Friday, 14 June 2013

A Pleasant but Scary Surprise

Blogathon post 14/30


This morning I got a nice but also somewhat scary surprise. I finally get a chance to go and run the Rhodes 52km Ultra Marathon! I've been on the waiting list of this race for many, many years.

I'm still on the waiting list, but I can run as a substitute for someone who wants to sit out this year. Awesome but what is the scary part...?

The race is on 6 July! Yes, that is 4 weeks from tomorrow! High altitude on a very hard trail in very cold conditions with some very hard climbing. That is what Rhodes is. Probably the coldest race in our country. Most years the race is run in snow and some years the course is changed because of harsh conditions.The average temperature at the start of this race is -10°C (14F).


So I am very excited but also very scared. I am not in top condition and will rely on my base fitness a lot. But there is no way that I am letting this chance go by.



Time to put some emergency plans in place...because Rhodes, here I come!
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11 comments:

  1. Kate Geisen14 June 2013 at 17:21

    SO exciting!! Very happy for you that you get this opportunity. I can see being a bit intimidated by that elevation profile...yikes! What an adventure, though! :)

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  2. Lauren14 June 2013 at 17:57

    How exciting! I can totally relate to the scared part. What's so weird to me is that July is the coldest race of the year. Come July I'm going to be sweating out 3 digit temperatures (f) out here. Good luck on your upcoming adventure. Looking forward to reading all about it.

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  3. Mike14 June 2013 at 17:58

    Wow...Hardcore!! You're right, you can't pass up a chance like that. Good luck.

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  4. Char14 June 2013 at 20:54

    Better pull out the winter woollies. It looks like a cold one.

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  5. ajh15 June 2013 at 03:27

    You'll be ready because you're you! Good luck and have fun getting ready.

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  6. coach dion15 June 2013 at 07:51

    Love the race, I'll see if I can find my race report from a number of years ago and send it to you...

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  7. Andre15 June 2013 at 08:53

    Very cold and tough but very special! Jy sal dit MOET doen ou broer! Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second!

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  8. Anette15 June 2013 at 11:25

    We will get out the pom-poms to cheer u on! Go Johann!

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  9. Staci15 June 2013 at 17:15

    Great news. Probably a good thing hat you didn't run Comrades. Keep at your training, you will love the event.

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  10. The Green Girl15 June 2013 at 20:23

    That's so exciting, Johann! I'm thrilled for you. If anyone can do this, you can!

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  11. Lindsay23 June 2013 at 00:37

    wow! that race is in high demand! hope you get the chance to run this year!

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