Sunday, August 7, 2011
Check out this video clip of the contour path above Chapman's Peak Drive
This video was clip is taken from a run a couple of weeks ago but I thought it made for interesting viewing!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Longest Day
Sitting at home now, the day after probably the toughest event of my life.
We met at the Yacht Club in Hout Bay on Friday night, just before eight o'clock.
The evening was cool-ish, but I think we had all dressed quite warmly and after the send off, the four of us probably got about 3 kilometers before we had to stop and take some of the layers of clothing off.
The first two legs went by without too much incident, it steadily became colder, but by the time we got off Table Mountain, it was about 2:00 and it dawned on me that Leg 3 (or leg one to the single way racers) would be tough, and it was - the slog up to Suther Peak just went on and on and you can feel the strain it takes in your legs. I think everyone was in pretty good spirits as we headed back to the harbour and the entourage that we knew was waiting for us.
We waited to be scanned, and reluctantly began the trip home (by leaving home, ironically).
I knew half way up to the Radar station that there could be a very, very likely scenario of me not finishing the race as it fully dawned on me what this undertaking REALLY entailed.
There's a little bit of humour in that when we reached Suikerbossie, most people asked if we were alright (kind of redundant consider what we were attempting to do, and what we had just done) because we looked tired and pale....
The sight of the climb up Llundadno corner is enough to make anyone pale on a good day to be honest and we took the climb really slowly. By this time we had split into Janette and Eric up front and Rob and I trailing slightly. I had gone through a nauseous patch just before the Radar station and was trying to conserve energy - oh and yes, I was f****** :)
The trip across went by ok-ish, but the new loop seems to take forever and if it weren't for a strategic Bar One consumption, it might have ended quite badly. Back at Constantia Nek, we were greeted by Chris with the food, and luckily Sonia who offered soup and egg mayo sarmies.
We heard that JT and Eric were about an hour ahead of us at this stage and so happy to hear it, Eric and JT are going to kick ass at Puffer and Tuffer respectively.
By this stage, my knees had taken strain from the descent to the Nek and all the hopping over rocks going up Vlakkenburg seemed to be accompanied by an "ow" or "oomph" sound. Vlakkenburg is never an easy climb at the best of times but was soooo relieved to get to the tar road at the top and take the path off to begin the descent to Manganese Mine.
To be honest, I am really happy with the way the run went to Manganese, it was pretty good for two guys closing in on 80km.
Of course, I had always reckoned that the trip down to canon was the final indignation of a really tough race route, but changed my mind in that once you've crossed the beach, the final indignation is actually the slog across the river before heading home to the finish line in a princely 20:43:59.
No finish line has ever seemed sweeter!!!!
As per Coach Ian's instructions, going to take a bit of a rest week this week and see how it feels this weekend.
The race would not have been possible without firstly the brilliant support of Chris and Mike, (those night sections could not have been that great) Eric (for the constant support along the route and those awesome trophies and for masterminding the snoozefest on Suther Peak) Janette for not only the support on the day, but all the support in the in between times as well) and Rob for making it another awesome run and getting me through it.
We met at the Yacht Club in Hout Bay on Friday night, just before eight o'clock.
The evening was cool-ish, but I think we had all dressed quite warmly and after the send off, the four of us probably got about 3 kilometers before we had to stop and take some of the layers of clothing off.
The first two legs went by without too much incident, it steadily became colder, but by the time we got off Table Mountain, it was about 2:00 and it dawned on me that Leg 3 (or leg one to the single way racers) would be tough, and it was - the slog up to Suther Peak just went on and on and you can feel the strain it takes in your legs. I think everyone was in pretty good spirits as we headed back to the harbour and the entourage that we knew was waiting for us.
We waited to be scanned, and reluctantly began the trip home (by leaving home, ironically).
I knew half way up to the Radar station that there could be a very, very likely scenario of me not finishing the race as it fully dawned on me what this undertaking REALLY entailed.
There's a little bit of humour in that when we reached Suikerbossie, most people asked if we were alright (kind of redundant consider what we were attempting to do, and what we had just done) because we looked tired and pale....
The sight of the climb up Llundadno corner is enough to make anyone pale on a good day to be honest and we took the climb really slowly. By this time we had split into Janette and Eric up front and Rob and I trailing slightly. I had gone through a nauseous patch just before the Radar station and was trying to conserve energy - oh and yes, I was f****** :)
The trip across went by ok-ish, but the new loop seems to take forever and if it weren't for a strategic Bar One consumption, it might have ended quite badly. Back at Constantia Nek, we were greeted by Chris with the food, and luckily Sonia who offered soup and egg mayo sarmies.
