BAK member Frik Nelson will be lining up for his 20th Comrades this year! This is a special achievement so we've decided to interview Frik and posed a few questions to get an idea as to what goes into his preparation and what got him started. Happy reading!
I was a cross country runner at school because in those days, in the 70’s, the maximum track distance was 3000m. In cross country we do 4km. I was never really good at it, but I loved the distance. I ran throughout my school days, in the army and at varsity. I ran too hard so I lost interest.
For 5 years I stopped running,
and when my wife Hantie started running/walking I joined her. From there on I
decided to just enjoy it and I never stopped since then! To me, running is a
stress reliever and love to run to clear my mind.
2. When did you do your 1st Comrades
and what was the motivation?
In the year 2000. Always
wanted to run it. I was a supporter of the race, even during the years before
it was broadcasted on television. They used to open Radio Port Natal
countrywide so that everyone could listen. For an average runner like me, I
felt that if so many people could do it, so could I. The distance was appealing
and I had to show some people that doubted my ability, that I could do it.
3. Comparing your 1st to your
20th, has the preparation been the same or different? Can you tell us a bit
about how you prepare for the race?
My first race was all done
on my own. No Wietse group to do long runs, it was a solo effort, and Yes, I
was 20 years younger (and much faster) J
I lived in Boston and used
to run down Voortrekker road. In those days it was cold and rainy in Bellville,
so motivation was key.
Number 20? To be honest I’m
scared about it (I believe one should be scared) and haven’t trained as much as
I wanted to, but I believe I can do it. Number 20 is the motivation!
Training wise: long runs on
weekends, 2 weeks more than 100km and I don’t run the last week before Comrades
(this works for me, can’t say it will work for others)
4. Do you train on your own or
part of a group?
On my own, weekends with a
group
5. What do you eat before,
during and after the race? Are there specific things (old faithful) you always
pack in to consume during the race?
I’m not the right runner to
ask this, but here we go: I don’t eat anything before the race, just 2 cups of
coffee. During the race I have coke and water. I used to run with corn syrup,
but nowadays one can’t find it.
In my later running years,
I started to get cramps and now I’m taking biltong with me and that seems to
help.
I can’t eat anything
afterwards. (I know one should)
6. When the pain barrier hits,
what do you do to keep going to the end?
Comrades is in your head,
just keep on moving and the bad patch will stop. My head is what has kept me
going long after my body has had enough. One is able to shift that barrier.
7. What was your most special Comrades race and
why?
No. 10, I had a bad race
and I felt disappointed with my time. At the finishing line I had forgotten
about no. 10 until the official pushed me to the green number queue. Jackie
Meckler, a legend in his own time, handed me the number [see photo above]. I
treasured that moment.
8. Which one was your least
enjoyable, and why?
A down run a few years ago.
I probably walked the last 30 km’s. It felt like someone was hitting me on my
shins with a hammer.
9. Any advice to runners wanting to move up to
ultra-marathons?
The long runs on Saturdays
are a must! Believe in yourself and train your mind too. Also, very important,
don’t start too fast!
10. What is your favourite
running shoe and why? Do you have different ones for shorter races?
New balance because it is
wider in the front and it just feels right. I run all my training and races in
the same shoe.
11. How many more Comrades
races would you want to do, health permitting?
Well my son wants to do Comrades
in 2023 and I have promised my friend Wietse I’ll join him when he does his 50th,
so I’ll take it year by year.
12. Any other marathons or
ultras that you feel compare with Comrades?
I run Puffer, and although
a different terrain I believe it’s as tough
13. Do you have a bucket-list
of marathons to do, and if so, which one would be next if you had the
opportunity?
Would love to do another
overseas marathon. I have also never done a stage race, would love to try it. A
stage race = multi-day race like Africa X.
14. Why do you always dress in
multiple layers when doing a run?
Thanks for the question
Andre Mariano 😊
I get cold quite easily and
I always believe I can take it off when it’s hot, but if I don’t have it when I’m
cold then I can’t dress up again. I feel comfortable running with those layers.
15. Lastly, considering this is
your 20th, do you have any special celebrations planned for afterwards?
No special party, just a
beer or two afterwards and a glass of red wine that evening (that helps for the
pain)