Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[Shebeen]

  On 4/7/2025 at 11:52 AM, Vallende Vaandel said:

This was my first Two Oceans anything and first ultra. The route and the fellow runners made for an unforgettable day that I will cherish for a long time.

End of 24 and beginning 25 I got a slight tear in my calf and re injured myself due to tons of speed work. Divorced my coach and signed with someone who actually ran a tom and comrades and from there it was smooth sailing. I pitched at the start line with low expectations since my longest run this year was 25km -

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I don't think that is enough, to just somme make it work on the day.

Comrades is coming quickly, do the best recovery you can for now, but conventional wisdom would say at least another marathon distance training effort in a month's time. 

 

  On 4/7/2025 at 1:44 PM, milky4130 said:

just watched a video of a lady literally being dragged across the final 50meters of the Half 

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Some people have so much confidence in their ability.

With 15 million batches, you don't quite get the comrades drama.

https://www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon/videos/587496460972500

[Shebeen]

  On 4/7/2025 at 8:50 AM, shaper said:

A tough hard day in the extreme heat for many, especially as reports say they ran out of water at the aid stations.

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ultra or 21?

 

  On 4/7/2025 at 8:50 AM, shaper said:

I have also seen reports of unfortunately someone passing away on the 21km. RIP

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probably didn't look hard enough for that, hopefully better comms than epic if that is the case - these things do happen. Social media commentary is not kind from what I can see. This is quite funny though. Current race director has basically zero running pedigree, and Running mann found this recent rant from her against 2Oceans. So the people who didn't get medals are quoting her  "I paid FULL price I expect FULL service"

 

[Vallende Vaandel]

  On 4/7/2025 at 1:55 PM, Shebeen said:

I don't think that is enough, to just somme make it work on the day.

Comrades is coming quickly, do the best recovery you can for now, but conventional wisdom would say at least another marathon distance training effort in a month's time. 

 

Some people have so much confidence in their ability.

With 15 million batches, you don't quite get the comrades drama.

https://www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon/videos/587496460972500

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O I absolutely knew I was underprepared - I'm a smart woman. But also an incredibly stupid one. One might say stubborn to the point of cutting off her own nose to spite her face 😆 But ja, I'm already chomping at the bit to go for a run. Seems my hips have forgiven me and bless them, poor babies, they have no idea what I'm gonna through at them the next 2 months!!

[shaper]

  On 4/7/2025 at 2:08 PM, Shebeen said:

ultra or 21?

 

probably didn't look hard enough for that, hopefully better comms than epic if that is the case - these things do happen. Social media commentary is not kind from what I can see. This is quite funny though. Current race director has basically zero running pedigree, and Running mann found this recent rant from her against 2Oceans. So the people who didn't get medals are quoting her  "I paid FULL price I expect FULL service"

 

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Ultra

[shaper]

  On 4/7/2025 at 2:13 PM, Vallende Vaandel said:

O I absolutely knew I was underprepared - I'm a smart woman. But also an incredibly stupid one. One might say stubborn to the point of cutting off her own nose to spite her face 😆 But ja, I'm already chomping at the bit to go for a run. Seems my hips have forgiven me and bless them, poor babies, they have no idea what I'm gonna through at them the next 2 months!!

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Unless injury has stopped you from doing long runs or putting in the work, then 5 weeks crash course training and a 3 week taper, will be insufficient to do Comrades and you are likely to cause injury before then if you rapidly  ramp up distance/time on feet in the time remaining.  

[Vallende Vaandel]

  On 4/7/2025 at 2:36 PM, shaper said:

Unless injury has stopped you from doing long runs or putting in the work, then 5 weeks crash course training and a 3 week taper, will be insufficient to do Comrades and you are likely to cause injury before then if you rapidly  ramp up distance/time on feet in the time remaining.  

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slight calf tear earlier ja (dec/jan). so my coach focused on frequent longer runs rather than one weekly long run but the weekly mileage still added up to the same. During the Tom my tank felt full and recovery afterwards miraculous. I'm just trusting my coach from here on out - he did wonders for me so far, and I just gotta trust him on the next grueling few weeks ahead. But seems in line with what you said - big push for 5 weeks and a lekker taper. I know I'll end up with a 11:59 finishers time but I'm happy with that!

[ChrisF]

  On 4/7/2025 at 2:49 PM, Vallende Vaandel said:

slight calf tear earlier ja (dec/jan). so my coach focused on frequent longer runs rather than one weekly long run but the weekly mileage still added up to the same. During the Tom my tank felt full and recovery afterwards miraculous. I'm just trusting my coach from here on out - he did wonders for me so far, and I just gotta trust him on the next grueling few weeks ahead. But seems in line with what you said - big push for 5 weeks and a lekker taper. I know I'll end up with a 11:59 finishers time but I'm happy with that!

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Really is doable.

 

A friend did her first Comrades at age 50 in 2022.

 

Due to various reasons she could only start the dedicated training about 8 or 9 weeks before Comrades.

 

It was most interesting to observe her training program.  Even training to walk those long hills at 60km ... for somebody that does not walk that was a mindshift !!

