Achilles Running Club Sydney - helping people who would like to walk and run -

Comrades - Doug's Report 2010

DOUG’S COMRADES REPORT

Hi there,

I want to start off by thanking you for sponsoring my running of the 2010 Comrades Marathon and supporting the chosen Beneficiaries outlined above in the attachment from Sister Mary Paule. I’m really appreciative of the level of support given by yourself and delighted to tell you that I managed to raise a total of $3,000.

This was my first attempt at running the Comrades Marathon, run on the 30th May from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, South Africa. Happily, I completed the 89km run in 11hrs 35 mins, a bit battered and bruised but with an immense feeling of elation and relief.

Race day

My alarm went off at a very unreasonable 3.30am and immediately I felt that mixed sense of dread and excitement. The day that I had been planning for at least 12 months had arrived.

After a quick breakfast it was time to put all the planning behind me, don my running belt and load up with all the energy gels, salt tablets, electrolyte drinks, pain killers, water and elastoplasts that would be required for the day ahead. Talk about feeling loaded down with extra supplies, I virtually waddled to the start line at 5am in order to get a good spot for the 5.30am start (not one to be too pushy I settled in behind 16,000 other nervous runners).

Pre race rituals saw the singing of the South African national followed by a traditional Zulu miner’s song “Shosholoza” by the 16,500 runners, spine tingling stuff. The starting cannon fired and with the temperature hitting a heady 4 degrees it was on for young and old! The journey to Durban had begun. After stopping off at the side of the road to take an early toilet break I looked back towards the start line and had to laugh to myself as I was officially in last place, with a police escort to boot. Fame at last! It surely couldn’t get any worse that this.

My race tactics were simple, just keep moving towards Durban, remain focussed and try and enjoy the experience. I had heard many times from experienced Comrades runners that the race only really begins at the 60km mark, a sobering thought considering that the longest run I had managed in my 6 months training for Comrades had been a “paltry” 50km. It was too late to worry about that. I had promised myself that I would complete the distance no matter what as there was a lot riding on my completion of the distance within the allotted 12 hours (sponsors, benefactors, family and friends and of course personal pride).

As the sun rose and the temperature increased fellow runners gradually stripped off the many layers of clothing they had donned in the wee hours of the morning and threw them to the many spectators (mainly children) at the side of the road for whom a warm jumper or a beanie meant warmth during the upcoming cold South African winter months. This was a sign for me to do likewise, stripping down to my highly visible Australian running singlet which pre race I thought might be a good idea as it may raise the occasional cheer of encouragement from a spectator or two and in turn aiding motivation. Bad move. Little did I know it would raise a huge amount of attention and support, with the dreaded “Ozzie, Ozzie……yup, you know how it goes, chant being directed at me every 20 or so paces. The novelty of this soon wore off especially as I felt I had to acknowledge all who took the trouble to chant it and shout back in response a sickly and very unenthusiastic “Oi, Oi, Oi.

The km’s kicked by and Inchanga hill came and went with this notorious climb being taken slowly as the sun at this time of the day was higher in the sky and surprisingly hot with little shade to be found.

5 hrs and 39 mins saw me crossing the halfway point (Drummond, 44km) and for once I took my eyes off the road and looked North to see the Valley of a Thousand Hills stretching beautifully into the distance. Surprisingly, I felt remarkably fresh at this stage but knew that that wouldn’t last for long as the second half of the run had some very punishing “downs” to negotiate and the small detail of a further 45kms to run. I was right, the good feeling didn’t last long and the run out of Drummond was easily the hardest section for me and motivation was beginning to wear thin. What am I doing here? What’s this all about? Can I get a beer at the side of the road?

The stretch down Fields Hill seemed to go for ever, made worse by a severe cambering road. Much needed motivation was to be found in nearby Pinetown (not a Pine tree to be seen) after a friend in the crowd spotted me and ran with me for about 10 mins, encouraging me all the way and giving me hope by telling me that if I kept up this pace I would definitely finish within the 12 hour cut off. Thanks for your support Braam.

The last 20km was quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever done. It was time to put the mind into overdrive, pull down the brim of my cap (so I can’t see the hills ahead) keep my eyes on the heels of the runner in front and just plough on, one foot in front of the other.

Running through the outskirts of Durban was dull to say the very least and seemed to go on forever, freeway overpasses and long stretches of road without the support of any spectators.

With 2km’s to go I saw the floodlights of the Kingsmead Stadium and the finish line. Bynowall I was focussed on was feeling the green grass of the stadium track underneath my feet and the final 500 metres before crossing the line. On entering the stadium the noise of 10,000 odd spectators was a stirring incentive to finish strongly. Crossing the line was the culmination of 6 months of early morning training runs with many moments of self doubt and dealing with injuries. A wave of relief, joy and satisfaction took over. I had finished.

The finish line!

The finish line 2 minutes later …

The celebrations continued into the night

Celebrations continued deep into the night!

My many thanks go to Trudi for her support and patience and my many friends in the running community who supported me on my wish to complete Comrades 2010.

In the week following Comrades, Trudi and I had the pleasure of visiting Ikhwezi Lokusa School. For Trudi and I this was a special highlight of our trip to South Africa, going back to the school where I was the first overseas volunteer 30 years ago. It was wonderful to reconnect with the inspiring Sister Mary Paule after all these years. She has the same lively sense of humour and has retained all of her enthusiasm and devotion to helping the people of Mthatha and surrounds through many community based Charities.

Cheque presentation with Sister Mary Paule

Thank you all for contributing to these Charities, it will make a huge difference.

Cheers,

Doug

Children from the Ikhwezi Lokusa School

The following email from Sister Mary Paule demonstrates just how valuable fundraising efforts can be:

From: Sr. Mary Paule [marypaule.bethany@goggaconnect.co.za]
Sent: Tuesday, 13 July 2010 5:30 PM
To: Ritchie, Doug

I was so thrilled that Douglas and Trudi while in South Africa took time to visit us at Ikhwezi Lokusa where Douglas was a much loved volunteer 30 years ago. And blessedly Douglas is as kind, charming and fun-loving as before. And when he told us about the fundraising he had done in support of our work, I thought this young man has not changed. We were, of course, moved by his thoughtfulness and impressed by the way he included you, his friends and family, to in the effort to assist us. The donation came to the impressive total of three thousand Australian dollars which was exchanged for South African Rand, 18 682.50

Douglas and Trudi gave me the go ahead to decide on the beneficiaries. After thought and prayer this is what was decided:

Ikhwezi Lokusa Rehabilitation R3 000.00

Thembelihle Home R3 000.00

Bethany Home R2 000.00

Temba R2 000.00

CINDI R2 000.00

SANTA R2 000.00

School needs R2 000.00

Food for the destitute R2 682.50

Let me tell you briefly about each of the beneficiaries:

- Ikhwezi Lokusa Rehabilitation - a vocational training centre for physically and mentally challenged.

- Thembelihle Home - place of safety for abondoned or abused children from 6 to 16 years.

- Bethany Home - place of safety for abandoned or abused infants from birth to 2 years.

- Temba - hospice for 32 terminally ill adults.

- CINDI - care for AIDS orphans.

- SANTA - care of tuberculosis patients.

- School needs for children - fees, stationery, uniform, shoes ........................

- Food parcels for destitute families.

We want to send our warmest and deepest thanks to you Douglas and Trudi and to each and every person who contributed to this wondrous donation. May each of you be richly blessed.

Yours gratefully

Sister Mary Paule

MISSION STATEMENT

"To enable people from all walks of life, including those with physical impairments, to enjoy the health giving benefits of walking and running in a supportive, social and encouraging environment."

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