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| Celebrating 21 - My two oceans experience |
CELEBRATING 21 - My Two Oceans Experience
Not ordinarily a runner, I decided to take the challenge and enter my very first half marathon, the Two Oceans Half, wearing my very bright pink “almost barefoot” Bikila, VibramFiveFingers. A double challenge. Armed with my Runners World Magazine subscription, Durban’s hilly terrain my Bikilas and kettlebells, I embarked on my journey to running the “Worlds Most Beautiful Marathon”. 4 weeks into my eight week training schedule, I twisted my ankle on a massive seed pod whilst navigating my way through the half lit suburbs just before dawn. I was so disappointed and thought that my journey had ended. A few days after the incident my Two Oceans magazine arrived in the post. I read it from cover to cover, the stories were so inspiring, I swear it was like jet fuel in my bloodstream, I was determined to cross over that finish line. With lots of ice, arnica gel and continued strength and cardio work-outs with my kettlebells and some mindful patience, I managed to get back onto the road two weeks before the race. One week out from race day I stuck to the safety of a the treadmill – it drove me bonkers watching other folks running outside, but I was determined to keep my joints safe before the big day. Two days before the event my husband and I landed in Cape Town. First stop, the Good Hope Centre to register and collect my goodie bag, the excitement began to surge. 04H45 Saturday 24th April, a group of us boarded the shuttle that would take us to start. Fist timers (me included), second timers and some veterans, shared their stories as the driver navigated us safely through what looked like peak hour traffic towards the University. 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, The energy from the crowd was literally electrifying (Eskom should come plug in). BAM! the canon sounded. An initial shuffle picked up pace to a canter, slowly I slipped into a comfortable pace, being really careful not to give into my instincts to charge ahead. 11km had passed before the crowd had opened up enough for me to realize how far we had come. I pulled out my energy gums, because I knew “The Killer Hill” would soon be before us. Hill conquered we rounded the corner to the loud rhythmical sound of a tribe of drums. Like a boost of nitrous, the pounding seemed to ignite a primal source of energy that was fuelled further by the awesome supporters who had come out in their droves. My only goal for this race was to avoid the dreaded cut-off, so I picked up my pace. The uphill was my allie as the downhill strained my calves being almost barefoot. I rounded a corner on the uphill and caught my foot on a cat’s eye in the road, barely managing to slow the fall, I made a good solid splat on the tar. With a minor graze on my knee, I thanked the lady who helped me to my feet, picked up my little water sachet and surged forward. Call it a speeding fine! About 2kms away from the finish a cat’s eye claimed yet another victim, I grabbed her hand (Kat was her name) and we laughed our way up the last small hill. Swooping around the final corner onto the field – aaaah the soft grassy field, I crossed the finish line 02:07:03 feeling quite fresh and ecstatic at my accomplishment. With a smile on my dial and beaming from the overload of endorphins swimming in my bloodstream, I embraced my new addiction. Can’t wait for next year!
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