Starting your very 1st Comrades marathon can be quite a daunting prospect. We caught up with some of the BAK members who will do just that, line up for their 1st. We posed some questions to get an idea of their preparation, fears and excitement. Here are their comments:
1. When did you take up running and
what is the reason for lining up for your 1st Comrades?
Cindy Fischer: “I
have been running on and off since 2014. But only took up serious running since
July last year. A friend that stays in Jhb said he wants to do the comrades and
I always dreamed of doing the comrades one day, so decided this will be great
to do it with him”
Lukho Ruthula: “Prior
to last year, I was playing soccer, however logistics didn't work out as I
changed jobs, therefore had to find another "hobby". Comrades is
every runner's dream, we grew up watching it as kids & this year I was
feeling fit & my work is accommodating for now, hence I signed up”
Grant Chinyowa: “Been
running about 2years now. Comrades is always something I’ve wanted to do; it
was just a question of timing and fitness. So, I guess now is the time”
Yolanda Smit: “I
started running in high school, but only started participating in races 7 years
ago. I believe that if you call yourself a runner, then Comrades is definitely
something you should do at least once in your life-time”
2. How have you prepared for this?
Cindy: “I
train hard and mentally prepare myself. I can do this”
Lukho: “Wietse
is responsible for most part of it (those groups actually made me fall in love
with long distance running), then Coach Q & a bit of Coach Parry”
Grant: “Been
following coach Qs program from about September last year”
Yolanda: “I'm
privileged to be part of coach Quintus' running group and he has been coaching
me since December 2018”
3. Do you train on your own or part
of a group?
Cindy: “I train with coach Quintus’ group”
Lukho: “Weekend long runs would be group runs
- midweek shorter runs alone”
Grant: “Both, was but of the Comrades group on WhatsApp so got the same weekly
training plan but mostly ran on my own”
Yolanda: “As mentioned in my previous answer, I'm part of a training group, but
train mostly on my own. I will join the Wietse se Runs every Saturday and if we
do hill training, which happens once a week, we’ll do it in groups with coach Q”
4. On a scale of 1 (not at all) to 10
(I’ve got this), how prepared are you?
Cindy: “I
would say a 7. I had a few setbacks with ITB and have also travelled a lot for
work”
Lukho: “Hahaha!!!
No one is ever prepared enough, maybe 8 - I am not planning to win the race 😊”
Grant: “I’d
say 8.5”
Yolanda: “I
would probably say 8... not sure if anyone can ever be properly prepared for a
race like this... Hahaha!!”
5. What is your biggest fear for the
day?
Cindy: “Not
finishing. With severe ITB pains I hope I will be able to finish”
Lukho: “It
is the fear of the unknown”
Grant: “Injuries
and not making the cut off”
Yolanda: “Not
finishing ”
6. What is the excitement level like?
Cindy: “I
am super excited!”
Lukho: “From
1 to 10, I'd say 11 😊 I am planning on enjoying my first
comrades”
Grant: “Nervous
excitement. Just like when I’m about to write a very important exam”