MY STORY Ma
INSPIRED Passenger, Three Years On
Images: Jetline Action Photo
About three years ago I wrote a letter to Modern Athlete about joining an Itheko club bus in my first 10km race. Three short years later and I found myself a passenger once more in an Itheko bus, with two of the same dedicated coaches of three years ago. My road, if you’ ll excuse the pun, as a runner has come full circle.
– BY YAGYAH FRANCIS
I remember running many races, but my first Peninsula Half Marathon was the most memorable. After a year of running mostly 10km races, I yearned for the day that I could taste this long run, my personal‘ Comrades.’ Those shorter races, and the long, slow training runs, were exactly what the coaches ordered, and completing that first 21.1km race in three hours and 20 minutes, once again in a bus with my wife Zulaiga at my side, was as if I had just finished a marathon. The jubilation as our bus took the last turn down to the sports field in Simon’ s Town was deafening, as fellow Itheko runners shared our feeling of ecstasy – and the word“ pain” was no long part of my vocabulary. We did it, with time to spare, thanks to the motto of our bus driver that day,“ We run to complete and not compete.”
Anything is Possible
How true that saying is. Being part of a running duo made me realise that with my wife and running partner at my side, I can do anything. We subsequently completed many a half marathon, including the tough Kloof Nek Classic and a couple of Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathons. We always admired our club’ s marathon runners, but as Zulaiga often reminded me,“ Ons tyd gaan kom.”
Well, after many more races and good advice from our coaches, I started wondering if I was ready for my first marathon. The idea of running the tough 2016 Winelands Marathon was floating in my 50-odd-year-old brain, so I ran this thought past my wife, in jest, and the next thing I knew she said,“ We’ re going to practise our socks off.” I consulted our coaches once again and they advised us to give it a go. Fortunately, the same two coaches who babied me through my first Sanlam Cape Town 10km in 2014, Isgak and Fatima, were still coaching us, and were now prepared to‘ drive’ the 5 hours 30 minutes bus.
My wife was once again the driving force in our preparations. Having to run at least five times per week and cover specified distances was challenging, and often painful, but this partner of mine is no quitter. We pushed hard, including doing long 28km runs on our own when there were no club long runs. Then in preparation for our long run, we ran the Landmarks 21km race with our loyal coaches, Isgak and Fatima. They had this marathon planned down to the last kilometre, and we did
Yahyah’ s letter that appeared in the November 2013 edition.
Landmarks as a rehearsal run, followed by another‘ downhill’ run to strengthen the knees. Then it was tapering down … less running until you reach the no running stage.
Ready to Run
On the eve of the marathon we were relatively calm. We set out our uniforms, packed our race requirements and it was off to bed. On the morning we made it to Stellenbosch early – a strategic move, as it gave us ample time to absorb the atmosphere and calm the nerves. Being amongst so many Ithekonians and receiving their genuine well-wishes was really inspiring, and the moment the starter’ s pistol set us off, it was listen to your coaches and relax.
What a sense of camaraderie as total strangers offered us food and drinks along the way, and some lady even gave me boiled baby potatoes. I actually enjoyed the race so much that I would really recommend anyone to do the Winelands as your first marathon. Well, maybe I am a little biased. And painful as it was, I will do it again, because the victory of crossing that finishing line must be experienced – words cannot describe it. Tears welled up in my eyes. It was my Olympic Marathon moment.
Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way. Even that“ Looking good” from total strangers helped, when you feel exhausted. What an experience! And a huge thank you to all the Itheko coaches who tolerated me running in their groups, and for their invaluable advice. The echo of their instructions still echo in my mind:“ A notch down! Walk! Pick it up! Easy peesy, lemon squeezy!” I know which club is my first club, and will be my last club. Shukran to Allah for granting me the strength and health to do this. Shukran to Zulaiga Francis, the inspiration and partner in crime. Now for an ultra-marathon … maybe.
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