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» July 2009
Comrades 2009: “My Story” – Kennedy Tembo

Growing up as a herd-boy, the only physical fitness I knew was chasing the cows, goats and calves and competing against my cousins as to who could run the fastest and longest!  I never dreamt that the sprinting to the grocery shop (accompanied by my trusty bicycle rim) when ordered by my Grandmother,  would in time command such a big part of my life.

Through secondary School I continued running.  During any free time I had I would run, say, 2km and I remember thinking,  “wow that was the longest run I have ever done”!  My passion grew. On and on arriving in the “Big Jo’burg” I was doing casual runs, still a novice with lots to learn. I knew that this was my forte in life and was something that I would grow to love doing.  Before long,  I was doing small races – “Take 5 relays”- which were 5km,  then eventually I got to run my first 10km  and then my 21km.

As time went on I looked for bigger challenges.  To push my distance and “outdo” and surprise myself by taking on things I had never done before.  I read more about running and joined a Club where I could share in the knowledge of other runners.  Being a novice I appreciated the advice from the more experienced athletes.  They often spoke about the toughness of Comrades.  Polly Shorts and other hills, the up runs and the down runs.  They would talk about the atmosphere at the start, always the same whether in Durban or Pietermaritzburg.   I remember thinking “will I ever be that crazy to try tackle this race”?  It sounded monstrous and I thought it could only be done by the elite, little realizing that I was on the right (running) path to joining those I so respected for doing it.   

After years of listening to other runners about their experiences, I came to a big realisation - that I in fact have evolved into being one of those skilful athletes and now not only am I the one listening but also the one sharing my experiences.  This  is “my Story” and not only the theme for the 2009 Comrades.  Having run the “illogical 89km” twice before I couldn’t believe that I was “fool” enough to run this race for the third time in a row. Of course, some “lunatics”  have done it countless times but - that’s their story!

The long and winding road from Pietermaritzburg to Durban – the down run – is improbable.  It incorporates 32.5km of uphill with a total climb of 1.150m and yet, year after year, it never fails to attract runners from all walks of life.  The young and old, male and female, the fast and slow and all possible variations in between.  The plot?   It’s the test of tactical, psychological and physical readiness.  It turns and twists, gets very hot, then cold but, most of all, it stretches on and on and on.

To me, Comrades is a metaphor for life. As with everything in life, and in business, one has to set a goal (realistic or unrealistic),set out a plan, have a strategy and achieve that goal. One meets many trials and tribulations but all can get overshadowed by the “force” that carries you forward – like the deaf and disabled kids at Ethembeni who stand at the side of the road every year to cheer the runners on, standing in the sun all day long until the last runner passes.  I think of them and wonder if they wish they could join in and be a part of the event they faithfully support each year.  This sends chills up my spine and makes me so grateful for actually being able to run. 

Comrades can define you.  To me – it’s not just about Kennedy, it’s about the destitute and those less fortunate.  Many years ago I vowed to go to any lengths I could to, for as long as I live, to help the children of Ebenezer Child Care Centre.  These kids are a core part of my Comrades story.  Each Comrades I run, whilst raising money for their cause, they are my Mantra. When my legs are jelly, when my muscles cramp horribly, they carry me through. They keep me focused at my goal that even the steepness of Inchanga, Drummond and Cowies hills look like child’s play to me. I love these kids!

At a dark 5:30am, the road seethes with aspirant comrades conquerors whilst the “Chariots of Fire” tune sounds around us. Then there was the “Cock-A-Doodle-Doo” cockcrow – a custom going back to the 1930’s telling us the time had come to hit the road. And we did.

I  started at a slow pace knowing that I was in for a long day. Each runner was equipped with their own strategy while some with none. We trod the road down to Durban. My goal was to run under 9hrs, aiming for a Bill Rowan medal. This would mean running to the halfway mark anywhere under 4hrs30mins and the last half the same. My strategy was to run 9mins & walk 1min while pacing at between 11 to 12mins, but it came to haunt me, when, in the 2nd half of the race I increased the speed to 13km/h on the down hills. Guess what? My hamstrings started to cramp at the 55km mark. I stopped and gave myself a rub – I was angry! Angry at the fact that the Anti-Muscle cramp tabs that I had religiously taken on the hour every hour did not work, and 10mins of my time was lost, which later would be difficult to regain. I had to pick myself up, keep my focus & thoughts on the kids at Ebenezer and get on the road again. At 5km to go, I checked my stop watch and I had 23mins remaining to my target finish time. I tried to push every muscle in my body to catch up, but a tag-of-war  erupted between my physical and mental being . Mentally I was strong but physically my muscles were a complete wobble. I had to accept the fact and settled  for a 9h08mins which was an improvement from my previous runs 9h52mins & 9h13mins in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Finishing off at the Sahara Stadium to a roar of cheers from the crowd, was as equally moving as at the start.  I had just finished the 2009 Comrades. I had “done it” again for the kids. That’s “My story”.