ROAD RUNNING
my sanity . It became a journey of friendship , lessons and experiences beyond what could be imagined . I ’ ve already written a few stories on this experience , but the ultimate culmination is still to be told . It ’ s taken a while to process and sink in …
Ready for the Virtual Comrades in 2020
Of course , the 2020 Comrades was cancelled , a devastating blow to many of us runners , but then the novel concept of virtual races was born , and everyone latched onto that . Any hope of something semi-normal , some sort of race , something to still train for and be involved in . That included the Virtual Comrades , and of course I was hell-bent on running the whole distance . Luckily , the Gods aligned , and by this stage we were allowed out for the duration of the day , although a night-time curfew still existed . What an epic day , running to raise funds for the Daily Bread Org , and being accompanied by various family , friends and colleagues as I finished in just over 9:40 . A day never to be forgotten , and a story all on its own .
I also undertook the Goggins Challenge , thought up by American ultra-runner David Goggins , to run four miles every four hours , for 48 hours , for a total of approximately 77.3km , which is yet another whole story on its own . I did this fundraising run challenge together with a bunch of people that I ’ ve never met in person , but we supported each other via WhatsApp and Facetime calls . Some of these people were in the USA , and another was in Japan , who I still remain in contact with today . Thankfully , that November , I ran the SkyRun again , just for the hell of it , because the race could actually happen , and I felt the need to celebrate freedom and health – two words that mean a lot to me , and have kept cropping up during these past two years . Freedom and health … without either of these , what are we ?
A ‘ finish line ’ pic with supporters after the Virtual Comrades
just be able to see people , and talk to people , face to face . To get out their front door . To learn how to start a day efficiently , and how to end the day effectively , without being stuck to the laptop 20 hours a day . To make new healthy choices , like just to start drinking water ! To see a sunrise . To watch a sunset . To be able to walk more than 800m . And to know that the world is bigger than the four walls of your house .
Nearly 50 people signed up , and I nearly killed myself in the process , but six weeks later , they all ended up finishing our 10km virtual race with ease . Even better , to this day the groups still continue to run and walk . Fourways Five Roads Runners … most definitely born from lockdown , and lives changed , friendships forged .
Before Easter , a text message and a phone call led to a crazy decision to undertake a journey of 100 miles at Karkloof . What a journey , and I ’ m ever so thankful for it , as without this focus I may have lost
Training for something this big , during a pandemic , was a major thing . Gyms closed , races cancelled , the threat of getting sick … all those mental worries on top of the pressure of life and the training programme , never mind throwing in the loss of loved ones . One thing is for sure , it made us adaptable . It made us strong . It made us appreciate the little things . And I have learnt to really take each day at a time , literally one step in front of the other – exactly what you do when you run 100 miles .
Going down to run the pre-race marathon that couldn ’ t happen , but we ran it anyway , was a major highlight for me . The joy I felt hitting those trails made me truly realise that I love to run ( another story here ). After that , training camp was intense and beautiful , and then all of a sudden it was race day . By the Grace of God , we made it to the start in good health and physically strong , and before I knew it , it was all over and done .
Starting 2022 on a Bike
As usual , after such a massive focal event , the comedown and depression were real . To face the day-to-day reality with no goal , but also physically exhausted and needing time to recover and readjust , is not always pleasant . I took longer than expected to bounce back , and then in December 2021 the dreaded COVID hit . Although not so sick , it took me a good two months to feel semi-normal again . ( Granted , I never really feel ‘ normal ,’ but still , this took its toll in a big way .)
Bring it on , 2021
I decided to set up a Couch to 5km group , for anyone wanting to start running or walking , to get off the couch and stop eating the banana bread ! Also , to
Looking forward to adventures on the Karkloof Trails
Juliana ran the 202 SkyRun … because it actually took place !
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