This is the story and race notes from my first marathon, which was technically also my first ultra marathon (longer than a standard marathon).
What a day it turned out to be: snow, mud, the “main race” (100 miler) being cancelled, and the 50 miler being downgraded to the 47km.
Driving into the Karkloof on Saturday morning around 6am, just beyond Howick - the most striking visuals in front of us in the background - snow covering every hilltop and peak, following a full 24h of cold and wet miserable weather - but this was just the race day, where did it all begin...
It all starts at the beginning of 2024 when I have this idea that I’d like to venture out of my running comfort zone. At the end of 2023 I started diving deeper into Peter Attia's “Outlive” book, and his ideas around longevity, VO2 max and aerobic capacity were incredibly intriguing. Cue me trying to implement more aerobic runs, and sort of half-baking my way through some VO2 max running sets, but more importantly actually seeing my VO2 max score change on my wearable (slightly).
Thanks to my friend, colleague and former post graduate- classmate - now turned multi-sport and endurance coach - Darryn Berry (DB, shoutout to him) I get a bit of order / structure into my training and we set off on an adventure of around 3 training blocks to prepare for my first “marathon” / ultramarathon in September 2024.
First we tested where I was currently at. Okayish
Then we tried to run faster, at a lower HR. Achieved close to my lifetime 5km PB again (PB 5km and 21km was in 2021)
Then we gradually increased the amount of total running time per week applying training polarization.
DB pushed me harder than I thought I was capable of - and I’ve gained some incredible insights into my own training tolerance and loading through this process. One of the stand out lessons for me: if you’re a father of two (3 years and 3 months), running a business and trying to survive most days and thrive on the odd Tuesday - getting through 6h of training might not seem like much, but it's a mammoth task, and requires much planning. The biggest shoutout to my wife for the 90mins and then 120min weekend runs! For a former crossfit cult member, April to September has been the least amount of resistance training I’ve done in the last 8 years maybe? But, as I said - you can’t have it all, and reps and reps of compound lifts were replaced with some prehab in the lounge 1-2 nights a week (once the kids were in bed). But guess what? It all came together and my word, I’ve evolved!
Other lessons include include a quote from an inspiring friend of mine: “when in doubt, run it out” - sore legs? Run. Unimaginable distance? Run. Slight tickle in your throat - all good, just Run slow. We put way too many limits on ourselves, and in my case, maybe having a medical background is to my own disadvantage. Half an excuse to adjust the session, skip it or half arse it and I’m in. Being accountable to a plan was so key for me to get through. Also, stop running so fast just for kudos on strava (note to self) its much more impressive to plod away for 6 months consistently than running the odd lightening 5km or breaking yourself at a once off ultra (just my own unsolicited opinion). The old saying of, “its you vs. you” comes to mind.
Back to the actual race!
Snow in the Karkloof (KZN Midlands), who would have thought - let alone the night / morning of the race day. A race day that as you now know, has taken me most of the year to build up towards. Backing down due to weather is not an option. Planning is essential, besides some top tips for running in wet / cold, like ziplocking 3+ pairs of socks and changing them at both aid stations on the route. A full set of dry clothes at the second station (except shoes), enough food for an 8h shift, despite aiming around the 7h mark - to name but a few! But truth be told, the race is really the victory lap. Isn’t that just symbolic of life? All the hard work is not on the big day. It precedes it. Depending on how earnestly you put in the work, that determines whether you stand a chance on the day. For me, I loved every moment, and would have gladly ran the extra 3km just to see my watch hit 50kms for the first time in its life! This comes from a guy who has arrived on plenty of starting lines, under trained, under prepared and hoping for a Hail Mary - not this time.
Whats next?
As part of my Sport for lives campaign, I’m running the CPT Marathon (please hit the link and make a donation! ) and then? Perhaps picking one marathon to race, or ultra to try (capping this at 56kms for now, conveniently the 2 oceans ultra distance!).
The trifecta: I want to have enough hours in the training week to work on aerobic training, VO2 max maintenance and resistance training to sustain the first two. Subsequent to this, mobility, cross training (spinning or alternate “cardio”), recreational sports (padel), trying new things (Hyrox anyone?) but I’m definitely not rushing back to Crossfit, or to being a full time gym boet again. I plan on running till I can't run anymore! This experience has really opened my mind again to pushing my physical limits, my self limiting beliefs and confirmed that even as a “new dad” for the second time, I can still achieve audacious goals along the way.
“If it doesn’t challenge you or scare you - you’re probably not in a position to learn or grow.”
NP