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

Thursday 28 February 2013

Comrades will be a very long day



Adding to my LSD post I want to emphasize how long the day can be when you run the Comrades marathon. As a back of the pack runner like me this is even more important.


The day is not just as long as your race time. Race time alone will be 10:45 to 12 hours for me. I need to prepare for this, but also remember the many hours that gets added to this before and after the race.


The day typically starts at 2:30AM. This is time to get up and eat and dress and get to the start in time. I will be at the start for more than an hour before I start running. All of this adds more time on the feet. That is why such a big part of my training is all about time on my feet.


The race starts at 5:30AM. If I get up at 2:30 I add 3 hours to my race time. That becomes 12 – 15 hours on my feet towards the end of the race when I must dig deep. Preparing for this is so much more than just running. This is without even mentioning the right shoes and socks. That will be a story on its own.


This is why I will do many LSD runs in the next few months and always take note of the total time on my feet. I have to prepare for a very long day…


Happy training everyone!

19 comments:

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Enjoy your reward for all your hard work

pieterlouw said...

And then you need to account the fact that you aren't going to get much sleep until 2:30 am! My mind usually don't switch off the night before something a big event like this. Sterkte Johann!

KovasP said...

Also add the many hours after when you can't sleep or find a comfortable position to rest.

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

How great you'll feel to know that you finished such a great challenge!

Robin said...

A very long day indeed, but hopefully ver rewarding. Can't wait to hear/see all about it.

Lauren said...

Then you have to drive home!

Indi said...

Time on feet is huge!!! its amazing how much your feet take a pounding when its working that long!!

misszippy said...

I'm tired thinking about a 2:30 a.m. wake up call! You're doing all the right things, though, to get ready. Excited for race day for you!

Karien P. said...

Wow, it's amazing what our bodies can do with the right training! Good luck with all those LSDs!

Kate Geisen said...

In our adventure races it's always amazing the difference in time on the course between the mid-back of pack teams (us) and the fast guys. They might be done in 18-20 hours while we're out for 28. Even when you consider how much more terrain they cover, that's a big difference. More race for the money, though, right? :)

Do exciting to watch you ramp up for Comrades. :)

ajh said...

I know you will be trained and ready. I'm sure you have said but how many times have you done this?

Char said...

That's a seriously long day! I'd be ready for a nap again before it was even time to start the race.

coach dion said...

Up that early and then you have to wait so long before your first beer... Life is tough!

Liz said...

That's a long day. My feet hurt just thinking about it!

HappyTrails said...

Put in the time now and it will pay off Johann - keep up the great work!

Molly said...

You're very smart about your training for this! I'm curious about the shoe/sock post, do you wear thin socks or thick??

Paul said...

Comrades is on my bucket list of course :-)
But not sure when:-(
Happy LSD cconsumption!

Paul said...

Comrades is on my bucket list of course :-)
But not sure when:-(
Happy LSD cconsumption!

Thomas Bussiere said...

Well said. Time on the feet is so important.