I know now, finally and officially, that this race is going to hurt!! A lot!
I’m in the final few weeks of preparation now, and if the culmination of my training is anything to go by, Madagascar is going to be tough!
Last weekend saw me doing 30km, 40km and 50km runs on consecutive days, ie. 120km over three days, and boy were my legs tired at the end! Running solo through the African bush has been a fantastic experience, but it was those three days more than any other that I will remember forever. The last four kilometres of the 50km day saw me hobbling home in quite a bit of pain, but by then, after more than 5 hours on the road that day, I was pretty happy with the way things had gone.
James Tyrrell and Pete Fleck on a training run at Londolozi, before Pete had to head home.
Notice how I keep saying “I”, not “we”, which of course means that Pete is still unfortunately stuck overseas. As it stands, we aren’t pinning our hopes on his work permit coming through in time, so we are planning to meet in Madagascar itself. This has unfortunately turned out last minute preparation into a logistical nightmare, but it is what it is, and I’m sure will make completing the race itself all the more rewarding. In fact it was probably superb training, running all those solo hours with no company except that little voice in our heads that kept whispering, “Just have a rest, slow down, make it easy on yourself.” Well, I had that voice, I don’t know about Pete. But running alone with no-one but yourself to motivate you will hopefully make us mentally tougher for the race, where we can rely on each other for a helping hand or a word of encouragement.
Having had to take just over a week off with foot issues, I will finish with around 900km run in training, just shy of the 1000 we were aiming for. Pete, who has been jogging through the hills of merry old England and getting charged by the old stud bull in the fields, will have clocked over 1000, and so although he doesn’t know it yet, will probably be carrying me through a large chunk of the latter half of the race!
Being able to run with someone can always help mentally so the last few weeks have been tough for both of us.
The excitement is mounting. I leave South Africa in 10 days! That thought terrifies me!
Are we ready? Have we done enough training? Are we mentally strong enough? Is our gear going to get us through? Is the ration plan we have come up with adequate?
So many more questions confront the competitor in a race like this than in a single-day run, but that makes the challenge all the more appealing, at least for me and Pete, and success all the more rewarding.
We are still short of our fundraising goal of R300 000 for the Good Work Foundation, so if you haven’t donated yet, get involved, spread the word an make a contribution. Any amount is welcome.
Follow the links below or click on the DONATE button on the blog homepage if you would like to make a contribution towards the GWF.
- Leap Foundation – For US Citizens (Use RunMadagascar Fundraiser as your project)
- GivenGain – The Rest of the World (Use RunMadagascar Fundraiser as your project)
Individuals and corporates making donations in the USA and South Africa are able to receive the following certificates: US Citizens – 501 c 3, and South African Citizens – 18A.
Pete and I will do the miles on the ground, but as a Londolozi family, we ask for your help to help us achieve our fundraising goal.
Wish us luck!!
James and Pete
Good luck James. We know you are going to be strong and do well
Good luck James & Pete. Being positive is the most important that is going to get you to the end. Keep fit & get to Madagascar safely. We are rooting for you all the way!!!
James, I know you and Pete are going to do really well and hopefully you will hear me cheering you on all the way from Canada! Stay safe, look after each other and I know you will be good encouragement and support for each other.
Good luck guys. Enjoy. Do you know that Ryan Sandes from Cape Town is also running it?
Hi Caroline,
We did know that; we’ll be hot on his heels!
James
Congrats James. You’re a machine. Coming 9th is epic. Well done. How dirty were you at the end? Second thoughts – don’t wanna know!