Against All Odds: A Runner’s Relentless Road to the Backyard Ultra

By Hennie Lacock

This is a story that starts way after the story actually played out. This story starts when I saw a photo of myself where in an instant, I was filled with the most overwhelming emotions, reliving exactly what I was going through at that time and seeing the photo – it just hit me that the photo looks exactly the way it felt.

Earlier in the year, the legendary Johan Bronkhorst informed me that there is some sort of special Backyard Ultra on the horizon and that it may be held in Swakopmund. Without knowing any details whatsoever – I immediately knew that I wanted to be part of it, DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT ACTUALLY ENTAILS! As more and more news came, it transpired that the Backyard Ultra World Championship will be held in October and that Namibia would also enter a team of 15 runners. Again, I just knew that I HAD to be part of this team. To be on this team, however, one needs to finish in the top 8 in the 2024 Brandberg Backyard Ultra in Uis.

Right, goal firmly set!!

My first goal however was to run my first Comrades Marathon in June, after which the BBU would be held in August making for perfect training preparation. I completed the Comrades within the time I have set myself; I wanted to do a bit better, but man – Comrades really exceeded my expectations in exactly how tough it really was! Well, good lessons learned, some more grit was built into me and now we rest, recover and start training for the second major goal of the year – BBU top 8 to qualify for BU Champs!

All was going well, no injuries, nothing holding me back for training and preparing for BBU. After running 2 x BBU’s I also deemed myself well experienced and were zoning in in refining the last bit of detail for a successful run… Only to catch a flue days before the event… The first one for the year, despite dodging fellow runners that got sick earlier in the year (Johan missed Comrades due to flue) and despite boosting myself with Vitamin drips, Fizzies and even tant Koek se boereraad. In hope of a miracle, I still packed and geared up for BBU, watching and monitoring my health closely.

Come Friday evening of the BBU after settling in at the camp in Uis, things were looking positive. Resting HR was stabilizing, HRV scores were increasing – things were taking a turn for the positive! Dosing myself with everything I could possible dose myself with and having had a good night’s sleep I got up on Sat morning feeling fresh and ready – Goal: Top 8 here I come!!

The first lap started off well, feeling great, refreshed and I could tell my legs just wanted to run. Chatting and meeting new BU runners along the way (Danni) taking things easy, man, I was in good spirits – things were going klop disselboom!   

Until lap 5 about… Suddenly the body started to indicate he doesn’t like what’s going on. HR started spiking, breathing became more arduous and fatigue started to set in. Now already? Are you serious? I’ve just warmed up? I put it out of my mind and put it down to the heat that is starting to rear its head. At the turn around point of lap 7, however, things took a very sudden turn for the worst… HR was spiking so much it looked as if I’m busy running an 800m sprint and I knew I can’t keep this up. I absolutely would have done anything to qualify for the BU Champs, I was so SO SO excited about it; I couldn’t stop talking about it, I couldn’t stop asking questions about it – I even dreamt about it in my dreams at night!

Can I not just continue a bit more I thought, but no, I knew the answer to that… No, no matter how heartbroken you are, the answer is no (again, Johan just showed me how you can go to the starting line of the Comrades Marathon and make the correct decision). Dankie coach. I stopped…

So, what now? What next? Well, ahead of me lies the Salt Pans Ultra Marathon in Botswana that I entered for. Another major and technical event that I was also dearly looking forward to. So it was full speed ahead, recovering from the flue, training, getting the final bits of gear and logistics ready for SPU.  

And there, out of the blue, comes an email from Riana: Are you able to participate in the BU Champs if there is an opening.

HELL YEAH!! – was my exact words. Other words went through my brain but I jumped up from my dining room table and ran around my house with my family thinking I have finally gone to the looney bin I was that excited!! Even just for a chance to participate!!!

And sure enough, a few days later my spot in the team was confirmed. My heart was full, I was so grateful and so honored to be part of the team. To present Namibia in this lovely sport we do as a hobby was just beyond my comprehension. My heart was absolutely full – no other way to describe it.

But first – off to Botswana to SPU. And wow, amazing and spectacular it was – absolutely breathtaking to run over the Makgadigadi Salt Pans and see nothing on the horizon no matter which direction you look! Brutal, however, it was absolutely brutal. Running on soft, muddy and uneven terrain, facing blistering winds in 40°C temps and with water points more than 15km apart… Yeah, it was rough on the body. Mr Harvey Lewis himself half passed out a couple of kilometers before the end and laying on a bed in the medical tent next to him he also confirmed; this was one of the toughest races he has ever done! But, again, a little bit more grit was built into the body.

