I was running at max effort, with only one kilometre to go to the finish line. I wasn’t sure if I might actually die before reaching it.
Which was not exactly the plan.
This 30 km race was supposed to be a sensible “dress rehearsal” for the London Marathon. A solid effort, yes, but controlled. Definitely not a full-blown epic death battle.
The race started innocently enough. The gun went off at 6:05 am and we set off in the dark. With six weeks to go before London, the Tygerberg 30 km fitted perfectly into the training schedule. It’s also quite hilly (420 m of elevation), which I liked. London is flat, so compared to this, it should feel like a walk in the park.
About three kilometres in, I caught up with Obertina, a runner from Zimbabwe. She’s my age and clearly the better runner. Out of the twenty-plus times we’ve raced together, I’ve beaten her exactly twice.
For a while I ran behind her, but her pace felt slightly off. I like to run a race at my own pace, so I passed her. As expected, she tucked in behind me. Kilometre five. The killer hills were still coming.
For the next twenty kilometres we ran in our little “bus”, as the South Africans say. Me in front, Obertina tucked in behind me, calmly drafting (or rather, breathing down my neck). I knew the real showdown would come in the final kilometres, when she would unleash a devastating sprint and leave me in the dust.
Still, I felt reasonably prepared. Over the last few weeks Kai has been meeting me at the end of my long runs to push me through the kilometres at a fast pace. I felt ready for a “final push” fight.
At kilometre 25, a man suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started yelling at Obertina in Shona. Occasionally he mixed in some English: “Be patient!” “Get ready!”. Well, thanks, mate, I will.
For the next two kilometres, he accompanied us, yelling his instructions. By this point the sun was out, it was getting hot, and now we also had our own personal race commentator.
Then, finally, at kilometre 27, he gave out the command: “Now!”
Obertina surged.
I accelerated.
The Yeller yelled.
We hit a downhill and suddenly we were flying. We passed runners who cheered us on as if they had front-row seats to a gladiator fight.
3:48 min/km.
Next kilometre: 3:54.
Obertina was still right behind me. The Yeller was still yelling. My legs were still moving. At this point my strategy of “running my own race” was completely out the window.
By the final kilometre I sensed a small gap opening behind me. I didn’t dare to look back, but the shouting was getting slightly more distant. I suddenly felt exhausted. If she attacked again, I had nothing left.
I turned into the stadium and I crossed the finish line in 2:18 as first in my age group. Obertina came in less than thirty seconds later.
At the finish line, I wanted to thank Obertina for the epic battle. But she walked straight past me and disappeared into the changing rooms. I’m not entirely sure she enjoyed the experience as much as I did.
We’ll see each other again in two weeks at a 10 km race. Where she will almost certainly destroy me again and restore the natural order of things.
As for London… I’m planning a nice controlled effort. Just like this one was supposed to be.
- What’s your trick for surviving those last few minutes of a race or a hard workout?
- Ever had an annoying spectator/coach/supporter yelling from the sidelines?
I am linking up with Jenny from Runners Fly and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics as well as Runners’ Roundup with Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs!
Was für ein Thriller! Episch! Noch dazu mit HappyEnd (zumindest für dich 😜)
Auf die Idee, dass Obertina in der w-Klasse startet, wäre ich jetzt vom Bild her eher nicht gekommen. Aber wie dem auch sei: schlechtes VerlierenKönnen (m/w/d) war das allemal, was dir offenbar die Freude am verdienten Kampfgewinn nicht nehmen konnte. Zu Recht! Die allerherzlichsten Glückwünsche dazu und im gleichen Zug für die kommenden Wochen samt Marathon in London. Möge auf den letzten Metern bis dahin immer an der richtigen Stelle die passende Anfeuerung ertönen – ob im Innen oder Außen 📢
Das Einstiegsfoto mit zentralem Baum ist übrigens traumhaft, sagenhaft, bezaubernd!
