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Atlantis 15km race 30 August
I had wanted to sleep late, but Dawn thought she needed to
run a race, she wants to feel ready for the Spar 10km next
week. So we hopped into the car and drove out to the little
Town up the West Coast. The 08h00 start meant that we hadn't
get up in the night to get to the start on time. By the time
the gun set us on our way the local community was up and there
to support us as we ran up the road.
Still struggling to breath from my rugby match the week before,
I just set out at about 4min/km. I reach to 1st km in 3:57
and I wasn't the only one in the group who looked at their
watch and said that's close enough. The 2nd km went past without
incident in another 3:57. Then the trouble started, the top
3 ladies joined our quiet little bus.
Noma was only able to control herself for 1km (another 3:57)
before all hell broke lose 3:43, 3:42. I couldn't really let
them run away from me, after all, the little Stellenbosch
girl also wanted to break 60min. Noma and the other little
girl from Adidas took the pace while the rest of us just tucked
in.
The wind wasn't blowing and we made good time. It was a really
quiet run with no one talking. I don't think we were taking
strain, I know I wasn't. It wasn't till 10.5km that the race
took a turn for home, last year the wind was blowing a freezing
gale and I had slowed by almost 40 second a km. This year
with almost no wind we hardly slowed as we made the gentle
climb home. I let the 2 Adidas girls go on ahead and stuck
with the little girl from Stellenbosch. I didn't let her slow
down, and we kept out pace under 4min/km and finished just
over 58mins.
The course: 3 I don't think it's a pb course, and
its not a very scenic route, but it makes for a good run.
Marshals: 4. I think they did a good job and even were
telling us what was up ahead.
Handouts: 3 Medals, and lots of spot prises for those
who stayed.
Cost: R20.00
Value for money: 4. The prize money was good and the
race went off without a hitch.
Other People's feeling about the race: 3 A lot of the
people I spoke to enjoyed the route, except to gentle climb
to the finish. They also thought it was well sponsored and
well organised.
Total score = 17 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 4. I'll come back next year
and I hope a lot more runners join me, it not to far out,
it only took us 45mins from the Southern Suburbs..
Tokai Challenge 21K 24 August
Sunday Morning the rain was falling and I was going to run
to the start of the race, but my wife talked me out of it
and said I should rather run home after the race. Have you
ever heard "them" talking about cross training on
your days off... Well I had taken it to heart and had played
a game of full contact rugby.
As we started running my legs felt good, but I couldn't breath.
My chest had been crushed by some 16 year old kid in our old
boys rugby game. (I'm not quite Springbok quality any more!)
It felt as if I was running at 2000m altitude, I couldn't
get in enough air to talk (this is a first). I was just going
to hang on.
The first 5km took us straight to Constantia and then the
race took a new turn as we started to climb. I wasn't going
to let Wil and Stef drop me so I took the lead and worked
the hill a bit, it helped keep the pace honest. Uptil that
stage I hadn't given my back much thought, OH I had been stuck
at the bottom of one to many rucks...
The flat and the hills hadn't caused any problem, but now
we had to let gravity do it's work. All I can say is it's
a good thing it wasn't too long a hill. 9 to 10 took us to
the start of Hohenort and one of the steepest roads on the
running calendar. I seemed to pull away from the other as
the hill and opened a nice little gap which was really needed,
as I needed to let my battle worn body recover before Stef
took the pace along Rhodes Drive. That was till we started
the climb past Southern Cross. Wil came with us, but we dropped
Mike. The 14km mark was at Constania Nek, the race then took
us down Constantia Main Road. This was not a good idea as
traffic becomes a major problem, so while avoiding car and
not wanting to go too fast we headed down.
Mike used gravity and threw in a 3:11 to catch us. Not wanting
to worry about my life I took to running on the pavement (which
wasn't taped off) some irate marshal wanted to disqualify
me, I still don't know why. He shouldn't have worried about
me on the pavement, but should have been watching the car
on the blind corner were they where trying to get people to
cross!!! The last few km took us back to the start and now
I was watching the time. Stef got away from me, but mike was
still there hanging in and if we through in a couple of good
km we would dip under 80. With a 3:30 and a 3:50 for the last
1.1km we made it with ease.
The course: 2.5 It was raining for half the race and
when people get into cars in the rain they go mad and forget
how to drive, and since this course takes us on some busy
roads it was a little dangerous.
Marshals: 2. I thought they had don't a lot of work
on taping off short cuts and getting marshals out in the rain,
but on busy roads you need marshals to keep runners from leaving
the side of the road.
Handouts: 2/3 Medals, didn't wait around had to run
home..
Cost: R30.00
Value for money: 3. Didn't do enough to get me back.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2.5 A lot of
the guys I talked to also moaned about he traffic. it was
for running...
Total score = 13 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 1. League status should
be removed from the races its no good to run hard on and in
fact it won't take to many years before some-one gets hit
by a car.