Returning home, after a few rest days, being rehydrated, refueled and still filled with some sense of accomplishment of the enormous undertaking that one just took on, I ran the next Saturday in a race. Just a 10k. What is 10km after what I have already done this year…?  It’s like a warm-up, seriously, what can go wrong.

Then everything went wrong.

The world as I knew it collapsed.

Just 2km into the run I severely pulled my left calf muscle.

SHIT!!! There’s only 2 weeks left before the BU Championship!!

I immediately stopped running, knowing not to try and push through this injury. This was an old injury, I know this guy, and it’s not that bad, a few days rest and I will be ok. Walking back to the starting point, waving to everybody I overtook… Yeah… I was brought back down to earth at the speed of light.

So, rest we did, went to my trusty physio upon which many issues were picked up (and fixed) and lekker – we’ll be up and running soon. I even went back for a second physio session just to ensure all is well. Strangely, all did feel well while walking. Awesome! I must be healed. So Sat morning (1 week before BU Champs) I went for a test run. 700meters down the road and… SHIT! I can’t run!

Limping home I knew I had to make a dreaded call to Riana and tell her I can’t run at the BU Champs… Well, I could go and try, but it is just not fair to the team. This is BU Championships – countries ran against each other, not just individuals. My heart was broken again. After months of dreaming to participate in this event, it all came crashing down. And it came crashing down why? Because I thought I’m superman. Rest and recovering is mos for sissies. (Yes Johan, I can hear your voice in my head…)

Got home. Took a shower. And then I knew I had to call Riana, only I couldn’t face talking to her. So I sent her a voice message…  It’s done. It’s over, but I vouched that I would be there and I would most definitely come and support the team – for sure!!

Later on Sat I got the reply – the teams are locked, no more changes can be made! Ah flip! Now I messed up even more, now I’m letting my team down again by me trying to be so selfish to try and sort an injury I should have known can’t just be fixed in two weeks’ time. What now?? Rest rest rest and then rest some more.

As the days came closer I was pondering should I even pack my gazebo? It was just going to be a waste of time. In the week at work I forgot something in my office, turned around to run back quickly – and I couldn’t run! So it’s pointless to even take a chair to the BU Champs as I won’t even complete 1 lap. And no, you can’t just walk a loop at Backyard Ultra, you have to run at least a little bit to make it back in time, I’ve done the math. So what to do?

“Prepare for rain”

That’s what I heard in my mind and in my spirit. Again the words  

“Prepare for rain”

The famous words Angus Buchan heard from God. Angus went on to plant and prepare for a harvest in the driest of season, against all odds and against all scientific wisdom. And it rained…

Ok, so, prepare for rain. I packed the gazebo. I packed my race fuel. I packed the stretcher – I packed it all!

Come race day, I didn’t run around anywhere, I didn’t even run back into the house when I forgot something – I was too scared to even try and run!

So there I stood on that starting line with my heart so proud to even be standing there alongside my best running friends with our Namibian shirts on – not knowing if I can run even 1 meter.

3 – 2 – 1 Ding Ding Ding Ding! Off we went!!

And I’m running!! Slowly, yes, but I’m running!! Taking the first walk break, taking it easy, in last place but that’s fine, that’s not what matters. What mattered was that I’m running, moving forward and fast enough to make it. I’m going to make at least 1 lap – I know it!! YES!! Thank you Lord!!

As I turned to make the final stretch back I could feel the calf is not happy, but it’s not pulling into the ”un-runnable” state as previously. I can keep going! As I went around the final corner I saw my wife eagerly and anxiously awaiting my return. I nearly cried…  

Great, made it back to the kraal in 52 minutes. AWESOME! I got a massage on my calf quickly, filled up with nutrition and, as I found myself all alone in the back, grabbed my music and off I went.

3 – 2 – 1 Ding Ding Ding! Off we go for round two!

This time round things weren’t as easy. The pain was getting worse and worse. Flip, things were getting real sore now. The soft sand was not kind to me, not kind at all. Walking up the black mountain was real tough, the pain that shot through my leg was next level, but I knew I had to carry on. From the front, my fellow team members came past – each one giving a warm greeting, a big smile and amazing encouragement. They absolutely carried me through that second lap! I had to do it, I had to keep going for them.

