Comrades Marathon Blog

One of the most popular half marathons in Cape Town is the Gun Run. As it’s organised by my club, Atlantic Athletic Club, I was particularly keen to run in this race. (I promised to marshall next year) While I have been generally happy with my progress in races this year, I have only completed in one half marathon, in a relatively slow 1:45, far too slow when considering I must be able to run a 3:20 odd marathon.

Race day arrived, and I had planned to hopefully crack 1:35, and get as close as possible to 1:30. Although my training this month has been not as good as I hoped I seem to be able to achieve my goals with relative ease. What worries me, is that I won’t be able to get away with it for comrades, and I really need to be serious about my training plans.

Anyway, back to the race. After a very slow start, as it was intensely congested, I went through 1km in 5:41, far too slow I thought. It eased up pretty quickly, and by the time we went through the waterfront I was settling into a pace of between 4:15-4:20 min/km. Held that right through to 10km, with a time of 45:33, ok I thought. Just after that, I passed a friend, who told me to hurry up as I was running too slowly. The message only kicked in at 18km, when I did my final 3km in 11:55. My total time? 1:32:08. In the words of Ali G, “I is happy.”

Update: The results are finally available! Get them here.

After some promising 8km time trial times, I thought that the Cape Town Marathon 10km would be a perfect opportunity for me to break the 40 minute barrier for 10km. I had planned my race, analysed the km markers, worked out when to push and when to hold. This was going to be close, possibly too close. I estimated a finish time of around 39:50. I spent much time thinking about the start, as it was going to be a large field. There was no time to be patient here, I couldn’t lose valuable seconds at the start.

So I get to the race early, make sure I’ve warmed up properly, and went find a place at the start. 20 minutes before the race had started and the start was congested already. Surely it’s simple etiquette to move towards the back if you know you are a slower runner ESPECIALLY if you plan on walking. Anyway, the race started, and I simply moved to the left hand side and swerved round the masses. I didn’t lose much time. Here are my km markers with my thoughts as I remember them:

1km: 4:08. Not bad, as long as I can hold this pace.

2km: 4:16. A little slow, but ok as there was a slight gradient going up plein street.

3km: 3:49. Made up some serious time down Government Ave, and feeling good.

4km: Uhh, missed the marker, oh well.

5km: Total time 19:39. Fantastic, I hope I haven’t burned too much energy. Now I just need to hold this pace till the end.

6km: 3:53. Ok, there was a slight downhill, but my heart rate had dropped to 176, and I was still feeling great, but starting to think about the last km.

7km: 3:58. Fantastic, was really chuffed with my times so far. Must just hold this pace.

9km. 4:22. Wait, 9km? What happened to 8km. A little slow, but oh well.

10km: Finish, and total time 35:50. That wasn’t 10km, was it?

After discussing with the other runners it seemed that that the race was short, but at least 700m, possibly more. Which in short, is just not good enough. Apparently, the the marshall at the 7km mark directed everyone the wrong way, but who knows if this is the real story,. Looking at my splits, it was clear that I was on target for a sub 40 minute time, perhaps even closer to 39 minute. My legs were feeling great at the end of the race.

I may make the attempt at a race later in the year, but will probably just run the 5km time trial route twice, probably a more accurate method, plus I know the route well.

Update: You can find the results for the Cape Town Marathon 10km here. They messed up my very complicated name, you’ll find me in 25th position.