Running the Comrades Marathon 2023: My next ultra challenge

[@Manvmiles]

Is the Comrades on your bucket list? Run it already? Share your tips here...

[@brianogrady9883]

Definitely on mine Kieron. I love the romance of this race ever since I read Adharanand Finn's account of it in The Rise of The Ultra Runners. Can't wait to see you do it

[@Manvmiles]

@@brianogrady9883 This was on my list before I read Adharanand's book but reading that made it a must do.

[@brianogrady9883]

@@Manvmiles I know what you mean. So excited for you. Get on a fast "bus" and cruise along

[@vincewarne228]

I’ve been reading about it recently. I think it’s too much of a stretch to do it for me unfortunately - once in a lifetime kind of race for most people I bet.

[@mthuthuzelimsobantu5546]

It's a lovely day out, am a slow runner and as usual am aiming for sub12 finish, you will have a ball. Hiils, hills and hills is the plan

[@pauldbeer]

Hi I've completed 11 Comrades and it certainly is an extraordinary experience! I'm sure you will never forget it!!!!! From the expo to the start, the early morning darkness, the playing of "Chariots of fire", to the many supporters and refreshment stations, the music, the massif never ending hills, and the feeling of exhilaration as the finish stadium comes into view, you sure to take part in a life altering race!!! The hills will be tough to extreme, but on this year's down run, the down hills can be very jarring on the upper legs. Take it easy going down some of those long steep hills. Learn the route and remember the hills with names, yes, some hills have names! Also, the up and down are actually two different races, and I recommend you plan for both. This race has the way of calling you back. Not on the same day, or even the next week, but, within a month, when you tear up telling people about your experience, you will start to plan for your return!!! Enjoy, and I wish you all the best....!

[@MsTeddyBearza]

Awesome - I am going for my Back to Back this year! The run is tough, a lot of big hills, you will question your sanity multiple times, but crossing that finish line is the best feeling in the world! The "gees" of the supporters is unbelievable! The training for this is really really tough, many early morning, many sacrifices have to be made, so I like to think of the training as the hard part and the actual Comrades run as the reward for all of it. Try and enjoy the day, don't just go and run, enjoy your fellow runners and enjoy the crowds, look around you, the businesses in the areas will have big banners up for support, Kearsney Collage has their band out and of course you must take a moment to high five the disabled children from Ethembeni that come out to support all of us. Also remember to tip your cap to Arthur at Arthur's seat and enjoy the Comrades wall of honour when you pass there. Good Luck!

[@Manvmiles]

Fantastic. Good luck with the back to back. And thanks for the words of wisdom. I can't wait to run this one and will definitely have my head up to drink it all in.

[@chad.haggerty]

Glad you added the button!

[@Manvmiles]

Wow, thanks mate. This really helps me keep making more vids that hopefully people enjoy. It's very gratefully received.

[@chad.haggerty]

@@Manvmiles absolutely my pleasure. I think there are a lot of us that will appreciate supporting you financially. The way I see it, you’ve got better entertainment, motivation, and inspiration than the video services I pay for. You are one of the most authentic, relatable people I watch. That amazing since I should not be able to relate to 67 marathons in 67 days; it’s a testament to your storytelling ability. I don’t think there’d be anything wrong with mentioning that the button is there at the same time as you mention like/share. Those of us that subscribe have followed or watched your journeys and you’d simply be directing our attention to a way to support you. And we do. 😊

[@chad.haggerty]

Wow!! Congratulations, Kieran. Looking forward to another amazing journey with you.

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks Chad. Can't wait to share it. Good and bad.

[@thembinkosisbusisomasinga2811]

​@@Manvmiles we will be together let doing it again

[@Mpumzar]

I am doing my first comrades as well this year. Training is going well so far

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

ManvComrades ftw!! 🥳

[@Manvmiles]

Absolutely. 👍💪

[@rene57867]

Running my first Comrades this year. Wishing you a great training block and even better race! See you in PMB.

[@Manvmiles]

That's great. Best of luck. See you there!

[@gladfan1989]

Good luck out on the roads. Finish strong!

[@jonathanwatkins447]

Wow. This is awesome. I'm doing my back to back this year. You will love it. It's an insane race. Support along the whole way is amazing. Last year weather was perfect. Not sure if you remember but last year I did my first and asked you what shoes. I think you said speeds but I went with alphafly V1. They were actually the perfect shoe. I was going for a bill rowan sub 9 but I actually did a 7:48. I was shocked how much easier it was. When I say easy it was because I trained hard and smart. I could definitely see myself struggling without training hard. Didn't realize at the time how well I trained but I knew on race day I was well trained. Hil training was huge. I live in Israel now and where I live doesn't really have great hills but I just went back and forth over the hills. It was so boring buy I think it also made me mentally stronger 😜. I did leg work at gym 2 times a week. Down hill training is a big help. Check out fields hill at around 70K. Fields hill will thrash your quads if not done strength work and trained them for down hill. If you fly down the hill you are also finished😜I think Fueling and hydration was also really good. A gel or chew every 5K and then I also had bananas and oranges along the way and of course salt tablets every 10K.A big deal there is potatoes that all support give out also . I didn't take any but that's just because I had so many carbs. I also didn't just drink water . I also had there version of Gatorade. Sorry forgot the name. Keep in mind water and isotonic are in bags that you rip with your mouth and drink. No cups or bottles. Cokes they do have in cups. Sorry to ramble but you got me juices flowing. There is nothing like comrades. You are in for a huge treat. Message me for any information. Like I said I only did last year but most of my friends have done it 5- over 10 times. in south africa people go from couch to comrades 🤣🤣

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks for this Jonathan. It's all really helpful. Great to know the Alphas worked well. I'm going to start working out what shoe to run in over the coming weeks/months. But it's handy to know a big carbon racer like that copes well on the ups and downs. 7:48 is an incredible run btw. Fantastic running. Can't wait to get into this one. Good luck with your prep for the back to back too.

