Life Lessons Learnt from the Ultimate Human Race.

It has been 27 years since I ran my last Comrades Marathon… So what? Well, this morning, my gaze came to rest on a framed photograph against the wall in my study that captured the moment I received my Green Number from the late great Wally Hayward in recognition of completing my tenth race. Whilst reminiscing the moment captured in the frame, I time-travelled back…

The Comrades Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a test of human will, a journey through the highs and lows of endurance, and a mirror reflecting the spirit of life itself. I had the privilege of running this gruelling 90-kilometer race twelve times. The tenth run, when I earned my Green Number at the age of 30, remains particularly significant to me, not just as a milestone in my then running career, but as a moment of deep reflection on the lessons the race had taught me.

These lessons, forged in the furnace of fatigue, triumph, and occasional despair, have since become guiding principles in my life, etched into the fibre of my being. The Comrades Marathon taught me that the race, much like life, is not merely about speed or finishing ahead of fellow runners, but about endurance, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles – me against me…

Endurance: The power of consistency

In life, as in the Comrades Marathon, the path is long, and the terrain is often unpredictable. The hills are steep, and the flats, though offering temporary relief, can lull you into a false sense of security. Endurance is the key, both on the road and in life. It’s not about how fast you can go in the beginning, but how long you can sustain your effort. The race taught me the importance of pacing myself, of understanding that life is not a sprint but a marathon.

This endurance is built over time through consistent effort. Every training run, every early morning wake-up call, every decision to push through when your body is screaming at you to stop – these moments accumulate, forming the bedrock of endurance. Similarly, in life, the small, consistent actions we take every day shape our character and our ability to withstand the challenges that inevitably come our way.

Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks

The Comrades Marathon is notorious for testing the limits of human endurance. It is not uncommon for runners to face unexpected setbacks, whether it's hitting the proverbial wall, dealing with an upset stomach, or enduring a knee injury that threatens to end the race prematurely. These moments of crisis are where resilience is forged.

Resilience is not about avoiding setbacks; it’s about how you respond when they occur. During my tenth race, I vividly remember hitting a point where every step felt like an insurmountable challenge. My legs were heavy, my breath laboured, and the finish line seemed impossibly far away. But in that moment, I had a choice: to quit or to dig deep and find the strength to continue. I chose the latter, and in doing so, I discovered a reservoir of resilience I never knew I had.

In life, too, setbacks are inevitable. Whether it’s a career disappointment, a personal loss, or an unexpected challenge, resilience is what allows us to keep moving forward. It’s the ability to absorb the blow, adapt to the new circumstances, and press on with determination.

Determination: The will to keep going

Running the Comrades Marathon requires an iron will. There are moments when your body is screaming at you to stop, when every fibre of your being is begging for relief. In these moments, determination becomes your greatest ally. It’s the inner voice that tells you to keep going, even when the finish line is nowhere in sight.

Determination is about setting a goal and pursuing it with relentless focus. It’s about not letting anything – fatigue, pain, or doubt – deter you from your path. When I earned my Green Number, it was not just a testament to my physical ability, but to the sheer force of will that propelled me through ten gruelling races.

In life, determination is the fuel that drives us toward our dreams. It’s what keeps us going when the odds are stacked against us, when progress is slow, and when others have given up. It’s the relentless pursuit of our goals, no matter how long it takes or how hard the journey becomes.

Camaraderie: The strength of community

One of the most beautiful aspects of the Comrades Marathon is the sense of camaraderie among the runners. Despite the competition, there is a spirit of mutual support. Strangers become friends, and in those long, gruelling hours on the road, you realise that you are not alone in your struggle.

This camaraderie is a powerful reminder of the importance of community in our lives. In the race, as in life, we are stronger together. The encouragement of a fellow runner, the shared experiences, the mutual understanding of the challenges – these connections provide the strength to keep going when you might otherwise falter.

In life, building and nurturing relationships is essential. We are not meant to walk our paths alone. The support of others, whether friends, family, or colleagues, can make all the difference in our ability to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.

Preparation and planning: The blueprint for success

The Comrades Marathon is not a race you can simply show up for and expect to finish. It requires meticulous preparation and planning. Every aspect of the race, from nutrition and hydration to pacing and mental strategy, must be carefully considered. The months of training, the careful attention to diet, the mental rehearsals, are all crucial to success on race day. What you put in is what you’ll get out.

This lesson applies equally to life. Success rarely happens by accident; it is the result of careful planning and diligent preparation. Whether it’s in our careers, our personal lives, or our pursuit of a particular goal, taking the time to prepare and plan increases our chances of success. It’s about being proactive, anticipating challenges, and having a strategy in place to overcome them.

Grit: The unseen force

Grit is the unseen force that drives us to keep going when the going gets tough. It’s the combination of passion and perseverance that allows us to overcome obstacles and push beyond our limits. In the Comrades Marathon, grit is what keeps you moving forward when your body is exhausted, when the finish line seems impossibly far away, and when quitting feels like the easier option.

Grit is what separates those who finish from those who don’t. It’s not just about physical strength, but about mental toughness – the ability to stay focused, to endure discomfort, and to push through pain in pursuit of a greater goal.

In life, grit is the quality that enables us to achieve our long-term goals. It’s the persistence to keep going, even when progress is slow or setbacks occur. It’s the determination to see things through, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

Mindset and attitude

Ultimately, the lessons I learned from running the Comrades Marathon are all tied to mindset and attitude. How we approach challenges, how we respond to setbacks, and how we persist in the face of adversity are all reflections of our mindset. The race taught me that with the right attitude, with endurance, resilience, determination, camaraderie, preparation, and grit, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges. Life, like the Comrades Marathon, is a long and often arduous journey. But with the right mindset and attitude, we can not only endure the race but also find meaning and fulfilment in the journey itself.