How to tackle the ‘up’ run ...
THE uninformed among us gasped! “Surely he meant to say Bruce Fordyce,” we thought.
After all, any coach worth his salt should know that the best tips on Comrades Marathon should come from the big little man, Bruce Fordyce – Mr Comrades himself. Barry who? They wondered, when at our club’s novice briefing the coach put up a slide on how to tackle the Comrades Marathon up-run and said it was by Barry Holland.
But a quick search on the phones quickly revealed the coach hadn’t gone meshuga but was rather about to share tips from a true expert.
Holland has earned no less than 44 Comrades medals, second only to Dave Rogers who has 45 to his name. And so it was that the coach’s talk met with attentive ears and eyes glued to the projector.
The words that stuck with me from the presentation were “break the race up into bitesize chunks”
Makes sense doesn’t it? After all, the idea of taking on an 87km run is just way too daunting.
But it sounds easier if you tackle it in “sections of 10-24kms” as Holland advises.
And having done and dusted Comrades so many times, the 65-year-old’s suggestions aren’t just a thumb-suck.
Holland advises that one should think of the up-run taking place next Sunday as: Section 1: Start (Durban City Hall to the top of Fields Hill).
“At the top of Fields, you can relax and run a little harder,” he suggests having earlier tipped novices to take it easy from the start in the morning darkness as the first 24km is pretty hilly but runners won’t realise it, what with the adrenalin brought about LONG DAY: Runners make their way from Pietermaritzburg to Durban during last year’s Comrades Marathon. Inset, Barry Holland. by being in a huge group of runners and the excitement of a debut.
“By comparison with the climb to the top of Fields Hill it is easy. But don’t be fooled, it’s still a steady climb all the way even though it offers a bit of respite. However, do enjoy the crowds at Winston Park flyover and in Hillcrest.”
Next up will be the 34-43km section from Hillcrest to Drummond.
“You’re not out of the woods yet,” Holland quotes the classics. “Botha’s Hll is steep and very demanding as, after dropping down off it you climb almost immediately at the back of Alverston. Another descent and then another short climb before you go down the halfway mark.
“Give yourself a high-five, you’ve just completed a marathon. The bad news is that there’s another one and a bit to go still. But you’ve trained for this, right?”
From Drummond to Umlaas Road takes you to 68km.
“Facing you after the halfway mark is one of the most revered hills in road running – the mighty Inchanga. But once at the top you can breathe a sigh of relief and if you’re feeling reasonable you can afford to relax and enjoy the trip to Umlaas Road (the highest point).”
While he says this section is not as demanding as the previous ones, Holland warns against getting too excited.
Most runners have described Harrison Flats as the loneliest section of the race.
“Harrison Flats are not actually flat but there are no vicious hills in your way,” Holland explains
“There are, however, many little hills with no names. Collectively, they catch you and drain you but there’s nothing in this section to really hurt you except for the hill outside Camperdown. Cato Ridge and Camperdown are both milestones with fantastic crowd support so enjoy them.”
Don’t they say after 60km runners start seriously questioning why they ever took on this monster, Barry? Enjoy? Are you serious?
Well with “the most important psychological section of the race” – Umlaas Road to Top of Polly Shortts, 69-80km) – up next you better get there having just had fun.
“You’re at the famous 70km mark and, as they say, ‘this is where the race starts’.”
The room breathed a collective sigh of disquiet at hearing the coach read this. Holland takes it up. “There is quite a drop from Umlaas Road that, on very tired legs, can be as bad as an uphill. Novices, don’t be fooled by ‘Little Pollys’ – remember the real thing comes at the 78km mark.”
And then he advises: “Polly’s is not really such a bad hill – it’s just where it is that makes it so hard. Make up your mind now that you’re going to slog your way up it, come hell or high water.
“Whatever you are running for, be it a silver mdal, Bill Rowan or just to beat the gun, it will be greatly influenced by how well you run this section.”
Once you’ve conquered Polly you’re into the home straight, 80-87km.
“If only we could really enjoy these kilometres, if only!! They are genuinely the easiest section of the entire race. There are, however, some bumps that hurt. “The climb to the motorway at ‘5kms to go’ is hell but after that just put your head down and go for it.
“Remem b er time and again to ask yourself that famous question: “How badly do I want this?” Holland concludes and wishes everyone a great run and dreams to come true.
Our coach get the projector switched off and says: “There you go ladies and gentlemen.”
We’ve all done the necessary work and with these tips from Barry, I have no doubt we will hopefully all finish come June 4.