Phillip Howells reports...
For the record, this was my 3rd Comrades marathon (for those who have not been subject to my ravings about this great event, it is in South Africa, ran between Durban and Pietermaritzberg, with many hills including fivefamous big ones, and either approx 89km/56mls or 87.5km/54.5mls depending on if a 'down' or 'up' race - this year an up, so the shorter distance!) and I did a pb time of 8-56-13, thus earning the much coveted 'Bill Rowan' medal that is awarded for beating 9 hours (there are five different medal types depending on time, with a very strict 12 hours limit - 12 hrs and 1 sec means no medal or a recognised finish, you are not even allowed to cross the finish line, which makes the end very dramatic indeed; there are always many runners still out on the course, or even in the stadium as the 'gun' signals the end). Naturally I was delighted to achieve a major goal for this year
after missing it by less than 15 minutes when I last ran in 2004. Some of you have met my fellow UK runners Edward Chapman, who did 11-40 (for his 6th finish), and Colin Gill ('Gilly') who did 11-12 (his 4th).
To put my time in perspective, it meant running 2 back-to-back 4-18 marathons plus a couple of extra miles at an average pace of 9-54 per mile; also achieved a pretty rare 'negative' split along the way, 4-28-44 first half and 4-27-29 second, which I was impressed with! Can't take the credit for that really, even though I usually judge pace pretty well, but decided I would go with the pacemaker 'bus' for a sub-9hour run.
It proved to be a good decision. As 2 years ago, I caught the 'bus' after about 30kms following my usual very steady start, but rather than go ahead like I did in 2004, going through half way in under 4-15 then, but finishing in 9-13, I decided to stay with the pacemaker. This was a totally different experience to running on my own and it taught me a lot - as well as getting me that medal. After all the niggles of the last two months, amazingly the run was just perfect, ran well with no problems at all, and we were still running at 8min mile pace at the end (there was a lot of walking as well - the best strategy to finish in good shape, even many of the very top guys walk some of the way). I eventually finished 2,321 of 9,838 finishers. Hope
to go back at least once more in 2007 to celebrate the fact that I will be 60 then - I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience something different which is also a big challenge. The South Africans are mad about it, the crowds are huge and very enthusiastic! Angie and I certainly plan it for 2007, and I think Sue has an invitation to compete as well.
Talking about Angie, Amanda and I supported her when she ran a leg of the Cotswold Relay for Cheltenham Ladies yesterday (we ran the leg behind the field, mainly off-road in superb scenery on a fabulous day). She of course won the Ladies prize for the 12 mile leg in 1-27, finishing an excellent 11th from over 60 teams and, with our own Carol who ran an earlier leg, being part of the winning Ladies team for the 105 miles event (which has 10 legs). There was a really great atmosphere with obvious commited team spirit amongst the many teams. Many of you know that Angie is very enthusiastic about this race and having experienced it myself, I think it would be great if we could put a Tewkesbury AC team together for next year (can be a mixed
team). Think we already have 7 or 8 interested club members; it is in my diary for this weekend next year despite it being the week after Comrades, but that does not matter, the time is not as important as the team effort, so hope a few more of you will want to join us?