This is something I realize almost every time I hit the trails. With SOX, more so than ever before. For me it is almost impossible to put my experience into words. This is something you have to experience for yourself and I sincerely hope that everyone who take the time to read this, attempt something challenging at least once in their lifetime. Because I left those magical trails a changed person…

My Training:

Let me start by mentioning my training. I realize now that no amount of training can prepare you for the actual race. In my 14 weeks’ preparation time I did 649km (about a third of that on technical trails), two weekly strength sessions and lots of yoga. I worked harder than ever before. I never lost focus and that plus my incredible mental strength is what got me through to the end. My training felt like a distant memory but I must admit - it definitely helped me survive and enjoy the race. 

Physically I was strong and felt good and my body could easily absorb the intensity. I never ran out of energy and would probably have been able to do a few kilos more. With that said, the extreme up- and downhills did hurt like hell. On day one we had a massive climb from kilos 15 - 20 and that was followed by the most painful 8km rocky downhill run ever! That hurt my feet so bad, that I was wondering if I would ever be able to walk again. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of time there and almost the entire field of runners passed me there. So for me it became a race to not finish last!

For the journey ahead, I need more experience, speed and getting stronger.

The Race:

For me this was a race of Extremes: Extreme climbs; Extreme hard work; Extreme focus; Extreme beauty; Extreme pain, Extreme energy, Extreme feelings, Extreme Gratitude…

Let me just make one thing clear: I did SOX Full (29km/30km/16km). I very soon realized that I was competing in a very strong field. This was clearly the option for the pro-, seasoned and elite runners. So my entire race was against not finishing last. On the uphills I was a machine and passed some runners where possible, just to lose all that time again on the downhills. I think I would have been more in my league if I entered the SOX Sport option (23km/17km/16km). At least I can honestly say that I gave my utmost best throughout the entire race and even though I finished in the bottom 15 every day, my total race time is still less than some of the Sport runners who did 19km less than the Full.

Day 1 was tough, but Day 2 was even harder. The endless climbs were insane, and it went something like this: climb up for about 3 kilos, reach the top, realize there are 3 more ‘tops’, then eventually go down another 4kms, reach the most beautiful forest floor with clear mountain streams, just to start climbing again. I did however decide to push harder on the downhills and conquered that part. After 6kms of downhill running, I really started to feel that my quads did most of the work there!

Day 3 started with a very sore climb (crawl) out of bed. When I went down the stairs for breakfast I only had one thought: ‘How am I gonna do 16kms if I can’t even walk to the kitchen?!’ With a sore body and a strong mind, I started the beach run (yes my calves & quads burned like hell!). Then at around 7km, I experienced something I’ve only read about… Suddenly no more pain, my wonderful body released that natural pain killer that I don’t know the name for, but I guess that is what Rowen meant when he referred to the ‘magic’! Day 3 was my favorite and I loved the draw bridge over the river and also sprinted across the water bridge close to the end.

Furthermore – the trails were well marked and the water points were great!

The Terrain:

Let me just stipulate that this terrain is completely new to me! I am used to hard surfaces with rocks and dust. Here we mostly had soft forest floors, mud and lots of tree roots. I’m used to jumping rocks - slippery roots were a whole new game to me!

I have never in my life climbed so much!!! Kilos and kilos of uphill just to go down again on kilos of rocky jeep track and steep single ‘rooty’ track. Some trails were very narrow and on the edge so I felt very scared of slipping or losing my balance there. I mostly felt like a mountain goat! I just kept saying to myself: ‘Né, don’t look down, don’t look to the side, just keep looking at the trail, nowhere else!’ With that said - whenever I took a peek in any other direction, I saw the most beautiful views! You cannot imagine anything like that ever! It was simply breathtaking and I mostly felt overwhelmed and emotional for having the opportunity to experience that!

On day 2, around kilo 19, I slipped on a rock at a river crossing and my shoes were soaking wet. Just as I started to panic, I realized it is actually very soothing on my sore feet. So I ran through the water at every river crossing from there and absolutely enjoyed the wet feet for the last 10km. Miraculously I got no blisters, only baby-soft and clean feet at the end. My feet never felt better after that healing forest water!

The forest has the most beautiful ‘surround sound’! From complete silence to baboons playing to birds singing high in the trees with frogs and bugs completing the symphony. Added to that is the sound of water running down crystal clear streams. The smells include fresh mint, eucalyptus and just magical fresh forest overall! I just loved every second there! My entire being came alive in those forests and that is where my heart resides. There, next to Daleen Matthee, is where I want my ashes scattered when my life on this beautiful earth ends.

The Mental Side:

I am mentally unbreakable and it once again proved that this forms 80% of (trail) running! I spent almost 12 hours with myself and some of the conversations went like this:

With myself:

WOW, just look at that!
Balance now Né!
Oooh don’t look down!
Holy shit, how am I going to get up there - don’t look up ahead again!
Holy shit, now I have to go all the way down again!
Oh my goodness, WTF - seriously?!
One step, one kilo at a time!
You can do this!
This is what you trained for!
This is your dream!
This is what you do!
This is who I am!
Come on, you’re stronger than that!
Push harder Né, push push push!
Cry if you want to, it is ok…
Oh hell 17 more kilos of this left…
I can’t believe it is almost over, I’m loving this! (not after day 2 though…)
Oh, this is awesome!
Oh, wow, just look at that!
WOW how unbelievably beautiful!
How the hell am I gonna do that?
I can’t believe I just did that!
You make me so proud!

With God:

Thank you for me granting me this opportunity!
Please don’t let me fall!
Please help me finish this!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Lord, I love you so much!

 

Now tell me, how can you not walk away humbled and changed?

Special thanks to the race organiser: Hano Otto & team

Photo credits: Deidre Cloete. EL Rorke Photography. Chris Hitchkock, Photosport.co.za. Hanneli Ceronio. Mia Basson. Len Nel. Myself