but it was good to see that table ! Camperdown is normally the point where you have to start digging deep , and the race is often won or lost in this area . I was still fine , and lucky for me I was carrying my own Rennies , which I have learnt to take for nausea .
At about three in the afternoon fellow Durban runner Gina Hinchcliffe of Stella was suddenly running next to me . Her husband was struggling and told her to push on , and so we stuck together for the rest of the race . She gave me a helping hand down the hills , and we remained in a positive frame of mind as we walked the whole of small Pollies and then the whole of big Pollies . At the top of Pollies , I said to myself , “ Goodbye Pollie , I have kissed your arse goodbye ... finally !” We were then confronted with the nasty new finish – 7.2km of rollercoaster , but we kept moving . A friend riding a bike reported that Gina ’ s hubby had been spotted at Pollies . We hoped he would pull finger and finish in time . The same guy then told me it looked like I needed a good meal .
PJ ’ s
PIECE
Gina informed me that she had a friend about 2km from the finish waiting with wine . “ Yay ,” I said , hoping she would share . When we got to the friend , Gina had her sip of white wine and I had 2 big glugs . Tasted so good ! Revived and with a grin , off we went . Meanwhile , Body Guard Clive ( my husband ) and I had arranged that if he could get close enough , he would hand me a banner which I could run in with . I spotted him , collected my banner and Gina and I ran in carrying it for an 11:43:50 finish . My ‘ triplets ’ had finally been born , and I was such a happy girl . To add to the pleasure , Bruce Fordyce and Alan Robb handed me my Triple Green .
afety is always a concern when you do an outdoor activity . There are too many things that are not in our control and we just have to deal with it
Swhen it ‘ hits the fan .’ The best thing to do is to be cautious , but not fearful . Fear can paralyse you and make you ineffective in dealing with a dangerous situation , so try to be alert but not paranoid . We don ’ t want to live in fear , but we also do not want to fear living our lives .
Coming from the Cape Flats , I am acutely aware of the challenges many runners face . In my neighbourhood , you run the risk of getting robbed , shot , stabbed , or if you are a woman , the horror of being raped . These are everyday issues of safety that the community has to deal with , but for runners who have to train early in the mornings , or late in the evenings , these concerns are grave indeed .
All done … kind of
After the race we went to see my mother , who lives in Pietermaritzburg . She had bought me a teddy bear wearing a hat , and she said this was because she took her hat off to me . She then told me to put my hand on her Bible and swear that I wouldn ’ t do Comrades again ! I said 30 Comrades is really enough for me … but if I am in one piece , I would like to run in 2020 ( as a 60-year-old ) and in 2025 when it is the 100th running of Comrades . If I am still able to qualify in 2025 , I will be at the start . After 32 Comrades ’ starts and 30 finishes all I can say is that Comrades is not for sissies . It is ******* hard , and don ’ t let anyone tell you otherwise , but is it absolutely worth it !
Many folks have told me that they would love to take up running , but they don ’ t want to put their safety at risk . Believe me , I totally get that . I ’ ve personally experienced getting shot at on a morning run – not just once , on multiple occasions . I have been chased by robbers and stray dogs in equal measure . It is like running the gauntlet in a horror movie !
The reality is that you will never be truly safe anywhere , so be vigilant . Try to run in groups whenever it is possible . If you are on a solo run , let loved ones know your route and estimated duration of the run beforehand . If you like running with earphones , use one instead of two . Have emergency numbers saved , as you don ’ t want to find yourself in a dangerous situation and fumbling with a phone keypad . And if you can run away from danger , then do that , but if you need to fight , don ’ t hold back .
I believe that we cannot let fear stop us from enjoying an active , outdoors lifestyle , but we can ’ t neglect our own safety either . So go have fun out there , my friends , and enjoy this amazing lifestyle with passion , but be safe .
Receiving Triple Green from Alan Robb and Bruce Fordyce
Images : Fotolia & PJ Moses
About the Author :
PJ Moses is a former Cape Flats gangster who took up running when he turned his back on that dangerous lifestyle , in order to set a good example for his two young sons and make sure he would be there for them , instead of becoming just another crime statistic . He has recently also turned his hand to writing .
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