Haha, Lizzy, wenigstens eine glückliche Läuferin am Schluss! 😄
Als ich Obertinas Foto in der Galerie suchte, ging es eine Weile, denn ich dachte erst, ihr Foto wäre ein männlicher Läufer. Erst beim genaueren Hinsehen sah ich, dass es tatsächlich Obertina ist. Sie ist recht “lean”, sagen wir es mal so. Ich fand es sehr schade, dass sie im Ziel so muff war. Wie viele Male haben wir die Situation umgekehrt gehabt!
Aber spätestens in zwei Wochen wird sie mich wieder schlagen, da wird sie bestimmt freudiger sein im Ziel. 😉
Danke dir auch für die lieben Worte zu London! Ich habe sehr viel Gutes über das nette Publikum da gehört, ich hoffe sehr, dass die Anfeuerung dann top ist!
Das Baum-Foto ist von Silvermine, wo wir jeweils donnerstags hingehen. Letztes Jahr ist das ganze Naturschutzgebiet abgebrannt, inkl. Baum. Jetzt erholt sich die Natur wieder – bald erinnert nur noch der verkohlte Baum daran. Kai fand das Föteli auch so schön!
Goodness! How exciting to read! You look so fresh in that final km photo. Congratulations on the win – joy on so many levels. The pay off will be so good in 6 weeks!
Thank you, Monica! I was DYING on that photo, at least on the inside 🤣.
This was such good training for London, both physically and mentally. As you well know, those final kilometres can really take it out of you.
Wishing you all the best for your Paris training!! It’s so exciting!!
Wow, wow, wow, liebe Catrina, das liest sich wie ein Krimi mit gutem Ausgang !! Super !! Wer hat dir die Flügel verleiht ?? Ich glaube, die ” Konkurrenz ” trägt einen großen Anteil dabei, kommt mir irgendwie bekannt vor !! Das Verhalten deiner Mitkämpferin allerdings ist weniger sportlich ! Aber das kann dir egal sein !
Die Weichen sind gestellt, ich freue mich für dich, mit dir, London kann kommen, aber immer noch gut aufpassen bis dahin !! Ja, ich weiß, aber schaden kann es nicht !!
Viel, viel Glück, bonne chance , du bist guuuuuuuuuuut !!!
Kühle, sonnige Grüße von ganz oben
Stimmt! Die Konkurrenz verleiht definitiv Flügel. Ohne Obertina im Nacken wäre das Ganze wohl ein sehr braver Trainingslauf geworden. So wurde es ein Tick lebendiger!
Das Verhalten am Ende – schade! Aber sie wird ihre Revanche bald am nächsten Lauf haben, und dann wird’s ihr wieder besser gehen. Ich war nur froh, dass ich überhaupt noch ins Ziel gekommen bin und nicht irgendwo vorher liegen geblieben bin 😉
Noch sechs Wochen, liebe Margitta! Es kommt in Riesenschritten näher!
Ganz liebe Grüsse in das nördliche Gefilde von ganz unten!
Congrats to another great race and winning your age group (and finishing before Obertina)! You look full of energy in those photos! How soon is London?
Thank you, Susanne! Ha, I was barely hanging on at that point. Crazy how the outside can look so different from what we’re feeling on the inside!
London is on 26 April. Can’t wait!!
Bravo! Well done. Great read to find out the fight at the finish. Looks like you surged at the end. Yep all those training runs w faster last kms pays off. Why save anything? Just go for it! You can rest when you get to the finish line😅💦
A few tricks I use to get into zombie mode to the finish line is count to 10 in other languages, for me German, Japanese, Spanish & Chinese. It really helps increase the pace and keep it there. As well proper use of your arms as pendulums at 90 degrees swinging back as far as it goes low by your hips and the fists going only as high as mid chest straight ahead.
Yeah that would be annoying to have someone shouting from the sidelines. Too bad Obertina was not in a good mood! Maybe there was something linked to her winning? Oh well, it was not even close. 30 seconds is a long way off. Congratulations again.👏 🏃♀️💨🤚
Not sure why I am anonymous!Yves
Thanks Yves!
“Why save anything?” – that’s what went through my mind, too. Just empty the tank, you can rest tomorrow! 😅 (or at the finish line, like you said!)
