On the 10th of March 2019, I ran the Gabs 1/2 Marathon. This was my third Half, following my two last year, the Diacore in May and the Soweto in November. For my first two Half Marathons, I had only one goal – TO FINISH. For this Half, I decided to set a specific time goal of 2:35 (07:21 min/km pace). In hindsight this was quite an ambitious goal but when I set off, there was no question in my mind that this goal was achievable.
The Race: The Race Start/ Finish was at Airport Junction Mall which is a 5-minute drive from our house and there is plenty of parking space. So we didn’t need to worry about any of the logistics we had to with Diacore and Soweto.
We got to the race and found Zurika, Elisa, Polelo and Tshireletso all raring to go. Only Zurika and I had registered for the Half so we were a bit more anxious than the others. I had a good warm up, organised my music player and was generally in good spirits. After 10 solid weeks of training, I felt ready.
The Route: As the race is so close to home, I knew every little bump and pothole in the road, every left and right turn and also the distances between different points. In team sport terms, I had a clear home advantage! I had just never run all the sections in one go.
A Glorious 15 km Run
1 – 5 km: Splits min/km (07:01/07:22/07:22/07:16/07:01). The Half runners were a small group (I don’t think we could have been more than 200) and many set off at quite a fast pace. Zurika was with me for about 200 m before powering away. This was my first Half Marathon without my running buddy Tapiwa and it did initially feel quite weird. For my first Half I ran with her for 16 km and for the second, for about 5 km. I made my way through Block 10 neighbourhood and then turned right onto the Airport Road. The familiarity of the route was quite comforting. At 5 km I was ahead of schedule and my legs felt good. At around 5.5 km we turned back and headed for the Airport Lights.
6 – 10 km: Splits min/km (07:16/ 07:29/ 07:07/ 07:05/ 07:09). In this section, my body was in flow. The tar surface was smooth and I felt so beautifully prepared for this race. The only hiccup came towards the end when I had to cross a big intersection. As I was at the back of the pack, the policeman decided to let cars go through. I was momentarily flustered but then decided that instead of stopping I would go right and then stay on the other side of the road until I could cross over. This worked out quite nicely.
11 – 15 km: Splits min/km (07:30/ 07:37/ 07:28/ 07:19/ 07:35). Probably 90% of my short runs are done on this stretch of road so I was well within my comfort zone. Shortly after the Block 8 circle (around 12 km) I decided to take my first gel. I had hoped I could stretch it out a bit more, but I realised my pace was dropping and I wasn’t feeling as energetic as before. I headed to the BTV circle and then took a left to go over the first flyover. I was strong up the incline and when the 15 km beep sounded I was still on goal-time.
How It Came Undone
16 – 20 km: Splits min/km (07:41/ 08:05/ 08:15/ 08:02/ 07:48). As I descended the BTV Flyover and took a left, I suddenly felt really drained and my pace dropped even further. I started to lose focus and when I did the math, I realised I had fallen off target. My music player battery died around this time which was such poor timing as music would have helped through this rough patch. My legs felt fine but I was just failing at all attempts to pick up the pace. There were so few runners on the road now and with the city fully awake there were several cars unnervingly close to me. The sun was out in full force and the road was so deceptively steep, far steeper than I remembered in training. At 18 km, I took another gel and soon after I took the final turn onto the Taung Flyover. I was near the end.
20 – 21.1 km: Splits min/km (07:34/ 06:50). When I got down to the Airport Lights, I was surprised that we were being told to go across the Road. Immediately I knew the course was too long. When the Half distance sounded on my watch, I still had about 500 m to go and it took everything to push through. As I turned the last corner I spotted my dad, Ditiro was holding the camera and Zurika had one kid in each hand.
I was so happy they were there. This was probably one of my loneliest races – 21 km close to the back of the back, very little spectator support and impatient drivers headed to work. Seeing my people was so uplifting and together, we ran towards the Finish Line.
