Last Tuesday, Kai and I went running at 6.50am. Our apartment is on one of Cape Town’s main running routes, and the moment we stepped outside, we were swept up in a never-ending flood of runners. Whenever we passed a large running group, the flood turned into a full-blown tidal wave. I love the magic of early morning running in Cape Town! I had completely forgotten just how wonderful it feels.
The following morning, I headed out at 6 am, determined to get an earlier start. During my warm-up, a taxi driver waiting nearby gave me a friendly smile and asked how far I was running. Five minutes later, we were still chatting about his upcoming half-marathon. The running vibe is everywhere!
But Cape Town’s running enthusiasm wasn’t the only thing I’d forgotten. I’d also left my beloved Asics Metaspeed racing shoes in Zurich.
Three days before a 15 km race, I discovered this major disaster. Complete panic ensued. I immediately contacted Mish, our running club’s resident shoe man. Through his own mysterious channels, he can usually get me pretty much any shoe on the market at a 30% discount. But after a flurry of frantic texts, he had nothing for me. It was too late to order online, so we embarked on a desperate shopping expedition. Four shops and three phone calls later, we were still empty-handed. By this point, I’d have happily bought ANY racing shoe, in ANY brand, as long as it came in my size.
Finally, at Kai’s insistence, I called one more shop. Success! We went straight there, tried them on, and they fitted perfectly. Phew! The only downside was having to pay full price. I mourned the loss of my precious 30% discount for about five minutes before reminding myself that racing shoes are rather essential when you’re about to run a race.
On Sunday morning, I lined up with Kai for the 15 km race, shiny new shoes and all. That’s when I was reminded of another thing I’d nearly forgotten: the wonderfully loud, bubbly excitement of a South African race start.
In Switzerland, people line up quietly and orderly – it’s a serious business. Here, the atmosphere was positively exuberant. Order, however, was another matter. The pacemakers for the slower times of 1:40 and 1:50 had positioned themselves right at the FRONT of the starting field. Runners trying to reach their rightful places were totally confused, while the pacemakers were happily chatting away, oblivious to the chaos behind them.
Oh well. Who needs a perfectly organised start anyway? The gun went off, and we all muddled our way through the first kilometre.
The course was flat and fast, and my new shoes felt fantastic. I was practically flying! By kilometre 12, though, flying had turned into hard work. Then spectators started shouting that I was the second woman. I hoped they were right. Time to keep pushing!
Of course, just when the final kilometres were becoming a struggle, we also had a headwind to contend with. A runner beside me gestured for me to tuck in behind him for shelter. I did, and what a difference it made! At the next water station, I was too far from the tables to grab one of the little plastic bags of water, but my new friend grabbed two and handed one to me. Wind protection AND personal water delivery! A true running angel.
In the final kilometre, I glanced at my watch: 56 minutes. A sub-60 finish was out of reach, but perhaps I could get close to the one-hour mark. I gave it everything I had and crossed the finish line in 1:00:22. I was absolutely delighted!
And yes, I really was the second woman overall. Kai also had a great race, finishing in 1:09:23. He’s been doing some of my coach’s workouts with me, and it seems they’re paying off for him, too!
I’d have loved to thank my running angel properly and get a photo with him, but he disappeared into the finish-line crowds. Hopefully, our paths will cross again.
And the final bonus? Prize money! That should help soften the blow of those full-price racing shoes.
Some things you forget. Others, like the magic of Cape Town running, come rushing back the moment you lace up.
- Have you ever forgotten something essential for a race?
- Which starting-line atmosphere do you prefer: serious and disciplined or happy and chaotic?
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!