14th Comrades wil not be Guppy’s last marathon
Guppy Wilkinson (39), a teacher at Mitchell House, says running helps him resolve his problems, because it gives him time to reflect.
POLOKWANE – Guppy Wilkinson (39), a teacher at Mitchell House, says running helps him resolve his problems, because it gives him time to reflect.
This Polokwane based runner completed his 14th Comrades Marathon in May and won a bronze medal.
“It takes about six months to train for the Comrades. You start by running only a few kilometres. Then you run further and further every day. You run up and down hills and work on your speed,” says Guppy.
He says in December and January he trains three to four times a week and starts by running 40km, then 50km and then 60km later on.
Guppy says he prefers to train in the morning and also does Cross-fit at the gym.
“This passion started at university and I started running after my friends inspired me to do so. They are my big heroes and inspiration.”
For Guppy, the best thing about running and completing the Comrades Marathon is to get to the end and to know you went through pain and difficulties to achieve what you just did. He also appreciates the satisfaction he feels over this achievement.
“The worst is the pain, physically and mentally,” he says.
Guppy says this year’s Comrades will not be his last. “Next year I will run again. I want to get my double green number. Runners get their single green numbers when they finish 10 Comrades Marathons and double green when they finish 20.”
Guppy says he does not follow a special diet. “I don’t think food makes a big difference. The morning before a marathon I will eat something with protein, something I will normally eat.”
For Guppy it makes no difference to run up, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, or down, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, as both runs have their difficulties.
