Amazing how your body is able to stretch to the
next mileage..if you get your recovery and nutrition right...I started
savouring my long runs around Avis dam..up to Heja
Lodge/Finkenstein...usually in the dark..being able to listen to a podcast or
Worship recording..or just the sound of Nature waking up from the winter
slumber...and as I returned home from a marathon-distance trail run I felt
fulfilled and spiritually sound....the injuries stayed away..more due to the
weekly lyno sessions at Dominic Petherbridge...as well as the plyometric/ core
exercises I was forced to include...
Running with a race pack added a new dimension..as
well as getting my equipment and apparel right..seeing as temperatures in the
Fish can go from 35 degrees Celsius down to a plummeting minus 4! So each week
I added different gear options..looking at all angles...medical school having
taught me that 'protocol provides for protection'...and so the 4th of July
beckoned!
FISH RIVER ULTRA #2
Final preparations included getting competent on
GPS orienteering but this only happened in the last week..getting coached by Andy Chase on
what to expect and look out for...running was the easiest part of this brutal
race...getting to the finish line was the goal...
We booked the family in at Ais Ais camp site and
hit the road on Friday early morning...my last 2 weeks of tapering were less
than ideal..as my practice needed some crisis management..and saw me sitting in office till after 22h00 most nights! But the work for the
Fish was done..now it was time to savour the experience...I had a calm sense of
confidence knowing that I looked forward to the pain..the emotions..the
overwhelming scenery..and after setting up camp for the kids and Kyle
Michel...I said an emotional goodbye and Genevieve Weber Michel drove me
60 Kms to the Race Village..the air cooling but becoming tense the closer we
approached the Canyon entrance..!
FISH RIVER ULTRA #3
Genevieve Weber Michel and I
are awestruck by the vastness of the Canyon and the beauty of the campsite/race
village on the edge of the abyss...I register quickly and nervously..and say my
goodbyes cos Gen has a long way back to Ais Ais to the kids...I open my race
pack and absorb it all..the race number 100-33...the route map...it makes this
event look so pain free..so convenient..but I know this lull..I've felt it
before..before Ironman..before Desert Dash...before Enduroman..and as I check and recheck my race pack,I hear them
call us for race briefing..I listen intently..make mental notes..remind myself
that 'shortcuts are allowed enroute ' and then go back to the solitude of my
tent to wolf down my special meal that Gen has made me...I recheck my light..my
GPS..my watch..my meds..all things that can mean life or disaster in this
hostile Canyon! And so I go to sleep...waiting for 04h00...I smile as I hear
the other athletes discuss tactics and strategies...there's no more I can do to
prep but rest my body..for tomorrow..we battle against our bodies!
FISH RIVER ULTRA #4
It seems everyone has set their iPhones for 04h00...and
so I get up and feel around for my light..I lather myself in my Bepanthan
cream...having learnt this the hard way deep into previous races..ALWAYS apply
lubricant everywhere..I dress and choke down 2-3 hot cross buns with 2 cups of
tea..the breakfast served is great but NOTHING NEW on Race Day is my steadfast
ruling! The queue at the toilet tells me race nerves have set in..and so I join
it..and head straight to the start line after...it's overcast...the
expected moonlight is nowhere to be seen behind the clouds..
Despite the music..the crowd...the 'good luck'
sentiments..I'm screaming inside to get the race started..my muscles are stiff
from the previous day's 7-8 hours of driving..and I wanna stretch..over the
next day!
The hooter goes off..our race chips register as we
cross the line..and we're off for the first 10 Kms to the Hikers Descent
Point...I'm running sub 5 min/km...way too fast..but I'm feeling stiff and
mentally numb..I must slow down but when?! The first lady runs next to me..with
Superman just ahead of me...as well as Tobie Verwey...he's got local
knowledge..it'll be good to stick with him..but the pace is cracking..we reach
the Descent point in the first 50 mins..sign in and descend like maniacs...the
boulder hopping is awesome but straining on the knees/quads and not
sustainable...but I follow Tobie and Superman all the way into the canyon
floor..then it hits me..the fine dusty dune sand that caresses the sides of the
canyon..that'll be my companion for the next 90 Kms of terrain...only
alternated by boulders and slippery rocks that invite you to the enticing
rivers edge,.this is where ankles twist and knees get bloodied..the pace
doesn't slow and although I realise it's madness, I continue in the early
morning frenzy of boulder hopping and 'best line' searching...the gaps widen
between athletes but no greets goodbyes cos soon we'll see each other again..as
positions change as different lines are chosen into the first 30 Kms....
