Ilembe Ultra Marathon (50km)

Yes, that is what I did on Sunday!! Got up at 04h00 to get ready and arrived ad Umhlali for this gruelling 50km race. Dereck did the 23km. Whilst I have not done much training for this, it was a race that I had to do as when I completed it I wold get my permanent number for having completed 6 of these races. I was given an hour aromatheraphy massage from PULSE from Reg, Jeanine and Sharon to thank me for having seconded them on the Gaterite 50km in July (I will do a blog story about this very soon). This was the best massage that I have ever had and I think it was thanks to this that my legs are not sore or too stiff after the 50km . It was really really hot and I have got seriously burnt and for me that is the sorest part.

This race for me, was not about doing any fantastic time, or where I came - it was about finishing it to get my permanent number - I did and my number is 137. I took 8h09:06 and was really glad once I crossed the finish line.

As I crossed the finish line, I made a decision that this was my last ultra and that I would not be doing distances longer than 25km in future. Training for that sort of distance is achievable. I feel that I have achieved what I wanted to in my walking career - in particular - permanent number for Postnet 42.2km having completed 5, permanent number for Gaterite 50km having completed 3 and now permanent number for the Ilembe 50km having completed 6.

A huge thanks to Dereck for being my seconder after he had completed 23km, to Big Dave who was seconding various people after he had completed the 23km and was at the right place at the right time with the right refreshments, and to Sharon, Little Dave, Antoinette, Reg & Jeanine who all encouraged and supported me.

Happy Ultra Walker signing off ...