The Psychology of Running
With the Comrades less than a week away, I have had a fair share of people asking me how I manage to run for so long (around 10 – 12 hours) and so far (89km), so I thought I’d share what goes through, or more accurately what doesn’t go through my mind during this race…
The biggest thing about being able to do endurance events is how well you are able to get into the ‘zone’ or to the point where you body is doing what it needs to do automatically, and the mind is still. You need to stop all the doubt and frustration going through your mind because I believe this is the factor which determines whether you have a good race or not.
I have said this before and I’m going to say it again, this is just one day! One day of pain and fear and exhaustion, but just a day, not a week or a month or a lifetime.
Pre-Race
Before the race I try and stay as calm as possible. It is very easy to get caught up in the mayhem at the start and it is also very common to feed off the nervous excitement and anxiety of other runners. I try and block all of this out and focus on the fact that I am standing at the start of the oldest Ultra Marathon in the World and the fact that I am finally at the point where all my months of hard work are going to pay off. I try and stop negative thoughts before they have even had a chance to bloom and gain momentum. I would suggest basking in ‘Chariots of Fire’ and the fact that you have loved ones watching from all corners of the country. It is too late at this stage to stress about the training you didn’t do, focus on what you did and trust in your power of will.
During the Race
The way I see it is that to get through the day, you have to become pretty damn good at ignoring what is going on in your head. Your legs will be sore, your feet will be aching and there will be various other aches and pains which will occupy your mind – if you let it. It basically becomes a battle between you and that noise in your head (mind). My first line of defence is usually to find someone to speak to – this distracts your mind from focusing on what is sore and other negative thoughts by concentrating on someone else. If there is nobody in sight I will put my iPod in and crank it up depending on how much my mind is protesting.
If this doesn’t work, and there is usually a couple of points in the race where you will need to step it up a notch in running your mind into submission – this is where I will try and connect with my senses which shuts the discursive mind (that part of your mind which is making a noise) right up. A simple running through of your senses, from feeling your feet in your shoes and your clothes on your body, taste, smell and sight to hearing your heartbeat and the sound of the footfalls of runners around you. This does wonders in reconnecting you with that part within which is capable of anything.
As you run into the stadium
You need to remember to be totally focused as you run into the stadium at the end. You need to enjoy and remember what it is like to run into a stadium where thousands of people are shouting for you because YOU have just run 89km, you need to be with it enough to plant this memory into your brain, although I must warn you, it is usually due to this feeling at the end which makes people do this race again and again 
I have a little energy exercise I also do when I’m REALLY feeling like I might lose the battle with the noise in my head, but that is for another post.
2 Comments / 
May 25th, 2010 / 
Comrades Marathon, First-Timers, Motivation, Reluctant runner
Only 24 Days to go…
I came upon this realisation this morning while deciding whether or not to get out of my nice warm bed and head out into the cold and wet Cape Town morning for a run at the gym – unfortunately instead of spurring me into action, I just turned over and went back to sleep…
It’s not that I’m unmotivated because I have been training, more so I think than previous years. I did a 21km near Stellenbosh 2 weeks ago and then a 56km on Sunday, both of which went very well although I still don’t think I’m anywhere near 1000km, but I can live with that.
I think many people who are doing this years Comrades Marathon are reaching the same point, its getting harder and harder to motivate yourself to get out there and its not just because of the weather. This is normal, or at least I remember feeling like this before, where you are just sick and tired of running – or if you are not running you are thinking about running or stressing about how to fit it in. This all forms part of the pre-Comrades stress and I wish I could tell you that it gets better… it doesn’t, actually it peaks at round about 5am on Sunday May 30th
Anyway I hope you have all sorted out your flights, accommodation, pick-up points etc – if not and you still have questions then please give me a shout and I can see what I can do for you. Oh and Rescue Remedy really comes in handy these last few weeks, go and get yourself some!!
Leave a Comment / May 7th, 2010 / Comrades Marathon, First-Timers, Motivation, Reluctant runner
Running Catch-up
The past few weeks have flown by in a blur… I was in Joburg and Pretoria for a week where I managed to take part in a 21km run with my mom and a couple of ladies from the Irene Running Club, Amanda and Thea. This run really brought back some memories from when I was younger, having grown up in Pretoria.
Last week I did another 21km for the guys at My City Running Tours – I’ll fill you in on that great run in another blog post. On Saturday I ran with the old guys I usually run with on weekends when I’m not doing a race, it was great to be part of the banter with people who have known me since I was a toddler.
This week I think I might have over done it because my legs feel as if they are filled to the brim with lead and I have a shooting pain in my one quad BUT, I’m heading to Thailand tomorrow where I plan on doing as much of nothing as possible, with a few runs here and there to prepare for the Two Oceans Ultra on April 3rd. I’ll be sure to send an update on running in Paradise
Leave a Comment / March 16th, 2010 / Half-marathon, Motivation, Reluctant runner
Comrades Marathon 2010
Everyone interested in doing the Comrades Marathon in 2010, you need to pay attention to this!!
The Comrades Association has anticipated a huge influx of entries for the 2010 race. It also happens to be the 85th Anniversary of the marathon and is being run as a ‘down run’ which the route originally followed.