Tokai Challenge 21K 24 August
Sunday Morning the rain was falling and I was going to run
to the start of the race, but my wife talked me out of it
and said I should rather run home after the race. Have you
ever heard "them" talking about cross training on
your days off... Well I had taken it to heart and had played
a game of full contact rugby.
As we started running my legs felt good, but I couldn't breath.
My chest had been crushed by some 16 year old kid in our old
boys rugby game. (I'm not quite Springbok quality any more!)
It felt as if I was running at 2000m altitude, I couldn't
get in enough air to talk (this is a first). I was just going
to hang on.
The first 5km took us straight to Constantia and then the
race took a new turn as we started to climb. I wasn't going
to let Wil and Stef drop me so I took the lead and worked
the hill a bit, it helped keep the pace honest. Uptil that
stage I hadn't given my back much thought, OH I had been stuck
at the bottom of one to many rucks...
The flat and the hills hadn't caused any problem, but now
we had to let gravity do it's work. All I can say is it's
a good thing it wasn't too long a hill. 9 to 10 took us to
the start of Hohenort and one of the steepest roads on the
running calendar. I seemed to pull away from the other as
the hill and opened a nice little gap which was really needed,
as I needed to let my battle worn body recover before Stef
took the pace along Rhodes Drive. That was till we started
the climb past Southern Cross. Wil came with us, but we dropped
Mike. The 14km mark was at Constania Nek, the race then took
us down Constantia Main Road. This was not a good idea as
traffic becomes a major problem, so while avoiding car and
not wanting to go too fast we headed down.
Mike used gravity and threw in a 3:11 to catch us. Not wanting
to worry about my life I took to running on the pavement (which
wasn't taped off) some irate marshal wanted to disqualify
me, I still don't know why. He shouldn't have worried about
me on the pavement, but should have been watching the car
on the blind corner were they where trying to get people to
cross!!! The last few km took us back to the start and now
I was watching the time. Stef got away from me, but mike was
still there hanging in and if we through in a couple of good
km we would dip under 80. With a 3:30 and a 3:50 for the last
1.1km we made it with ease.
The course: 2.5 It was raining for half the race and
when people get into cars in the rain they go mad and forget
how to drive, and since this course takes us on some busy
roads it was a little dangerous.
Marshals: 2. I thought they had don't a lot of work
on taping off short cuts and getting marshals out in the rain,
but on busy roads you need marshals to keep runners from leaving
the side of the road.
Handouts: 2/3 Medals, didn't wait around had to run
home..
Cost: R30.00
Value for money: 3. Didn't do enough to get me back.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2.5 A lot of
the guys I talked to also moaned about he traffic. it was
for running... Total score = 13 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 1. League status should
be removed from the races its no good to run hard on and in
fact it won't take to many years before some-one gets hit
by a car.
Tuff 30K 17 August
Stef phoned me at 05H45 to tell me that he wasn't well enough
to run. I had a hangover from hell and now I couldn't get
out of running as I now had to pick up Mike and Karen. Stef
had wanted to go out at 3h40's and keep the effort till 20km.
Without him there I started the race with Mike and we set
out with the idea of going under 2hrs. I didn't start with
my hat on as I needed the cool morning air on my forehead.
It wasn't going to be an easy run I had left my dark glasses
at home and even the moon was to bright for me...
Up front we could see the blue light of the cop car disappearing
over the first hill, we still had to climb it. I tried to
get Mike to run on ahead, but he wouldn't have it, I wasn't
the only one sweating alcohol, Mike had carbo loaded on whisky!!!
Running down the hill Steve, who had gone out with Will, was
running backwards and it didn't take long to catch him. He
turned around and joined us for the rest of that downhill.
No sooner have you reached the bottom of the hill when they
turn you right and up you go again. Halfway up the hill Mother
Nature called and I had to answer, it's a good thing I did,
because I now felt a whole lot better.
With my hat now on I tried to get into the running, it didn't
work !!! I was now running downhill and working really hard,
but getting nowhere fast. I soon gave up hope of catching
Mike and Steve and was only racing the clock. The few downhill
km's were great and I was able to make up a few precious seconds.
The last 14km are flattish and undulate to the finish. I
found myself picking up time in one km then losing it the
next. I hit 25km in 1hr40, spot on 4min/km. I was running
really hard, but not that fast. I then saw Mike up ahead and
made an all out effort on the 2nd last km to catch him. We
finished together picking up the last 2 places under 2hrs.
The course: 4. It's great to be out on the back roads
running past the vineyards, dairy farms and wheat fields...
Marshals: 3. Being Sunday the road were quiet, and
the marshals kept us going in the right direction.
Handouts: 4 Medals, and T-shirts to every 5th finisher.
Cost: R35.00
Value for money: 3. Best way to do a 'tempo' training
run.
Other People's feeling about the race: 3. Most people
went on about what a perfect morning it was for running...
Total score = 18 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 4. Best way to get rid of
a hangover!!!.
Next week Tokai challenge 21
Saldanha 21K 09 August
Years ago everyone used to make the annual trip out to Saldanha
for the Half, but it seems that in the last couple of years
the numbers have dwindled.
We decided to make the trip after a gap of seven years. With
a cold front rolling in, we were lucky to get to the start
in one piece, in fact the weather had cleared up a bit...
Well only till we were asked to line up for the start!!!
So there we stood in the pouring rain waiting for the cannon
to fire, this is after all an army base. I went straight to
the front to test the competition as last year's race was
won in a slow time. My lead didn't last long as the top runners
came flying by. I then settled down and thought about trying
to run at marathon pace.
At the 5km mark, I was ahead of schedule, but then the tar
ran out and the race took us into the nature reserve. I seemed
to have the ability to run hills and even rocky single tracks,
but a slippery mud surface, NO. I'm not afraid of it, like
my wife, but my style just doesn't let me run fast!!! I was
working hard trying to make up ground on the small group in
front of me, and trying to make sure I didn't get caught.
With the rain still in the air, a giant rainbow had formed
out to sea and I wished I had a camera with me, that was till
the heavens opened again. Once again the showers didn't last
long, but the clouds had closed in and the rainbow had gone.
At about 11km I was caught from behind, I let him take the
lead but didn't let him get away. With him now setting the
pace we seemed to be catching the guys in front of us. Things
were looking good till my legs slipped out from under me and
I ended up in the mud !!!
I wasn't down for long, but I was on my own again. My luck
then changed as his shoelace came undone and he stopped to
do it up. I passed him and took off... my km split from 12-13
was 2:17 (I think the markers were in the wrong place!!!)
But, I was running fast as the road here was in really good
shape. It wasn't till I had closed the gap on the guys in
front of me that he caught me again. There were now 4 of us
together with only 4km to go. We only stayed together for
1km then the road took a turn for the worse and I fell behind
again. With the last 2km on the tar I thought my rhythm would
return, it didn't...
The course: 4. If you don't like the mud you had better
hope the sun is shining next year. This is a really beautiful
course and if the flowers are out the nature reserve should
be blooming.
Marshals: 4. I was really impressed that they were
out in that weather...
Handouts: 2 A medal and many spot prises
Cost: R30.00
Value for money: 2. The race was well organised and
running out there was a nice change, but I think you need
to spend the weekend out there or make plans for the day,
it's a long way to go to run a race.
Other People's feeling about the race: 4. That was
the best Cross Country of the year!!! As much as they moaned
about the mud they really enjoyed it...
Total score = 16 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I took a lot of strain
and my legs are sore... but that's life.
Next week Tuff 30
Ravensmead 15K 02 August
With Comrades now 7 weeks past, I thought it was time to
test my legs and see how I was recovering. Ravansmead is said
to be the fastest 15km in the Western Cape, and back in '96
I ran my PB on this course.
The plan was just to have a solid run and see how the legs
went. I thought 3:30's would be a bit fast, but would be happy
with anything close to that. Nelson took off and left me behind,
I therefore went with Roger. I was nicely tucked in behind
him as we finished our 1st km 3:18. OK change of tactics time...
I'll run hard till I blow and then see if I can run on to
the finish. A good 5 or 10 would suit me fine.
At 2km Roger, was still setting the pace and we now had
a couple of guys following us. I don't know what happened
between 2 & 3, but we slowed to a 3:28. I then took over
the pace setting, half-way through the next km and tried to
pick up the pace. I didn't last too long at the front of our
bus, I peeled off and fell in at the back. Roger then did
the same, but he didn't stay, he went through a bad patch
and fell off the bus.
At about 6.5km, we rounded a pole and headed back. Julian
Paul, who was setting the pace, then upped the tempo and dropped
me. I wasn't going to have an easy run home, because Michael
had also upped his tempo and caught me and wanted me to go
with him. I only held on for about a km. The legs felt good,
but I didn't have the speed to knock off those 3:20's I was
far more comfortable running at 3:25's, so that's what I did.
A guy from Edgemead passed me, but couldn't keep the pace
he had set for himself, so I pulled him back.
I then saw the enemy up front and set about catching him.
Who is the enemy you might ask, well Celtics are the enemy...
Running for VOB there always seems to be big competition between
the 2 biggest clubs. I didn't go straight past him, but tucked
in behind him and caught my breath. That didn't take long
and I was on my way, 3km to go and now it became a race against
the clock. The aim was to go under 51min, and 3:25's would
take me there. I don't know how it happened, but I missed
the 13km board and had to wait till the last km to see that
I was still on pace. I closed the gap on 2 other guys, but
in the last 500m they ran away from me. I still finished strong
and broke 51min.
The course: 4. I really enjoyed the route out of the
town and around the suburbs.
Marshals: 3. Yes they kept us going in the right direction,
but I think if they had one or two more some traffic problems
could have been avoided.
Handouts: 2 A medal and many spot prises for those
who stayed
Cost: R20.00
Value for money: 2.5. What you expect for a 15km
Other People's feeling about the race: 3. I didn't
have any problems with the traffic, but other people seemed
to think a couple of cars and taxi's got in the way.
Total score = 14.5 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 4. Sometimes you just want
to run fast and this race lets you do that.
Next week Saldanha half
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