Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[Hacc]

Yo!

 

Anyone else notice that the drop-out rate on 2017 Comrades was 18.5% ? Historically this used to be 10-11% and many got excited when it hit 15%. CMA reacted to that stat, with a statement. This year, the Chief Medical Officer made no mention of it, in his post-race report, save to say it, "became quite a hot day" - or some such.

 

I'm intrigued; are you?

 

R.

I am sure the heat played a role. I am lucky that I can handle heat. (Not so much for my training buddy...) I think it got to him and that is why he started throwing up. He still finished though. 

I think one of the factors is definitely the heat and then waterpoints not having water. Runners had no choice but to drink the terrible sweet Energade, which they are not used to. I saw on Facebook lots of people got sick along the road. One of my club mates got sick because she drank water from a hose... Not sure if the drinking water is safe along the route?? (That was her reasoning...)

 

I still wonder though if it was the heat. This year Om Die Dam, Loskop and Irene Ultra were all very hot. Most ultra runners should be used to it.

 

I know runners that were way better prepared than previous years and they didn't finish. I guess it all depends on the day. This poses my following question:

 

 Is the qualifying time of 5 hours to lenient? If you qualify in 4:55 will you be able to finish Comrades? (One of club mates qualified at Wally in 4:59:23 ) She just made Comrades with a minute to spare.

 

4:59 for a marathon means a pace of 7 min/km. At Comrades, you can easily add a min per km which is 8 min per km. That gives you 11:36 for the up run if everything is going well...

then if you start in H it takes you 10 min + to get over the start line...

 

Forgot about this: 

Another problem I see at my club is the lack of mentorship for novices... They lack knowledge on how to train, how to pace themselves, how to tackle your first marathon, the whole mental game at Comrades, how to eat etc. 

Edited June 15, 2017 by Hacc

[Frosty]

 

 

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[Hacc]

 

 

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Well, that will be 57km for me... one way...

[Frosty]

I'm 36km from work, but fortunately we were told to stay at home.

 

 

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[Stretch]

I am sure the heat played a role. I am lucky that I can handle heat. (Not so much for my training buddy...) I think it got to him and that is why he started throwing up. He still finished though. 

I think one of the factors is definitely the heat and then waterpoints not having water. Runners had no choice but to drink the terrible sweet Energade, which they are not used to. I saw on Facebook lots of people got sick along the road. One of my club mates got sick because she drank water from a hose... Not sure if the drinking water is safe along the route?? (That was her reasoning...)

 

I still wonder though if it was the heat. This year Om Die Dam, Loskop and Irene Ultra were all very hot. Most ultra runners should be used to it.

 

I know runners that were way better prepared than previous years and they didn't finish. I guess it all depends on the day. This poses my following question:

 

 Is the qualifying time of 5 hours to lenient? If you qualify in 4:55 will you be able to finish Comrades? (One of club mates qualified at Wally in 4:59:23 ) She just made Comrades with a minute to spare.

 

4:59 for a marathon means a pace of 7 min/km. At Comrades, you can easily add a min per km which is 8 min per km. That gives you 11:36 for the up run if everything is going well...

then if you start in H it takes you 10 min + to get over the start line...

 

Forgot about this: 

Another problem I see at my club is the lack of mentorship for novices... They lack knowledge on how to train, how to pace themselves, how to tackle your first marathon, the whole mental game at Comrades, how to eat etc. 

 

I wanted to mention this.............but wasn't sure if I should raise it!   

[Hacc]

I wanted to mention this.............but wasn't sure if I should raise it!   

This is a safe environment where you can speak your mind...  

We are all friends here, no need for flamethrowers and popcorn.

[Hacc]

So, how are the nerves of our 70.3 contestants?

[Stretch]

This is a safe environment where you can speak your mind...

We are all friends here, no need for flamethrowers and popcorn.

 

ha ha  - its not going to happen - but i think there should be a 4:30 qualification time and then then still have a 5 hour qualification which includes a R400 donation to a choice of a CMA selected charity and a R100 donation to the Comrades Association.

 

This will force people to work harder to qualify within the 4:30 and therefore reduce the number of non finishers or withdrawals 

[Lexx]

The only thing they must change, is their Up Run finish venue. I hate that race track....

[ScottCM]

So, how are the nerves of our 70.3 contestants?

 

As its my 1st 70.3 , the anxiety starting to build up 

[Ferret69]

ha ha  - its not going to happen - but i think there should be a 4:30 qualification time and then then still have a 5 hour qualification which includes a R400 donation to a choice of a CMA selected charity and a R100 donation to the Comrades Association.

 

This will force people to work harder to qualify within the 4:30 and therefore reduce the number of non finishers or withdrawals 

 

 

I know a lot of people will hate me but I say change qualifying straight back to 4.30 no questions asked

 

And Leave 12hr cut off...

 

People running 4h59s to qualify are already on a hiding to nothing, especially on the Up run, cos they are also (often) the people who have done 600kms training since January.

[Hacc]

As its my 1st 70.3 , the anxiety starting to build up 

Good luck Scott! Do you know if they will be broadcasting it on Sunday like the full Ironman?

It is my turn to sit in front of TV and be lazy!

[Hacc]

ha ha  - its not going to happen - but i think there should be a 4:30 qualification time and then then still have a 5 hour qualification which includes a R400 donation to a choice of a CMA selected charity and a R100 donation to the Comrades Association.

 

This will force people to work harder to qualify within the 4:30 and therefore reduce the number of non finishers or withdrawals 

I like this idea. If you look at the entry fee for 70.3 and full IM... it is enough motivation to make sure you train hard!

Edited June 15, 2017 by Hacc

[Stretch]

As its my 1st 70.3 , the anxiety starting to build up 

GOOD LUCK

[Andrew Steer]

This years dropout was 'high'... but actually lower than the last two up runs from what I understand. I think peoples biggest problem was over hydration/nausea. Saw lots of people struggling. It wasn't Om die Dam hot out there, but it was hot for us Gauteng'rs that make up half the field and come down from early winter weather. 

 

If you are tight to 5 hours for a marathon, just know you are in for a long long day... most of the people do though I reckon. I have a friend that qualified with two minutes to spare and ran 11:30 - she just keeps ticking over. I also finished a minute behind a club mate who's marathon pb is over half an hour quicker than mine. It's all about pacing and long game on the day in my view. Some people have better long game, some peoples legs have more slow twitch fibres, higher glycogen stores etc... I reckon the qualifying time is pretty spot on as long as people who qualify are capable of finishing, and that is certainly the case. The stragglers are a big part of the day in my view.

 

Hey Ferret, what's wrong with 600km's training from Jan     

Next year I'm going to try for a BR on 800kms training 

 

Interesting to hear all the different views though 

[Andrew Steer]

GOOD LUCK

Ja man, you got this... just don't do crazy at the start of each leg and you should be golden