TRAIL RUNNING
Comrades 2018 Comrades 2018
Two Oceans 2018
Comrades finishes , her highest position had been 13th in 2016 , in a Comrades PB of 7:07:27 , and she had not finished the race in 2017 .
However , in 2018 she went into the race with a completely different set-up , and mindset , having joined the newly formed Massmart Running Club ’ s women ’ s squad , signing up to be coached by John Hamlett , and taking a full two months off work as an advocate in order to train for the event . In an enthralling women ’ s race that really came to life at the beginning of the second half of the race , Ann swapped the lead with Gerda Steyn and Russia ’ s Alexandra Morozova , before taking a winning lead around the 69km mark . She steadily pulled away to claim a famous win in 6:10:04 , exactly 5:30 ahead of second-placed Gerda , with Alexandra coming home third in 6:20:21 .
“ That was probably the best day of my life . I don ’ t have children , and David knows that winning the Comrades even trumps my wedding day ,” says Ann . “ I thought I could win it in 2017 , and I really wanted to take on Caroline Wöstmann , so I was really gutted when she dropped out due to injury . She had been a role-model for me , and I thought what she had done for the sport was wonderful . So , I looked at the rest of the field , and thought I could win it … but I didn ’ t really get going . I tore a muscle soon after the start , and had to limp out , but in hindsight , I wasn ’ t actually ready for the win .”
“ In 2018 , I went into the race thinking I could make the top five . Gerda was touted as the one to beat , as she had been winning races , and training at altitude at Afriski , so when I caught her , I thought I must be having a really good day , but I knew I was running 100 % to my plan . The only challenge was Morozova going through Pinetown , but I was still running within myself , and I made my move on Cowies Hill . But to be honest , I still thought Gerda would catch me . At Tollgate , my coach John Hamlett shouted at me to run faster , as Gerda was catching , so I put my head down and gave it everything . If you watch the TV footage , as I ran into the tunnel , I took a big look over my shoulder – that was the only time I looked , because I still thought I would be caught , and felt it would be
humiliating to be caught on the grass . When I saw nobody behind me , I finally smiled .”
The Rollercoaster Ride Begins
The year after winning Comrades , Ann lined up for the 2019 race knowing she was not in the same shape , and knew she would have a tough task just to finish , let alone defend her title . “ I had to turn myself inside out to finish that Comrades . I started the race with a healing stress fracture in my spine – something I picked up at the very start of my 10-week high altitude , high mileage training camp in Dullstroom – and I was told that I was not expected to perform , but I ran as hard as I could , for as long as I could , to honour myself , my sponsors and my supporters . I finished fourth , and I ’ d given the race everything I had … and it didn ’ t seem enough .”
Comrades 2019
In the two years that followed , Ann discovered she had been suffering from relative energy deficiency in sport ( RED-S , formerly known as the female triad ), a syndrome in which disordered eating ( or low energy availability ), amenorrhoea / oligomenorrhoea , and decreased bone mineral density ( osteoporosis and osteopenia ) are all present . It is usually caused by eating too little food to support the amount of energy being expended by an athlete , and is in essence a combination of malnutrition and overtraining .
“ I had to work to overcome that , and I also began seeing a sports psychologist to deal with my lack of confidence as an athlete , and the importance I used to attach to other people ’ s opinions . I ’ m still working on that ,” says Ann . “ I also started working with a coach willing to accommodate my career as an advocate , able to work with my broken body , and kind enough to build up my confidence again slowly – and our progress continues .”
“ That ’ s why the Ultra-Trail Drakensburg felt like a turning point for me . The last two years were a rollercoaster – I thought I had abused my body too much , especially in 2019 , and had thought that I was perhaps past it , that I had waited too long to start running seriously in my mid-30s . I was actually told in 2019 that my glory days were over , and that I may as well retire from competitive running and focus on my legal career . But then I ran UTD and things went well . It was a return to the pain cave that I used to know so well , and until I crossed that finish line , I wasn ’ t sure how much progress had been made . But now I definitely think I still have what it takes .”
“ I know that I didn ’ t suffer nearly as much I ’ d expected , and until that gnarly section at 95km , I was able to run through cramping and pain . I know that I absolutely nailed my race nutrition strategy and somehow managed to keep moving for 100km , despite having trained no further than 40km . And I know that I still have what it takes to win another race . I may not have been able to walk the day after UTD , but I am more motivated and inspired to take charge of my running than I have been in a very long time . And that feels so good !”
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