My greatest victory

Tracey Hendricks beat self-limiting beliefs by completing a 205km off-road running race.

Never in my wildest dreams did i ever think that I’d be able to attempt a five-day, 205km off-road running race. Ten years ago, my lifestyle wasn’t really active, unless you call partying until 5am on weekends, eating junk food and occasional smoking active!

When I got married three years ago, I said goodbye to all that and decided to make healthy lifestyle changes. No more heavy partying, and definitely no more smoking. I’d always been interested in trail running and when I stumbled across an article about the Cape Odyssey on the internet, I was fascinated. I attended a talk about it and was immediately sold on the idea. Despite the fact that the longest distance I had ever run was 15km, my running partner and I decided that we were going to do this race.

We religiously followed the 16-week training programme we received at the talk, and soon my evenings and weekends became consumed by training. There were many days when I felt like quitting from pure exhaustion, but something inside me told me I had to complete this race, and wouldn’t allow me to give up.

Three weeks before the race, I decided to test myself by doing the Table Mountain Challenge — and I didn’t pass. After 30km in the hot sun, I was dehydrated and vomiting, and had to be rescued off the mountain. I was incredibly disappointed, terrified and my confidence took quite a knock. I realised that I’d have to let go of the fear and start thinking positively, or I’d never make it. I did some research on race nutrition and formulated a new plan for energy and hydration to try to avoid a repeat of what had happened on Table Mountain.

I ran the first day of the race on pure nerves. The route was fairly flat, with a long stretch on the beach, and I didn’t experience any injuries or nausea. I finished the second day’s 52km feeling surprisingly good too. Day three was my best day and I could really feel all the weeks of training paying off. But I should’ve known it wouldn’t be plain sailing all the way through — the fourth day was hell! I struggled from the start and had to stop and rest at every water station. I still had 800m to go when I heard the bang of the cut-off gun. I was devastated and wondered whether I should complete the fifth and final day or just give up.

Of course, I couldn’t let myself do that. Completing this challenge has helped me let go of self-restrictions in all aspects of my life. I now embrace new challenges and I believe I can do anything I put my mind to

 Motivational tips:

- With any goal you attempt, make sure you prepare well, believe in yourself and enjoy every moment.

- Never give up. No matter how tough things may seem along the way, achieving your goal will make it worth the effort.

- If you fail, fail forward. Learn from the experience so you can do better next time..