Afriman 2011 short report by women's winner Alae Brand

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Tuesday, 10 May 2011 08:39

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My Afriman 2011 by Alae Brand

Having been out of running action for nearly three months with achilles tendonitis, I almost changed my mind about flying up to Johannesburg for Afriman 2011 on 8 May 2011.

I felt like a brick on my morning run three days before the race and had a very busy week at work with almost no time for training.

Luckily I had already booked the ticket and knew that if I stayed I would have to go do ward rounds in hospital.

I heard that the route was going to be fast and flat, so I borrowed a pair of deep section wheels from a friend (I've never used technology like that before) to ride with. On my way to the airport, however, I realised that I forgot my tri-bars at home... damn!

On race morning we arrived at a venue early and while I was desperately trying to acclimatise to the very chilly air and altitude (in Cape Town I was still sleeping in my summer PJ's), I thought about a racing strategy (something that I don't often do). I decided to take the first run as easy as possible to nurse my achilles, bike hard and survive the last run... and for once my race went as planned.

I didn't have to push myself too much on the first run and managed to open quite a sustantial gap on the bike. I usually enjoy the last run off the bike because it's so hard but for once I really wished it was only 2.5km. It felt like my lungs were lying somewhere next to the road along the route. Man, was I glad to see the finish!

I think Andre and his team did a great job with the venue and route. It was an awesome race and atmosphere and I'll most definitely be back in October for the full distance Afriman.

Alae Brand