? Well, there are a few reasons.  First, IF and I only say IF I can miraculously shave an hour off of my time and qualify with this marathon, I am rather confident that I can complete Comrades.  The Mandela Marathon has almost as many hills as Comrades in half the distance.  Second, even though I am training to run 89 kilometers and consider myself a runner, I don't want to hate running.  I know I won't hate the Mandela Marathon.  It was such an amazing experience last year.  There are few people who run it and the first ten kilometers of running through a township is rather amazing.  Third, this is a test.  I can gauge how prepared I am because I have something to compare myself to.  So, the first part of the plan for Operation Complete Comrades 2018 is to run the Mandela Marathon and love it.  Running it in under five hours would be an amazing bonus.  

I've put together a running time table for myself to achieve this goal.  The running portion consists of 3-4 runs a week.  A seven, ten and long distance run are mandatory. If I have time and am feeling strong, I want to squeeze in a fast five kilometer time trial.  I will also be swimming twice a week and doing yoga at least once a week if not twice.  I use the Asics Run app and also have consulted other programs online to make a calendar that works for me.  My first long run of 17 kilometers is on June 25. My maximum distance is 30 kilometers around the end of July.  I will be running the Savages Supa Mamma half marathon on August 13.  I ran it last year two weeks before the Mandela Marathon and because it is ridiculously hilly just like the marathon, it was a great training run.  

So this is step one.  Step two are two other marathons -- both in October.  We will see where I am in August after the Mandela Marathon before I decide if I am going to do the Township to Township Marathon or the South Coast Marathon.  In the back of my mind is also the Soweto Marathon on November 5 -- though it's at a high elevation level in Joburg so I might struggle with the elevation, but it would be a great excuse to visit Joburg.  But I have to enter by June 30 so I need to get going on that decision! I am lucky in that there are lots of marathons to choose from... I just need to make sure that I start training early and keep up my training.  

I'm Putting it Out There

It's three days after I sat and watched the Comrades Marathon and cheered from the sidelines for the fifth time.  It's five years since I ran my first ten kilometer road race.  It's nine months since I ran my first marathon.  And it's hopefully just 368 days before I run 88-89 kilometers from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on June 10, 2018 and complete a five year old dream. It's time to make that dream a plan.

It might be a big dream plan.  I might fail.  But, I think that if I write about it and tell about my goal and the plan I have to achieve it, then it might just be a bit more attainable.

So here's my story.

I'm Stephanie.  I'm a regular person.  I've never been an athlete.  I became a runner five years ago -- well in the sense of running over five kilometers.  I really only became a runner, as in someone who really likes to run and isn't tortured by the thought of it, two years ago or so.  I used to hate running and thought why run if someone wasn't chasing you?  But, something inside me has shifted and well, my legs get a little antsy if they don't run. It's odd. It's inexplicable. But, I'm happy it's happened.

Four years ago, in 2013, I first watched the Comrades from the sidelines as a friend was running the race.  Before, I'd just heard about it and thought people were very loony for even attempting to run that far, but I began to think about running.  Here I am four years later and I know even more people who have run the race and survived.  Luckily, I don't actually know anyone who has had to give up on the day. May it stay that way as I'd like to remain positive. Though I did just read that on Sunday, 17,031 runners started the race and only 13,852 finished.  That means that 19% don't finish.  That's a big number! But, we aren't going to dwell on it and instead keep on telling you about my motivation for doing this race.

When you watch Comrades, you feel like you could do it.  You see people of all sorts of shapes and sizes (even blind people) and you (well I do at least) think, "damn that could be me." I've seen a couple of friends who were novice runners set their mind to it and complete it. It's such a nice feeling to be on the sidelines and witness an event that shows no color or socioeconomic boundaries.  Comrades is an event for everyone.

I want to be a part of the race.  I want to know what it feels like to run for 88 kilometers and cross that finish line.  I don't just want to be a spectator anymore.  So, help me out.  Check in with me every now and then. See how my training is going.  See if I am keeping on track to accomplishing my goal.  Follow me here and I'll keep you posted and try not to bore you too much.  I'll post my plan of action and my running plan. Let me know if you have any tips.

Wish me luck and hey, if you want to join me on June 10, 2018, on that start line in Pietermarizburg at 5:30 to run a quick trot down to Durban, let me know.  The more the merrier!