LETTERS
Therefore, I have been experimenting with my own training and recently beat my year-old marathon PB of 3:38 with a 3:36 at the Pick n Pay Marathon, then surpassed that with a new PB of 3:32 at Deloitte Pretoria. These are some of the things that worked for me, and might work for other people.
• Developing mental toughness: This was achieved through a solo marathon distance in December, then a tough 15km at Kudus, a very hilly Dis-Chem race, and a rough PWC race, which got me a PB. It was important to tell myself that I will do well, and I will not walk unless injured. It worked wonders, and my mental resilience is getting stronger.
• Making hill training a staple: It’ s important to ensure that hills are done consistently. In addition to conditioning the mind for race day, hills also strengthen muscles for efficient running, and even more so hill sprints.
• Long runs: Since I do not have the time to do a 40km every Saturday, I do about 21km on both Saturday and Sunday, at a pace slightly slower than marathon race pace. This has proven beneficial to my endurance and aerobic capabilities.
• Fueling: I’ ve learnt the use of supplements, both during and after running. That includes learning to eat on the road, and having enough energy gels or Mageu for sustained energy. Meanwhile, electrolyte replacement and the use of Glutamine have aided my post-training recovery in a way that I never imagined.
• Rest: Rest requires discipline, and I’ ve learnt to honour scheduled rest days. This extends to resting whenever I feel a niggle or strain, and taking two days’ full rest after a marathon, followed by an easy two weeks, while continuing with recovery supplements.
RUNNING FOR CHARITY
Road Running is a growing sport in this country and this has been evident from all the sold out events this year, including the likes of Comrades and Two Oceans. In fact, some races are sold out in a matter of days, due to a growing interest in running. Meanwhile, having thousands of experienced runners in the field goes a long way to influencing public perception. For example, having the courage to run the Comrades Marathon is taken as a matter of being disciplined and brave.
So, how about making sure that every runner or athletic club chooses a charity organisation of their choice when they enter long distance races? This will make sure organisations that struggle in these trying economic times are financially supported, and big business can also be asked to come on board to support any cause that would make the lives of the vulnerable better.
Perhaps we can propose that for every entry in an ultra-marathon or marathon, a certain percentage must be donated to a chosen charity by the organisers of the race. Sport, in particular running, is a formidable platform for channelling our energies to convey the message for worthy causes, and as runners we ought to give our time to charity, and encourage other South Africans to be generous. That would also go a long way to raising awareness of the needs of the destitute.
Running ought to contribute to the welfare of society and building the nation. This is my call to South African runners. It is doable, so let’ s do it! – Muntonezwi Khanyile, via e-mail
Many races already have official charities that they support, and many runners already make donations to these charities, or run for their own chosen causes. I’ m not sure it would be enforceable, or financially viable, to compel every race organiser to make a percentage donation to charity for every entry, but I do think many organisers already do this. – Ed.
All the best to my fellow runners in achieving your goals. – Tumelo Mabua, Pretoria
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice, Tumelo. Sounds like the hard work is paying off, and a sub-3:30 should come soon. – Ed.
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8 ISSUE 105 APRIL 2018 / www. modernathlete. co. za