The nice thing about finishing towards the end is that all volunteers are waiting to wrap it up! And my kids sprinting down that stretch brought huge cheers! I raised my arms as I crossed the Finish and then spotted Elisa in front of the big crowd!
My time: My watch gave me 02:37:42 which was not 2:35 but was still a 3:41 min PB. Sadly, with the distance being too long, my race official time is 02:41:46 (21.69 km).
After the Race: I was exhausted and emotional. I felt I ran the first 15 km really well, and I achieved a major PB. But I was also slightly disappointed that the last 6 km had been such a struggle! But after talking to experienced Half Marathoners, it seems the general consensus is that those last 5 – 6 km is all about digging deep and finding your strong. A friend of ours, Johannes, also reminded me how important speed work/ interval training is and I’ve actually incorporated a lot of that into my current training cycle.
I always plan to write my race recaps shortly after the race, but I find I need a bit of time to figure it all out in my head – the obvious joy of finishing my third Half, getting a PB, having such supportive friends and family, and running with my kids to the finish. But also the slight disappointment that things fell apart at the end. Friends, there is a lot more work to do. And you know what I say to that? Bring it on! 🙂
I’m joining two fabulous runners, Kim from Running on the Fly and Deborah from Confessions from a Mother Runner for their link up the “Weekly Run Down”. Hop on over to their blogs and others, and be inspired!
The Gaborone Runner 
Hey that’s a great PB though and this: “21 km close to the back of the back, very little spectator support and impatient drivers headed to work.” – this is HARD. You did so well. Love those finish pics, too. Having all the worry about the cars on the road would sap my energy.
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Thank you Liz! 🙂 I was so pleased to finally see the Finish Line and having my kids run the last stretch with me was amazing!
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Nothing like having a race 5 min from home and knowing the course. You never know how you will feel on race day. I always find those last couple hundred yards to be so tough. Nice job on the PB! Hope you are proud of that!
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That last stretch was very tough indeed but so proud about the PB.🤩
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Congrats on that PB! I know you didn’t meet your goal and that always feels bad, but still–a PB!!!! The half is such a tough distance. By 15k/10miles I’m always ready to be done.
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I thought I was more than prepared for those last 5/6km but I was well and truly on the Struggle Bus 🤣
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ah Shathiso – you did your very best!! it’s HARD to run alone and at the back of the pack and that can REALLY mess with your mind as you are running. You did so well though, really!! you have a PB and you will definitely get that 2:35 and probably even faster. Totally convenient to have that race pretty much in your entire running ground!
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Thanks Renee! It felt so good to know every single section of that route! 😁😁 That race made me realise the importance of speed training and I think that’s why I’ve gotten so much faster in the last few weeks. 🤣 I can smell a new PB coming!
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You did great! I often struggle the last few miles of a race. For me, it’s because I don’t do long enough long runs to feel comfortable with the distance, don’t do tempo runs to condition my body for race pace, and don’t pace myself well — I’ve got a lot to work on! That picture with your kids is so precious! It’s so great how your whole family supports you.
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Who would have thought running comes with so much learning! I guess we all have a lot to work on! I’ve done a lot more tempo runs/ interval training since this race and it seems to be helping. The family have been so great although I think my parents actually think I’ve lost the plot!
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Can I just say, you have the the sweetest, most genuine smile 😉 That first pic is precious!! The final stretch is always tough, I don’t care how “easy” or “on pace” everything else may have seemed up to that point. That’s a long distance! Also, the race day circumstances are always a gamble….you had your familiar location, but the heat/sun/music malfunction and limited crowd support threw you some tough obstacles. But, still a PB 😉
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Aawwww! Kim – thank you so much! 🙂 And yes, what a tough stretch! I kept thinking it’s “just 5k” and the other part of me was saying “Yes, but that’s still another 35 minutes on the road!” LOL – BUT still a PB!!
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Seriously, you were SO close to your time goal AND you got a PR! That’s nothing to sneeze at. Well done!
I do a lot of small races & often there’s really no spectator support. So yeah, you gotta dig deep for those!
