Two happy finishers share the moment as they realise what they have achieved
Meghan and Shaun crossing the line hand in hand
There was a moment of anxiety as it neared 9 hours 30 minutes and I couldn ’ t yet see Meghan and Shaun . I knew that their ‘ plan A ’ was 9 hours 35 minutes , so we were starting to cut it close . And then , at 9 hours and 29 minutes , I saw a familiar figure stand out from the crowd , and I absolutely lost it , as they had managed to beat their goal time by over five minutes . I made as much noise as I could and the look of pride on their faces is something I will never forget . I lost them temporarily in the crowds , but found them at the Westville tent , and there on the grass , revelling in their success was Meghan , Shaun and all the other Westville members who had finished . I made my way to Meghan and gave her the biggest hug I could without making her stand up , and told her just how proud of her and Shaun I was .
A Second ’ s Perspective
This was my first Comrades where I was 100 % emotionally invested in friends and their success , so it really was a rollercoaster ride . Meghan and Shaun both took the ultimate leap of faith in me as their second , and by including me in their journey , and whilst there are still moments where I look back and wonder whether I really made that much of a difference to their day , hearing how they looked forward to and counted down the kilometres until they saw me , makes me realise exactly what it is to be a second .
Seconding is tough . In fact , it may be one of the toughest running-related activities I have done this year , but it has also been the most awesome thing I have done this year . Admittedly , some rookie mistakes were made – I didn ’ t eat or drink properly , and paid for it later – but ask any second and they ’ ll tell you the same thing : Your focus is your runner , not yourself , and with the atmosphere along the road , and the importance of getting to your next stop , you don ’ t think of food or drink until you get home . Would I do it again ? In a heartbeat !
Carlo de Oliveira and Paula Symington at the finish , relieved and exhausted at the same time
The magic green umbrella , a gamechanger on race day
How Does One Thank a Second ?
After Meghan King ’ s successful debut Comrades , supported along the way by clubmate and friend Catherine Dixon , she tried to put her gratitude to her second in words .
Sometimes I feel like running is the most selfish sport . You have a goal , and you sacrifice so much time and energy for it , and put so much thought into it , and then race day inches forward and it consumes you . Comrades does this 100 times more than any race . Those that support you on the day , and behind the scenes during the endless hours of training , do this in no pursuit of their own goal , but merely out of the love for the person running and / or a love for the sport . It is the most selfless of acts , and I don ’ t think a second can ever be truly thanked enough .
As a novice , I was so grateful to have that level of support , on and before the race . From drying my tears and easing my fears about a pre-race injury that had me doubting my ability , to waking up at the crack of dawn , sometimes even earlier , to shepherd me to races and training runs ... What person is this selfless ? I can only be eternally grateful .
On the run , it was amazing to countdown the kilometres to seeing that friendly face . Someone I knew would be there with my nutrition , and enough common sense to tell me I was looking good , even when I was feeling terrible . That green umbrella beamed out of the crowds and somehow made my legs speed up and my spirit rise , and knowing that someone out there cared enough about me and my goals , to dedicate a whole day to running around from place to place , gave me even more reason to dig deep and overcome the voices in my head telling me I was in pain .
My favourite spot seeing Cath was at Kloof , because I genuinely thought she had missed it . I was expecting to see her at the end of the Green Mile and kept looking out for the green umbrella . When it was nowhere in sight , I resigned myself to dig deep and carry on , but turning the corner past the BP , there she was , and it was the biggest surprise . She had my daughter on the line , and everything just seemed to fall into place . It ’ s no surprises that this was my fastest kilometre .
Shaun and Meghan King on their way to their first Comrades finish
Images : Catherine Dixon , Lauren Ward , Karen McKenzie , Tony Calitz & courtesy Meghan King
36 ISSUE 160 | www . modernathlete . co . za