A taste of the real deal

To say I was pretty nervous would be an understatement, having never run more than 21.1km before. My tummy was in knots and I was mentally kicking myself for only training 4 days in the 2 weeks leading up to this (I have a busy social life).

But, the lucky knickers were washed and ready, the race number pinned on my shirt days before, ready for me to out there and see how much training I still needed to even qualify for the Comrades. Turns out I needed none!

The first 32km’s were the easiest I'd ever done (never mind that it was the first time I'd run 32km in my life). During the last 10km I hated the world, and my verbal incontinence, for saying in public that I could do this.

I resorted to walking for a while but was consumed by my own wretchedness when a man with a 70 on his shirt came running past me. Yes, a 70 year old man was passing me.

Needless to say this got me back on track. I put my head down, turned my music volume up to "possible damage" and just stomped the last few km's like a petulant child being dragged around a grocery store.

To qualify for the Comrades you have to finish a full marathon in 5 hours. I came in just before 4 hours 30 minutes with a huge smile on my face, a little sandblasted from the hectic wind, a few philosophical questions answered, and very jelly legs.

So to those out there full of excuses as to why you can't run a marathon, just man-up and get out there. Comrades, here I come...

Contemplating running a marathon? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.