Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I grew up in Durban, and the Comrades Marathon was always a part of my life. There are pictures of the finish, when I was 10 years old, where you can see me applauding Bruce Fordyce and I never really doubted that I would easily get my green number. You get a green number when you run at 10 Comrades and I thought that was a foregone formality for me.
People used to say that one should not run such long races when you are too young, because it is not good for your bones as a man, and I am not sure whether they are right, or it is just a convenient excuse for me, but I honestly don’t think my legs benefited from the three Comrades I did do at an early age. Comrades is not very big in South Africa anymore, largely I believe because of very poor television coverage and worse commentary teams, but also because there is so much sport on television now that people forget that once this was one of the two or three huge events of the year in South Africa. I think that fields have suffered as a result, even though you now get 12 hours to finish instead of 11 hours as used to be the case.
For those who cannot imagine running the Comrades, I would say that it is not as difficult as people believe it is, from a physical point of view, but the challenge is much more mental – you are going to be in severe pain, it is going to hurt you and I always, if I know somebody has run the Comrades, have respect for them. I know they will be capable of finishing whatever task they have and are usually formidable competitors because regardless of your shape or your size, you can finish Comrades and it is all about whether you are mentally tough or not.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 06-Jun-12
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Comments
Sally said:
on Friday 08-Jun-12 10:15 AM
I do not like running, but has a lot of respect for people that can actually run the comrades.
Lucretia said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 05:16 PM
I take my hat off to people that can do the comrades. Just the THOUGHT of running such a distance tires me. I would, however, love to be at the starting line because the hype must be amazing as well as at the finishing line. But the actual run - not my idea of fun.
Catherine said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 03:17 PM
I love running. I must say i have enough respect for athletes in general and yes mental strenght plays a major roll. Of course one has has to be physically fit as well. I will participate in the comrades marathon in the near future.
thembi said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 03:10 PM
I have only ran short distances and hated every time when I had to do it.
I salute all the people who finishes the comrades marthon and l love watching it till the end.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 01:57 PM
I have great respect for anyone who completes the comrades or attempts to. Being a spectator is too fun too. Personally I would rather be cheering them on
Genevieve said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 01:56 PM
I have the utmost respect for athletes running comrades. I myself would never do it, and so proud that South Africa took frist place this year.
cherise said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 01:35 PM
I would hav eto agree, That I do too have a great respect for this people, any athlete in general beacuse it takes self descipline and alot of hard work to do what they so strictly do each day.
Daniela said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 01:13 PM
I agree with Brumilde. I did cross-country/long distance and it was no fun. Running as an isolated event is no fun. I much rather prefer sports that involve other aspects as opposed to just running and running and running.
Hats off to them!
Henrietta said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 01:13 PM
I agree. You do have a lot of respect for someone like that and it's a mental game. Maybe one day I will enter.......
Kalinke said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 12:57 PM
I totally agree with you Michael. Comrades are totally a mental game. Practice does make a big different but if your mental attitude is right, then there is no stopping you.
Angelique said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 12:53 PM
I couldnt agree more. I grew up going to such races with my family as they are big into running but it really isnt as big as what it use to be! Its actually sad because it really is so much fun and a great experience. I still think its good to do but I wouldnt enter comrades. fun runs and run clubs are better :-) Every Wednesday Nike store rosebank at 17h15
Kaylene said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 12:52 PM
I spoke to Catherine and told her to do it, because she really loves running. We will see if she will do us all proud and maybe wear a tshirt that says this is for the de broglio team.lol I love watching the end of the race
david said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 12:52 PM
i attempted the comrades when i was in matric. i bailed just after the halfway mark. i will never attempt it again. stupid race.
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 12:50 PM
I was in the Pharmacy the other the day and a guys had a conversation with the Pharmacist stating that this one guys hes knows has run of 40 comrades consecutively.
I just though to myself ' MADNESS' - Everybody to their own I would say, I tried one day to run a 10km, it was not for me at all
Brumilde said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-12 12:49 PM
I used to do cross-country when i was younger and i hated every moment of it, running at not getting anywhere was tyring
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