I like your “zombie mode” tricks! Counting in different languages is a good one! I must remember to try that at the next race. I only have 2 languages (maybe I could even add counting to 10 in Spanish). I can see how that would lock you into a rhythm and distract your brain from the pain. And yes, arms definitely came into play towards the end…whatever still worked, really!
And the shouting…let’s just say it added an extra layer to the experience. It definitely added to the chaos. I still wonder what those runners were thinking when we overtook them, with the guy screeching at the top of his voice.😄
Maybe there is something linked to her winning – maybe also a payment from her running club? She got ZAR 750 as 2nd place from the race, which isn’t much less than 1st. Oh well, she will have her revenge soon enough!
Thanks again, Yves! I hope your hamstring is feeling a little bit better than yesterday! Maybe I will see a run on Strava later on?
How is your hamstring? It was too tight yesterday so just stretched & did some weights to strengthen it. Lunges, squats and such.
Stretching and strength exercises are the best! I feel the hamstring is much better after Crossfit (weighted squats).
It’s better! The rest day and an easy flat run helped.
Hope yours will feel better soon, Yves! It’s so frustrating when that happens.
Liebe Catrina,
wow, WAS FÜR EIN RENNEN! Glückwunsch zu diesem Ergebnis, besonders zum Finish, du bist eine Kampfmaschine! Und bestens unterwegs nach London!
Oft braucht es ja jemand wie Obertina, damit man gegen Ende so richtig gepusht wird. Und das hat bei dir bestens funktioniert. Zudem ist es für dich eine super Motivation. Ein anderes Mal geht es vielleicht anders aus, aber so ist es im Sport. Kein Grund, sich hinterher nicht freundlich zu verabschieden. In Köln sagen wir “Me muss och jönne künne” (Man muss auch gönnen können). Dann darf man gespannt sein, wie das nächste Aufeinandertreffen ausgeht. Hüstel, nebenbei: Obertina sieht aber sehr männlich aus…
Bei mir funktionieren solche kleinen Laufwettkämpfe unterwegs auch gut, sie bringen das Zusatzquäntchen Adrenalin raus. Aber Gottseidank hatte ich noch nicht solch einen nervigen phonetischen Input…
Liebe Grüße aus dem vorfrühlingshaften Rheinland, Elke
Liebe Elke
Das Rennen hat mich komplett zerlegt – “Kampfmaschine” nehme ich natürlich gerne, aber unterwegs fühlte es sich eher nach “hoffnungslos überforderte Hobbyläuferin” an 🤣
Du hast absolut recht: Ohne Obertina wäre das ein sehr gesitteter Trainingslauf geworden. So wurde es ein richtiges Duell mit ordentlich Adrenalin. Genau das, was man sich für einen Trainingslauf eigentlich nicht wünscht – und dann am Ende irgendwie doch, sonst würde man ja nicht anbeissen.
Dein Spruch gefällt mir sehr! “Me muss och jönne künne” trifft es perfekt. Wahrscheinlich war der Frust im Ziel einfach noch zu frisch. Beim nächsten Aufeinandertreffen wird sie vermutlich wieder freudiger im Ziel sein 😅
Ich habe übrigens bei Lizzy schon geschrieben: Ich habe Obertina auf den Fotos zuerst gar nicht gefunden, weil ich erst immer dachte, es wäre ein Mann. Ich frage mich wirklich, ob es da eine Background-Story gibt… muss ich mal dezent herumhören. Läuferisch ist diese männliche Tendenz jedenfalls ziemlich effektiv in unserer AK!
Und der Typ mit seiner Schreierei – ehrlich, ein zusätzlicher Anreiz, einfach schneller zu laufen 😄
Liebe Grüsse ins vorfrühlingshafte Rheinland!
What an incredible result.
Catrina, I legit feel like I’m going to be meeting a celebrity (YOU) next month. I am in awe of your athletic capabilities. Truly inspirational <3
I’m so glad it worked out well, Elisabeth!
I’m so looking forward to meeting you and the family in Zurich! You will be proper European-Professionals by the time we meet!
I was sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails as I was reading this. Woo hoo for victory #3 over Obertina!!! It’s fine if she evens up the score, and I trust that her abrupt departure after the race was to recover from her, uh, cheerleader. I think that might have destroyed me.