Again, coming around the final corner, half of my morning running squad was waiting for me, shouting encouragement, and again I nearly cried… Back at base, I loaded up with nutrients, rested a bit, and received a lot of encouragement from everyone around that really filled my heart to the brim.  

3 – 2 – 1 Ding Ding Ding! Off we go for round three!

OH OH! Things are not right, things are really really not right in my calf. Oh flip the pain!! Jeepers – it ran from my calf, up through my hamstrings into my back. Can I move? Yes. Can I run? A few meters at a time, but yes. Can I make it at this pace? Yes I can! THEN DO IT – I told myself. Trying to block the pain I kept myself busy with all sorts of memories of my family, our amazing beach holiday a while back, and playing air guitar and air drums to the music I’m listening to. I’m alone mos – and I really don’t care now who laughs at me!

Coming down from the black mountain things got really bad. It was really really tough and sore. This was getting stupid. I know I wasn’t going to lose my leg but the pain sure made it feel that way. What’s the time? What’s my pace? How much distance is left? Can I make it back in time? Yes I can. COME ON!! You can do it!! Pain is temporary. Move it!!

Why am I doing this? Like really? Why am I doing this? Because running is AWESOME!! Because running people is AWESOME!! Because running is free. It takes you to a happy place nothing else can. Pick up the pace – MOVE IT!!

As I crossed the road and started walking the last few up hills, I could see on my watch I would make it. It was going to be close but I’ll make it. Awesome, at least three laps for the team!! I’m so so sorry it’s only 3 laps, but I was so grateful for these 3 laps that I again started crying – I can’t explain the emotions running through me. As I approached the final few corners of the course, Johan was waiting for me and I couldn’t contain myself once more. I was so grateful to have been able to at least a few laps, but so sad that I let the team down. But I made it. I made 3 laps, but I knew that this was the end, this was getting stupid, and that made me sad as well.

Nog enetjie.

Nee ek kan nie! Dit is te seer Johan!   

Kom, net nog enetjie. Daar is tyd. Drink gou iets.

Even if you time out, just try one more!

Ok… Ok… Sweets – please get my arm warmers!

Off runs my dear wife as she brought me my arm warmers. Ok, here we are again on the start line. An emotional mess, in pain and I suddenly felt an encouraging grasp on my left shoulder. I never knew who it was, but now I know…

3 – 2 – 1 Ding Ding Ding! Off we go for round four!

Flip jou Johan, flip jou!! Can’t you see how in pain I am?? Can’t you see that I’m hurting myself?? I’ll show you, I’m just going to walk this one and time out and then it’s done for.

I was mad, I was cross, I was sad. I was everything.

Soon the entire Namibia team came from the front passing by and giving me such great encouragement. They filled me with such energy!! Ok, let’s run. EINA!!! No, I can’t, I can’t… Ok, let’s walk, let’s see how fast I can walk. PUSH IT HENNIE PUSH IT!!

And walking I did, as fast as I could. Down the hill, through the sand as fast as I could. What’s my pace? No way, it’s not working… I’m not going to make it. Ok, well, I tried. I tried. Let’s just walk back easily with my head held high and just time out and let it be done for.

When I got to Black Mountain (just over half way) I was on 30 minutes… 30 minutes Hennie – you can make it!! But how, it’s uphill?? Shut up you can make it!! Are you going to do this whole loop for nothing?? Come on!! You can finish this loop for the team!! Push it!! Pain is temporary!!

As I crested the Black Mountain I started running, and I kept running. I felt like Forest Gump – run Forest run!! J

I told myself not to stop running, no matter what – YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO THIS LAP IN VAIN! And I thought to myself, if I can finish this loop, in this pain, maybe, just maybe I can encourage someone else in the team to maybe push themselves a bit more than they think they can. And that single thought kept me going. I ran down the hill, I ran across the plains, I ran through the river, I ran over the road until I came to the up hills where I looked at my watch and I saw I was going to make it.  

And so I walked, all the way until I made it to the end (in time) with my heart full knowing that I gave it my absolutely everything. And I came back to my team still giving me such encouragement. I just cried.

Another additional piece of grit built into me – for another day, when I will surely need it again…