My Washie Experience

I did not complete the 160 kilometers that I set out to do. The fact of the matter is that I gave up too early - I thought it would be impossible to complete in time. Thank you for those who also supported my projects financially.

The Washie is run every year in July from Port Alfred to East London, South Africa. A small field (normally below 70 people) would enter to brave the run. We started the run at 5 o'clock the afternoon and I was soon setting a good pace. After one hour my position was number nine in the field. The plan was that would a quick first hour (hopefully 10 km) and then slow down to about 8 km per hour for the next ten hours, but allowing a break or a rest of about an hour in between. The idea was to hit the marathon mark (42 km) after 4h45 minutes. The second half of the race (from 80 km) would be much slower - at about 6km per hour - so it would take me about 14 hours to finish. In total the plan was to o the first half in 11 hours and then to finish with an hour to spare 2 hours).

I was in trouble from the about the third hour - I managed to hit the 40 kilometer mark (not quite a marathon yet) after 5h45 minutes. I then rested for about 15 minutes in a support vehicle of my brother, Tobie.

For the next four kilometers I tried to adjust me distance meter on my watch (it works with a footpod and it actually mislead me from the beginning indicating that I was running faster than my actual speed). I could not get this adjusted - it might have been the hills or my legs feeling very tired or it could have been the cold of the previous week that was still in the body.

At this stage I was very concerned - I was an hour slower and I only allowed one hour extra at the end - my mind said to me - the race is over! I then became a bit more calm realising that if I could maintain a pace of just over 7k per hour that I would be able to finish in time. I tried ...

I was struggling as I could hardly manage to do 6,5 km. Then I aimed for 5,5 and battled as well. I decided to go and sleep for an hour this was now 3.30 in the morning. I eventually slept for more than two hours and then started again. The first kilometer felt good and the second one as well, but then I slowed down again.

After 16 and 3/4 hours I stopped - there was less than 10 hours left with about 80 kilometers (or a bit more - unsure) to go. I had to run at 8 km per hour and I did less than 5 on average for the first half of the race.

Will I go again? Yes, if I am healthy and God willing. Will I be better prepared - o yes! Will I make it? I don't know, but I want to go again ...

Special thanks to my son Hannes and Karla for their support and my brother Tobie for trying to keep me going through a difficult patch. Thanks to my Father for his protection and blessing.