The entry process has changed somewhat from previous years – if you have entered the race before, you have the privilege of pre-entry which started on September 1st and will go until October 31st with the entries capped at 15,000.
If you are a newbie, your chance to enter starts on November 1st and continues to November 30th OR until the limit of 5,000 entries is reached.
No entries will be taken in 2010!!
All of this is why I sent my entry in on Monday 
Now I know I said I was going to give it a break with this kind of running for a while but what happens if I change my mind next year and then can’t enter – confined to being a spectator at the Ultimate Human Race – I think NOT!!
Get your entries in, the counter is sitting at 4,541 just 10 days into the entry process!!
Here is a little inspiration for those of you sitting on the fence
2 Comments / September 10th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Motivation, Reluctant runner
Running Stories – Being a Bus Driver
This is the third post in the ‘Running Stories’ series, you can see the others here, here.
I’d like to introduce you to Stuart Wainwright – in case you missed my Comrades Marathon Race dissection, Stuart was the guy who brought our sub-11 hour bus in. Stuart doesn’t only limit himself to crazy races like the Comrades, but competes in the 100 mile Washie as well – “Obsessed? Maybe, but I prefer passionate” is what he said!!
How long have you been running for and what made you decide to start running?
I started running in 2004. I had been playing rugby in the UK, and decided that I was sick and tired of spending most weekends in hospital, so started looking for a new sport.
My dad and I were at gym on Saturday afternoon, and he said that he was running a 21k the next day and suggested that I joined. I agreed somewhat hesitantly… The race was sent the wrong way and turned out to be 24+kms – I nearly died and couldn’t walk for 3 days. The next weekend I ran another one.
In Dec 2004 we decided to do the Two Oceans 56km. I ran the last qualifier for the race in 4h57 (you have to run a marathon in under 5 hours to qualify), once again nearly died, and then ran the Two Oceans a month later in 6h57 (you have 7 hours), experiencing a new level of pain. The rest just fell into place.
What made you decide “I think I might do the Comrades”?
My dad grew up running comrades. He ran 17 consecutive Comrades by the age of 34, and was the youngest to get a green number (10 runs). I never really thought that I would get into running and as a 104kg rugby player, highly doubted it! Things fell into place, and before I knew it, I had to run one with my dad. I brought him back in 2007, after a 16 year break to run his 21st. Now it’s a part of me. It’s what I do. I can’t imagine a life without running.
What made you decide to become a bus driver – and why the sub-11 hour bus?
Last year I took the 12 hour bus. It was for a number of reasons. I was running the Washie 100 miler (160.9kms) in July and felt that Comrades would be the perfect long slow training run. I had also been running in the 1000km challenge and run more than 50 marathons or ultra marathons in the previous 12 months, and felt that the 12 hour bus was safe.
This year I wanted to better my Washie time, with about 15 marathons less than last year and a lot more 100 miler experience, I decided that I was capable of running (or trying to run) sub 9 at the Comrades, but then ruining my chances for the Washie OR I could take the 11 hour bus and get to the Washie with fresh legs – Hence my 10h52m time. It is the perfect training run for Washie, in timing and distance.
It takes a lot of energy to motivate other people on a race of this length, how do you prepare for that?
Honestly, I have very little preparation for motivating people. I kinda just wing it. I try to have as much fun as possible, and offer as much help as I can. Working with another pace setter makes it a lot easier though. After doing it alone for 89kms this year, I had no voice left, and my throat and ribs hurt from shouting at the top my lungs. Well worth it though.
Are there people who help you on the day, running with you and taking the flag when you need the loo?
As I mentioned, I did it alone this year. So, when I needed a widdle stop, I simply slowed the bus, and directed boys to the left, and girls to the right. It was one the funniest sights that I have ever seen on the road… 300 guys all standing shoulder to shoulder having a wee. Would have made an awesome photo!!
If push came to shove I would hand the flag to someone that had been in the bus for a long time, and then catch up with them again…
How does the Comrades compare with other endurance races?
Comrades is the greatest ultra marathon in the world, simple as that – not for its difficulty, but for the entire event. The crowds, the runners, the sheer number of participants, and the unparalleled organisation.
There are races that wouldn’t accept Comrades as a qualifier because they are so difficult. Comrades is supported the whole way by crowds and organised helpers. Other long distance races normally result in a true understanding of the phrase “the loneliness of the long distance runner”, while Comrades is never lonely.
Life is about lessons, what have you learned from running endurance races like the Comrades?
Endurance running teaches you to finish what you start, no matter how much pain, discomfort or misery you are in. It teaches you to work for your goals, and it teaches you to understand what is within reach and what is not. Everyone takes something different from Comrades and the lessons keep coming thick and fast for me. I hope that one day I can run it as an old ballie (South African slang for old guy), and still learn something new about myself.
Aside from what it teaches you about yourself, it shows you what other people are really made of. I have always said that it brings out the real person, and before I get married, I have the condition that my partner will join me on a run, of whatever distance she can handle, to bring out the real person.
