Comrades Supplement Comrades Training and Info Guide, January 2016 | Page 11

mats. I walked the whole of Little Polly’s and
Big Polly’s – I couldn’t run even if I wanted to,
because one of the 12-hour buses was blocking
the whole road doing the arm lifts, walking, etc.
When I got to the top of Polly’s, I announced to
anyone who wanted to listen that I had kissed
Polly’s arse goodbye and would not be looking
up her shorts again, ever!

COUNTING DOWN

was 4kg lighter. I was happy number 29 was done.
And Dave hadn’t passed me. (I actually thought he
might not finish in time, but he made it.)
After the finish I found Clive in our designated
spot, but before going to the car, I found the
nearest bush and hurled my lungs out. I grew up
in Pietermaritzburg and have now done it all at
the Oval: Our wedding photos were taken there,

I finished Comrades, and I have now vomited at
the Oval. Besides the nausea I had no blisters,
no chaffing… my toenail polish didn’t even
chip! So, in 2016 I will be back to do one final
Comrades, number 30.

Me to mother: “Sorry for the stress I
caused. I will only be doing one more.”
Mother to me: “I will be dead before then!”

Images: Jetline Action Photo

I now really had to get into running mode as
time was ticking. I was still nauseous, but had
sprint in my legs. There was a bakkie driving
next to us in Washington Road, with the driver
telling some woman to get in, as she wasn’t
going to make it. The bakkie was full of bailed
runners – all I saw were arms and legs sticking
out. Another runner said to me, “Lady, is he
talking to you? Don’t believe him!” I said no, he
wasn’t talking to me, and I know we can make
it, as I took hold of his arm and told him to come
with me. We needed to get onto the pavement
to pass the 12-hour bus, with me shouting beepbeep for people to get out of the way.
When we got to Jesmond Road, fellow Savage
Mark Buckthorpe caught up to me, and when we
got to the park, I ran down the straight looking
out for Clive. I spotted him and said, “I’ve made
it.” He phoned my mother, who was in a hell
of state, thinking I wasn’t going to make it. Of
course, the SABC chose my finish to go to an ad
break! I crossed the line in 11:53. It was dark. I

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