Holding an six-point advantage Irvette van Zyl has one hand on the SPAR Grand Prix title but is in a race against time to be fit for the final deciding event in Johannesburg on October 9.
Still reeling from the disappointment of a last-minute withdrawal from the Rio Olympic Games due to a foot injury, Van Zyl has set her sights on the Grand Prix title as consolation to her heartbreak season.
The 2010 and 2011 won won the first three races this year in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, where she earned bonus points for a record time.
Her absence from the Pretoria leg of the 10km Women's Challenge last weekend saw defending champion Lebogang Phalula gain six points on the leader.
The two leading women are followed by Christine Kalmer (58), Lebo Phalula (55) and Cornelia Joubert (54), who all have a mathematical chance of winning the series.
Van Zyl was left devastated after she did not start the women’s marathon in Rio de Janeiro four years after she failed to finish the 42 kilometre race in London 2012.
Taking the disappointment hard Van Zyl did not believe she could call herself an Olympian as she did not cross the finish at her two appearances at the quadrennial showpiece.
“It is the cards Ive been dealt, it is getting better although I was still in pain a week ago where I tried to do AlterG anti-gravity treadmill running but it wasn't good and I have to rest a bit more,” Van Zyl said.
“I am cutting the rest a bit short because I’ve been in a hyperbaric chamber for 20 sessions to speed up the recovery.
“I am trying to be okayish at Joburg, I won’t be at my best but hopefully I can get my foot pain free then I can at least put in a good effort.”
Van Zyl has taken some confidence from her performance from a year ago where she finished the Johannesburg race in 12th place just four weeks after giving birth to son, Louis, who is turning one today (Wednesday).
“So I think I would be okay because I didn't train that hard in the last few months I was pregnant so with that in mind I think I can do okay,” Van Zyl said.
It was a balance Van Zyl had to strike a balance between getting back to fitness to be ready for the final event of the five-race series, and ensuring she did not rush it and aggravate the injury in the process.
Van Zyl’s plans for the year was still up in the air as she focused on returning back to fitness and planning Louis’ first birthday.
“The party is about LJ (husband and national 400m hurdles record-holder) and I, we are super excited where it is almost about us,”
“It is going to be fun so at least I have this sidetrack of the little man bringing the joy back in life.”
The Grand Prix winner will take home R160 000 and the runner-up will receive R53 000.
Independent Media