Lesley broke the 500km barrier
Lesley Vermeulen has 491.3km left to do to become one of only a few to be recognised for running around the world.
#Go Lesley go
Lesley Vermeulen has 491.3km left to do to become one of only a few to be recognised for running around the world.
“Sometime after my story became known I decided to check my kilometres to make sure that I am on track and no nasty surprises are awaiting at the end of May. I did find a few formula mistakes on my spreadsheet, but now for sure I have 543.5km left to do,” Lesley said.
Wednesday, February 15 saw Lesley and her life partner, Abie Smit in Middelburg for a 10km night race.
“I am always nervous at night races. I can’t see in the dark and I am cautious of running woman alone. I felt as if I was flying, had a really good run, but my time didn’t back up my theory. Actually it was quite disappointing.”
Three days later Lesley checked in for the Bestmed Tuks 21km in Pretoria.
“We were warned to arrive early due to parking being a problem, so we woke up at 02:00, left the house at 03:00 and arrived just after 04:00 and parked next to the start. We were the only car there at that time. I Ran alone so I played mind games with myself, I must run to the next pole, I must reach that red car before a white car passes me and other silly things like that to keep my mind away from running. It helped, I finished in 02h:49 a minutes faster than last week’s 21. Very chuffed with myself, but on the way home I realised I might have made a mistake. Tomorrow is Pirates 21.1km, the toughest 21.1km in Gauteng and the only race where I have sat down on the pavement and cried. Hope I have left in me what it takes.”
With 512.4km to go Lesley geared up for the Pirates 21.1km.
“Again we rose early, got to Johannesburg around 04:30. Abie stayed with me to drag me up the mountain. We had a good time chatting to other runners who were also taking it easy. I can’t imagine any other way to conquer that mountain. We finished in 03:04 and the cut off was 03:30 so again I am very happy with this result. I can feel that I am getting a bit stronger, or maybe it’s just all the encouragement that I am getting from everyone.”
Lesley has broken the 500km barrier and there is only 491.3km between her and the goal she set for herself.
PART 1
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/87206/golesleygo/
PART 2
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/87207/564-6km-lesley-needs/