I hate to say it, but compared to this I think that the experience of running London will be…boring. And that’s OK. Boring is good!
Haha, Birchie, edge of your seat is exactly how it felt out there too 😄 I’m still not quite sure how I pulled off victory #3… probably just stubborn refusal to slow down!
My goodness, that “cheerleader” was so annoying, even for me who didn’t understand most of it. I hope it wasn’t a husband or close relative. Imagine having that noise at home! 🤣
You’re probably right about London. Compared to this, it might feel almost uneventful. But I’ll happily take 42 km of nice, controlled “boring” over whatever this was!
Congrats on your epic win! I’m sure Obertina was not as thrilled as you were 🙂 it can be challenging to stick your plan when you feel like you can take off!
Thank you, Deborah! Haha, poor Obertina, she was properly upset. But I’m sure by the next race, she’ll be on top of it again. I learned that she will be doing her first marathon this year – I had no idea that she had not done any so far. Maybe we will meet again at the Cape Town Marathon in May!
Ha, take that, Obertina!!! This was an exciting recap! Congrats on running such a strong race. I agree with Birchie, London will feel kind of boring compared to this.
Good luck at the 10K. Hey, you never know…
Haha, I’ll take it while I can 😄 I have a feeling Obertina will restore order very soon!
It was definitely more exciting to write this recap than the “controlled effort” I had planned…
And yes, London might feel almost suspiciously calm after this! I won’t complain though.
I’m so excited for your 60 miler this weekend… it’s going to be epic, Jenny!
Liebe Catrina,
haha – kontrollierter Trainingslauf!!! 😆
Aber hey, wenn dabei so ein Ergebnis rauskommt, warum nicht? Außerdem hast du ja eigentlich mit Kai auch genau das geübt – am Schluss raus nochmal alles geben, nicht nachlassen und stark finishen! Well done, kann ich da nur sagen.
Vielleicht hörst du die Stimme des Yellers ja innerlich auch in London, so dass er dir dort auch den nötigen Kick verpasst? Hast du Obertina denn bei der Siegerehrung noch gesehen oder gesprochen? Denn vielleicht ging es ihr ja auch einfach nicht gut an dem Tag und ihr Abgang war kein “nicht gönnen”, sondern einfach ein persönliches Tief.
Liebe Doris
Haha, daraus ist nichts geworden! 😆 Aber du hast recht, genau diesen Schluss “Sting” habe ich fleissig mit Kai geübt (ihm graut schon jeweils davor). Insofern war es fast schon lehrbuchmässig…nur ein bisschen intensiver als geplant!
Die Vorstellung, den Yeller in London im Kopf zu haben, ist herrlich 😄 Da würde ich bestimmt schneller laufen, nur um ihm zu entfliehen!
Leider konnte ich zur Siegerehrung nicht bleiben (die war 2 Stunden später). Ihre Kollegin vom gleichen Laufclub ist dritte geworden, ich denke schon, dass beide zur Siegerehrung geblieben sind (und hoffe, dass sich Obertina wieder erholt hat). Das nächste Mal wird sie bestimmt besser drauf sein – ich erwarte auch, dass sie mich beim “Women’s Spar 10K” auch wieder schlagen wird! 😂
Liebe Catrina,
ein toll be- und geschriebenes Erlebnis! Ich finde auch deine Wortwahl schön, mit toll umschreibenden Ausdrücken! Super und danke fürs Mitnehmen!
HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH zum tollen Rennen und zur AK-Platzierung! – Vielleicht hatte Obertina auch einen ganz anderen Anreiz, wollte evtl. das Preisgeld, weil sie es braucht??? – Trotz alledem kann man der anderen gratulieren und gönnen können!
Hoffentlich hat es dich nicht so arg gebeutelt, dass du im Nachhinein zu lange zu knabbern hast! – Mach bitte gerade in den nächsten Tagen ruhig und lass dir Zeit zu regenerieren, jetzt sind die Muskeln anfällig! – Aber ein tolles Tempo-Training war es auf jeden Fall! 🙂
London kann kommen … aber dort nicht schon bei km 25 so extrem aufs Tempo drücken, da haste ein mehr Zeit! 😆 Kai puscht dich dann etwas später und hilft dir ins Ziel zu fliegen!
