Runners share inspiring advice before Marathon in Cape Town

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Runners are gearing up for an eventful weekend in the Western Cape as a number of marathons and fun-runs take place. These runners share inspiring advice.

Your legs are pumping and gaining momentum with each foot pounding to the ground. The cold morning’s breath sends shocking vibrations through your throat and lungs as you inhale deeper and faster.

Do you feel it? It is that piercing pain from ankle to knee. The body says no more but the mind says push. It is all or nothing when you’re training with a specific goal in mind.

“I don’t focus on the pain. I focus on the goal. When I reach my desired goal on race day, the pain means nothing,” says elite Distance Runner, Ashley Smith (22), an Economic Development student at the University of the Western Cape.

The Mother City is up in arms and buzzing with the major, upcoming Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, and Cape Town 10km Peace Run on Sunday, 23 September 2018.

“This has been my goal all year long. Once again, I’m given the opportunity to compete against the country’s finest runners,” explains Ashley, and went on to say that he struggled to hold back his emotions when he ranked sixth position with a PB fall of 28:51 (28 mins and 52 secs), last year this time in the Cape Town 10 km Peace Run.

Whether you’re classified as an elite runner or not, the event focuses on awareness to giving back through charity, integrity and passion, by calling upon all types of runners to join in on this unifying experience – allowing everyone to engage and witness the diversity of the Cape Town community. Ranging alphabetically, runners will be placed within their specific seedings.

Duane Fortuin (34), a running Coach of Kuils River Running Club and chief Coach to elite runner Ashley Smith, advises the importance of a positive mind:

“You may be physically prepared for the race, but fear and doubt can ultimately result to the end of your race before you even start. It is D-day and there’s no turning back. Trust in your training but most of all, enjoy the race,” reiterated Duane, who trained at high altitude in Kenya for the last three months for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.

While we may be aware of the social pressures representing itself in a myriad of subtle ways – perhaps a friend talked you into running the marathon – you want to lose more weight or simply prove a point. “You know your body best – if you’re not ready, don’t do it,” he warns against the dangers of falling prey to such phenomena.

“You need to train at least five or six months in advance (sometimes longer, depending on the person). Have a strategic training plan in place and stick to it. Also, incorporate your hill training, tempo runs, endurance runs, easy runs and strength training.

A massage, good diet and resting out two to three weeks after a hard marathon, plays a crucial role in avoiding injury. After recovery, run shorter distances such 5 km, 10 km or 15 km,” explains Duane.

Sadly so, we exist within a society of deteriorating moral fibre, but the power of sport, however, cultivates a culture of crime prevention – fostering respect, love and tolerance among youth by offering a sense of place and belonging.

For elite runner Ashley Smith, there was no silver spoon in the absence of a father. For him, it goes beyond the five and half years of intense training with his Coach Duane Fortuin. “He is my second father who shaped me into the person I am today. On and off the tracks. I live by his words:

“Do not limit yourself. If you do, you limit God.”

The struggle did not deter him whilst growing up in the Cape Flats.

“I grew up in Mitchells Plain – a community characterized by crime and gang turf. I needed to remain focused and true to myself to keep my dream alive – the 2020 Olympics,” says Ashley, with a 5-km track PB time of 13:55 (13 mins and 55 secs), and 10 km road PB time of 28:51.

“Running is not everyone’s thing, and everyone’s thing is not running. Don’t let that discourage you. Find your passion (or purpose) and execute it regardless of people’s opinions.”