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tjommies3

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Everything posted by tjommies3

  1. Hi This seems like a very long shot. I have a GPS unit from 2011 that works very well. Somehow, the shell now has damage to the buttons (not sure why but it looks like burns) and I would like to replace it but Garmin SA and NavWorld are unable to assist. Is there anyone that possibly has the same unit who would like to sell it so that I could make use of it for spares? Please DM me if available, and preferably in Jhb? Thanks
  2. I just realised that it's 20 years since my first sub 3. I'm only mentioning the following due to how it was achieved. Most comments before this indicate that it takes hard work, the right group, fitness and weather conditions, etc. No doubt, that is spot on. What happened to me 3 weeks before 'The Argus' of 2004, was a crash in a race that went over Oukaapseweg. My crash was in the dip between the small and big climbs. This was my fine tuning race. Bike written off, helmet cracked but fortunately, no fractures or breaks, just serious concussion. I knew that I was in peak fitness, and that would assist in my recovery but would I be ready to race on the big day? Probably not. So that's when I just chilled through the insurance claim process, and eventually got a new bike on the Tuesday before the race. For this year, I was seeded in D, which is usually a good marker for a sub 3 candidate. Still, I wasn't going to race, just ride. I followed wheels like I have never done before (I prefer riding in the wind and providing a slip) and never turned a pedal in anger. My most chilled race ever, and I reached the finish line in 2h54. A detour sub 3 that came easily because I knew that I had the fitness but due to the circumstances, decided that I shouldn't put any pressure on myself for that day. So remember to relax in trying to achieve your goals, and they may come to fruition sooner than anticipated. Well done to all who finished, all who finished and achieved their goals, and speedy recovery to all who suffered in crashes.
  3. Not bad at all. Well done.
  4. I appreciate your take on things, quite valuable. I have a few marathons under the belt, definitely not tons. 12 is a more accurate number, and 1 ultra at Oceans 18 (started running in 2016). I do have lots (for me) of mileage though but my happy place is between 21 and 34. I agree totally on how the body reacts on certain days. I have even been told that I train well but suck at racing. I have tried the approach (including last Sunday) of it's just another Sunday run, so enjoy it. I was enjoying it, and my first half was easy and chilled, and I chased nothing and nobody and finished it in 1h40m. This is where I think I spoilt things. I decided to walk voluntarily in order to refuel with comfort and then build into the second half. The rhythm was spoilt, I used a few single runners and slipped them for a bit but it totally messed me up because I was no longer consistent. Yes, I have a lot to learn but I do think that I have enough experience to achieve my goals at my current level. First one being a sub 3:20 marathon. (PB is 3:33)
  5. Thanks for this Scott I know the feeling, and it's also playing on my mind to reconsider. and there is the rest of this month to decide. I want to say that I should relax and see how it goes but the thought of getting through almost 90k is a tough one. Baking in the sun for most of the day, and then running the risk of whatever niggles flare up on the day. Heart - do it. Head - wait 1 more year.
  6. My aim in a marathon has always been to get to 36k and then wing it, if necessary.
  7. Thanks I understand what you are referring to but I'm not hitting the wall. I had no cramps or muscle pulls, and I'm filled energy. I do have pain though. Generally, it's my ITB. Recently, I have experienced pain in my hip flexors and my feet. I know that it takes lots of patience and mainly strength work, so that's what I'll be working on.
  8. Thank you for this For now, I can't even think about silver. I need to finish 30km+ without feeling like I'm gonna walk soon. I will train, and I will get to the point that I need to be at, i.e. pain free. I will then check my schedule in terms of when I could possibly do Comrades, but one and done is all that I am interested in. I have done it before with Oceans in 2018, so I know that it's possible. It will just take a lot more work. The work won't include the test run at Comrades though. I know that I can finish it, so I don't really need that proof. Thanks once more
  9. The warm up was my pace, not hers. It was comfy, and we chatted for the duration. I finished the race but I did a run/walk (mostly walk) to the line.
