With Comrades just weeks away, the hard work is largely done — but for many runners, this is when the nerves, doubt, and overthinking really begin.

In this episode of this special Making A Runner Comrades mini-series, Nic dives into the emotional and physical realities of the final few weeks before race day. Drawing from both his own experiences running Comrades and years of coaching athletes through the journey, this episode focuses on how to approach the taper period with confidence, perspective, and calmness.

Nic unpacks:

• What runners should realistically expect to feel during the final weeks
• Why fatigue, flatness, and self-doubt are completely normal
• The Comrades Up Run Race Breakdown (https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhETIdDrm1/?igsh=Y25weHdvdHlsc243)
• Common mistakes athletes make late in a Comrades build
• How to manage emotions, comparison, and race anxiety
• The importance of arriving healthy, fresh, and mentally ready
• Why restraint and recovery become the real training in the final phase

The episode also explores the emotional significance of Comrades itself — why this race is different, what makes it so special, and why trusting the process matters more now than ever before.

Whether you’re preparing for your first Comrades or returning for another medal, this conversation is designed to help you slow down the noise, trust your training, and approach race day with clarity and confidence.

We hope you enjoy the episode and find it insightful.