Leezil Jones Salie's at The Comrades Marathon Was a Spiritual Race

The sound of the National Anthem reverberated through the airwaves, and Leezil Jones Salie, a first-time comrade's participant felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and connectedness to her destined feat of endurance. Then, with the inspirational sound of Chariots of Fire, she became emotional and knew that she had to conquer the race ahead.

Up to this stage, Leezil had been running in small social groups and had participated in the Pick 'n Pay 42 km, and the Two Oceans Marathons.

She was determined to succeed, and filled with the understanding that she was participating in something bigger than herself. She recalled that her very first race was a very lonely one, and her cousin, Charlene Valley had since vowed to always and has done so ever since. Leezil 's parents and relatives are formerly from the township of Wentworth.

The sound of the ever-popular Shosholoza ignited in her the will to go, and at the sound of the pistol, she felt motivated. The mood was electrifying, and she realized that her dream was about to materialize.

Leezil had prepared herself for the by enlisting her CEO, Kobus Loots as her mentor. He had advised her not to change her running shoes, including the running gear that she was accustomed to, and to maintain an even pace throughout.

On reaching the Comrades Marathon Wall of Honour, just before the halfway mark, at a point where the road overlooks the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Leezil began to experience some pain in her legs. She immediately went into meditation and began to pray. Thereafter, she was able to block out all negative emotions and thoughts. This was important for her to strengthen her mental running.

After this tete-a-tete with her Higher Self, Leezil encountered her first guardian angel in the form of Mandie, a friend, and familiar face in the sea of strangers around her. Mandie advised her to maintain her pace, and also advised her against joining any bus along the way, as this might be a distraction. After a short run with Mandie, they lost one another, when a passing bus approached.

Before going into her meditative state, on reaching Arthur's Seat, which is a rock, located near the halfway mark, named after Legendary, 1920s, five times winner, Arthur Newton. The long-standing among comrades is to greet Arthur's Seat during the race. Leezil dutifully and uttered.

" Good morning, Arthur"

According to tradition, this act is believed to bring good luck and ensure a strong finish.

Leezil immediately felt a power of gratitude surge through her being

On reaching the steep inclines Leezil says that she was grateful to John Hamlet, who trained her to navigate hills in preparation for the Comrades Marathon. With 20 kilometers to go, she began to envision the finish line and took 1 km at a time.

Thanks to Hamlet, she had conquered Little Polly. At the foot of Polly Shorts, Leezil realized that she had a formidable titan to conquer, and this is where she encountered her second guardian angel. She was mumbling under her breath.

" Who put these hills here"

She had made the decision to walk, when a Divine being by the name of Cyril, one of the teachers from Naptosa, encouraged her that the hill was only 1,4 km long, and she had already conquered a commendable distance. His comment gave her an overall sense of peace, and she realized that walking wasn't an option. With this renewed sense of encouragement, she began to jog up Polly Shorts. Along the incline, her third guardian angel, a complete stranger, and fellow participant, encouraged her with the words; 'only 6 km to go'

She picked up her pace and prayed to be relieved of her pain. She told herself that she had to focus on the now and that those six kilometers were equivalent to a morning run. At four kilometers to go, her pace was even. Two kilometers before the finish, she was in agony, and herself.

" What the heart believes, the mind will achieve"

As she began her final lap, she became emotional as she heard familiar voices call out her name.

She completed the race in 10h.22 min.

Leezil states; I owe a significant portion of my success to the incredible atmosphere and supportive culture of family and friends, especially my dad, Peter Jones, and my husband, Nathaniel Salie, who spent hours ensuring that I was safe while training every Sunday, also my mom Valerie Jones for taking care of my children during this time.

Valerie Jones stated, "Leezil my darling

you have been an inspiration to us all. For this, I want to say thank you. I am proud to be your mother

."

Leezil recalls; "Running the Comrades was one of the toughest things I have done. One thing I recognized clearly for myself. I knew I was going to finish, there was not a doubt in my mind.

The first half was grueling; those up-hills were tough! My legs started burning from 25 km. This took me by surprise. I was expecting to feel this pain at least halfway. If I walked the pain was worse. Then I figured there would be less pain if I just bent my knees and kept my pace. Words of support and encouragement from other runners kept my spirits up.

At 20km to go I could feel the end was near... At 10km to go I started hearing other runners talking about Polly Shorts. No! Not another hill, I thought to myself. I heard one of the supporters commenting that it was 1.4km long. A part of me just wanted to walk up the hill. Then, a mental shift happened. I bent my knees, dug deep, prayed, and kept going.

I am almost there I thought to myself with only 7 km to go. From there I ran one km at a time.

The most painful part was at 2km to go my legs were burning as I went on to the pavement and did squats just so that my muscles could relax a bit before the last stretch. Although my head was saying just walk to the finish you have enough time. My heart said no way! I bent my knees and let the emotion of knowing I had done this, and I was at the finish line carry me through.

Emotions burst through every cell in my body, tears running down my cheeks. I am done! I have made it! I have achieved something great! What the heart believes, the mind will achieve, the body will follow"

Leezil Jones Salie's Debut comrades' experience is proof that; from the depth of our wounds our greatest triumph emerges. Leezil faced her head pain, acknowledged it, and found the strength within, by consulting with her and finding the strength within to overcome it. Thus, she was able to truly transform her pain into a source of power and emerge victorious.

Finally: Congratulations Leezil, you make us proud.

Tu nos superbous!

Lorraine Richards 💆