ROAD RUNNING
One of the Pacesetters , keeping his passengers on track walking moments were a relief and re-energised us . We ran from one refreshment station to the next . He understood the importance of rest and recovery between sessions .
Fatigue and injury can set you back and affect your overall performance , but when you allow rest , things become a little different , I ’ d noticed .
Order Your Copy Here
The Bus Driver is just over 160 pages long and will appeal to all Comrades runners and supporters . To place an order for the book , e-mail nthabipublishing @ gamil . com , or you can contact Lauren Pila on 071 789 4014 or Lazarus Malebana on 082 962 2483 .
Chapter 7 : Together We Triumph
“ Are you married , brother ?” the bus driver asked me . I told him my family was watching the race in a hotel room in Durban , probably having a good time , and would meet me at the finish point later that day , if I made it . I was in pain , and not in a place for pep talks or motivational speeches . But I was inspired by the recognition . To the bus driver , we were not just numbers on our vests .
“ Tonight when you get home , you will celebrate in style with that first bronze medal hanging on your neck ,” he chuckled . “ You show determination and that encourages me ,” he said . I thanked him for his inspiring words and I was instantly rejuvenated once again . At least my leader believed in me , I smiled . I have all the reasons to believe in myself , I thought . He did not know I was in sheer pain . Or was it too much to hide ? The fact is , every runner goes through a mid-run slump . Mine started with a blister and some tightness in my hamstring . I could also feel a cramp threatening to take hold in my calves . One runner noticed my agony and quickly passed on an ice block to rub the pain away . It worked for a while .
We began to sing Shosholoza once again , this time emotionally and prayerfully . Inchanga was upon us , but we had to conquer the hills in our heads first .
Somehow the unity in the bus dispelled all fear .
There was an unadulterated and absolute peace as we killed Inchanga piecemeal . We were travelling on the thrust of one another . “ Whatever you do , comrades , move forward to reduce the space between you and the finish line ,” the bus driver advised .
Sometimes teams pay too much attention on the big picture and ignore the little details that contribute to the overall success of the team , I concluded .
I was impressed by the bus driver ’ s consistency and stability in character .
He reminded me of the desert . The dunes are changed regularly by the wind , but the desert never changes . Pain and suffering did not temper with his resolution to steer the bus to the finish line at the pre-set time .
“ Our success is a sum of little details ,” he said . “ It takes 111,250 steps from the start to the finish of Comrades .”
We counted our steps even louder , knowing that each one counted in our favour . I began to appreciate the troop of volunteers along the course who wouldn ’ t let us give up . I hit the wall several times and each time someone would lift me up , shouting , “ mkhwenyana ( son-in-law ), my dimpled chin daughter is waiting to marry you at the finish line !” and another would tell me I look good and strong and not a bailer type ! Maybe that ’ s what the bus driver meant early in the race when he advised us to be kind to the volunteers .
“ Well done , guys ! Together we triumph !! We have just conquered Inchanga !” the bus driver announced , giving credit for success to the team .
A resounding uproar followed from the bus , accepting the compliment . This lifted the morale of the team to the next level and the urge to continue to work together was palpable . We took in the beautiful view of Umgeni and the serene heartland of the Valley of a Thousand Hills from the top of Inchanga . That was where the tourist could enjoy the side of the historical Umgeni Steam railway . Inchanga was a really good elevator .
Images : Action Photo SA
Lazarus finishes another of his 11 Comrades
About the Author
Modiba Lazarus Malebana is a teacher by profession , and worked for more than 20 years as a teacher and a principal . He is the author of a leadership book , Making the Difference in our Schools , and is a prolific writer of school books for children , which has earned him prestigious literary awards , including the MNET Book Prize . He ran his first Comrades Marathon in 2009 and has completed the race 11 consecutive times , with a best time of 10:13:54 in 2012 . He has nine Bronze and two Vic Clapham medals .
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My thighs chafed and the pain was compounded by the sweaty legs . Then a bite from the blister I had long forgotten . “ Count the steps to the next two poles !” he said changing strategy as many were struggling to keep pace . So we focussed on little victories , such as the 200 steps runs and 100 steps walks . We were counting our steps aloud like kindergarten kids , and this was a way to deviate attention from the pain .
Do not give your enemy too much air time , I had learned , otherwise you make him look bigger than he really is . I marvelled at the bus driver ’ s strategy and wisdom . We were in control of our situation . At the end of each short run , we celebrated our little ‘ wins .’ “ These little runs are bringing us closer to the finishing line ,” the bus driver said .
The buses often fill the road at Comrades
24 ISSUE 142 JUNE 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za