FISH RIVER ULTRA #5
There are about 8-10 of us all descending towards
Sulphur Springs..the descent point for the 65 km runners...and now we're 3-4
hours into our traverse...I'm feeling ok but slightly overextended since the
pace of these other guys is high...I slow down but misjudge my footing and slam
my right foot into a rock..the pain is like lightning up my leg..my toe burns
and I feel the blood collecting under the nail...I can't land on my forefoot on
the right side..and so have to change
my stride to use my less dominant left leg as the leading limb..my right foot
throbs and heel striking doesn't make my pace any faster..it goes numb..I dare
not take off my shoe..and so that familiar feeling sets in..this day will be
long..this race will be painful..this body will have to submit to its
mind..today David Weber you'll
learn something new and profound about yourself yet again..deep within the
darkness of a pain cave somewhere...but one thing you WILL do ....is finish...!FISH
RIVER ULTRA #6
At Sulphur Springs we have a check point..nothing
fancy..only 2 people who greet and check on us..I'm in 10th place with Superman
racing a few meters ahead of me...I've drunk most of the 3 liters I'm carrying
and start thinking about collecting water in the Canyon River...but I'm too
scared to stop..then I see numerous of the athletes stopping to take off
shoes..to fill up with water..to even take pics..and I'm reminded that my goal
is to finish..that regardless of my time we are here to experience what may only occur once or
twice in our lifetimes..being able to do this awesome event far away 'from the
madding crowd' and so I too start focusing on my nutrition..I change my
headgear for a sun visor as my GPS tells me it's over 30 degrees Celsius and
we're only 40 Kms in...now the Canyon starts widening and significantly
different paths make the route longer or shorter...I choose the lines set out
by Andy Chase from
T4A...and coach myself on all the shortcut buttons on the GPS that I'll need
later tonight..the realization that I'll be running into the darkness brings
back the searing pain in my right foot..and I look for the first shade I can find
and collapse in despair..why do I do these events!? Why don't I just do a team
sport that ends with a whistle..why! Cos I'm built for pain..forged from years
of struggling to keep up with talent and realizing that I come alive 'at the
place where talents ends and the bleeding starts'! Without realizing it..I've
also stubbed 2 of my left foot toes and gasp when I take off my socks! The
swelling and blood under the nails are disappointing..and tears well up..when a
chirpy group of 3 runners..2 girls and a guy run up and join me in the
shade..I'm gutted! Maybe team work is the answer but they look strong and
intimidating..they've paced it perfectly..they've even got jokes and
anecdotes..I'll never be able to sustain their pace..so I smile and leave quietly...until
I can't hear them anymore and then walk slowly over the dune sands around yet
another bend!FISH RIVER ULTRA #7
I take the Canyon turn..and follow the track of
the runners in front of me..but my GPS says 90 degrees right...mmmm...which
way..I follow the GPS and discover a beautiful trail that leads up the mountain
and cuts out 4-5 Kms of riverside running..something hopeful wells up inside
me..but as I stop at the top to catch my breath, the chirpy group run past
below oblivious of me..when one of them spots my white Compressport shirt..man!
Why'd I wear white?!?! Oh yes..so they could spot my remains should I collapse and die...that's
why!
I motion to them this is a shortcut but keep my
voice quiet strategically...I'm a good 20 mins ahead which they make up and
overtake me with frustrating ease...Ulf the Legend(having done this event every
year!) also overtakes me with a quiet smile...I'm resigned to JUST finish..and
trudge along with my quads and hamstrings alternating in their lament of
cramps..probably one of the only things reminding me I'm alive...I'm now in my deep
dark place..my body negotiating it's terms of surrender..enticing me with every
spot of shade as an oasis..but I sing...I pray..I focus..but I dare not cry cos
that'll make me lose resolve...every shortcut I get..I celebrate with some
Lobello on my lips..and a PowerBar shot..and so the miles go slowly but
steadily..the water gets murkier and more unsafe..and at 2 river crossings I
can't muster drinking the stagnant water so I lay in the shallow pools..and at
least bring down my body temperature..the fact that I've only pee'd once makes
a concerning niggle in the back of my mind...that means no painkillers for
me..cos my kidneys are shutting down...
