Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 119, June 2019 | Page 34

ADVERTORIAL
(Kerry-Ann Marshall continued...)
Is another gold medal on the cards?
That’s first prize, and I am definitely going for that, but it all comes down to if it’s
a good day and I am feeling strong. It is just such a privilege to be doing this,
because I love running, and to be able to do it is the most amazing thing.
What has been your hardest Comrades and what got you through?
The Up Run was so painful, my body was so tired, and from the start my legs were
weak. I prayed a lot and I just used a lot of the crowd support to get me to the
finish. They really pull you through. Also, the human spirit of the race... when you
are running and looking around you, you realise that everyone is hurting, and the
mindset amongst all runners is similar, you just need to keep remembering why
you are doing it. I kept telling myself I chose this, I accepted the pain, and it gave
me the strength to continue. I knew it was never going to be easy, but that is why
we do this, and that is what got me to the finish. All Comrades runners have a real
reason for why they are doing it, and when going through that low point, they just
need to remember it can get better, it might pass, and they might feel better, so
they just need to keep going. Unless there are valid medical reasons, don’t give up.
ultimate challenge, because it’s such a far distance, and you learn so much about
yourself. It’s such a journey, being a double marathon, so I can only imagine what
you go through.
Do you feel ready for this journey?
I don’t know if you are ever ready, so I wouldn’t say that I am ready to do this,
but I recently read a quote, “You can move forwards to growth, or backwards to
comfort.” I have drawn a lot on this in my journey to Comrades. With my injury and
rehab, I haven’t done the mileage that I feel I should have, but I have followed my
training as best I can.
Will you be going for the win, or the experience?
This year is all about experience, because sometimes it’s just about pushing limits
and growing as a person. I will be running into the unknown, so I can’t say what
will happen. There is the fear of unknown, but because it’s unknown, I don’t have
expectations of myself, I can just go out and enjoy it. I have no idea how my body
is going to respond, so there is no pressure, I am just going to go out and see how
it goes. In my second Two Oceans this year, there was a lot of pressure to perform
and to do well, which led to paranoia and shutting myself off. I learnt that it was too
much, and that I needed to go out and run my race and see what happens. So that
is what I am going to do now.
Jenna Challenor
Age: 37
Medals: Novice
It’s your first comrades, so how are you feeling?
I have never run 87km, so I don’t know how my body will respond, but it excites me
and scares me all at the same time. You have to respect Comrades, and I want to
enjoy the journey from Durban to Maritzburg.
What made you decide to take on the Comrades now?
I come from KZN and it’s such a huge part of the running community here, you
can run for South Africa, but until you have run the Comrades you are “not a real
runner.” I remember watching Comrades at the age of 10 yrs old and saying I will
do it one day, so I was just waiting for the right time. My husband, Brett, has done
four, and now it’s time to challenge myself and do it.
Do you see this as the Ultimate Human Challenge?
I think everyone has their own challenges, but I do think that Comrades is the
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ISSUE 119 JUNE 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
What are you looking forward to most?
I am looking forward to running through all the places I know from growing up in
KZN, and seeing the crowds along the way. I loved the support at the Two Oceans
this year, and of course, I love seeing friends and family. My Oceans went well, and
it was very emotional as I ran in honour of my dad. Even at the end, when my legs
were lagging, I pushed through and got to the end where I wanted to be. It gave me
the confidence boost I needed, especially going into Comrades.
Who has been your biggest source of advice in the lead-up to the race?
Bruce Fordyce. We have been friends for many years, and he has always nagged
me to do Comrades. Now that I am, he has given me a lot of advice, and checks
in regularly where I am. He has also helped me realise that this year is all about the
experience, that you don’t go into a race of this stature and expect to win it first
time round, you experience it and learn from it, and then in years to come you can
go for the win.