We heard that JT and Eric were about an hour ahead of us at this stage and so happy to hear it, Eric and JT are going to kick ass at Puffer and Tuffer respectively.
By this stage, my knees had taken strain from the descent to the Nek and all the hopping over rocks going up Vlakkenburg seemed to be accompanied by an "ow" or "oomph" sound. Vlakkenburg is never an easy climb at the best of times but was soooo relieved to get to the tar road at the top and take the path off to begin the descent to Manganese Mine.
To be honest, I am really happy with the way the run went to Manganese, it was pretty good for two guys closing in on 80km.
Of course, I had always reckoned that the trip down to canon was the final indignation of a really tough race route, but changed my mind in that once you've crossed the beach, the final indignation is actually the slog across the river before heading home to the finish line in a princely 20:43:59.
No finish line has ever seemed sweeter!!!!
As per Coach Ian's instructions, going to take a bit of a rest week this week and see how it feels this weekend.
The race would not have been possible without firstly the brilliant support of Chris and Mike, (those night sections could not have been that great) Eric (for the constant support along the route and those awesome trophies and for masterminding the snoozefest on Suther Peak) Janette for not only the support on the day, but all the support in the in between times as well) and Rob for making it another awesome run and getting me through it.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Almost time
Hi everyone
It's almost time now until Double Hout Bay trail challenge!
Been a busy work week - luckily the good kind of busy :) so don't have to worry too much about getting large amounts of training in.
Busy trying to finalise last minute arranagements - meeting Claire, the race organiser tonight to sort out any last minute details.
If you haven't already, please join our facebook group for updates!
It's almost time now until Double Hout Bay trail challenge!
Been a busy work week - luckily the good kind of busy :) so don't have to worry too much about getting large amounts of training in.
Busy trying to finalise last minute arranagements - meeting Claire, the race organiser tonight to sort out any last minute details.
If you haven't already, please join our facebook group for updates!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Weekend
The weekend came and went in a bit of a blur.
I must admit that I am feeling the effects of the greater distances now - been quite tired this week and yesterday's run around the peaks of Hout Bay had me drawing on every bit of energy I could muster - BUT we got some amazing photos!!!
Because I was tired, I started running stupidly and went over my ankle a couple of times - not badly thank goodness but just enough to know that I need to concentrate of lifting my feet higher and landing flat instead of toe striking.
I slept in a little this morning and ran this evening, a bit of a sunset run and the last one for Sarah who is returning to the States tomorrow. Hopefully the work week is a little more chilled this week and not as much travelling (I hope).
Anyway, enjoy the photos!!!
Friday, July 15, 2011
On the Tar!!
Howdee dudes.
I guess time is really getting short before we take on the the Double. O my word my heart starts pounding just thinking about it. I have just got to hope that my injured calf holds up! Chris Allan seems to think I will be fine in time which is great news. I have been sent to the flat road to run .... its almost like being sent to the naughty corner hehehehe. Hopefully I will be back on the trails this weekend.
My taper might not be quite as planned. I will have to see what coach Ian says.
Tonight will have to be flat road again. :)
Ciao for now
R
I guess time is really getting short before we take on the the Double. O my word my heart starts pounding just thinking about it. I have just got to hope that my injured calf holds up! Chris Allan seems to think I will be fine in time which is great news. I have been sent to the flat road to run .... its almost like being sent to the naughty corner hehehehe. Hopefully I will be back on the trails this weekend.
My taper might not be quite as planned. I will have to see what coach Ian says.
Tonight will have to be flat road again. :)
Ciao for now
R
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Knysna 2011
Just come back from Knysna, had a pretty good training week and a really great getaway.
I managed to do a really cold Featherbed trail run, made all the better because I managed to see that the route looked like for the first time, since I did the night run last year and could see ANYTHING.
It really is one of the prettiest!!!
Joined the local gym in Knysna for the week, so managed to keep the gym stuff up as well, and the training week cumulated with the Forest marathon. I took it as a training run, and felt really good at the end, no soreness or delayed onset, so I was pretty pleased with that! Even managed to go to the after party without any side effects.
Next stop....Double Hout Bay!
I managed to do a really cold Featherbed trail run, made all the better because I managed to see that the route looked like for the first time, since I did the night run last year and could see ANYTHING.
It really is one of the prettiest!!!
Joined the local gym in Knysna for the week, so managed to keep the gym stuff up as well, and the training week cumulated with the Forest marathon. I took it as a training run, and felt really good at the end, no soreness or delayed onset, so I was pretty pleased with that! Even managed to go to the after party without any side effects.
Next stop....Double Hout Bay!
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