Viel Spaß bei der Vorbereitung, trotz aller Disziplin im Tarining … und bleib bitte gesund!
Liebe Grüße Manfred
P.S.: auf Grund deines Hinweises lüfte ich morgen ‘mein Geheimnis’! 😉
Lieber Manfred
Vielen Dank dir! Es war bei dem Drama-Level auch leicht zu schreiben! 😂
Und danke auch für die Glückwünsche! Den Gedanken wegen dem Preisgeld hatte ich auch – aber es war nur ein kleiner Unterschied: ich gewann ZAR 900 (EUR 47) und sie ZAR 750 (EUR 39). Vielleicht bekommt sie aber weniger Geld vom Club? Das wäre natürlich sehr schade. Vielleicht erfahre ich mal darüber mehr.
Keine Sorge, ich nehme deine Mahnung ernst! Ich spüre es noch heute in den Beinen, jetzt ist etwas Recovery angesagt. Das war definitiv ein sehr intensives “Tempo-Training”…
Genau! In London noch etwas warten! Da werde ich keine Obertina oder Kai haben, die mich pushen, aber es wird bestimmt andere Läufer haben. 😆
Ah, sehr gut!! Das finde ich wunderbar! Dann können wir alle mitfiebern! 🤩
Liebe Grüsse aus dem nebligen Cape Town!
Sorry, liebe Catrina,
da habe ich meinen Kommentar zu schnell verschickt!
Anonymous ist in dem Falle Manfred, also liebe Grüße nochmal
Kein Problem!! 👋🏻😃
Wow, what a finish! Congrats on first place and beating Obertina! That sounded very intense. But you showed that you are both physically and mentally tough – and you did that without a coach telling you what to do. You look amazing at the finish – you don’t look like it was a hard-fought win! Well done! I can’t wait to see what you do in London!
The only annoying commentating I’ve heard is when spectators say things like “you’re almost done” at like mile 20 in a marathon. Heck, even saying at miles 23 or 24 is not a good idea!
Thanks Lisa!
You’re right, “very intense” is the best way to put it! 😄 I was wondering whether the battle was more about the physical or mental aspect. I guess I was just more stubborn!
I was dying on that photo, you just can’t see it! I was hanging on by a thread at that point!
Oh, how I hate those comments! “you’re almost done” at mile 20 should really be banned 😆 Even at 23 it still feels like a lifetime away.
Let’s see what London brings – hopefully a slightly less dramatic version of this!
Well, I feel like Obertina was quite a bad sport about the whole thing!!! I mean, come on. At the very least she could have said a half-hearted “good race” or something. RUDE.
But wow, I am in awe. I don’t think I have run a sub-4 minute km EVER, let alone after like 25 km. Also I have never run 25 km! (at one time, I have certainly run more than 25 km! But you know what I mean).
I had to laugh – “run my own race” sure turned quickly!
Great job, as always, and I’m sure you’ll be very prepared for London, especially running in the heat! Did you have a nice treat after? I’m always interested in that kind of thing! Did you have something lovely to eat (CHOCOLATE), a nice massage, rest with a book…what did you do?
Haha, I feel the same!! It wasn’t exactly a masterclass in post-race sportsmanship 😅 No matter how disappointed you are, you say something to each other after suffering for 2 hours together!
And thank you, Nicole! That sub-4 pace definitely wasn’t part of the original plan, especially not after 25km.
London prep is definitely on track after this, and I hope a spring day in April won’t be anything like the heat wave we had last week. But you never know! And then it might rain!!
TREATS!! YES!! At first, it’s only tea, but then after a few hours I’m RAVENOUS and need salt. I had salt-vinegar crispies (a HUGE bag) and an egg and chicken because apparently you’re supposed to eat protein and can’t live off chips. And cider (NOT the alcohol-free version). I love it, especially when it’s a hot day. The rest of the day was mostly horizontal with a book and minimal movement. Highly recommended strategy, I love that part! 😂
Congratulations, Catrina, on an epic battle to the finish! First place in your age group and 5th woman overall is something to be proud of! Apparently Kai’s coaching style is much more effective than Yeller’s – it’s good you have Kai on your side! I’m so disappointed that Obertina refused to acknowledge your attempt to speak after the race.