  10. My marathon didn't go well yesterday. I am now convinced that I'm not ready to try my luck at Comrades. It's not easy doing a flyer in the first half and then crawling the rest of the way. I was so relaxed, so full of energy, so motivated. I even had a warmup session with Gerda Steyn, I guess that a number of things contributed to my body saying enough is enough and with that, I'm waiting for the substitution window to open. I'm gonna continue trying to strengthen my body and stick to half marathons for now. Amazingly, all the pain I felt yesterday had nothing to with my ITB injury. Anyway, that's my story.
  11. Not in the mood to train but I am training. Seems like I'm currently in the 'train smarter, not harder' group. Last race I tried was a marathon. Fortunately, it was a double lap, so I just went for the HM. Will be trying my luck again at the Cape Gate Vaal Marathon. Thereafter, I will be winding down a bit due to Ramadhan and the mileage will be high but due to short runs not LSD runs. Prepping for Comrades seems a bit tricky at the moment but I'm sure that I'll be ok. Speedy recovery to those experiencing a few niggles.
  12. I was at the start for the 2007 edition starting in London. This was awesome because it included the behind the scenes for the presentation rehearsal, the presentation proper, the prologue, and stage 1 from London to Canterbury. The best part of this was that I was able to see EVERY rider and DS up close and personal, in the line-up and in motion. I got to shout at Robbie Hunter and he struck a pose for me since he saw my SA flag. Lastly, I got to meet Phil Liggett. Also, I was so early for the prologue that I was able to check out racing lines in front of Buckingham Palace. I was literally the first spectator in that area (if not the course). I set my camera up there because they would go around both sides of the circle. The security eventually came to tell me that I set up in the barricade safety zone which prevents the entire fence from toppling over in a crash. It was the line of fire that I was looking for, so I only moved away by about a metre. I got a tan of note but it was so worth it. No advice available on the wife situation, except to say that priorities need to be re-evaluated LOL 🙂
  13. I wanna train for Comrades, stay injury free by doing all the right things in order to run a silver. Then I wanna go back home after being successful in achieving my goal and I never wanna hear about this craziness ever again 😂
  14. At best for now, I could possibly run a 3:15 marathon if all goes well. Patience is key and I will definitely look into weighted strength training. Well done on your sub 3. Problem is that when you know a lot of what is spoken about, it sometimes complicates matters because you want to try everything instead of keeping it simple.
  15. I have close to 6000km under the belt over the last few years ending 2022 (1840 is for 2023). When I started, it was a very slow progression, literally running 1km per day without breaking a sweat initially. I understand the injury prevention concept very well, so there was no ramping up of anything. I get the small niggles that most runners get but nothing significant. My tendons and ligaments are all in a condition that I would like them to be, it's literally just my ITB holding me back. Hoping that your comeback is positive.
  16. Thanks to all for the input in response to my question. Much appreciated.
  17. The intention is just to get the shot for the event. There is no way that I want to use it every now and again because I'm fine most of the time. I will check your recommendations regarding the Barrows, if necessary. I appreciate you sharing your experience in the matter.
  18. I have tried a few different options, including a highly recommended physio, sports scientist who treated me with lynotherapy, various types of sports, deep tissue, Chinese, Swedish and Thai massage. I do the usual glute activation and everything that is necessary. In terms of mileage, it varies from week to week but it has been consistent enough, around 1840km for the year and I can comfortably run at sub 4'30" pace.
  19. Only body weight type training but not as serious as calisthenics.
  20. Hi All Jhb based members - Is anyone here an orthopedic surgeon, or has anyone had any experience with injectables for an ITB (or other) issue? My doctor recommended it to me over the weekend. I am running at what, for my abilities, seems to be a blistering pace but I can't seem to go comfortably over a half marathon distance. I need to start my prep for Comrades 24 soon, and need a solution to achieve a decent experience at the Ultra. My last 2 marathons went well until halfway in 1 and 30km in the other. Please advise?
  21. WELL DONE @The Bike Vendor
  22. My experience with Finish Time is the strip that's attached to the race number. It works well in running and it's disposable.
  23. Also, one should watch out for these vehicles that can climb things at high speed. Was out on a run yesterday and a small-ish 4x4 was approaching an intersection that has a built up circle. It went straight across as if there was nothing. All other road users, none in a car, were shocked by the sheer audacity to not give a damn. I'm thinking about having centre barriers installed in every circle because Jozi drivers just don't see the need to use these types of intersections properly. Either go across or take the shortest route to where they want to be.
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