LG’s Blog: Things I’m learning while learning to run really far, like really, really, really far
Logan Green, sports journalist, writes:
“Just remember the why!”
Words my longtime pal and running partner Dazz de Kock said to me after I had hit the proverbial “wall” that road runners often refer to when describing how your body and mind just don’t want to co-operate and continue during a race.
Yep, that was me some 30km into the hilly, elevated course of the 2018 Deloittes Pretoria Marathon two Sundays back.
It wasn’t the Berlin Wall, the Great Wall of China or Trump’s Mexican border wall.
It was the Logie G Wall and, man, it was a difficult barrier to scale.
But, wait a sec…
Let me get back to that wall just now.
It was my second time taking on a marathon as I step up the training for the 2018 Comrades down run and as promised to you, dear reader, I will take you along on this journey with me.
When I wrote the blog “Things I learned (and am still learning) about road running after completing my first marathon” in November last year, after completing my first marathon at Kaapsehoop, I shared some of the lessons that I had learned from my time on the road.
I have a few more lessons and a bit of advice (from a newbie) to share.
With the road to Comrades getting ever shorter by the day (already under 100 days, yikes!) the lessons are becoming increasingly more important to soak in and to comprehend if I am to get to the finish of that 90.184km race at Moses Mabidha Stadium on June 10.
So, here we go:
1. Get yourself a good pair of kicks
Probably the best advice you can get.
I used to run in a dodgy pair of Reeboks that I bought at Edgars.
They were terribly wrong for long distance running.
Luckily, I managed to get my hands on (well, feet in) a pair of New Balance running shoes last year that did we me quite well for over a year.
Anyway, if you are new to the sport, get to a reputable running store and have them assess your running style to find shoes that complement your feet.
I retired those New Balance shoes after running the Deloittes Marathon and now look forward to hitting the tar in a fresh new pair of takkies (legit running shoes though, not the type you squeek on the Nicci Beach dance-floor on Sunday nights).
2. “If you are not having fun, then rather give up now”
Those are the words of Benoni Northerns Athletic Club stalwart, Jan Jordaan at a recent Comrades novice talk at the club.
The man has completed 27 Comrades Marathons, so I won’t be questioning his advice.
You have to look forward to the training and to the journey ahead, otherwise it will be as much fun as trying to renew your driver’s licence at the Benoni Licensing Department.
Speaking of Mr Jordaan, the man can organise the heck out of a road race and will be again be bringing the Robor Scaffolding Marathon (of which the City Times is a media sponsor for a third successive year) back to Benoni’s street on April 29.
CLICK HERE for more info on the race.
3. You need the bad runs as much as the good
As much as running needs to be a fun thing to do, there will be bad days out there.
Guaranteed.
I have found that the more I conjure up negative thoughts on a run, the worse the going gets, but…
Reflecting on the negatives can actually help your running.
Like my good pal and running advisor Matty Willis (a three-time Comrades finisher) said after I was feeling a little despondent due to hitting the wall at the Deloittes run:
“That race (when he ran it in 2017) really shattered my spirits, but it built a lot of character which you are gonna need more of on Comrades day, high spirits alone are not going to get you across that finish line.”
I guess it is all about striking a balance between the positives and the negatives.
4. “Don’t compare yourself to anybody else”
Some more pertinent advice I received from another BNAC fellow, Clive Hutchinson (I’m just name dropping here).
Everybody runs their own race, so don’t compare your ability to anyone else.
When I started running I tried to keep up with the fastest chaps in the club.
That was silly.
I ran so quickly that I chundered halfway through one of the fast club runs…
Delightful, LG.
Find your rhythm and work on your own running, you will see improvements through simple dedication and consistency to training.
5. “You can’t do the normal things you always did do”
Last year, I spoke to Comrades women’s down run record holder and three-time winner Frith van der Merwe about all things Comrades.
She said that training for Comrades becomes a lifestyle.
Boy, do I know that.
I quit drinking beer for a month.
I really struggled to maintain that though.
I am now drinking beer more moderately (that pesky rubber arm).
The late Friday nights have become early Saturday hills sessions while sleeping until 7am every day has become getting up at 4.30am to run in the cold Benoni morning darkness.
Oh, how life has changed!
6. What the actual Faxe?
Speaking of beer, if you have never tasted the delightful Danish brew that is Faxe Lager then you are seriously missing out on life.
It is so yummy in my tummy!
Naaaaaaaaat!
Faxe beer tastes like how I’d imagine urine from one of the horses in the Benoni Agricultural Holdings would taste.
A group of nine of us 2018 Comrades hopeful finishers have a WhatsApp group where we do a monthly challenge, for example: Run 150km and climb at least 2 000m of elevation in the month.
The loser (who doesn’t complete the challenge) gets to down an amazing one litre Faxe while the last runner to complete the challenge gets to chug down a 500ml Faxe (slightly easier than the litre, but just as nasty).
Sickness or injuries are no excuse!
I had bronchitis in January and could not finish the challenge.
Sorry for you LG, but I had to force down a litre of Viking whizz – 10 per cent of pure alcohol bliss!
It’s a great motivator to finish the challenge.
7. “Remember the why”
Why the why?
The why is the reason you do what you do.
The why is what drives you forward when it seems like everything is crumbling around you.
The why is what pushes you forward when you run into that dreaded wall.
Every runner has that why.
I mean, I saw a runner with knock-knees running the Deloittes Marathon.
That’s just insane!
Can you imagine what his why is?
For me, as mentioned in my previous running blog, my why is my six-year-old heart warrior nephew, Jaden who battles daily with the impact of a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD).
He recently made his school (Muriel Brand School in Brakpan) athletics team for the u-7 60m sprint, by the way.
I guess my other why is to prove a point to myself.
Have I got the mental capacity and physical endurance to complete this goal?
Can I climb the wall inside my head?
I guess we’ll see on June 10.
Next up?
50km of the Om die Dam Ultra Marathon on March 17 (holy poo!).
Happy miles and smiles.
Love,
LG
* Please note that this is an opinion piece and that the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Benoni City Times or Caxton Newspapers.
Check out some other blogs from this writer:
LG’s A to Z of a South African road trip
Things I learned in the Fair Cape
Follow him on Twitter or Instagram
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
