My Solo Marathon

There is something therapeutic about the feel of shoes hitting the pavement, the sound as you crunch over sand, or slap concrete or tar. Muscles tensing and releasing with every step. Eyes ahead, focused, breathing in time with your feet. And then there’s the jostle of others around you, the sound of their feet, their labored breathing, a jingling set of keys in a bag.

I knew I could run a half-marathon – Since the beginning of 2019, I have run 21.1km 4 times – two training runs, and two events.

I knew I could walk a full marathon – turns out I can run one too! But, could I complete 42.2km that wasn’t an organised event with other competitors. Could I do it alone?

I set out to find out.

Last year I decided that I wanted to run a half-marathon by the end of the year. And then I saw that, as a Fedhealth member, I got free entry into the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. I figured that, if I was going to run, I may as well do it properly, and signed up for the full marathon. 42.2km through the city!

I trained, I had many highs and many lows. Some days I surprised myself. Others, I was really disappointed. But I knew that at the end of the day, it was a mental game. I had experienced that first-hand when I completed the Cape Argus in 2014, and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2016. I also did a duathlon in early 2019, in which I almost ran headlong into The Wall – the point where you just can’t go any further.

All three were massive physical events, but during each, I learnt the importance of mental strength, and having others around you to share the struggle with (though I was third-last in the duathlon, and was alone for the final few kilometers).

I was relying on that for the marathon which I took part in, in September 2019.

I knew I could run 21.1km alone – I had done two training runs – and I knew if I could do half the distance, there was nothing stopping me from doing the full distance. Well, nothing stopping me, except for me.

Life took a bit of a turn, and in the final weeks leading up to the event, my training and nutrition took a dive. I was committed to the event, but I had a lost a little bit of spirit. Long story short (I do have it written up if you are interested) I completed the event. 30 minutes faster than my goal!

But I was feeling pretty broken, both mentally and physically. From about 30km, I was hit with bad muscle and stomach cramps. I was starting to feel pretty over it all, and often questioned what I was doing there. Not a good thing to do! But, I pushed through, and I made it.

And over the next few days, as I moved very gingerly and limped about, I decided that I would not run another marathon. My right leg and foot were so badly swollen I could barely get my shoe on, and knee and my hip were very sore, so much so that I started to see a biokineticist as I feared I had done serious, permanent damage.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Or so I thought.

February 2020. PE Bay Ultra Marathon with a half-marathon option.

Naturally, I signed up! My nutrition was a little better, and it was a good, flat, fast run.

I was hurting afterwards, but it was survivable.

Skip forward to April 2020. Lockdown. The world turned on its head. My fitness regime was also turned on its head. From weekly hikes, long cycles, long walks, rock climbing etc to being confined, albeit it on a farm. I focused on walking, and short, fast runs. Once again, I surprised myself and found myself completing ever-so-slightly longer and faster runs. I set the goal of a sub 1-hour 10km run in 2020.

Things changed again, and after six weeks I left the farm and returned home. To a busy, chaotic house, where my only real free time was between 05:00 and 07:30. In winter, this meant cold, dark, wet and windy walks and runs. Never have I felt so alive!

I eventually settled into a routine, and with lockdown regulations lifting, an idea struck me.  I would support my friends with coffee shops by doing a marathon-length walk, and stop at each place for a drink or a snack. I designed a route based on the location of the coffee shops, and started calculating times and distances while wondering if I could make it a charity-type walk.

However, I found myself asking what the goal was, and I eventually decided that while it would be great to raise money, the ultimate goal was for me to do this for myself. To get some headspace. Plus, it had been confirmed that the Sanlam Marathon would go virtual this year, which meant running 42.2km alone. And I knew that if I could walk it, I could run it. This was to be my trial.

Initially, a friend was going to join, but schedules and timings were not in our favour. I also realised that, with all the snack stops, I might not have enough daylight. So, I decided that I would aim to run the first 12-17km, and walk from there.

The plan was made, logistics sorted out, and I had a week where I wouldn’t need to help look after my niece. After checking the weather forecasts, the date was set: 8 July.

8 July 2020

I was feeling a little nervous the night before, and wondering why I had set myself this task. I also had to keep reminding myself that it was not a race (except maybe against daylight), and that the idea was to walk more than to run.

Dressed up and ready to run!

I set off at 7am, and it was darker than I expected. Fortunately I have a head torch and the route was well-lit. It was quite chilly and I was grateful for my arm-warmers, wind-breaker type top, gloves and buff. My toes were like little icicles though!

A little cool and dark, but clear!

The sky was clear, there wasn’t wind, and the first 7km were either downhill or flat. I felt strong and, apart from my frozen toes, felt good. That is, until I tripped at 6km. I had a flashback of when I tripped at Parkrun last year and went flying without wings. I did a great Super Man impression and hit the ground hard. Fortunately, this time was not a repeat, and I managed to recover before my face hit the bricks. If I hadn’t, that would have been my day done!

Moon-set

Sheer beauty

7.6km, 49 minutes

Jeff’s Bistro, Strand

https://www.facebook.com/jeffsbistrostrand/

I had called in my breakfast order to owner Jeff of Jeff’s Bistro, and within minutes of arriving had a delicious bacon and egg wrap in front of me. I was salivating. I had eaten some oats before setting off, but I was already hungry! And boy oh boy did that food taste good!

Refueled and warmed up from the food, I was feeling really up-beat. On my feet, I set off at a walk, destination: Gordons Bay.

I forced myself to walk for at least 10 minutes to allow the food to settle, and then broke out into a jog. I watched the sky change colour, and listened to the ocean. Then it was on to the R44, which was long, and straight, and I feared it would be boring.

