The stories I witnessed from this year’s Two Oceans

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Bo

Having substituted my Two Oceans 2013 half marathon entry and deciding to run the 8km fun run instead, it was interesting observing the race from a non-participant’s point of view this year. Each and every person had their own story to tell…This is how I saw it.

KK was still ill by the time we flew down to Cape Town and decided that with such a sore chest, it was best not to run. The disappointment on his face as he negotiated with himself what to do was visible each day leading up to that Saturday but only he could make that final decision. In his words, “It’ll take me a year longer to get my Blue number.” Sorry babes.

Meanwhile, two of our other running friends received their Blue numbers on the Saturday. One for the half and the other for the Ultra. What an awesome achievement!

For others, the race was not a good experience. One of my favourite athletes missed cut off and was totally shattered! In the heat of the moment, she announced that she would ‘never run Two Oceans again’. I hope that while she feels that way about this particular race, she has not lost her love for running. There’s a difference.

Ironically, a catch-up supper on the Thursday evening before the race with another friend was an eye-opener. Being a non-runner, she had no idea the race was happening or even the details. Runners become so obsessed with Two Oceans – it’s all we talk about. It was refreshing to have supper and talk about something else for a change.

An ankle injury forced another running buddy out of the race which she loves with all her heart. But that did not stop her passion to ensure she ‘fly her flag’ across that finish line among mixed reactions from some.

The father-in-law of one of the Blue number runners mentioned above had not run since last year’s Two Oceans. The worry that he would not finish was wasted as he crossed the finish line declaring “Muscle memory got me through!”

Two other running friends narrowly made Ultra cut offs with minutes to spare – one for his bronze medal and the other one to finish in time. Great run guys!

Witnessing the Russian twins and Stephen Muzhingi have bad races proved that even the champs have races that don’t always go their way.

And then to all those surrounding me at the 8km fun run. To many, it was the first time they would attempt that distance. To them, this WAS their marathon! The race is called a fun run but to some runners, it was a very serious race! I hope it’s the start of a wonderful running journey that sees them finish their half or even ultra marathons one day!

Runner, you’re doing it wrong!

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Bo

I’m not a professional or even serious runner but I would have thought that by now, after a few years of running, I would know all there is to know about running. My copy of ‘Lore of Running’ is dog-eared, I’m a regular subscriber to Runner’s World, I download my runs to Garmin Connect and I always buy my running shoes under the guidance of the experts at Dunkeld Sweatshop. I even speak runners’ jargon, such as plantar fasciitis, and call races by their first names – Deloittes, Colgate, Dischem.

But when KK was disqualified at a race recently, I realized that sometimes, the smallest detail about running can go unnoticed, even by me.

It was at the Springs Striders 15km road race that KK was stopped at the finish line and told that he was being disqualified for not having worn both of his ASA licence numbers. KK was quite confused because, we always pin our ASA licence to the back of our running vests? But the referee was not interested and informed KK that runners needed to show both numbers – one on the front and one on the back. Huh? Since when?

Runners who join an official running club are given two numbers. But I always thought: a) the one was for Summer tops and the other for Winter; or b) when your running top is in the dirty washing, at least you had a spare. LOL! How embarrassing, I’m such a chop!

Apparently, we’re supposed to pin one number on the front, the other on the back of your running vest. We have run so many races and never noticed. We’ve also never been stopped by any referees before. I suppose it’s because our race numbers were covering the front.

Oh well, you learn every day…we’re still laughing!

Dear Two Oceans Half Marathon… we need to talk.

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Bo

Dear Two Oceans Half Marathon,

Like most runners, I fell in love with you right from the start. You were the dream race, the one everyone spoke about. When my running training started at the beginning of each year, it would be centred around you as the goal date, the goal race. All the reading I did was about you. All the training I did was for you. In terms of running, you were ‘my everything’.

But since 2010, things between us started to go wrong. You started to see more people and the entries just grew and grew. The problem is that with 16 000 runners, it makes it that much tougher for me to get over that starting mat without losing at least 10 minutes. I don’t exactly have 10 minutes to spare because, as you know, I run at 8 minutes per km and this cuts it fine with a 3 hour cut off time. It’s funny because ever since I started running, I’ve allowed your 3 hour cut off time to dictate my runs and my pace to the extent that I feel absolutely miserable when I don’t run my half marathons under 3 hours.

I guess that’s my point. How you make me feel. Like any woman in an abusive relationship, I forgave you because I ‘loved’ you. I even started this blog about ‘Keeping up’ because I was so desperate to please you. But if I have to be honest with myself, you make me feel like a failure, inadequate, pathetic. You stress me out and instead of enjoying the run, I keep thinking that I will fail. I keep wanting to quit every single day but fear that other runners will judge me.

I don’t feel like that when I run other races. In fact, since January, I’ve noticed a change within me. I started to like running half marathons and not be stressed about the time. I started to enjoy the distance. I’ve loved every kilometre and when I’ve crossed the finish line, I’ve been so damn proud of myself. Proud because I am able to run 21.1km. So far, I’ve run 3 half marathon races this year and each one has taken me over 3 hours, but you know what, it didn’t matter. I have fallen in love with my running again!

So, I think what I’m trying to say is … it’s not you, it’s me. It’s taken me 4 years to realize that running is supposed to be fun. It’s taken me so many races to finally acknowledge that I run at 8 minutes per km and I’m okay with that. I watch so many other runners crossing that finish line after me with smiles on their faces. I want to be one of those runners. I want to be content and at peace and not carry around this huge burden.

So it’s good bye. We can still be friends and I will see you for the 8km run on Good Friday. But as far as any long term commitment, you’ve taken up way too much of my time and energy (both mentally & physically) already. I’m moving on.

Bronwynne

Happy Valentine’s run to me!

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Bo

5 years ago, I ran my very first 10km road race. It was the Randburg Valentine’s Night Race at Randburg Harriers. My time: 87 minutes.

Since that very first night in 2008, I’ve run over 17 half marathons, over twenty 10km races and numerous 5km ones. Last week I went back and ran the race that started it all…

Running through the dark streets, I was filled with emotion. I was over-whelmed at the fact that I had come so far. But a part of me was also angry because I realized that I have forgotten about the journey that I have taken to get where I am. From never having run before in my life to being able to manage running 21.1kms.

It dawned on me that I am so hard on myself and so unforgiving when I don’t make a cut-off time or run as fast as I’d like to. I have stopped giving myself any credit. I have stopped being proud of my accomplishments and I’ve only focused on the goals instead of the achievements.

Running the race again was much needed therapy because it reminded me that I am capable of doing this. Of running. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and stop making excuses.

Yes, I run at 8 minutes/km. You damn right I do! And I can do that for 5km, 10km and even 21.1kms straight!