Comrades Supplement Comrades Training and Info Guide, 2017 | Page 23

TRAINING

Programmed for Success
It’s time to get into serious mode with your training as you begin the preparation for the 92nd running of the Ultimate Human
Race on 4 June 2017. You may think there is still plenty time to get started, but don’t sit back too long… now is the time to
put your head down and prepare yourself physically and mentally for the race by following one of our official 2017 Comrades
Training Programmes. – BY LINDSEY PARRY, Official coach of the Comrades Marathon Association

T

he Up Run is known for The Big Five Hills: Cowies Hill, Fields Hill,
Bothas Hill, Inchanga and Polly Shortts. The first three are all run in
the first 40km, with Inchanga taking you to 50km, and Polly Shortts
with a little over 10km to go. There are also many other climbs like Little
Polly’s, Umlaas Road and many other unnamed hills…

• You can use races as training runs, but it is important that you do
not race every race. This will only lead to overtraining, injury or illness.
You may find that there are no marathons or long runs in your
area that fall nicely into the programme, if this is the case, you can
contact me to discuss alternatives.

In short, the Up Run is an enormous challenge, so it is important to
prepare physically for the challenge, and in so doing, also prepare for
the psychological challenge of running 88-odd kilomet