IT ’ S A DOG ’ S LIFE …
I rescued this dog in July last year when I was training in the Magaliesberg . He was caught up with a steel cable around his neck and back leg . I took him home , searched for his owner without success , called him Rocky , and now he is 15kg heavier , and the most clever and well-mannered dog I have ever had . These photos show Rocky after seven months . – Nick Bester , Pretoria
Love your work , Nick , and I ’ d expect nothing less from such a legendary sportsman . Thank you for giving Rocky a loving , happy home . – Ed .
RUNNING COMRADES VS OTHER LONG RACES …
On Friday 12th of February , we cycled 260km from Midrand in Joburg to Kroonstad in the Free State . I did this in 9 hours 20 minutes with a team of nine cyclists , between 06h30 and 16h30 ( stops included ), on a route that is mostly flat , forcing us to pedal more . Given that I have done six consecutive Comrades Marathons between 2014 and 2019 , and this 260km ride is tantamount to 87km , as per the running vs cycling scale , I realised that Comrades takes a big toll on our bodies , and the post-Comrades pain says it all !
42 was also on Valentine ’ s day , and I challenged my good friend Dave Williams to a race . When I passed him , he was only just putting “ one foot in front of the other ,” so I flashed him my red Valentine ’ s bra . May we challenge each other again at the races in 2022 . – Tilda Tearle , Durban
The banter between former Comrades champ Tilda ( 31 finishes ) and Dave , a 41-time Comrades finisher , is legendary , and I also hope the two of you get to race each other again soon – and I ’ ll be happy to publish the stories and pics ! – Ed .
FANCY MEETING YOU HERE !…
The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing runners to the mountains . Here I am ‘ bumping into ’ fellow Cape Town runners Srikanth Reddy Karumuri , Zita Ripepi and Lezané Du Plooy on Kasteelspoort , Table Mountain . – Mogamat Shahmieg Allie , Cape Town
I really hope we all get to see each other at the races soon , Shahmieg , but in the meantime , lekker to see you and other running friends out there , keeping fit and active . – Ed .
Images : Action Photo SA , Shahmieg Allie & courtesy Johan Grassman , Nick Bester , Norman McFarlane , Tilda Tearle , Two Oceans & Wikipedia
On the Saturday after the tour , I felt far better than I would feel after Comrades , with only about 20 % of the pain compared to what I would feel after Comrades . I also did the full Ironman PE in 2019 ( 3.8km swim , 180km cycle and 42.2km run ) in 14 hours , and on the morning after , I felt only 35 % of the pain compared to what I usually feel after Comrades .
This made me realise that Comrades tortures our bodies , and I need to slow down and / or reconsider my love ( or addiction ) for Comrades . Also , I concluded that Comrades is tougher than Full Ironman and if you can do Comrades , you can do Full Ironman , and probably enjoy it more than Comrades , too . – Pandulwazi Panda Qamata , Port St Johns
I have heard several elite ultra-athletes openly saying that Comrades is far harder on the body that Ironman , but Ironman is far harder mentally . Also the training for Ironman is harder , given that you need to fit in three disciplines , so it is still a toss-up which is actually the harder race . – Ed .
OLD FRIENDS & RIVALS AT THE WALL …
I read an interesting article comparing the pandemic to “ hitting the wall .” As you know , many marathon runners hit the wall between 29km and 32km , but we know that the finish is at 42km . Right now , we have no idea where the finish line is in this pandemic marathon , and whether we are at 21km or 35km .
It feels like we have been running this marathon since March 2020 , and many of us now hitting the wall are actually healthy and employed . This still doesn ’ t diminish the suffering , but like a runner , one needs to learn to practise “ positive self-talk ” and just keep putting one foot in front of the other .
On 14 February this year , I would have been running my thirthysomethingeleventieth Hillcrest 42km in Durban . A few years ago , the Hillcrest
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES , BRUCE !…
The most kind and humbling words by a true legend and great friend , the ninetime Comrades Marathon winner . Thanks , Bruce Fordyce , for signing my copy of Winged Messenger . Great and entertaining read , and if you want to get your hands on a copy , it can be ordered here : https :// www . amazon . com / s ? k = B08PVPTKKV
And yet another legendary evening ! Thanks Kallie and Allan for organising a party of a lifetime , also with winners and legends Alan Robb , Charné Bosman and Shaun Meiklejohn . Got my book signed by these winners , as well . Not often you will find so many winning medals around one braai ... think someone counted 39 Comrades gold medals , and 15 wins ! For mortals like me , if you ’ re lucky , only once in a lifetime . – Johan Grassman , Delmas
I know exactly what you mean when you describe this kind of gathering as a once in a lifetime experience , Johan . In my career as a running journo , I have also been privileged to ‘ hang out with my heroes ’ from time to time , and one just has to lap up the incredible stories that they tell . – Ed .
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