COMMENTS runs ) and as much easy mileage as they can . But that really is what he did / does , and 10 gold medals and 20 silver medals ( including quite a few in his late 50 ’ s ) don ’ t lie . He ’ s proof that doing the basics consistently will deliver incredible results over time .
When you look at Bruce ’ s training , it ’ s very similar . Eight to 10 weeks of specific Comrades training before tapering over two to three weeks . Tuesday night hill session at Sweethoogte ( the hill leading up to the Sentech Tower ), Thursday track and races of 3km to 10km every few weeks to check his fitness / progress , Saturday or Sunday long runs of 30km to 60km done slower than Comrades race pace , and lots of easy mileage . Very simple , but 11 golds , including eight wins in a row and nine wins in total don ’ t lie .
It ’ s important to note that the speed sessions were often short and sweet : Maximum 5km of fast running . Just enough to get sharp . Something else they both agree upon is that running long runs too fast in the Comrades build-up is disastrous and damaging . Comrades is the race that matters most , and like a jealous lover , if you give it your sole focus and attention , you will be handsomely rewarded . Run long runs , but run them slower than the pace you ’ ll run on Comrades race day .
As two men with 21 golds between prove , doing the basics with great consistency is the secret to having a fantastic Comrades . – Brendan Dunn , Johannesburg
I have shared this post in the January edition , as many readers are already starting to think about training for the Comrades , even though it is still about seven months away . There is more time to prepare this year , now that the race has moved to late August , but there is also more time to get it all wrong . – Ed .
1995 Comrades winner Shaun Meiklejohn in
2019
HOT TOPIC OF DEBATE
Should I Buy a 2022 Licence or Not ?
After seeing most 2020 road races cancelled once the lockdown began , and only a limited number of road races taking place in 2021 in between the waves of COVID infections , many club members did not rejoin their clubs in 2021 , and thus did not buy a 2021 provincial licence number . With races seemingly coming back bit by bit now in 2022 , many runners are trying to decide if it is worth it to buy a licence number yet . This conversation is taken from the Cape Town Runners Community group on Facebook .
Debbie Zwick : I ’ m undecided if I should get my WPA licence for 2022 . COVID , large gatherings and people who don ’ t social distance aren ’ t exactly my idea of fun . Although with more races opening up , I would like to do them , but not at the expense of a temporary licence . What are your thoughts ?
There is a big debate about buying an annual licence in 2022
Evangelique Thomas : I bought my licence this past year purely to support my club . Ended up running three races and didn ’ t feel unsafe at all , and got my money ’ s worth .
Jose De Nobrega : I bought mine and ran two races , but let ’ s see what the licence is going to cost . Support your club , at least . I run for Bellville , and I am going to pay my club fees .
René Leonard : I paid for my 2021 licence and did not run one race . I decided to renew my licence only to support my club .
Bernie Latimer : Same here ... I bought a licence and a new vest , and have not done any races . The clubs need your support , as many clubs ’ total membership has gone down by 60 %.
Bernice October : George and I paid for our 2022 licence because we have a responsibility toward our club ’ s success , whether we are able to run or not . We will take advantage of all the running opportunities , masking it with a safe sanitising distance , God-willing .
Tim Cubitt : Bernice , licence fee monies do not go to your club
Bernice October : Thanks for the correction , Tim . The licence fee is usually included in the club fee . My comment is to also encourage everyone to support their Club .
Joanne van der Valk : Think of how much you would pay for a few temp licences during the year - you would only have to do about three races to cover that cost . And as most comments – your club needs you .
Debbie Zwick : I definitely will renew my club membership . I ’ m talking about the WPA licence . But yes , WPA is minimal and will be paid for after a few races .
Diane Dennis : We will get 2022 licences to support our club , and because we like to keep in touch with what ’ s going on . We probably won ’ t run any races though .
Bernard Gantana : The 2021 WPA licence was R50 , and I never intended to take out one , but the ABSA Cape Town 12K and Sundowner 10K required a licence / temp , so I took out a licence , as just the one race temp licence would already cost me R40 . So yes , if you do three races , as the others already responded you get your licence fees money ’ s worth .
Celso De Nobrego : I got my licence , as it is great to be part of a club .
Michael Hannah : Celso , surely you can ( re ) join your club without paying a licence fee , if you only want to support the club and not run races ? That is offered at my club .
Ian Maling : If you are intending to run more than three races , get a number . Cheaper .
Nikki Parker-Britz : Debbie , I would go on what your gut instinct is telling you . Unfortunately , not everyone feels and behaves the same in a pandemic ( as we can see ). Do what you feel will protect you the most . As much as races are fun , I ’ ve chosen not to do them due to a higher risk , and so try to protect myself , my family and clients . So , I completely understand where you are coming from .
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