Boom ! That lasted exactly 2km . I hit the wall so hard ! The rest of my shuffle walk took me well into the night , glowsticks substituted the 8pm movie and all I could think of was getting another whitebread marmite sarmie at the next aid station .
However the vibe along the route was electric ! All of PE was down on the course to party , support and shout your name . I had many screams from big smiley faces telling me how well I was looking . Liars ! Spouse A had found a party along the side and was having such a good time that taking photos of me was forgotten .
The last kilometre was pretty special . In the distance I could see the M-Dot arch and flashing traffic lights . I found another gear and decided to run , hooked a right and hit the red carpet . The feeling was something words cannot explain . I had actually done it ! I had a little cry before being rushed off in my new silver space blanket to find my streetwear bag .
I slept for two days afterwards , waking only to eat , and missing part of the holiday . Oops !
Crazy for more
Since then I ’ ve been back every year . I did a quick search for the meaning of ‘ crazy ’ and this is what the internet spat out : a . distracted with desire or excitement ; b . absurdly fond ,
The bike Don ’ t underestimate the rolling bike leg – there are tough sections that can really hurt the legs , and lots of bite at the turnaround . If a westerly ( the prevailing wind ) is blowing , you will be blown from the turn-around point back along the coast , so this will be fast . If the easterly is blowing , then you will experience the wrath of the windy city .
The run This is where you ’ ll get to fully appreciate the ‘ Friendly City ’. The course along the seafront is fast , flat and packed with spectators who bring an amazing spirit to the end of the race . infatuated ; c . passionately preoccupied , obsessed . I like that word .
So why do I return each year ? For me , the answer always changes .
In that first experience , no matter how horrible I thought I felt , the positives totally outweighed the suffering . I wanted more , I wanted that feeling again . Maybe I could go faster ? What if I ate better , trained smarter ? What if I shared my experiences and in return learnt from others ? The what ifs never cease .
Then there ’ s the support leading up to the event from family and friends , the idea of taking a holiday afterwards . The friendly people , a lovely city , the bad radio adverts once you hit Algoa country that make you laugh as you drive up from Cape Town . The organisational team that puts this amazing event together , the camaraderie on the course , new and better gear each season and then , of course , the finish line . Those experiences have become part of me , they can ’ t be taken away .
I don ’ t allow the event to define me . I do it because I get so much more out of it . I enjoy seeing new and old faces on the day , how things change each year . Hopefully somewhere out there is a little guy who says ‘ wow , he ’ s cool ’.
Motivation from Coach Wane
A few years ago I started Move Multisport , taking everyday heroes and providing them with a personalised guide to competing at an event such as IRONMAN African Champs . My aim when working with any athlete is to create a space where negative noise is abandoned . I help them get moving , feel special – and tap into their inner beast . Here ’ s what I tell them :
• Adopt a mindset of goal-making and goalsmashing daily .
• A one-size-fits-all training program does not suit everyone – work with me to create a personalised programme that suits you .
• Life happens , work gets in the way , you feel ill or just have no mojo . Accept that , recalibrate and then focus on what works .
• Go into this event in a positive space , there are things you can ’ t control , accept that and focus your energy on what you can .
• Treat it as a long day out , embrace the vibe from the people around you , and recognise your mini achievements .
• Treat yourself to cool stuff , massages , new kit , new bike or a fancy place to rest and recover – you ’ ve deserved it .
• Don ’ t ever forget your support crew .
• High-fives are mandatory all day ! Especially with your coach .
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