"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Tuesday 3 May 2011

Colgate 32km Race Report

On Sunday, 1 May, I ran the Colgate 32km (20 Mile) race at the Boksburg stadium east of Johannesburg. This was my last longish run before the Comrades Marathon on 29 May. It was a cold and misty morning in Boksburg.


Early at the stadium, cold and misty.

The race started at 6:30 and everyone was cold. There was a big field as a 15km race was held at the same time. We ran two laps with a little extra loop on the second lap to make up the extra 2 kilometers for 32. The first lap was with the 15km runners.


Shortly after the start.

I found a few friends and we all started together. After two kilometers I found myself running with my old friends, Seugnét and Anita. They were also there for their last longish run before Comrades. This was great and I decided to hang with them for as long as possible. This became the entire race in the end as we ran and finished together, chatting all the way.


Seugnét and Anita.

The mist stayed with us longer than I thought it would and there were a few places where the wind was quite cold at times.


Misty and quite cool all the way.

The first lap (15km) went by very quickly and I was feeling good and comfortable. I could feel I ran 100km the previous weekend. My legs felt a bit tired on the hills and my feet were a bit tender at the bottom. This is something I always feel after very long runs or races…tenderness under my feet. It is usually more uncomfortable than my sore legs.


To the stadium…lap 1 done!

We left Anita in charge as she was clearly the strongest between the three of us. I had a very tough 100km Easter training run in my legs and Seugnét was just back from a week’s holiday with no running and all the wrong eating and drinking that came with that. On the second lap Anita started pulling away on the hills, but she always waited for us to catch up again. Anita has numerous 100 mile and 6 day races under her belt, including some 1st lady finishes. She is always very strong.


Anita pulling away on the hills. Some sun at last.

The second lap added a 2km loop and here we found the only pretty street of the whole route. The race runs between some factories and other not so cool looking areas so this was a nice change. We stopped and took some photos in the pretty street.


Only pretty street of the whole 32km.

With about 6km to go my legs were getting tired and I just followed Anita who was looking stronger and stronger. I was actually glad Seugnét was taking a bit of strain as well. Bad me!


Following Anita.

29km done! How does someone look so good after 29km?

Finally we turned in towards the stadium again and there was 1km to go!

The last kilometer went by quickly and then we ran into the stadium…


…on the track…


...to the finish!

Happy!

This was a great run with great friends! The last long haul before Comrades is over. Now I can start to cut back and relax for a few weeks. The hard work has been done.

We received a medal, t-shirt and goody bag with a few Colgate items.


A very well organized race that will always see me back. Talking about back…Anita is running her 19th Comrades this year and made me promise to be there next year when she runs number 20. I did, so I am already committed to next year’s Comrades as well!

28 comments:

Erika said...

Great job on your race! I love bring able to run with friends to help push me along! Some of those pictures it looks so pretty!

Erika said...

Great job on your race! I love bring able to run with friends to help push me along! Some of those pictures it looks so pretty!

Christi said...

Great job on a long run! Enjoy your taper before Comrades!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Congrats

Laura said...

Congrats...nice race. What is up with the wind everyone is facing?

Marlene said...

Congratulations on the 32K and your last long run before the big one! Sounds like you had some nice company along the way.

Jennifer said...

You are a running and racing fool Johann! Good for you, nice report and how lucky to spend the day with such good friends!

KovasP said...

That first photo is outstanding. Good to hear you are primed and ready for Comrades!

Jill said...

Nice run, always enjoy your stories and pics. Looked a little fogged in on that race, but at least it keeps the sun off.

And bonus: your teeth will be happy for a few weeks with the freebies! :)

Lesley Looper said...

As always, enjoy your photos and race reports! All the best on Comrades coming up--and next year too! :) Wow.

Indi said...

Congrats!! Always the best 'I'm running a race' photos!! Way to commit to next year :) Wow its getting closer now!!

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

Wow, I love that first photo...

So, the next report will be for Comrades? Can't wait to read!

Molly said...

brrr, that does look cold! Once again, great job : )

Giorgio said...

Great long run, Johann! The second photo really gives an idea of your adventure on that foggy morning.
Nice race report!
I always love running with friends who help me along the path :)

Kate Geisen said...

Nice job, Johann! Running with friends seems to make the time go by so much more quickly. I was so glad to have my brother with me during my marathon. At least there was ONE pretty street in all those kms, huh? Sometimes you wonder if they went out of their way to make a route UN-scenic!

Enjoy the rest of your month. Will you taper before Comrades, or will it be business as usual for you?

Kate Geisen said...

Nice job, Johann! Running with friends seems to make the time go by so much more quickly. I was so glad to have my brother with me during my marathon. At least there was ONE pretty street in all those kms, huh? Sometimes you wonder if they went out of their way to make a route UN-scenic!

Enjoy the rest of your month. Will you taper before Comrades, or will it be business as usual for you?

Char said...

It's really surprised me that you have so many opportunities to race over there. It seems like just about every weekend there's something that you can do. It's great to be able to do these organised runs in your lead up to Comrades

ajh said...

Had to laugh at "a longish run of 20 miles." That is long in my book! Sounds like you had fun.

Jim ... 50after40 said...

Great job and great report. Looks like it was cold and rainy all around the globe on Sunday! Great to run with friends!

Julie said...

Woo hoo! Go Johann go! Great race report...I am loving the pictures and the smile on your face:) What is up with the icky weather we have both been having?

Take care! Hugs Johann!

Vicky said...

Well done on the race, and best of luck for Comrades.

The Green Girl said...

I have so much admiration for your integrity and honesty, Johann.

Glad you had an enjoyable run with good friends.

Amy said...

Great job! And now the countdown to Comrades can really begin. And you are already planning to do it next year, too - wow!

Liz said...

Wow, Comrades, eh? You must be crazy! Great running!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

CONGRATS Johann--you capture some of the best pics and have some fab venues to race!

And, you will be cavity free for a while ha!!

I appreciate yourwords of advice on the music (less) approach!!!

ihaverun said...

Great race! How fun to run with friends. I foudn at my last race how much that can help!

Counting down to Comrades with you. Now I guess that means for this year as well as next =)

Christina said...

I find it funny you got Colgate product. It makes sense but funny to come away from a race with toothpaste.

Black Knight said...

You got a good and rich loot. Tapering time with 2 races scheduled? You are a running machine.