Irvette van Zyl will perhaps not try to qualify in the 10 000 metres for the Olympic Games in Rio.

“The problem is that I am battling to get an invite to compete in an international 10 000m race. Time is running out. The fact that I have already qualified for the Games in the marathon could mean that, at least for the moment, I might abandon my plan to try to qualify in a second event.

“The 10 000m was always a Plan B anyway”, said Van Zyl, who qualified for the Games by running a time of 2:32:20 in the London Marathon.

“In a way it will be a pity if I do not get an opportunity to race the 10 000m.  I am confident that the training I am receiving from Lindsay Parry (Tuks/HPC head coach) will enable me to run a time faster than 32 minutes.

“I will be honest.  To be able to run a sub 32-minute 10 000 metres race is one of those must-do goals I have set myself as a runner. So if I don’t do it this year I will definitely try to do it next year. I am actually considering to race more on the track next year.”

Van Zyl said that she and Parry has learned valuable lessons from her participation in the London Marathon.

“We now realize that I will have to carry at least one, maybe two, gels with me for an emergency energy boost in case something should go wrong.

“I am still worried about the fact that I tend to cramp when running a marathon. Lindsay and I are working to find a solution.  Maybe I should think about changing what I drink during a race or perhaps we should make a slight adaption to my training program.”

But running the marathon is at the moment the least of the Nedbank runner’s problems.

On Sunday she will be competing in the FNB Cape Town 12 One Run.

While Van Zyl is confident that she is able to win any race from 5 000 metres to 21km, she is not so sure about being victorious over 12 kilometres.

“Twelve kilometres is an odd distance to race. Last year I raced it exactly the same way I would have done over 10km, but those last two kilometres felt very long. I think I will have to change my mind-set when I race on Sunday.”

Although Van Zyl has not been beaten in a local race this season, she is hesitant to make any predictions.

“I know the organizers have invited some top international athletes and this will certainly make things interesting. The best I can do will be to try to make a race of it. Then whatever happens, happens.”