I will be back … mark my words

My journey to Comrades 2019 started in 2017 when I decided that I will enter and run it in 2018 as an event to celebrate my 50th birthday but it never occurred as planned. This is the person who used to say she will never run the Comrades as she has a car and will keep it short and sweet with half marathons. I believe that I had a fear of the unknown, but then got the entry for 2019. I started training on my own and with a small load as my club then was far from my house.

I then joined Just Running Athletics Club (JRAC) towards the end on 2018 ... best decision ever! Training with JRAC has been outstanding all the way until we set foot at the ultimate human race.

As I look back and recap on the Comrades weekend I realise how lucky and privileged I am to have had support during my first attempt to run this amazing race. Being at the starting line-up of this historic event was so special to me and nerve wrecking too. To see so many people gathered in one place to write the final exam after months of training preparations gave me goose bumps. Having my club mates Given and Fiks next to me at the start was wow!

I started the race well with Fiks and we took it nice and easy but along the way I had to detour to find a toilet as my stomach started acting up even after I drank heavy doses of Imodium. I was forced to queue for a while as there were other runners waiting their turn, while time was ticking, and I was losing my mind. I then ran for a while until I found another toilet on the way but by the time I came out there were only two sub12 hour buses left on the road.

I panicked and ran to join the front bus. I kept up with the bus for a while and passed the first cut-off point; St Johns Avenue Subway – Pinetown (18.56 km). I pushed with the bus for a while until about 38km as I had to make another stop for the toilet. By then I was feeling hungry and could only replenish with Slow- mag but I could feel that I was running on an empty stomach. I ate half a banana that I was offered on the side of the road as many stations did not have food but only beverages. I pushed and pushed until I was cut off at Drummond (43 km). I got so disappointed and hurt as we got onto bailer busses en route to Pietermaritzburg.

We watched runners on the road fulfilling their dreams while ours were shattered. I said a short prayer, composed myself and thanked God for the opportunity to make it to the race; however, I could not sleep later that night, questioning myself about the failure of not being able to make it to the end. I am now healed and celebrating the fact that I made it to the starting line, even though I had an unfortunate day in the office. But hey, I will come back to redeem myself.

I'm going to find a specialist to help me deal with my ongoing tummy problem.
#IrritableBowelSyndromeMustFall.

C'mon, I know I am stronger than this and will conquer the ultimate human race. Giving up is not an option. Let me bow out with this quote by Maya Angelou 'you may not control all events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them'...till next year.

Thank you JRAC family for your love and support always!!!

Tumi