ROAD RUNNING
Irvette now has more than enough reason to smile
Taking the win at the Sanlam Cape Town 10km
“ The World Championships were so important to me . I knew I wasn ’ t in my best shape , the conditions were not those in which I run my best – I prefer hot and dry – and the course was definitely challenging , but the biggest challenge was overcoming my anxiety of not having the best of records at Championship events . It was important for me to show myself I can perform and represent my country after 10 years of drama at the Olympics . So , getting across the line was for me a big deal . Getting across the line injury-free was an even bigger deal !”
Budapest was also a major turning point for Irvette . She not only knew for sure that her foot could handle a marathon , but she had laid to rest the ghosts of the past , from those Olympic disappointments . “ After Budapest I felt that my year could finally begin . Now I could start to add speed work , and know that my foot can handle it . Now my year could really get going .” That saw her post a 33:54 in the very fast Hollywood Bets Durban 10K on 3 September , earning another ninth place in , but it was the races after that , that really announced that Irvette was getting back to her best .
On 24 September , she finished third in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K with a 34:34 , and a week later she was third again , in the SPAR Grand Prix
Joburg 10km , with a 35:08 . Then in mid-October , she flew down to the Western Cape for the Sanlam Cape Town 10km , and making the most of the fast course , she took line honours in 33:56 , for her second high-profile victory of the year . “ I was very happy to win there . It was a tougher course for me , because flat and fast is always a challenge , and coming back from injury , I was still working on my speed , but I was happy with how it turned out . To be out there , running pain-free , and enjoying the day out with so many other runners was amazing .”
New Year ’ s Plans
After the win in Cape Town , it was back to marathon training in preparation for Soweto , and just three weeks after the Cape Town win , Irvette was back on the top step of the podium , and celebrating her fourth Soweto title . Her record in races in this second half of the year shows once again that she thrives on racing . So , instead of focusing solely on training blocks to get into shape again , Irvette did what woks best for her - she used races to hone her killer instinct and hunger for victory . “ I am an athlete that needs a goal to strive for , so I have bigger goals , and smaller stepping goals to get to the big targets . After not being able to race Two Oceans , Soweto Marathon was the next big target for 2023 .”
Looking ahead , Irvette says that 2024 will present an opportunity to finish what she started in Budapest in terms of getting rid of a big monkey on her back . “ I also have unfinished business with the Olympics . I need to finish an Olympic Marathon , and Paris is just the type of course that suits me .” To that end , Irvette will line up in Valencia again on 3 December , with the goal of running another , even faster qualifier , to make sure she is on the start line of the Olympic Marathon .
The other big goal is the Two Oceans Marathon in April . Irvette says the 56km ultra will be on the cards , irrespective of whether she is selected for Paris later in 2024 , and if she does get the nod to represent SA on the Olympic stage again , she feels that the Two Oceans will have a dual role : One will be an opportunity to race hard and chase a famous win , and the second will be to provide just the right tonic she is looking for in her final preparation for the Olympics . One thing is for certain , Irvette is fired up to make racing waves in 2024 !
A welcome sight … Irvette van Zyl running at speed !
After months of thirsting for racing , Irvette is making the most of her opportunities
Images : Tobias Ginsberg , Action Photo , Johan Minnaar
26 ISSUE 163 | www . modernathlete . co . za