[@jonathanwatkins447]

@@Manvmiles I just got a pair of V2 so will be trying them in jerusalem that has big hills and also in Boston. I know you liked V2 hopefully I will also. Good luck. Looking forward to following this.

[@Toddinho24]

I'm doing my back to back this year. You're gonna love every minute of it, there are a few suprises, like halfway not being at halfway (Drummond is actually the ceremonial halfway), first half will be all about climbing, there'll be a human chain of supporters from start to the finish, the supporters are actually very friendly and genereous (you can have anything you ask for, anything)... See you on the road, all the best

[@milosjosic9232]

Amazing, if you could make videos about the trainings and progress from this project, it would mean a lot to us, so that it would be easier to organize our own training. Great video, great project, great man !!! I am cheering for you 🤞👏

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks Milos. I'm going to try and log the training as much as I can. Hopefully it will be useful for others to see.

[@dilochetty9332]

well done.. just making the start line injury free after all the training is an achievement . running it and finishing is a bonus.. agree with you, strength training is the key.. 1st 60kms is uphill, so when they say its a downrun, keep that in mind..

[@nkululekomabaso4273]

Your training is spot on; strength training is key ! Just a secret regarding the down run so that you are not suprised……you will be climbing from the start till about 55km; the extreme downs only start from then. A lot of people are shocked by this on race day……

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks for the insight. That's really good to know. Mentally noted.

[@trailrunningphil]

Best of luck mate. What a great adventure! I look forward to watching how it all goes :)

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks Phil. Really excited to be taking this one on.

[@vincewarne228]

Good luck …although you’re going to totally smash it! Looking forward to the journey. Will you show some of the strength and Yoga bits?

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks Vince. Can't wait to get into this one. I'll try and chart my whole training journey, including some of my gym training and the yoga. Though only if everyone promises not to laugh at how inflexible I am!

[@briansmyth1502]

Looks fantastic. Look forward to watching your journey as I did the Danube. Good luck 👍

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks Brian.

[@nkululekomabaso4273]

Awesome news !! Will see you there; shout if you need any info regarding the race , logistics etc. It is a life changing experience ! Going back for my 5th one this year

[@Manvmiles]

Amazing. Will definitely have questions. Thanks. Can't wait to experience this race.

[@rossholland879]

Enjoy ! My first comrades this year - my Dads 49th . The record holder

[@youtubeappreciator]

I'll see you there as a fellow novice :)

[@Manvmiles]

Fantastic! Good luck with training.

[@AnalieHeyns]

Doing my 12 th Comrades....most amazing race you will ever do ..!!!

[@Manvmiles]

Wow, that’s a huge achievement. Can’t wait to have my first experience of it. Very very excited to be part of it.

[@mthuthuzelimsobantu5546]

See you there, I've finished it twice, DNFed once.

[@Manvmiles]

Amazing. I feel very lucky to have the chance to do it.

[@johntaplin3126]

Start easy and don't get carried away early on. At c.60k you hit Fields Hill and you will need your legs strong on the 4K+ drop. Ran the down run 51 years ago (91.4k) that year for a silver. Hope you do well, buddy.

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks John. Appreciate the advice. And congrats on your silver. Having seen the course I know how much of an achievement that is. Huge.

[@AntTN5]

Biggest test is surely what shoes to chose!

[@Manvmiles]

Definitely. Already started weighing this one up. 😂

[@whenwe9168]

Did this in 2022. Doing my back2back medal attempt in 2023. See you there

[@Manvmiles]

Amazing. Did you always plan to do back to back?

[@whenwe9168]

@Manvmiles no they say straight after the race you say never ever again and a week later you want to go again. Please watch these 2 clips to get a real idea of the race. The 1st is a 3:30 collage of race pics. The other is 9 times winner Bruce Fordyce talking you through it and what a riveting chat. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2OxpqqtaMeggbc and then kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGa5m6CQgbKtb5Y

[@whenwe9168]

Oh and this one too kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3OqZHZrd9uUaZo

[@pauldbeer]

Some of the hills to remember: Polly Shorts - or Polly's - will be easy as it's the down run and the first to encounter. 2.1km down Lions gate - up to the flats - about 2.4km up, don't worry, your legs are still strong!! Highest point - about 18km into the down run - easy Inchanga - just before the halfway mark, up the back and down into halfway - tough but you should still be fine - 44km Botha's Hill - steep down and up the other side - You starting to feel it now and wondering why - STAY POSITIVE!!! Fields hill - real killer on the down-run - 21km to go - this one can be you downfall - take care!!!! Cowies - Taking you out of Pinetown, 1.9km tough uphill as the legs are now very sore... Bite the bullet and stay the course.... 45th cutting - You have less than 10km to go, this one is short but your legs are now feeling every bit of it go-go-go The hi-way into Durban has a few unknown hills, don't worry, you're nearly there!

[@Manvmiles]

Thanks Paul, this is so incredibly helpful. Really appreciate you taking the time to share the wisdom. Already looking forward to Lion's Gate! 😂😂😂

[@jocelinjohnston3091]

'Promosm'

[@Manvmiles]

Not sure what that means.