Executive Producer Rory Petzer shares five things most runners go through before race day

As we approach one of the most prestigious races in our country and the world, we wait with bated breath to see all the runners lined up at the start line ready to go, go, go for the Comrades Marathon 2022. 

It has long been a day where families get together to go cheer on the runners as they take on both a physically and mentally challenging journey. This will be the first race since the pandemic, so many people have been eagerly awaiting this day and working hard in preparation. 

If you didn't already know, 'Producer Rory' is an avid runner and has completed the Comrades before. We asked him to share some insight into what a Comrades runner goes through in preparation for the big race...

Read more: Five Things You Need To Know As You Wake Up: Athletes set for 95th Comrades Marathon

Rory isn't just an athlete but also has a comedic heart, so when we asked him why he runs, this is what he had to say...

His humour may be ridiculously realistic, but it is also so relatable for most South Africans.

Considering that many South Africans started their fitness journey at a time when the world was facing its toughest time, running certainly is and has become a place of solitude and mental wellness for many. 

As it has for Rory, who also said: "Running is also the one place where I completely get away from it all to close all the open tabs in my head and make place for new ones. When I’m not training for Comrades Marathon as part of a group, I usually run on my own with no phone or music; just silence, the sunrise, and the open road."

Read more: Steyn to run in Durban 10k

When asked to share five things that most Comrades Marathon runners go through before the big race, this is what he had to say. 

1. The paranoia for a cough or sneeze. Stay away from me! After having run well over 1,000km training for this beast, there surely cannot be anything more devastating than a bout of flu to creep up and have the last laugh! And, because we’re so terrified of getting sick, we’ll often imagine we might be getting sick – very similar to the phantom COVID-19 symptoms many of us experienced during the pandemic. Imagine all those 04h00 alarm clocks and freezing cold training sessions just to sit at home with a cup of ginger tea on the big day? NO! 

2. The terror that you might have trained too much or not enough. What if you’re just exhausted on the day because you’ve just done too much running? Or what if you haven’t trained enough and all of a sudden you find yourself panting and cramping 15km in? How much should I run or walk during the week before? What if I twist my ankle?

4. Obsessing over what you’ll need on the day and how many people you can rope in to fight the traffic on the day and stand on the side of the road with all your lotions and potions. I seem to have the nightmare that I won’t be able to find any of the people who have my lotions and potions, so I’ve bought a big racing belt that holds a whole lot of stuff.

5. Finally, the big one for me, is the logistics on the day. I’m taking the bus that leaves Hillcrest at 03h00, so what if I miss it? What time must I wake up to be at the bus by 03h00? What do I eat when I wake up? What do I take with me to the start? What if I need a number two and there are no toilets available? What if I forget something important? What if I oversleep?

Read more: SuperSport to broadcast 2022 Comrades Marathon

Rory has reminded us that one's mind can be the cause of the downfall of many great things in life. Basically leaving us with the lesson that it is better not to think at all when approaching a marathon...

But we love how he ended our chat off in a 'Rory-ing' way, saying that if anyone needed him to wear their fitness tracker, he would be happy to at a small fee...

Ah, Rory, you crack us up. All the best with the Comrades and remember not to let your mind 'run' away with you...

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