Couldn't agree more Andrew!! My goals for the race was to feel good and not nauseous. Don't worry about the time, just complete the distance and to enjoy the race. My race summed up: Hottest Om die Dam to date, I didn't get nauseous I survived the distance!! The start was chaotic. It took us 4 minutes to get over the starting mat. I started with 2 of my club mates, one was doing her first ultra. We stayed together for 18kms. She was looking good so I chased her away and I had to do a loo stop. I probably ran a minute and a half slower than my normal ultra-marathon pace. I didn't feel sick at all and for the first time in almost a year and a half, I enjoyed running again, even if it was seriously hot (I can't explain the heat without swearing) and I was slow. I chatted with fellow runners, tried to get people walking before a waterpoint to run with me to the waterpoint. I just enjoyed the race without any time pressures. Saartjies was pure torture. I walked the whole hill and chatted and laughed away. My wheels came off just after Jasmyn (10km to go). No nausea, the distance just got to me... The furthest I have run this year was 26km... so 50km felt very far. I have never seen so many runners getting sick and lying under trees. I handed out my extra water sachets. The last 3 kilometers felt like a half marathon. I got so excited to see the last waterpoint as I thought it was the finish...O, no still 1 km to go... And then looking at my watch the finish was 200 meters further. I broke my own rule not to walk in the last kilometer. I went over the finish line in a time of 5:45 (mat to mat) My worst ODD time... but I couldn't be happier. I accomplished my goals for the day, and not to feel sick was the best feeling in the world. I needed this race to mentally convince myself that I can still do this. I rewarded myself with a "death by chocolate" ice cream (and a couple of ciders...)
