Sick Van Zyl win’s 12km race in Cape Town
Despite a severe cold Irvette van Zyl still managed to win the FNB Cape Town 12km Race the past weekend.
In her race to victory in the Cape Town 12km Race, Irvette van Zyl did not only have to contend with some of South Africa’s top distance runners, she had to outrun an aggressive cold virus as well.
Three hours after her victory Van Zyl still had to remind herself that she had actually won.
“I don’t know when last I felt so disoriented after a race. I can honestly say that I did not expect to win. In fact, after four kilometres of racing I was feeling so bad that I seriously considered to call it quits.”
Van Zyl won in 39 minutes and 40 seconds, with Lebo-Diana Phalula second in 40:10 and Rutendo Nyahora third in 40:31.
According to Van Zyl she and her coach, Lindsay Parry (Tuks/HPC) planned for her to make an attempt at going faster than the course record of 38:39. Unfortunately she became ill earlier last week.
Van Zyl described the race as ‘strange’.
“I did not realize that Lebogang (Phalula) had taken an early lead while her sister was waiting for an opportune moment to attack. I think the twins were hoping that I would give chase and so waste valuable energy. Unfortunately for them I was feeling so bad that I did not really take note of what was happening during the race. I was in survival mode and was quite surprised when we caught up with Lebogang.”
Van Zyl took the lead for the first time after about seven kilometres.
“I don’t know how I did it. I think it was a case of my mind racing way out in front and my body battling to keep up. I fully expected to be passed by one of the other athletes at any moment. One of the things that helped me to keep going was thinking about my son, Louis, and hoping that he won’t realize how his mom was suffering,” said the @Nedbank Dream Team athlete.
Van Zyl, who won last weekend’s Spar Women’s 10k Race in Port Elizabeth as well, said she seriously needs to take a short break.
“I think I have raced enough for a while. The most important thing for me now is to get well. Then Lindsay and I need to do some serious planning. I think I need to do some proper training for a change before I race again.”
Another local athlete, Stephen Mokoka, won the men’s race in 33:34, with Kenya’s Daniel Salel second in 33:35 and South Africa’s Elroy Gelant third in 33:47.
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