I was in luck though – I could run on a mixture of grass and gravel, and my focus was kept on not tripping, and watching people go about their morning routines. I was still feeling good, and I contemplated a walk-run schedule: run 10 minutes, walk 10 minutes. But after 10 minutes of running, I decided to do another 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, I just slowed to a jog, and alternated 10 minute running with 5 minutes jogging.

My original route had me doing the Danie Miller Trail, but I modified it so that I would follow the R44 until Suikerbossie Drive, take that road and then loop back into Gordons Bay past the harbour.

I was an hour ahead of schedule, and realised once again why it is so good to walk or run or cycle: you see so many things you wouldn’t normally see. From great big views, to little flowers and gardens, and memorials. I find slowing down helps me appreciate things so much more. And see funny signs outside of offices.

So I took my time at the lookout point, and stopped to take photos.

Did you know the walkway from the first lookout point, to Gordons Bay was the result of the efforts of Monica Miles, who didn’t get a chance to see the completed project? Thank you, Monica, for creating a safe and beautiful place for us to enjoy!

Tribute to Monica Miles

It was tempting to call it quits and just sit there for the rest of the day.

20.4km, 2h28

On the Go, Gordons Bay

I’m almost half way…

It dawned on me as I sat down with coffee, a Sterie Stumpie, a banana, and a bag of goodies my Mom had brought for me.

Never has a Sterie Stumpie tasted so good! I chatted to my Mom, and relaxed and recharged. There was no time pressure. Or any pressure, for that matter. Except for my bladder! After a rest and a sock change, I set off, destination: Strand.

I don’t normally like out-and-back routes, especially one as straight and as long as this. But, the kilometers went by quickly. Again, I set off at a brisk walk for the first 10 minutes. And then resumed jogging/running. This wasn’t a part of my plan when I had this grand idea… but I felt good.

After about 4km, the dreaded “runner’s stomach” began to make itself known. Fortunately not nearly as bad as what I experienced during the PE half-marathon! If I could survive THAT, I could get through anything!

I was back in Strand, and following the beach front, the sky a vivid blue, and still barely a breath of wind. I was well-ahead of schedule, so my lunch stop became more of a brunch. Again, I phoned in my order, and when I arrived at Oh Hello Coffee, was handed a freshly-toasted pastrami on sourdough sandwich.

26.7km, 3h17

Oh Hello Coffee, Strand

https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeOhHello/

I walked across to where I could stand and watch the sea, and tucked in. I swear I heard angels. Thick slices of perfectly-toasted bread, thinly sliced pastrami, a delicious balance of salty pickles and sweet mustard, rounded off with creamy mayo. I really love food. And it definitely tastes better after a run!

Brunch!

I went back to the coffee shop to sing their praises. It was difficult to walk away and not buy one of their freshly-baked muffins! Next time.

I modified my route slightly to go past Jeff’s Bistro again, as I wanted to top up my water. We chatted for a while, and then I set off for Radloff Park.

I had been setting quite a good pace, but I could feel the fatigue coming on. I felt loads better than I had at that distance during the Sanlam Marathon, but this wasn’t a race. I didn’t have to push. Pushing now means a longer recovery time.

I reflected on all of my past runs, and realised how big a role nutrition plays. I was eating really well today, and I could tell! My mindset was also completely different: no pressure, and the knowledge that I could stop and find a bathroom, or something to eat.

Once again, I saw things I wouldn’t normally see while driving around, like parks and dams. There is so much beauty around us that we simply just miss. Either because we are too distracted to take it in, or in too much of a rush.

35km, 4h25

Radloff Park

When I got the trees and the shade of Radloff Park, I was starting to feel tired. The temperature had risen, my stomach wasn’t too happy and my knee was starting to feel tender. But I was still in good spirits! Far better spirits than in September 2019!

I walked through the park, and then set off on the next 3km before my final stop. During my initial planning I wanted to support Awe Brew, but the timings meant they would be closed when I got there. However, because I was so far ahead of schedule, I got there while they were open!

Unfortunately, caffeine and the strain of running were not a good combination, and I really did not want to break out the Imodium (which I remembered to pack this time!), so I opted to skip the coffee and rather support them on another day.

As I wound my way along, I realised that if I could maintain my pace, I would finish these 42.2km faster than I did last year. Now, I know I said this wasn’t a race. But, I am competitive, and I do like to push myself. So I kept up the pace. So much for this being a walk with a little bit of jogging!

40km, 5h01

Legacy Café, Somerset West

https://legacycafe.co.za/

I arrived at the Legacy Café in Somerset West panting, having sprinted the last block.

My Mom asking all sorts of questions and the waiter trying to take my order while all I wanted was to catch my breath!

My route planning had me arriving at the Legacy Cafe at 39km. I was going to eat and then run the last 3.2km home.

But when I got to Legacy I was 1km ahead, at 40km.

So, after a short break and a large glass of water, I decided to run the final 2.2km required to make it a marathon then and there.

Only, my watch tracked 43km for last year’s marathon, and as I had already got this far, I wanted to top that. So I ran 3.1km.

And arrived back at the Legacy Café having run 43.15km in 5h20!

I was ecstatic, and after doing some stretches on the side of the road, tucked into a plate piled high with French toast, bacon, mascarpone cheese and fruit! Yum, thanks guys!

Legacy Cafe french toast. Yum!

Sunburnt, sweaty, tired, but not broken, I was finished. And I had the answer to my question: Yes, I can run 42.2km “solo”.

Bring on the 2020 Sanlam Marathon!