When I eventually get to what I think is the 50km
mark, I'm greeted by the sight of Ulf...and Superman..so they've also
slowed...then I'm not the ONLY one suffering..this brings relief..until the
'cheery 3' greet me from a pool to the right...where they've been swimming and
frolicking for over 30 mins..just to get their spirits up..which has the
opposite effect on my spirits..I smile and fill my bottles with clean water and
add Rehidrat sachets all round...my feet are a burning mess so I strip off my
shoes and socks to get down the swelling in the cool water..this relief is
alternated by the relentless sun beating down on my upper body...my strategy
has changed...walk all dunes..run all hard surfaces...even if it hurts more! I
study my maps and GPS to figure where I am...I've got 60 Kms left on the maps
but only 40 Kms if I get all the shortcuts...
FISH RIVER ULTRA #8
The realization dawns on me that finishing in the
dark is definitely going to happen...and the overwhelming panic and anxiety
that wells up is deafened only by the thundering silence of this ancient
river...regardless of my speed from here out...outrunning the sun will be
pointless...I'm alone again.and that brings me comfort..no one to measure
myself against...just the sun and sand and threatening solace..this road of
self doubt digs deeper into my feet..and burns up my swollen legs...I measure my progress in distance to the
next river crossing...everyone is now surely way ahead of me....so just break
each section into manageable bite size chunks...and get there! I study my GPS
and my maps as I walk and stumble along a horse path..willing the DISTANCE TO
DESTINATION screen to drop with every step...seeing wild horses here is surreal
to me! The trees become dense to the southern side of the river and I blindly
follow despite my GPS saying my path should be 500 meters to the north...when I
look up and see a near vertical climb/track with the obscure words 'cut'
sprayed onto a rock near the top! I smile..even chuckle hoarsely...as I climb
carefully up and over...the sight of yet another wide canyon greets me..but I
see Ulf sitting near the water...and a few of the 65 km athletes..this lightens
my load mentally but still weighs heavily on my lower body as I descend to the
water..I greet Ulf grumpily and his response tells me he's hurting or broken or
both..I carry on...and overtake the two 65 km stragglers...and head along a
dune sand ridge and am confronted by a big solitary male baboon..I take out my
knife and approach him loudly...,not to intimidate him but make him aware of my
presence in the blistering afternoon sun! I pass cautiously but have to keep
focussed on the rocks and sand as well as the possibility of a sneak attack..oh
how I'd hate to have to be injured by an animal so deep in the Fish...the miles
start to blur..as I walk-run-stumble along..religiously following the little
white arrow of salvation on a thick blue line of destiny on my GPS...I also
angrily remind myself to eat..you can't run if you can't burn calories and so I
chew on my hot cross buns and German bread cakes...at least this will lighten
my backpack...the late afternoon sun burns my neck as it reminds me its day is
soon ending....
FISH RIVER ULTRA #9
I'm starting to feel better..not stronger..just
more focussed.after what seems like too many bends..I see a flashing light in
the distance..it's probably 3-4 Kms away but stands out on this sparse
landscape...it's the checkpoint....I decide to head straight for it...this is
an unwise move since it involves a lot of rock hopping and mud and water crossings..so
I rethink my eagerness...reprimand myself for losing
concentration/resolve..stick to efficiency and GPS routing....I cut back to my
route and follow it to where I cross the river towards the beacon..here for the
first time I see other 65 km runners..4-6 of them walking in pairs..their
conversation seems loud/inappropriate /jovial...but I soon realise that it's me
who have become sensitive to the sounds of the Canyon...i sign in and gulp down
the Coke that I'm offered..I start to hear tales and stories but quickly ask
for a refill and ask directions to the next check point that's apparently 3 Kms
ahead..AJ Calitz has been past here at just before 12h00..and I'm still here at
17h00...I retreat into my head and leave rejuvenated..3kms till drinks..I speed
up and pass 4 more 65 km runners/walkers...i pass a 4X4 bakkie just before 3
Kms on a hill top with another flashing light..and am surprised to find it
unmanned..just a cooler box and some other camping stuff..so I push on...I
would later find out that THIS was my refreshment stop..that the cooler box was
for US....but at the time I pushed on..expecting to find refreshments around
every next bend..and after 6 Kms I'm panicking..I've got no water or coke..and
I'm parched...I stand over a military grave and purvey the massive valley in
front of me..not a sign of a beacon or vehicle or human hand anywhere..I carry
on but am anxious...I'd hate to be disqualified cos I missed a check point I
couldn't find...the dune in front of me seems untouched even though my GPS
instructs straight up..forlorn and out of options, I climb...and intersect a
path...giving affirmation..at the top I take of my back pack for only the 4th
time today and swop my peak cap for my Compressport bandana and
headlamp...tears well up as I realise the darkness will soon engulf me and I'm
agonizingly close to 'empty' up here on the dune of missed checkpoints...don't
waste the last light, I think and scurry down the powdery descent and into the
river valley below..the rocks are harsh and hard..and what sounds like feet
stomping behind me turns out to be my pulse resounding in my ears...this
carries on for 2-3 Kms before I hit a concrete weir..which 500 meters later
leads to the last checkpoint...a camera with an interrogation style light is thrust
into my face and I calmly respond..still numb from anxiety for fear of a DQ for
missing this checkpoint...everyone claps and informs me the last athletes
through were between 1-2 hours before...I gulped down coke and water and salted
potatoes...and fill my bottles again..20kms left on my GPS...a half marathon to
freedom..a 2 Oceans Half to accomplishment..I can do that..and I greet them and
head into the last rays of dusk greeting me...