 

Then dot watching on race day.  She stuck to her pace, walked that monster hill, then back on pace.

 

Finished on planned time.

 

It was amazing to watch this unfold, from training to race day.

 

IT CAN BE DONE.

 

 

BEST wishes with your training, and on race day 👍

[mikkelz]

  On 4/7/2025 at 1:44 PM, milky4130 said:

just watched a video of a lady literally being dragged across the final 50meters of the Half 

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Do share! 😂

[milky4130]

  On 4/7/2025 at 3:27 PM, mikkelz said:

Do share! 😂

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[mikkelz]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:19 PM, milky4130 said:

 

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Thanks, not sure what to make of that.

Courage or stupidity. 🤔

[babse]

  On 4/7/2025 at 4:33 PM, mikkelz said:

Thanks, not sure what to make of that.

Courage or stupidity. 🤔

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Ya yoh i dunno whats courageous about that. 

Body has failed or ill prepared. Either way you need to make better choices in life and throw in the towel when required (body or life in on the line).

hope she recovers quickly...

[Zama7]

Two Oceans race report

 

Expo

Was decent enough although not a fan of green point basement, prefer an big open expo centre like CICT from back in the day. Felt a bit closterphobic and didn't want to hang around at the expo to long.

 

Race

Weather was perfect almost no wind but maybe a bit warm, luckily finished before the real heat hit. Support was amazing the entire route by far my favourite road race. Water points were good except the cups I prefer the plasic sachets so I can carry along and drink when I want but makes sense from a litter point of view. The water point from Hout Bay to Constanssia neck is way to far, think its like 4/5 km and while doing a hill tired everyone was moaning (Same happend last year not sure what the officials are thinking). The road management in Fish hoek was also not great as they had barriers creating a bottleneck and then cones in the middle so saw about 4-5 people fall. 

 

Overall amazing experience, amazing city and amazing race. Will definately be back next year with a bit more training (500km from start of the year to race is just a little light if you really want to enjoy the last 10km) as the support is constant espcially the last 5km. 

 

 

[ScottCM]

  On 4/7/2025 at 12:49 PM, milky4130 said:

Snip....

2. 2025 highlighted just how ridiculous good form I had in 2024. I think if there is a 2026 TOM in me I'll adopt a Triathlete training plan instead of just being a runner. At least that is what I believe to be the biggest difference. 

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Would you mind going into more detail please? I'm loving the extra family time since only running but I do wonder about adding in the cross training for all round fitness. 

[ChrisF]

  On 4/9/2025 at 8:11 AM, ScottCM said:

Would you mind going into more detail please? I'm loving the extra family time since only running but I do wonder about adding in the cross training for all round fitness. 

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Would be interesting to see more of his cross training ....

 

My biokineticist is strong advocate for cross training.

- Some aqua sessions 

- Running / walking

- Cycling

- Weight training

- Mobility / mat sessions

[milky4130]

  On 4/9/2025 at 8:11 AM, ScottCM said:

Would you mind going into more detail please? I'm loving the extra family time since only running but I do wonder about adding in the cross training for all round fitness. 

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Well last year I was preparing for Full Ironman. I was transitioning from being a Full Time Cyclist (+-15hours per week volume of structured training & racing). Then scaling the bike rides down to 2-3 short rides during the week and one big ride on the weekend, with swimming 3-4 times a week. Running was also structured workouts, a mixture of intervals and one long run on the weekend. I was also coached in 2024 so most week days would have 2 workouts, a bike or run would always be coupled with a swim . Bottom Line 2024 TOM time was 3:56 vs 2025 4:13. This year it felt much harder even when I consciously opted to start slower. Cycling benefits running but running doesnt benefit cycling. If you are enjoying the extra family time then the one thing I would suggest you add to the running regime is some strength work 2 or 3 times a week of 30mins is more than enough to compliment your running, it will not only prevent running injuries but also make you a faster runner. And you dont even have to join a gym there are plenty of body weight home exercises you can do.

[IceCreamMan]

  On 4/9/2025 at 9:08 AM, milky4130 said:

Well last year I was preparing for Full Ironman. I was transitioning from being a Full Time Cyclist (+-15hours per week volume of structured training & racing). Then scaling the bike rides down to 2-3 short rides during the week and one big ride on the weekend, with swimming 3-4 times a week. Running was also structured workouts, a mixture of intervals and one long run on the weekend. I was also coached in 2024 so most week days would have 2 workouts, a bike or run would always be coupled with a swim . Bottom Line 2024 TOM time was 3:56 vs 2025 4:13. This year it felt much harder even when I consciously opted to start slower. Cycling benefits running but running doesnt benefit cycling. If you are enjoying the extra family time then the one thing I would suggest you add to the running regime is some strength work 2 or 3 times a week of 30mins is more than enough to compliment your running, it will not only prevent running injuries but also make you a faster runner. And you dont even have to join a gym there are plenty of body weight home exercises you can do.

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I have started going to gym and doing some weights mainly for upper body. 
 

when you say strength work, what exactly are you referring to?