Thank you so much, Debbie!
“Epic battle” sums it up well! A bit more epic than I had planned, but I’ll take the outcome 😄. Oh my goodness, I’d fire the Yeller on the spot! Kai’s coaching style is definitely more effective, haha!
As for Obertina, I don’t know what was going through her head. It might just have been one of those moments where everything hits at once after a tough race. I will see her for sure in two weeks, I’m sure she will beat me and we will be back on speaking terms! Thanks again!
that’s more than a rehearsal, that’s an epic race! I wish I had someone to pace me at the last few km. it’s a great strategy to accelerate after steady pace for a long time to test our mind and legs. I’ll have it in mind when i enter into marathon training section.
My trick to endure those hard minutes are: good beet music, look just what’s before me, not the horizon, focus on the song (which tells me how many min/miles left), and trust I can do it.
you’ve done so many marathons, can you write a post about lessons? your personal tricks/rituals?
Haha, yes… it escalated slightly beyond a rehearsal 😄
Having someone to pace those last kilometres really makes a difference. It’s uncomfortable, but in a good way. I’ve tried to do it alone but it’s not the same. Is there a running buddy in your neighbourhood who could meet you on your long run for the last few kilometres? Definitely a great tool once you get into marathon training.
I like your tricks! Especially focusing just on what’s in front of you, that’s such a powerful way to make things manageable. Music as a “timer” is clever too. We’re actually not allowed to run with music/earplugs in our races here, so I would have to find other ways to get into that rhythm. Maybe I need to borrow your playlist mentally next time 😄
Oh, thanks for the idea! A post on lessons and little rituals is a really good one. I’ve probably accumulated a few over the years. I need to think about it and put something together! Thanks for the inspiration, Coco!
Holy Wowzers, Catrina!!!! You had quite a race, especially the final stretch to the finish line! Congrats on your sweet victory 😉 I’m no where as fast as you, but I know the feeling when ones legs just kind of let loose and GO (ignoring the brain telling them not to, LOL).
Haha, “Holy Wowzers” is exactly right, Kim! That final stretch got a bit out of hand!
And yes, I know exactly what you mean, when the legs just decide to go and the brain is like “absolutely not” and gets completely ignored 🤣 It’s a strange mix of panic and excitement at the same time!
Thank you so much, I’ll take that “sweet victory” while it lasts 😉
Wow, you are a machine. Well done! Very impressive! I would also say that the photo of you compared to Obertina in the last kilometre tells the story. You are looking strong. I hope you have pulled up OK after the race. This should give you a lot of confidence going into London. You look like you have the legs for it if you can do this at the end of a hilly 30 km.
I wish I were a “machine” – there were definitely a lot of emotions going on during those last few kilometres, one of them being screaming at the Yeller to stop yelling! 😂
I’m surprised how tired Obertina looked in that photo, it certainly didn’t feel that way while I had her behind me. And I was hanging on more than it looks.
I’ve pulled up reasonably well, thanks! I am so looking forward to London now.
I hope your Berlin training is coming along nicely – although there are still a few months to go before it gets intense. I’ll be following along your training journey with great interest!
Congrats on a strong race! I think racing in that way would stress me out and I’d end up slowing down. Way to push through and earn that AG win!
So much stress, Lisa! I’m glad it ended well – there were a few moments where I was doubting a happy end.
And you won money? No wonder she was unhappy. Congratulations on winning your epic battle and thank you for such a great description. I was reading with baited breath hoping you could hold her off and take your AG win.
Haha, maybe it was that! I got R900 (USD 53) and Obertina R750 (USD 44), so the difference isn’t much, but enough to add a bit of extra motivation 😅
It was a tough race. I wasn’t entirely convinced myself that I’d manage to hold her off!
In the end it just came down to who is more stubborn. Not pretty, but effective 😄
Thanks so much, Debbie!