FISH RIVER ULTRA #10
The night running brings new dimensions..and I
zoom my GPS down to 20 meters..just a few meters off on either side and the
track is missed completely involving backtracking and haunching down to see for
footprints in my Petzl light...this causes my progress to slow despite massive
strides in 20 meter increments on my GPS...my perception of distance is now
utterly disturbed and I'm grateful that I don't get flustered..having done most
of my coach Natalie Tissink runs
at 03h00 or 04h00 in the morning...every path I find I celebrate...like
Columbus discovering America...! The air has cooled and so my pace picks up..my
only challenging directional quandary is following the GPS into a tree or river
bed that now has water in it...I have to find a route around these obstacles
and then try to rediscover the road ahead..looking for tell tale signs of mud
or a footprint on the rocks that line the river banks...I'm hurting all over
now..but at least I've started to pee..which calms my medically oriented
mind...I start to fantasize about taking off my shoes and having a shower and
lying down at the finish line...but that'll have to wait...12 Kms left to
paradise for me...every approaching river bed is signaled by mosquitoes in my
headlight..i thank the Lord now that He made even these little biting signposts
of 'water ahead' cos they give me a sense of awareness...I think of how Ciske Smith is
going to read this and cry..and that I've got to remember to mention every
painful thought so I savour the discomfort..I remember how Patrick de Goede told
me that I'm made for endurance..cos I learn something new from EVERY training
session I do...I start to see headlights about 500 meters to my left and hear
screaming/yelping..could it be hikers in trouble..I'm in no shape to carry,let
alone help anyone in the cramping shape I'm in..I beckon for them to come to
me..I'm NOT leaving the route..and I cannot stop or my body will seize
up...cramps threaten with every stride..eventually I see the wearers of the 3
headlights..it's the chirpy crowd..they've been lost for 1h45mins...and are
grateful beyond belief..their GPS not zooming down beyond 500 meters which
makes it useless! But now well rested they're keen to run..I show them the
route and tell them I'm racing on fumes...they say they'll stay with me even if
it means carrying me..the sense of achievement in being able to navigate amuses
me..cos all the fitness in the world will not supersede directional advantage
in this crucial moment...they chat..I grunt..I force out a sentence to seem
amicable..which is met with a barrage of energetic questions and conjectures!
The Kms creep by slowly..and our walk/run is cruelly met by signposts for Ais
Ais and water pipes crisscrossing the river beds and the smell of braai
vleis..but still the faithful GPS says 4 Kms to go..these agonizing last 4000
meters are felt over every footstep...like a hurdler lunging over every hurdle
in an Olympic record attempt! We cross the dam wall that also promises
civilization but only rewards us with more sand and rocks..it is only on the
last 800 meters that we see that glorious..that stupendous..that symbol of finality..the
finish line..we cross hand in hand..all 4 of us..3 fit smiling friends..and the
broken, forlorn, choked up navigator...Anna-Michel and Genevieve Weber Michel hug
me..and I can't hold back the tears..I've done it..I've conquered the second
oldest Canyon in the world..she may have beaten and bruised me but only so that
I could come out stronger..deeper...having learnt that even stagnant
water..even vertical shortcuts..even cold and wind..even tear filled
eyes...even rocks forgotten...can be a blessing when all else fails!
After a great first year racing in the professional category in 2016, I was amped for the 2017 season. Feeling stronger and fitter and more in the "right head space" - I had done some great training over December spending many many many (and many more) hours on the bike - I loved it. My swim was starting to click, I was starting to understand the phrase "feel the water", and my running was strong
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