2 Comments / July 9th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Series
Running Charity Round-Up…
It seems the final numbers are in…
All pledges were honoured and with Ryan’s efforts in Canada coupled with mine, it seems we have managed to raise about R10 860 – that’s 17 kids whose school fees will be paid up for the entire year!!
I also want to thank a few people who had a huge impact on this little endeavour of mine:
- Everyone who was so generous and managed to spare some cash, especially since we’re all feeling rather pinched at the moment – Ryan’s friends (you know who you are), Shaun & Nicola, Ariane & Mdu, Brendan & Rebecca, Andy Duncan, Collin Budge and Russel Mackintosh (Russ was the one who said he’d double his pledge if I beat him, I came in 8 minutes after him!!).
- Ryan, for your enthusiasm and encouragement
- Craig for running the whole way with me and waiting for me when I needed to make pit-stops, that is what I call running-friend-loyalty!!
- Dad for maintaining your title of Worlds Best Second
- Mom for being my greatest fan and for all your support
- Barry for flying down to surprise me on the route (and for sending all the race updates on Twitter) – sorry I couldn’t stop and chat
- Stuart the bus driver who did a fantastic job of getting us all over the finish line in under 11 hours
Thanks to everyone who donated, wished us well, followed us on the day, sat through blow-by-blow accounts of the race and supported us every step of the way.
I’m thrilled with the positive response I’ve had regarding this project, I’ll keep everyone updated from time to time on how the little guys and girls in Red Hill informal settlement are doing.
2 Comments / June 12th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner
Running Theory
I have a little confession to make… You know when I wrote about Ostriching and that as a running strategy it is probably sub-optimal – weeelllll…
Since January I have been keeping a log of all my training and race kilometres, I’d decided to do this just so that I’d know how off track I was, but as it turns out I only ever plugged data in, I never actually looked back to check how far off I was – yes, (head hung low) I was ostriching it because I had a sneaky suspicion that my training wasn’t anywhere near where it had to be.
Of course the story doesn’t end there… The day before the race when I met up with other runners from my club, everyone was comparing how many kilometres they’d logged in training which ranged between 1 000 and 1 200km’s since Dec/Jan – I stealthily stayed out of these conversations because when I thought back to my training calendar I remember it being rather sparse…
SO, this weekend I decided to count up how much I actually did and finally go cold turkey on the ostriching, an exercise which made me realize that luckily I did ostrich with this particular thing because as it turns out I had to round up – to 600km’s!!!!
No really, I’m not joking I even counted again to make sure which has lead me to start thinking about this whole training thing. Do we train incessantly for the Comrades (or any longer race for that matter) to help our bodies or our minds?
My theory is that mental training is totally separate and has nothing to do with running or how much you have trained. Sure if you know you can do a marathon then you’d be more confidant to tackle an ultra, what I’m talking about is the fact that on most of these races I’ve found that it is my mind which determines how well my race is going to go, not my fitness…
I’m going to think about this a bit more, what is your theory?
My Comrades medals for 2009
5 Comments / June 3rd, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Running, Training
20 Hours and 58 Minutes…
Ok everyone so we are within a day of the Comrades Marathon and I’m about to head off to Durban. If you want to keep track of me you can find out here.
I (ok not me, but someone who I’ve asked) will be updating my Twitter and Facebook status with my progress. I’m not sure how much time I’m going to have this afternoon so if I don’t manage to get online – See you at the end!!!
One Comment / May 23rd, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Fund Raising, Half-marathon, Injuries, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Running, Training
How many kids??!!
So in my post about Running Charity partnerships, I told you about my friend Ryan over in Canada joining forces with me in raising money to send some kids to school. Today I got the final amount he was able to raise – CAD 1,155 which is around R8,400 which translates to almost 13 kids, YES that is 13 children who will now be able to go to school because of Ryan, which brings the total to about 19 children in our efforts so far!!!
Thanks everyone who has donated up until now and for those of you still contemplating it, here is some motivation…
Yip, looks different from this angle...
"Classroom"
Leave a Comment / May 22nd, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Running, Training
Keeping in Touch…
For those of you who would like to keep in touch with my progress on race day, the Comrades Association has this rad thing where you can sms my race number to them, and every time I go over a timing mat (I think there are about 6 throughout the race) you will get a message with my location and time. This is unfortunately only open to South African residents and costs R10 per sms (which goes to charity), so be warned….
My Race number: 43099
SMS: 38132
Alternatively (this is for those of you who want to keep track from of me from other patches of this world) I will hopefully have someone receiving these sms’ and posting them onto Facebook and Twitter, how’s that for a free alternative (the R10 you saved on the sms can get donated to my “Let’s send some kids to school” campaign…)
OR, I know the options just keep coming – you can go to the Comrades website where you will be able to see the finish line live on the day (if you can’t actually be in front of the TV).
I’d like to say that those who were crazy enough to sit in front of the TV the entire day last year, were rewarded with a whole 3 second shot of me right at the end (you know who you are) and NO there was no flashing or anything of the sort going on, I had just been running for 11 hours and about 10 minutes at that stage so if you plan on making a date with the TV for Sunday, don’t get your hopes up
One Comment / May 20th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Motivation, Reluctant runner