A Race and A Scary Plan

At 6:30 AM on Sunday, Kai and I stood at the starting line of the Tokai Manor House 16k. The air was cool and still, the perfect morning for a race. The catch? It was a bring-your-own-water event, and my usual hydrovest was out of the question—it would have covered my license number and age tags, which would’ve meant automatic disqualification.

My trusty bottle belt was back in Switzerland, so during warm-ups, I tried stuffing a soft flask into my pocket. It kept falling out. Frustrated, I decided to go without. Around me, other runners were making the same gamble. 16 kilometres isn’t so long. I’ll manage!

The course was a mix of smooth pavement and light trails. About 30 minutes in, I spotted a woman who had looked strong during her warm-up for the race. Now she was walk-running, her stride faltering. I passed her, and a few minutes later, Kai saw her dropping out altogether.

Not long after, a marshal shouted out to me, “You’re the third woman!” I was surprised. A runner beside me pointed ahead: “There’s the second woman! Go catch her!” I laughed—the idea felt ridiculous. She was so far ahead, I doubted I’d close the gap. But as we rounded a corner, there she was, completely stopped. I have no idea what happened to her, but there was no time to linger. I passed her, moving into second place.

By now, my body was sending some serious signals. I was parched, my calves were cramping, and I was desperate for the finish line. Hearing the faint crackle of the speaker in the distance felt like a lifeline.

Finally, we turned onto the field where the finish line awaited. Relief washed over me as I crossed it, finishing in 1:16 (my Garmin measured the course at 16.43 km). Second place! I was thrilled. While I waited for Kai, who finished soon after me, I drank water like a camel, savouring every drop.

Later, as Kai and I talked about the race, I realized how much the “no water” challenge had heightened the intensity of the race. No matter how well we prepare, we always have to be ready for an unpredictable twist that can make everything feel much harder.

On another note, I’ve signed up for something that feels equally thrilling and terrifying: the 2025 Comrades Marathon. This legendary 88km ultra alternates each year between the “up” and “down” runs. In 2025, it’s the “down” run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban—just two months after Boston. Am I nervous? Absolutely! My biggest fear is getting injured in the process, so I will need to focus on finding the right balance.

As for Sandra, my couch-to-5K candidate, she’s still sticking with the plan. We’ve been doing our weekly run-walks, and I’m thinking of upping the stakes by signing her up for a 5K in February. I’ve also floated the idea of recruiting some of her friends to join us—it could turn into a mini running-party!

• How long do you run without drinking?
• Any scary plans for 2025 yet?

I’m joining Runs with Pugs and The Running Teacher’s link-up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs.