Howdee
I'm typing on the cell again ..... sitting in front of TV... and dont want to move. hahaha.
It was an awesome day today... but a long one. We started at Rhodes Mem and immediatley started up Devils steep foot paths. A nice group with us.... Andie, Iain, JT, Pete, Tony, Mark (Sorrel) and Ricky. Before we knew it we were on some really exposed areas of the mountain. We traversed knifes edge...which was less hectic than i expected ... and then a bit of a scramble to the top of Devils peak. Nr 25 bagged!!
The next stop would be Maclears Beacon. The only thing between us - Ledges. Ledges is a very steep alternative to climb up Table mountain .... for mountain junckies like Iain, JT, Tony & Pete .... no worries..... For Andie and me ....WORRIES!!! Thank goodness for rope, and expert guigance from mates, we got up in one piece!! We got to Maclears .... a bit dehydrated, but pumped up from what we had just done. Andie and i then split from the group and had a good run to Constantia Nek .... a great day
Thanks to everyone who came along for the jol.
Chow for now guys
Rob
ps .... it was HOT today!!!! ;)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Early morning today with not a whole hell of a lot of sleep - it was so hot and my sleeping is not great - I have, at the best of times, transient insomnia - but coupled with a disturbing incident at my house a couple of months ago, I don't sleep at all to begin with.
Last night was one of those nights where you don't dare move for fear of breaking out in beads of sweat from the effort, so to get up at 4:15 to be in Hout Bay by 5:00am wasn't exactly easy, but armed with my trustly Petzl headlamp, we started and it turned out to be a good, (what I thought was) well paced run with the usual group of fellow "crazies" who are also up at that time of the morning! I sometimes wonder if the so-called normal people who always tell me "oh, it's easy for you, you have more time on your hands" realise that there is a lot you can do if you actually get out of bed....Anyway, was sitting at my desk by 8:10 and ready - I think - to tackle a client issue that I honestly am not in the mood to do, but guess will have to press on through.
Last night was one of those nights where you don't dare move for fear of breaking out in beads of sweat from the effort, so to get up at 4:15 to be in Hout Bay by 5:00am wasn't exactly easy, but armed with my trustly Petzl headlamp, we started and it turned out to be a good, (what I thought was) well paced run with the usual group of fellow "crazies" who are also up at that time of the morning! I sometimes wonder if the so-called normal people who always tell me "oh, it's easy for you, you have more time on your hands" realise that there is a lot you can do if you actually get out of bed....Anyway, was sitting at my desk by 8:10 and ready - I think - to tackle a client issue that I honestly am not in the mood to do, but guess will have to press on through.
Hot as hell
4:45 was wake up time today. I had to drag Carla out of bed - hahahaha she was mad at the world this morning, but she cheered up once we were on the road. At 5am the temp was already about 26c. HECTIC. Today is gonna cook.
We did a 15km with the usual suspects - Carla, Andie, Ali, Trevor (without iPod - thank goodness)and Linda (the now GoMulti trail runner of the year :)) I thought it was an awesome run but I think it has given me a little taste of the heat I can expect this evening when I run.
Thanks guys for an awesome one today!!!
Tomorrow - a long day again. This is the proposed route. We will start at Rhodes Mem then run from there (with packs of course) up Devils Peak, down to the Saddle then - get this ..... across Knifes Edge (o my word) up ledges (double - o my word) to the top of Maclears. Then Andie and I will trot through the Valley of the Red Gods across the 12 Apostles down Llandudno corner into Llandudno, across to Sandy Bay up the dunes ... etc. I will run with a GPS for this so I can download profile data for our QlikView model that we are using to analyse our training data and route profiles.
Chow for now
Rob
We did a 15km with the usual suspects - Carla, Andie, Ali, Trevor (without iPod - thank goodness)and Linda (the now GoMulti trail runner of the year :)) I thought it was an awesome run but I think it has given me a little taste of the heat I can expect this evening when I run.
Thanks guys for an awesome one today!!!
Tomorrow - a long day again. This is the proposed route. We will start at Rhodes Mem then run from there (with packs of course) up Devils Peak, down to the Saddle then - get this ..... across Knifes Edge (o my word) up ledges (double - o my word) to the top of Maclears. Then Andie and I will trot through the Valley of the Red Gods across the 12 Apostles down Llandudno corner into Llandudno, across to Sandy Bay up the dunes ... etc. I will run with a GPS for this so I can download profile data for our QlikView model that we are using to analyse our training data and route profiles.
Chow for now
Rob
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Lead Legs
I guess it is bound to happen every now an then especially after a time trial. Wednesdays run was plagued with that "lead leg" feeling. The run was slow and difficult. I guess the most important thing is that training on tired legs was done..... better get used to it kid!!
A had a nice walk on the beach this morning whilst Carla was doing her run. It was awesome to be up that early walking on the beach. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to live in Cape Town. I think I stretched out my legs quite a bit so I hope tomorrow I'll be back to normal.
After the walk it was off to gym - an upper body work out from hell - hahaha excellent!!
All we have left for today is a swim in the evening.
I'm already starting to plan the weekend in my head - I know somewhere we will have to fit in Maclears Beacon and Devils Peak!!
Chow for now
R
A had a nice walk on the beach this morning whilst Carla was doing her run. It was awesome to be up that early walking on the beach. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to live in Cape Town. I think I stretched out my legs quite a bit so I hope tomorrow I'll be back to normal.
After the walk it was off to gym - an upper body work out from hell - hahaha excellent!!
All we have left for today is a swim in the evening.
I'm already starting to plan the weekend in my head - I know somewhere we will have to fit in Maclears Beacon and Devils Peak!!
Chow for now
R
Just a "quick" run today, was quite hot still when I ran, so there wasn't too much need for long sleeves and thermals - my friend Andrew started the Giro in Wellington today, they had 40 degree plus temperatures, so guess my run could have been worse.
Tomorrow is supposed be exceptionally hot, I wonder what the weekend holds?
The next couple of weekends are going to be very, very interesting distance/time wise, but be that as it may, I am actually looking quite forward to the Midnight Hell, although maybe I shouldn't really advertise it so much, just in case I don't actually finish the thing.....ha ha
Tomorrow is supposed be exceptionally hot, I wonder what the weekend holds?
The next couple of weekends are going to be very, very interesting distance/time wise, but be that as it may, I am actually looking quite forward to the Midnight Hell, although maybe I shouldn't really advertise it so much, just in case I don't actually finish the thing.....ha ha
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
HANG IN THERE, GUYS!!
With just under 11 weeks to go to your big race, you guys should not be feeling fresh or rested as we are turning on the mileage & quality running in the form of speed & hill training. Getting you to train in as close to race conditions as possible is the key, from the clothing you will be wearing, nutrition, equipment, temperatures & terrain where possible.
The great thing is that as you get more & more quality mileage under the belt, so will your confidence & ability to tackle your amazing race improve. Go for it!!!!
With just under 11 weeks to go to your big race, you guys should not be feeling fresh or rested as we are turning on the mileage & quality running in the form of speed & hill training. Getting you to train in as close to race conditions as possible is the key, from the clothing you will be wearing, nutrition, equipment, temperatures & terrain where possible.
The great thing is that as you get more & more quality mileage under the belt, so will your confidence & ability to tackle your amazing race improve. Go for it!!!!
Rest of Tuesday's run
I have to say that I am a lazy runner at heart, the less effort the better, so time trial is not one of my favourite things - also I think I usually tackle a time trial with undue expectations and always seem to be disappointed because it never turns out as good as what it looks on paper.
When I started running last night, my legs weren't sore, rather I felt like Pinocchio boy - wooden legs that just wouldn't move - or should that be "wood-not" move????
Anyway, it turned out not to be too bad for once - I wasn't feeling great by any stretch but my asthma didn't really kick in back enough to start hurting (I have asthma which causes major problems with running, especially in winter) but I made it.
I think the trick is not to think too much - maybe that will work for me?
When I started running last night, my legs weren't sore, rather I felt like Pinocchio boy - wooden legs that just wouldn't move - or should that be "wood-not" move????
Anyway, it turned out not to be too bad for once - I wasn't feeling great by any stretch but my asthma didn't really kick in back enough to start hurting (I have asthma which causes major problems with running, especially in winter) but I made it.
I think the trick is not to think too much - maybe that will work for me?
TT Night
Hi
Yesterday evening was TT at the running club. We had quick warm up run before hand with the dogs. Right from the start I could feel that I had no "kick" in the legs. The TT went well from a time point of view (33:12 I think) for 8km but not close to my PB. I was hoping that on the off chance I could come close or beat it. O well hahaha you cant always do that.
After the run I had a nice cooool beer - funny thing is that If I have one beer I start getting light headed ... a cheap date.
I need to run 20km - I think this will have to be a slow one.
Chow for now
R
Yesterday evening was TT at the running club. We had quick warm up run before hand with the dogs. Right from the start I could feel that I had no "kick" in the legs. The TT went well from a time point of view (33:12 I think) for 8km but not close to my PB. I was hoping that on the off chance I could come close or beat it. O well hahaha you cant always do that.
After the run I had a nice cooool beer - funny thing is that If I have one beer I start getting light headed ... a cheap date.
I need to run 20km - I think this will have to be a slow one.
Chow for now
R
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Run without a pack
What an amaizing feeling to run without a pack!! You kind of get used to running with a pack over the weekend but WOW when you take it off and run you feel so light! A great run today in the morning - about 11km I guess(which is now just a little over a warm up - hahaha). Andie and I met Sandra along the way whos just come back from Sani a kick ass mountain bike race where she kicked ass. Nice one!!
Tonight is TT (time trial) - The Question is - do I run hard or save legs? mmm I guess Ive got the rest of the day to think about that.
Cool news from the organisers that Andie posted earlier - Ryan Sandes name was missing I'm a bit pissed off about that - I mean he has won two of the races already!! I see that they only mention the Canyon for one day - I hope that doesnt mean that the long stage is gonna be on day 1? The Canyon is about 80km long but there are one or 2 emergency exits.
Chow for now
R
Tonight is TT (time trial) - The Question is - do I run hard or save legs? mmm I guess Ive got the rest of the day to think about that.
Cool news from the organisers that Andie posted earlier - Ryan Sandes name was missing I'm a bit pissed off about that - I mean he has won two of the races already!! I see that they only mention the Canyon for one day - I hope that doesnt mean that the long stage is gonna be on day 1? The Canyon is about 80km long but there are one or 2 emergency exits.
Chow for now
R
We got some facts regarding the race this morning:
RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 Competitors
Some interesting facts:
There are a record number of female competitors entered for RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 – a total of 57, including six past champions:
Lia Farley of the United States (Gobi March 2008), Stephanie Case of Canada (RacingThePlanet: Vietnam 2008), Nina Breith of Germany (Sahara Race 2008), Sandra McCallum of Canada (Sahara Race 2007), Lucy Marriott of the United Kingdom (Atacama Crossing 2006) and Sissell Smaller of Norway (Atacama Crossing 2006).
Private banker, Laura Corti of Italy, who has completed the 4 Deserts will be competing. She is one of only four women in the world to complete the 4 Deserts.
Best-selling children’s book illustrator Yukako Hayashi of Japan will be competing in her sixth RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts event.
Jennifer Murray of the United Kingdom, who is the first woman in the world to fly a helicopter around the world, will be competing in her first RacingThePlanet event.
Annabelle Bond of the United Kingdom, who has completed the Seven Summits, will be competing.
There are a total of sixteen past RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts champions, male and female, in the field.
Several who have completed the 4 Deserts will also be competing: Dave Kunhau of the United States, Joel Burrows of the United States, Alasdair G. Morrison of Scotland, Martyn Sawyer of the United Kingdom, Ji Sung Yoo of Korea, Vincent Carroll of Ireland, Matt Chapman of Australia, Carlos Garcia Prieto of Spain, Evgeniy Gorkov of Russia, Jacob Hastrup of Denmark, Joe Holland of the United States, Yoshiaki Ishihara of Japan, Derek Kwik of Hong Kong, Harold Roberts of the United Kingdom, Chuck Walker of the United States, Kazuo Isomura of Japan, Gunnar Nilsson of Sweden and Paul Liebenberg of South Africa.
4 Deserts champion Francesco Galanzino of Italy will be competing.
Bush doctor Paul Liebenberg, who became the first in the world to complete the 4 Deserts in a calendar year, is competing.
RacingThePlanet is also pleased to welcome 60-year-old Marco Olmo of Italy. Marco is one of the most famous ultra-marathoners in Europe who has won many prestigious ultramarathon events. A major movie is currently being made about Marco. I can just see this dude sprinting coming past...
RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 Competitors
Some interesting facts:
There are a record number of female competitors entered for RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 – a total of 57, including six past champions:
Lia Farley of the United States (Gobi March 2008), Stephanie Case of Canada (RacingThePlanet: Vietnam 2008), Nina Breith of Germany (Sahara Race 2008), Sandra McCallum of Canada (Sahara Race 2007), Lucy Marriott of the United Kingdom (Atacama Crossing 2006) and Sissell Smaller of Norway (Atacama Crossing 2006).
Private banker, Laura Corti of Italy, who has completed the 4 Deserts will be competing. She is one of only four women in the world to complete the 4 Deserts.
Best-selling children’s book illustrator Yukako Hayashi of Japan will be competing in her sixth RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts event.
Jennifer Murray of the United Kingdom, who is the first woman in the world to fly a helicopter around the world, will be competing in her first RacingThePlanet event.
Annabelle Bond of the United Kingdom, who has completed the Seven Summits, will be competing.
There are a total of sixteen past RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts champions, male and female, in the field.
Several who have completed the 4 Deserts will also be competing: Dave Kunhau of the United States, Joel Burrows of the United States, Alasdair G. Morrison of Scotland, Martyn Sawyer of the United Kingdom, Ji Sung Yoo of Korea, Vincent Carroll of Ireland, Matt Chapman of Australia, Carlos Garcia Prieto of Spain, Evgeniy Gorkov of Russia, Jacob Hastrup of Denmark, Joe Holland of the United States, Yoshiaki Ishihara of Japan, Derek Kwik of Hong Kong, Harold Roberts of the United Kingdom, Chuck Walker of the United States, Kazuo Isomura of Japan, Gunnar Nilsson of Sweden and Paul Liebenberg of South Africa.
