Last but not least...

01 February 2010

The highlight of my week was the second race in the Cape Summer Trail Series last Wednesday evening. I use the term ‘highlight’ quite loosely (and with a tinge of irony), lest you mistakenly assume that it was anything less than an ordeal.

The race comprised two loops of about 6km each in the Rondevlei Nature Reserve and bird sanctuary. What a privilege to be able to run in a protected wetlands area.
So anyway, there I was at the start, surrounded by the usual hardcore looking trail running types and trying to look nonchalant, as though I do this every day.

My first experience with trail running was the Cape Winter Series, held on consecutive Saturdays, on wine farms around the region. I enjoyed it so much, I thought I’d attempt the summer series. And because I’m crazy, I thought I’d register for two long races and three short races. Now as you may know, trail running is a very different ‘beast’ compared to road running. It’s sometimes said that 5 or 6km on trail is equivalent to about 10km on the road. You can zone out on the road and get into a rhythm (a comfortable shuffle in my case). On trails, the uneven terrain means you’ve got to step carefully, look where you’re going, and having to pay more attention is generally more exhausting.

On Wednesday I thought the 12km would be easy, given that I’d had a lovely 21k run just 3 days before. Needless to say I was wrong. The uneven and sandy terrain made this a tough run, and it didn’t help that we had to cross a floating pallet about 1km into the race. It looks cool, but it’s not fun to run with wet and muddy socks and shoes! After the first loop (i.e. the halfway mark) I almost quit. As I ran towards the cone we had to run around I rehearsed various options in my mind. “I twisted my ankle so I’m only going to run the short course”. “I’m not feeling too well, if I stop now can you count my time towards the short race?” “You people are crazy, I’m outta here!”. And when I approached the marshall who shouted out, “turn left for your second loop”, I smiled a big, brave smile and kept on running.

Afterwards I told myself that this is the kind of grim determination that will get me across the finish line of my triathlon. Despite the pain and discomfort, my pride will stop me from quitting. Who would have ever thought stubbornness would be a trait that would come in handy! Besides, I still don’t know which triathlon I’ll be competing in, and might end up doing an off-road one, which involves a trail run. And even if I don’t, it’s true that trail running makes you stronger.

So back to the race...I was very surprised to discover, a gruelling 1 hour 40 minutes later, that I was not the last person to cross the finish line. Several minutes after I finished (trying my best to look unruffled and slightly bored), two others crossed over. And besides, if I had come in last (for which I was totally mentally prepared), someone has to come last in a race. And like I’ve read somewhere before, even if you come in last, you’re still way ahead of all those people who didn’t get up off the couch.

So challenge yourself and join me with my training. Even if the last time you ran was in school, sign up for a 5km fun run, or a 10km race if you’re feeling strong. It will force you to run the distance and you can count it towards your training. And don’t worry about being last, I’ll probably be there somewhere behind you!

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