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MLS #: 1015305 Every race tells a story | Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
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Annually hundreds of races are run across the country. But, some are more dear to you than others.
The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon has always been one to tower head and shoulders above the rest for me.
For many reasons: In 2010 it was my very first half marathon. A month later I was diagnosed with early breast cancer.
In 2011 I had to prove to myself that I was in control of my own life again and have put immense pressure on myself to run a sub 2h. It was one of the most amazing and emotionally charged races I have ever done. The freedom to be part of a mass race was incredible. I did it in 1h55 and closed the door on a very long year.
I was too busy to take part in 2012 and 2013, but in 2014 my two brothers and I decided to do it together. They are both cyclists and struggle with niggles which are not suited to running.
My youngest brother lives in Canada and had to drive a track through the snow with his bakkie in the morning before he could run. Talk about dedication…
None of us had illusions of fast times. Just as well, because if you start with the tail-enders you have to ready yourself for a different experience. There is more than enough opportunity to warm up as walking is initially as fast as you can go. And every hill or bottle neck reduced us to a slow shuffle.
Still it was an incredible experience shared with special people and getting caught up in the party atmosphere at the back. We walked when old injuries flared up and ran like excited border collies to ensure all arrive before the cut off time.
It was my slowest time ever for 21km, but definitely the one I had the most fun.
Why are yóú running the OMTOM? Are you running in memory of somebody special, was it a dare in a moment of madness or do you aim for a personal best?
I don’t know what 2015’s race holds- but I’m sure it will be one to remember.
Elke wedren vertel ‘n storie
Daar word jaarliks honderde wedlope regoor die land gehardloop. Tog is daar sekeres wat nader aan jou hart lê as ander.
Die Ou Mutual Twee Oseane Maraton was nog altyd een wat vir my kop en skouers bo die ander uittroon. Om verskeie redes.
Dit was in 2010 my heel eerste halfmarathon wat ek gehardloop het. ‘n Maand later word ek met vroeë borskanker gediagnoseer.
In 2011 moes ek aan myself bewys dat ek weer in beheer van my eie lewe was en het vreeslik druk op myself geplaas om onder 2h te hardloop. Dit was ‘n baie emosionele maar ook ongelooflik lekker wedren. Die vryheid om weer deel te wees van ‘n massa hardlopers was ongelooflik. Ek het dit in 1h55 voltooi en daarmee ‘n baie lang jaar in my kop afgesluit.
Ek was te besig om in 2012 en 2013 deel te neem, maar in 2014 besluit ek en my twee broers om dit saam aan te durf. Hulle is eintlik fietsryers en beide sukkel met skete en kwale wat hardloop nie juis ideaal maak nie.
My jongste broer, wat in Kanada woon, moes soggens eers ‘n roete met sy bakkie deur die dorp gaan ry sodat hy spore in die sneeu kon ooptrap om in te hardloop. Praat van diep spore trap…
Nie een van ons het illusies van blitsige tye gekoester nie. Ook maar goed, want as jy saam met die agterosse wegspring moet jy jou regmaak vir ‘n heel ander wedloop. Daar is oorgenoeg geleentheid om op te warm, want stap is aanvanklik jou voorland. En elke heuwel of padvernouing het die pas vertraag tot ‘n slakkepas.
Tog was dit ‘n sonderlinge ervaring met besonderse mense en groot pret om deel te wees van die partytjie-atmosfeer aan die stertkant van die wedren. Ons het lang ente gestap as ou beserings opgevlam het en teen die einde soos opgewonde herdershonde genael om seker te maak ons kom voor die afsnytyd by die eindpunt.
Dit was my stadigste tyd ooit oor 21km, maar beslis een waar ek die meeste pret gehad het.
Hoekom hardloop jý die OMTOM? Is dit om iemand te gedenk, was dit ‘n weddenskap in ‘n oomblik van waansin of mik jy vir jou beste tyd ooit?
Ek weet nie wat 2015 se wedren inhou nie – wat ek wel weet, is dat dit vir seker een sal wees om te onthou.
Blogger Bio: Anet Schoeman
Anet is a freelance journalist and training fanatic - focusing mostly on running, cycling and triathlon. While the 2010 Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon was her very first 21.1km, it was the 2011 race that marked a watershed moment in Anet's life - both physically and emotionally.
Join Anet as she counts down to #OMTOM2015.