The Roodekrans runner, Michelle Maree who had to withdraw from the Ten10 Challenge on Monday due to sunstroke, will rejoin her running partner Hazel Moller on Thursday.
Today will be the sixth day the Moller will attempt to run 10 consecutive marathons before running the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.
The Record spoke to Moller’s husband Chris who is part of the women’s support team.
“Yesterday was really tough. We went from Clarence through Golden Gate to Harrismith. Hazel had a great run considering there are huge mountains on that route. It also gave us the opportunity to use the last hour of sunlight to visit the animal shelter in Harrismith. This really motivated Hazel again. The long hours alone in the road really start messing with your mind. The donations are at this point in time slow but seem to be starting to pick up. This is also a great motivator,” said Chris.
“It look as though Michelle has recovered enough from her dehydration and sunstroke to join Hazel for a couple of kilometres on Thursday in support. She is a fantastic woman,” he said
“Today’s leg is from Harrismith to just past Bergville. It’s been an amazing journey down Oliverhoeks Pass. She has had some ups and downs. It starts out really cold around at around one degree and later in the day it is the complete opposite. Today is her sixth marathon and her body is really taking strain, her mind I’m sure will get her through today,” said Chris.
“She is starting to ask for things to eat outside her norm. Obviously her body is letting her know. As an ultra distance runner you start to know how to listen to your body.
“We have one or two local runners out of Winterton joining Hazel for about 20km in the morning to try and get her going for what I believe is just about the toughest part mentally,” he said.
Chris also told the Record what the two woman’s typical day looks like, especially his wife’s.
“Their day starts at 4am with the start of run planned at 5am. The first 20km Hazel only takes water. It is very cold around but by 9am all the layers are shed and the heat sets in. It’s very lonely and besides the physical side there are huge mental challenges to overcome, The mental challenges are the worst. There is also a team from Bedfordview running club behind the scenes working on the social media, fund raising and above all keeping hazel motivated and feeling supported,” said Chris.
“Nutrition wise she drinks water up to the 20km mark, then Water, Coke and red Scarlet’s the rest of the way, with occasional Lucozade. I feed her bread and cheese around 40km and some salty chips, scrambled eggs and chicken, although she is a vegetarian. After the run I get her a chicken pie or chicken with spinach and other vegetables, I also add flavoured milk. She gets along on very little considering,” he said.
“We have been very fortunate to get accommodation sponsored. There hasn’t been any receptions as such.
“Aussies skydiving friends of mine pitched up out of the blue. We have supporters popping in and running with Hazel from time to time and this will increase as we get closer to Durban
“Highs, lows, pain and suffering are part and parcel of this. The challenge for her is mental and trying to stay focused when she knows there are still four days left to run,” explained Chris.
Chris said that besides the blister and tired legs Hazel suffers from a stomach ulcer.
“This is my sole focus in her running endeavour. I ensure that she eats at the right time and monitor that she always has something in her stomach in order to absorb the acids to prevent any problems. So far so good. Unfortunately often when your body is being pushed you do not want to eat but this is not an option, she must eat,” he concluded.
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