Running Through the Pain

I was all excited before the start knowing I've done my training but every year its a different race. My mind was made up to run my sub 11:00 second at- tempt planning ahead during my training so I was in my comfort zone not to know what's still to come. You gain experience in every race: notice, pick up things you have not in your first race, mistakes you made previously and that makes all the difference. To be honest through all my ago- ny I've enjoyed my race unlike my very first one, even after my check up at the 53 km medical but not even that could bliss my spirit. I 'm running with high blood pressure and that alone puts a lot of strain on myself in such a long race but when you set your goals nothing else mat- ters but don't be selfish in your decisions. I will say it was a new experience for me and from there onwards self discipline was the key word. In situations like this for me its where your mental ability comes in and how strong you are in your way forward.

To be honest I cant speak much about a low because in my first one it was if somebody else was running the race and I'm just guiding along very weird but hard to explain. What I will advise is not to treat any minor injuries on race do it will come back to haunt you which is not a great feeling at all. When you cross the finish line ,pain does not matter or whatever happened during your race, its pure joy and happiness knowing you just accomplish one of the most cruel races the human body can take along with so many others . Advice for first timers: set your goals, make your dreams a reality, put in 70/80% of your training include mental training and go all out accomplish them. I hope this will be enough to inspire anyone.

Rita Lategan (July 2014)

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