Lesotho Tourism Board 1/2 Marathon

Hello Dear Reader,

I'm typing this post a day after running the Lesotho Tourism Board's 1/2 Marathon- an initiative to get Basotho (people from Lesotho) to "see your country first". What I should also mention, is that I'm typing this post while laying in bed, sore and with a sunburn from the lower gates of hell. You may be asking, "Was it worth it?" Me: Absolutely. Let me explain:

The story all starts off on Friday, when I registered myself and Doc up for the race. Somewhere between that time and race day, I realized that I'd lost my phone (think it's gone for good this time). Was supposed to meet up with Doc and our friend Nthabiseng the next morning at 5 am, so that we could collectively head out to the beautiful town of Teya- Teyaneng- (TY for short- the arts and crafts capital of Lesotho). Well, let's just say it was a journey in and of itself to catch up with two different people at 4 am without a phone and a race to go to. Needless to say, we met up in the nick of time and road out together to reach the venue not too much before "start time". (On the ride there, Doc and I recounted our Crocodilian 32km race, when we got to the race 30 min after it started). Luckily, this is Lesotho (where things don't exactly start on time). We got there and stood around for a little over an hour; caught up with friends, laughed, tried to figure out when the race would actually start, looked at what all of the local runners were wearing, and took turns guessing which one of the guys running up and down the street warming up would actually win (none of them). Speaking of catching up with friends, I spoke with three of them who have run both the Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon more than once (swoon)!

Finally, the race started off at 8 am. For a good 2 km, Doc and I had fun pushing/pulling each other behind one another. Unlike all of the other races I've run, this one was the most fun and relaxed because I was with friends...running side-by-side! The hills, however, were.not.as.fun!

Doc & I continuing the harassment post race (I won...as always)!

The race started by going through the central business district (CBD) of TY and down a nice hill for the first 2 km. The hills started immediately after that. Not even 5km into the race, I got tired after running up a ginormous, never ending hill. Doc gave me a smirk as he continued to run, but you know I couldn't let him win. Every time I'd drop back, he'd keep running, and next thing he knew, I was running right next to him. That lasted for the first 6-7km. I ran the first 5km (3.2 miles) in 30 minutes and reached 10km (6.2 miles) in under an hour.

Just outside of Ty CBD

My time was pretty on point for this race, and felt really good...that is until about 10km, when we reached the point in the race that started the slow (at times) assent up a seemingly never ending hill. There were some spots in the race with hills that were more like mountains. fugg! At one point in the race...when it was clear that there were no more down hills in the foreseeable future and one mountain (literally) that was just redic...I remember saying to myself, "After this one, I'm quitting the running game. This is my last one!" Similarly, the support team for the race kept driving up and down the long stretch of race route, collecting people who'd quit. I seriously considered catching a lift. Ya'll it was just that crazy!

The only saving grace that kept me running was the fact that, on what had to be the most beautiful day all year (clear skies, peach trees in full bloom, grass and other plants turning green, sun shining), the view was stunning, each little village we ran through came out to cheer us on, and the water stations were well attended and on point! Plus, I knew I'd regret it if I did...but don't think I wasn't willing to humbly submit to Lesotho hills/mountains!

At mile 9, I really wanted to cry! I was running by myself...with no one in sight both ways. I was so thirsty, tired, and ached. It was as if the Georgia Publix Marathon was sent to Lesotho in a compressed zip file and spit out as the Lesotho Tourism 1/2 marathon! The angels above must have been with me...or at least heard my call...cause an Ntate (Sesotho for 'Sir'/'Older Man') running in black Reebok high tops, jean pants, and a whistle around his neck was all of a sudden next to me (yes, he was an actual race participant). When he'd attempt to run, I would too. When he took a break, so did I. Eventually, we realized that we were running at about the same pace...and stuck together until the end. He barely spoke English, which was ok, cause I wasn't much about talking at that point. Even though I'm sure he could have continued to run when I took walk breaks, he stayed with me and tried to explain what people along the way were saying: "You're almost finished. One more big hill and you're there." (Note: there was always "one more big hill and you're there"). Finally, we hit the peak of the mountain from hell with less than a mile to go until the finish line based at Kome (Kome is known for its caves with ancient Bushman paintings).

The decent into Kome was on a rocky road which went STRAIGHT DOWN! On the way down, BoNtate (men) wearing traditional clothes on horseback rode past. Me and my Ntate met a young girl who was running the race. We all finished together, side-by-side...met by cheering crowds, music, people selling food, and a medical area full of people laid out on the ground getting their respective injuries nursed. My ultra runner friends had finished maybe about 10 minutes or so before me. While standing around, waiting for the rest of my crew to arrive, one of my friends talked me into joining her running club...they train in the mountains. She looked like she'd just finished a walk in the park. Next year, I want to run this race again and look like her when it's all over and done! Doc came along about 20-30 minutes after me and Nthabiseng, not too much longer after him. My finishing time: 2 hr 30 min. Not a bad time (under the circumstances)!

Transportation back to the starting line was provided, but only after speeches from the Minister of Tourism and Culture, other folks, and singing. Doc, Nthabi and I, however, were ready to get some serious food and go home! The trip to the race was an adventure, add a grueling race course to the story, and top it all of with the story of how we had to get home. Since people were ready to stick around for the event and not planning to leave any time soon, we were on the look out for anyone who might be going at least to the main road so that we could catch a taxi. Finally, we talked an Ntate into dropping us off at the main road for a 6 pack of beer- SCORE! Once at the main road, we tried to negotiate with a taxi driver to take us back to TY. You see, when I say taxi, think of a VW love bus from the 60's, which can take up to about 15 people. We were negotiating to pay what he would make with a full taxi. No luck there. Eventually, Nthabi thought she saw a friend of Doc's driving back to Ty. Doc ran over to see if we could get a lift. Even though it turned out not to be a friend of Doc, the nice man decided to give us a free lift...in the back of his bakkie (pick-up truck). Dude drove like a bat out of hell! His three stowaways in the back laid flat in the back, with one (me) praying not to spray the other two with vomit (felt like a freaking roller coaster). Dusty, hair standing up on our heads, we rose out of the depths of Satan's 4x4 once reaching TY. We walked through town with many stares. Doc jokingly saying what onlookers must have been thinking, "Eish! Poverty in South Africa!"

With a headache and sunburn from the dark side, I was F-I-N-I-S-H-E-D! Well, that is, right after I ate the best pizza in Lesotho at the Blue Mountain Inn (check it out when you're in TY).

And that, my dear reader, is my story. I have a sunburn on my face (did I already mention that?), two different tan lines on my legs marking the two different running pants I use (my multi-colored legs might scare off my soon-to-be in a couple of weeks...sorry in advance, my dear), and a reminder of how Lesotho's beauty never ceases to take my breath away (scenery and running...lol)! So, I'd say that the Lesotho Tourism Board 1/2 Marathon was a great way to appreciate the country's stunning view...however, next time, I think I'll drive!

Next up...the Gerald Fox Memorial 1/2 Marathon in the Joburg City Zoo!

Until next time, walk/run it instead of taking your car...so put one foot in front of the other...and keep it movin'!

Yours in (recovery) training,

Dani