While I may have recently completed running 200 marathons in one year around the globe to raise awareness for the dire water crisis we are facing, I am not a runner, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, when I was younger, I avoided doing any form of exercise. However, I soon realized that to raise awareness for the very dire global water crisis that we are facing, I would have to do something very hard to make a real impact.
That said, I have found that these 6 tips are the only reason I am able to make it through my runs when things get really rotten, and it would be so much easier to give up.
6 Tips To Running The Comrades Marathon
1. Stay in the moment!
It is really important to remember that this is not a 90 km race, it is 1 km, one step at a time. Focus on the kilometers that you are doing and the steps that you are taking, really focus on just being there in that moment!
2. Focus on your purpose!
Your goal might be to run Comrades, but at some stage along the route you are going to start questioning that – everyone does, it’s a 90 km race!
It’s very important to think in advance about why you are doing this race, and what your purpose is! It often helps to write this purpose on your hand or your wrist so that you can easily see it and remind yourself of the root of why you are there!
3. Think about good things!
There will always be something that hurts – be real, it’s 90 km. However, equally, there is always something that feels good, whether it’s your fingers, your hands, or even the tip of your nose, focus on that and how good it feels!
Remember how powerful your mind is and focus your attention away from the hurt to the parts that feel good!
4. Be grateful!
Once again, this comes down to the power of our minds.
Phrase thoughts differently in your mind, instead of thinking – I have to do this race – rather think how awesome it is to be able to take part in this event and how grateful you are for the opportunity.
Photo by Tikkho Maciel on Unsplash
Say hello and thank you to all volunteers along the route who make a race, like Comrades, possible. When you give positive energy out, it’s incredible the energy that you get back and the power that this gives to your spirit, your body, your mind, and your soul in terms of lifting you up and powering you forward!
5. Eat and drink – get the basics right!
So long as you get these two basic parts right, your mind, and body will take care of the rest!
You need to ensure that you take on the right fuel to help your body get through an incredible feat like the Comrades Marathon.
6. Have a mantra to repeat along the journey!
When things get really tough for me, I remind myself that we CAN do hard things, we are capable of so much more than we realize!
I like to bring all the points above into my mantra to keep my head in the right space – I am able to do hard things. Additionally, I stay in the moment and enjoy each step, and focus on my purpose.
I think about only the good things I am grateful for, and I fuel my body to the best of my ability throughout the run.
Want to know more?
Mina Guli is so passionate about water that she broke her leg running one of 200 marathons globally as she headed toward the UN Water Conference in March 2023. Guli was attempting to raise awareness about the urgent global water crisis and drive action around the world.
MAIN IMAGE CREDIT: Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash
Who is the author?
Mina Guli
The founder and CEO of Thirst, Mina Guli is a global leader, entrepreneur, and adventurer passionate and committed to making a difference in the world.
Mina has been recognized for her leadership: she has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, one of Australia’s most influential women, and by Fortune Magazine in 2016 alongside Angela Merkel, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, and the Pope as one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world.
