COMRADES MARATHON 2008 WEEK 35: Becoming an ultramarathoner

"Learn to run when feeling the pain; then push harder”
Kenyan runner William Sigei

A week of milestones and a mental shift has seen me become a lot more confident of tackling Comrades.

On monday I ran 10km and was joined by Daniel. Thanks for running with me. It may have been a bit slow for me but it helped to have an easy run.
Tuesday I ran up Mt coot-tha which involved a steady 2.2km climb to the top. A total of 26km made that a tough mid week run.
Wednesday I decided to take it easy and was meant to do 10-12km. I pushed and managed 15km which involved a short but steep hill mid way.
Thursday was an easier session as I looked to let my legs recover.

Friday was my long run and I had a daunting goal of trying to run 60km, as I knew I had to do this to have any form of endurance to run Comrades. Waking up after 5.5 hours sleep was tough, and I just wanted to stay in bed, but I knew I had to do this run. It started out well at 5 min/km pace. I ran towards creek road which involves almost 3km of undulations (not 2km hills like in Comrades but at least there are 3-4 500m inclines). By now my pace had slowed to about 5.15/km. I ran past my work and turned around after 22km. By now I was needing the toilet as I hadn't been able to go twice before my run like I usually do, so I headed home and got there around 37km. I was struggling a bit, slowing down and my feet were starting to get a bit sore. I had a drink, a banana and went to the toilet. I also took a couple of nurofen to make sure I didn't get a headache as my shoulders can get tight with a long run.

I started off again and felt okay although I was running 5.30 pace. I had another drink stop at42.5km and that broke up the 12-13km out and back I was trying to do. I reached the 12km mark and realised I had now run almost 50km, my highest equal run, but hey I was still feeling quite good, running a bit faster and I wasn't stiff or sore in my legs like I should be. Oh well, maybe the last 10-12km wouldn't be that bad.
I actually felt quite good and my pace was getting better and better. From 50-55 I was running 5.10/km, and from 55-60 I got down to 5.00/km. I was feeling really good at 60km so decided to run another 5km, although my right ankle had a slight niggle starting. I ran the last 5km in about 4.52 pace. I was happy to have achieved 65km, in a time of 5hrs 43m and for the first time I feel like an ultramarathoner. After all that is just over 1 and a half marathons.
Unfoftunately I wasn't able to get a nap in at all and had to go to work, but I lasted till 5pm and went home 30 mins early.

Saturday was an easy day although again I felt surprisingly good. I couldn't run fast at all but not nearly as stiff as I usually am after a long run.

Sunday I decided to tackle mt Coot-tha again even though I knew I shouldn't push too hard. I drove out to the bottom as I wanted to do a shorter run. My aim was 8-16km, depending on how I felt. I ran up the first 500m incline. Boy was it tough with slightly stiff legs. Then a flattish 1km before a 2.2km steady incline up, up up...Then the next 4km or so were mostly down but a little undulating. Before descending down. the loop being about 9.5km. I wanted to do the hill again, visualising the big 5 of comrades, so I thought i'd run to the top and turn around to give me 16km. The second time around was slightly tougher and much slower, running just over 6.00/km. I decided i'd just do another lap so I ended up running 20km.

I'm happy to have done a 65, my longest ever run. Now I can wind down in the road home to Comrades. It was also my biggest ever week with 144km, beating the 122km I mananged early november. My biggest goals now are just to keep up some steady runs, stay injury free and make sure I don't get sick! The last few days i've had a slightly phlegmy throat so I'm looking forward to an easy week coming up and looking after my health...

Training for week Mon 28 Apr - Sun 4 May
Mon 28 Apr	10km, 20' cycle
Tues 29 Apr	26km
Wed 30 Apr	15km
Thurs 1 May	30' cycle, weights
Fri 2 May	65km
Sat 3 May	8km
Sun 4 May	20km
Weekly mileage	144 km

"The secret of my success is this:
Every time, I tried to go as far as I could.
When I climbed the hills, I saw the mountains.
Then I started climbing the mountains…"
Ted Turner