Boo to a long course. 😔
It takes me a long time to digest a race, too. Again, congrats! Seriously, your hard work is really paying off.
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Thanks Judy! I’m so glad the consistency is paying off – I’m just always surprised about how much more I have to learn and how each race is so different.
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There is always something to learn!
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Congrats on the new PB! That is amazing on such a tough day. The finish with your kids is the best! I loathe when courses are open to traffic like that. So unnerving. Having the course be too long is so very tough mentally too. Well done!
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Thank you Marcia! was so glad they were there – doesn’t matter if I am way at the back, to them – I’m champion mummy coming through!
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What a great recap! Congratulations on your PB and how wonderful to have your people out there to support you!
Amazing work! You’ll get that 2:35 soon!
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Thank you 🙂 That was the best part – seeing them at the end after the tough last section of the race!
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Congrats on the PB! So cool that the race start was so close to your house! It’s always so nice when you don’t have to drive or travel too far for a race. Even though it was a hard day, you still gave it your all and for that you have to be proud of yourself!
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Thanks Kim – so proud of myself – the first 15 were really smooth – I just have to build the pace and stamina to finish off in better shape!
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Congrats on the PB! That’s awesome! And gotta love a race that starts close to home.
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Thank you 🙂 Roll out of bed and to the race, loved it!
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I love that the race was 5 minutes from your house! No stressing out about logistics or parking.
Sorry you didn’t meet your goal but it looks like some tough conditions. Finishing a half marathon is still an accomplishment so CONGRATS!!!
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Finishing a Half is indeed an accomplishment – it’s quite a battle out there, huh?! And my next one is in 3 weeks – but I’m feeling excited again!
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You ran a great race! Congrats on your PB! It is hard to push through those last few miles – especially with the traffic and all. And how nice to run a race so close to home!
That photo of you and your kids heading towards the finish is the best!
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Thank you Michelle! I love it when they see me running at a race. Usually I just bring home the medal but to have them there was really special.
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I love reading about your races, with your positive energy and fighting spirit! I hope we can meet when I move to Gaborone!
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Thank you Trisha! 🙂 Can’t wait to meet you and to support you in any way I can as you continue your running journey in another country!
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Congrats on the PB! That’s great that you were familiar with the route and that the logistics were pretty easy. Too bad about the music player cutting out on a hard portion of the race 😦 Those are wonderful finish photos!
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Thank you! So glad my husband managed to capture all those photos!
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Congrats!! I think I would like a course I am familiar with because I like to know where the next mile is! I would have been so bummed if my music died. I seem to always have some sort of music issue on races, so I know what you were feeling! So cute the little ones were able to run with you 🙂 That’s always a great mood lifter!
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Thank you Lisa 🙂 That music just died at the wrong time, ggrr! Was so mad. I discovered it really is such a great feeling when you know every section of the course. I also discovered it can be quite daunting because you know exactly how much you still have left, LOL!
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Hooray on the PR!!! You deserve it with all your hard work.
There were so much working against you- no music, small race, no crowd support, long course.
I see a faster time in your future. Maybe start out slower and pick a bigger race. The logistics aren’t as easy but I like bigger races because of the people and the excitement.
Congrats again!!
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Thanks Darlene. Yes, my next race in 3 weeks is a very big race. And in the 4 weeks since this race I’ve really picked up my pace as I’m doing a lot more speedwork. Feeling a lot stronger already 🙂
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Great news.
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Wow!!! Congratulations!! I love that you saw “your people” and it gave you the boost you needed to cross that finish line – it happens every time. And I really love your kids running with you. My boys have done that a few times with me and the feeling is just indescribable. I’m so happy for you and everyone you spoke with is right – it’s those last 4-5 miles of a half marathon that can make or break you and you MADE IT!
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Thanks Allie! 🙂 I love that your boys have also done that – it really just feels amazing, them seeing you do what you love most. Those last kms – OMG… but I made it and here I am chasing another Half. Why do we do this to ourselves?!
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