4 Deserts champion Francesco Galanzino of Italy will be competing.
Bush doctor Paul Liebenberg, who became the first in the world to complete the 4 Deserts in a calendar year, is competing.
RacingThePlanet is also pleased to welcome 60-year-old Marco Olmo of Italy. Marco is one of the most famous ultra-marathoners in Europe who has won many prestigious ultramarathon events. A major movie is currently being made about Marco. I can just see this dude sprinting coming past...
Early morning run
Ran early this morning, it felt really strange to be running without a pack - a little like cheating, ok a lot like cheating....ran with Rob and met up with my friend Sandra who's just come back from kicking some mountain bike ass at Sani!! Well done again!!
Saw a couple tri bikes out and of course the ubiquitous Argus riders - it was actually a really good morning. Going to finish up the rest of the day's training later this evening.
Saw a couple tri bikes out and of course the ubiquitous Argus riders - it was actually a really good morning. Going to finish up the rest of the day's training later this evening.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Quick Note
Did a little bit of work (actual job type work) yesterday afternoon, and was playing around afterwards with some of the co-ordinates that I have from the gps.
I managed to link the data and send it to google earth via QlikView to display and track a route - check out the graphs and displays at the bottom of the page and let me know what you think.
I managed to link the data and send it to google earth via QlikView to display and track a route - check out the graphs and displays at the bottom of the page and let me know what you think.
John Legend
Howzit Guys
Well the weekend is gone, and a tough one at that! I guess you cant expect to train for a 250km desert run and not expect to hurt! hahaha. Today is an active rest - a bit of gym and a swim.
Lets talk about Sunday. Sunday was a really good run - very hard, but we ran with a great group of friends. Carla (Iron Wife),Andie (brother in arms),Trevor, Ali, JT, Ryan (Sand Crab)and John (Ali's husband). John has never run futher than 16km on the road - not today, 32km later John completed an awesome run. A bit sore but spirits high. Well done John!!. This dude scares me a bit for when he gets Ironman fit!!
Andie Ryan and myself ran with our packs and carried all the refreshments for everyone. Ryan was pure power yesterday. It was made very clear to me yesterday how he goes on to win these desert races. On the whole Andie and I coped well especially after 5 hours the day before. What amaizes me is the minute we hit the hills we get stronger. Anyway my coffee is here. Chat later
Chow for now
R
Well the weekend is gone, and a tough one at that! I guess you cant expect to train for a 250km desert run and not expect to hurt! hahaha. Today is an active rest - a bit of gym and a swim.
Lets talk about Sunday. Sunday was a really good run - very hard, but we ran with a great group of friends. Carla (Iron Wife),Andie (brother in arms),Trevor, Ali, JT, Ryan (Sand Crab)and John (Ali's husband). John has never run futher than 16km on the road - not today, 32km later John completed an awesome run. A bit sore but spirits high. Well done John!!. This dude scares me a bit for when he gets Ironman fit!!
Andie Ryan and myself ran with our packs and carried all the refreshments for everyone. Ryan was pure power yesterday. It was made very clear to me yesterday how he goes on to win these desert races. On the whole Andie and I coped well especially after 5 hours the day before. What amaizes me is the minute we hit the hills we get stronger. Anyway my coffee is here. Chat later
Chow for now
R
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Weekend 28/01
Its always a bit of a weird feeling when you come to the end of a weekend's training.
On the whole I think it was pretty much one of the better weekends, training wise.
I always try to figure out what makes one better than the other, guess its a combination of good friends, interesting training and not feeling like you want to die half way through.
Saturday was a good long run around table mountain (basically leg two of HBTC) and the climb up through Llundadno ravine is always a "treasure".... and then looping around Hout Bay, some dune work down to Sandy Bay and then back over the dunes back home.
Running through sand is quite intersting, not something that I must admit I am used to doing.
When you put your foot down and follow through with the push off, you're never really certain what you're actually pushing off against, the ground - or the sand - sometimes just isn't there to push off against. Also went over a high sand dune, on all fours basically, as you climb up - you see the sand above you start to give way and you can feel yourself start to slide back down. Its very disconcerting and tough as hell.
Sunday was a bit of a distance day, but still a good quasi marathon effort with packs, except we had one of those very few ultra beautiful but stinking hot days in Cape Town.
Today, the only real danger seemed to be not my ankle, but the myriads of Argus riders trying to get their last bit of training in. I didn't feel super great, but I felt a lot better than I thought I would, which I guess is all I could really ask for.
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