The Randburg Harriers Half Marathon has traditionally been the last half marathon before Comrades for runners in the Johannesburg area. Last year the race was moved to 1 October, but this year it was back in its original spot on the calendar.
The race was pretty much uneventful and my main goal was to stay comfortable and be sure I have no injuries or niggles at the end. This was the goal for most runners as nearly all Comrades runners in Gauteng do this race.
Ready to race.
Waiting at the start.
One highlight of the race was running with one of my all time heroes and idol, Bruce Fordyce (the Comrades king) for about 2km. He disappeared towards the front of the race after that. This is one thing I love about running. You often get to rub shoulders with the elite. If you don’t know Bruce you can read my post about him here.
Bruce Fordyce (in green).
Legs and feet of a legend.
Any run in Randburg is tough. There are always some testing hills to negotiate and this race is no exception. It is also a double lapper with a 10km race included and the 2nd lap has a few extra hills thrown in where the 1.1km for the half marathon is added.
There are some testing hills throughout this race...
I relaxed during this run and never pushed. I remained comfortable the whole way. That was all I wanted to do for my last race before Comrades. I finished feeling good. I know my legs need some rest after all the hard training and that will happen during the next few weeks.
The finish at the Randburg sports grounds.
The medal…yes, Run Days are Fun Days!
Next up…Comrades! I’ll do some pre-race posts in the next few weeks.
Happy running everyone!
33 comments:
Congrats on running with Bruce and sticking to your plan! Wow Comrades is coming up fast!
The photos show that there were hard hills throughout the track although you ran that race as training. Nice race report, Johann!
I am renaming you Johann the Runinator!!! You are a machine!!!
Yep...I agree you are a machine! Congrats and I can't wait to hear about Comrades!
Comrades is coming up fast!
And I love the photo of your parents : )
Congratulations on a another great race!! You totally have Comrades!!!
Run days are fun days... I like that! Congratulations on reaching your goal of remaining comfortable. Must have been fun to line up with so many others doing Comrades. Next one is the big'un!
Great running, and what a cool medal!
for the most part, I consider myself a "serious PR chaser, racer", but I am so happy that I can go and relax and enjoy (not race) a race too.
rundays are fundays = heart fingers Love it!
good luck at Comrades!
This is very exciting! Can't wait to hear about Comrades!
Definitely some big climbs there! Glad you got it in comfortably and are saving the legs for the big day. And how cool to run with a legend!
Great medal! Glad you had such a great race/run.
It's so close now. I got my Comrades update from Andrew (squad member) on Saturday. He's so excited and,like you, super-fit.
Run days are fun days. You must be getting excited for Comrades!
Great way to race--nice and relaxed!
Loved the 'scared and confident' comment.....I think you have the perfect attitude. Oh what an amazing day that will be. Actually I will be in Cape Town then, and will watch the race on telly. I remember they used to show bits of it on SABC back in the day....maybe they will show the whole thing...now that it has become such a world class event. As jy tyd het, miskien kan ons gou praat oor die telefoon....dit sal baie mooi wees, en miskien volgende keer sal ons mekaar tref.
Run days are definately fun days. Sounds like you had a fun race -- I love those kind of races. Congrats on yet another finely executed finish!
Always great to meat your heroes. Another good training race in - rest up for the big one!!
That medal is adorable!
Congratulations on another successful race - and getting more mileage in. You are doing amazing!
Bruce Fordyce, The Comrades King, got to run with you? He is one lucky guy!!!
Great race by the way!
I'm always amazed how idyllic the race routes look in your part of the world.
Nice plan to keep it easy. Really nice medal, too!! Your blue skies there are exactly what we have here in Colorado - soooo blue!
love the medal! so adorable.
http://beboldrunwild.blogspot.com/
The legend......Wow! Running with Fordyce , very very cool. I wonder if he'll be doing comrades this year as well? Is it an up or down year?
Getting excited for your race!
OK...I understand the easy training run marathon- but now that i know there are a lot of ticks in SA, I will try to only run fast if I visit. :)
nice job! LOVE the medal!!! I just got a whole bag full of BEAUTIFUL south African treasures for a wedding present form my brother in law's family! We got coasters, serving spoons, wooden animal masks and more. Can't wait to display them.
Great race! So, are you going to take it easy for the next two weeks? What does your taper schedule look like?
Run days are fun days!! I LOVE IT! Sounds like you played this race smart. Now go give those legs some rest these next few weeks! You are going to do marvelous on your race!
AH! I hope he is better soon!!
Cute, I have never heard the term "niggle." I like it!
Great job pacing yourself at the half. Good luck at Comrades! :)
Another good training for the Comrades .... and another beautiful medal.
Congrats on another half marathon Johann! You are getting so good at taking those pictures! I love them...I wish mine turned out like yours. I still have a few blurry ones every now and then. It is always good to see where you get to run and what things look like in South Africa:)
Take care of yourself!
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