Ten Pointers for a Guaranteed Comrades Finish

From Runner's World South Africa

10. EXPERIMENT NOW 
Remember nothing new on race day so wear your trusty running shoes and your old comfortable running gear. Your body odour may prevent you from winning the Fabergé contract but you’ll win that medal you’re after.

9. SAVE YOUR LEGS 
Run your club long run (60km plus) slowly. Time on your legs is important, not beating that club member who irritates you. Save that for the race.

8. REST WELL 
Taper sufficiently to race day. It’s better to arrive at the start line well rested, slightly overweight and under trained than vice versa – but not as under trained and overweight as David Vlok of Egoli fame, who’ll be running his 20th.

7. KNOW THE COURSE 
Drive the course. It’s a sobering experience and essential. The initially, excited chattering group of Americans I took over the route three years ago were utterly silent after 65 kays.

6. TURN IN EARLY
There’s nothing wrong with sex the night before, just as long as you’re not staying up all night looking for it.

5. RESIST THE URGE TO SURGE 
Start slowly and when you get the urge to surge don’t. Many kilometres later when you again get the urge to surge don’t and you will have a great race.

4. DON’T FOLLOW GREEN 
If in doubt follow a yellow number runner. They don’t intend to make a hash of it. Don’t follow a green number. They may look impressive but they are usually poorly prepared and hoping to get through ‘on memory’.

3. KEEP GOING 
Don’t look at the distance markers until the last 20km or so. What does 67km to go mean? Just that it’s still far, very far!

2. LOOK OUT FOR CAMERAS 
Walk often but not if there is a television camera pointing at you. Jog till the camera focuses on someone else then walk.

1. SWITCH IT UP 
If cramps strike, try jogging slightly pigeon-toed or duck-footed. The changed running gait often works.

Ten Pointers for a Guaranteed Comrades Finish | Runner's World South Africa - the world's leading running magazine