30/06/2024
🎉🏃♀️ 9/6/24: Comrades Up Run🏃♂️🎉.
Comrades, part 2! The “Up Run” to bag that coveted back-to-back medal: 85.9km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg (Why not just round it up, right? 😂).
After my 11:15:59 “Down Run” debacle—thanks to a watch mishap, start chaos, bottlenecks, and toilet queues—I was eager to fix things and snag that bronze medal (sub-11hr). So, I went back to and signed up for their bronze medal programme. Their ability-specific plans are fantastic! Checked the requirements, and with my marathon time from the past year my ability matched my goal, so I was ready to go. Four runs a week, two strength sessions, and just focusing on turning those days green (complete) every week! 🟩
Big shoutout to Coach Parry and team for adjusting my plan and prepping me for the elevation challenges. Kelvin, my elevation guru and part-time mountain goat, thanks for those Caesar camp hill runs, long runs and pacing me through the Farnborough Half, Bramley 32.6k race, and even sneaking in some coaching at the Good Friday 50km race (which I won, even if it was 1st of 2 😂😆).
Race day kicked off with a long shuttle queue (hello Uber!) and a massive portaloo line—(no thanks), so I just got into my pen and waited for start! Met some amazing people, and when the national anthem played, I teared up…. And then all the feels for Shozoloza and Chariots of Fire. 🔥
Despite bottlenecks and a desperate mall bathroom stop, the vibes along the route were unreal. The support, the atmosphere, the camaraderie—I loved every damn kilometre!
The last stretch was tough, but knowing I was so close, I pushed hard. Running those final kilometres, soaking in the crowds and the energy, I felt a mix of emotions. Crossing that finish line, I was overwhelmed with joy, even if I missed my target by a minute.
Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey! Whether it’s my last Comrades or not, this race will always hold a special place in my heart.
