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Cape Town Marathon 42k 23 Feb
With a week of heavy training behind us, we had decided to
take the Marathon as a training run.
My training partners, had decided to set out at just over
4min/km, while I wanted to set out at just under 4min/km and
take the last quarter easy. With a slight wind in our faces
we set off down Forest Drive.
I was at the back of a large group and with the first km
going by in 3:51, I was happy with the pace. I thought the
markers were in the wrong place, as the 2nd km came up all
too quickly... I then did the sensible thing and fell off
the back. I didn't want to race, this was after all only a
training run.
Graham and Phil then joined me and I ran with them for a
bit, out of Pinelands and into Rondebosch. I was running too
fast again, but since we were still running into the wind
I didn't want to be on my own. Turning out of the wind, I
really should have slowed down, but like every good plan you
can change it. So, I decided to stay with Graham for a few
more km. After all, the running was easy with the wind now
behind us.
The race had been fairly flat till 10km, before the first
little hill up to the Main Road. The next climb was at 12km
and that took us up to Eastern Boulevard. Phil got left behind
on the sharp hill, but over the next 3km he caught us again,
only to fall off as we reached the Town and the road flattened.
With the start of the Half Marathon in the centre of Town
the support was good, in fact this was the only part of the
Marathon which was like a Big City Marathon.
Adderley Street's lights were still on and with all the support
it was quite festive. That didn't last long, as we turned
and headed for the harbour and through to the Waterfront.
A lot of guys must have gone out to fast as we kept passing
them. At half way we caught Chris, I thought he might come
with us for a bit, but he had settled into a slower pace and
was quite happy. Over the next 2km, the pressure down below
started to build up and luckily at the one water table there
was a porta-potty, so I wished Graham well and headed off
the route.
1min 40 later and 5kg lighter I took to the road again, I
was now thinking I could settle into a nice easy pace of about
3:50-3:55. You know what thought did... I soon found myself
running too fast again, so I decided to hold it till the hill
before backing off and jogging home. I was pleased to make
it to 29.5km and De Waal Drive. I pulled up the hand break
and took the hill nice and easy, 4:09 4:39 and 4:06 as I eased
to top.
At the 32km mark, Phil was lying on the ground stretching
before he would jog in. I really shouldn't have looked at
my watch... With just over 10km to go, and most of it downhill,
I only needed to keep under 4min/km and I would break 2hr40.
I tried to talk myself out of it, but running down Hospital
Bend was just too easy to make up the little time I needed.
I then went past Graham who, like Phil, were taking the last
10km easy.
The running was good and the legs didn't want to slow down,
so I just kept going. Running through Pinelands back to Mutual
Park, I knew why I love the marathon.. Those last few km when
you are invincible, the opposition is taking strain while
you just fly by. Yes, those races are few and far between,
but you always live and run in hope of the next "Perfect"
race. I hadn't run to my limit, but I had put in quiet a lot
of work and had been rewarded with my fastest time in 6 years!!!
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: : 1. I don't think this lives up to a "Big
City " Marathon route
Marshals: : 2. I didn't have any problem with them
that wasthe ones that were there.!! I think they seemed to
have quite a few Marshals missing in what I would call important
places, and I never even saw the Race Ref.
Handouts: 2. Medal.
Cost: R40.00
Value for money: 3. I think a Marathon is always good
value for money, but for a so called "Big City"
Marathon you would expect more.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2. A lot of
guys had good runs, while others didn't, but 10 years on and
we still don't like running on the Freeway, and this year
with a low Marshall count the organises need to pull up their
socks!
Total score = 10 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I had a good run and
things went well, so does it really matter that I don't like
the course?
Next week: Rest
Spartans 21 08 Feb
Wanting to log up the miles, I ran the 8km to the start of
the race.
I then lined up with a few friends ready to take on the
challenge. With the wind behind us, we set out at just under
4min/km. I don't know how this happened , but Fish Hoek seemed
to be the enemy. With one trying to run us down, while we
were running another down.
He did catch us at 6km, but that wasn't going to last. Turning
onto Ladies Mile, we now had the wind to contend with and
poor Mr Fish Hoek was out on his own. He didn't last long,
as our bus cut through the wind. I think Mike was pushing
the pace, he might want to blame me, but we had a nice pace
going, and once we had reached the Main Road our bus grew
with Charles and Gareth catching us.
I don't know what came over us, but we dropped the bus a
few times and had to slow down to let them catch up. I stopped
for Coke at one of the watering tables and joined the back
of the bus, but I didn't feel comfortable there, so I worked
my way back to the front again.
At 14k, we turned off the Main Road and started heading home.
Both Mike and I, pulled out of the Bus and dropped behind
it to wait for Stef who had gone last at the turn. We weren't
racing the others, we just wanted a steady ran. With the engine
out of the bus, the wheels came off and running up the little
hill with Stef, Mike and I began to 'pick up the pieces'.
The bus tried to stay together, but we seemed to pick the
pace up a bit and people started falling off the back, in
fact for the last 2km it was only Mike, Charles and myself
hanging in there..... Well, I was left behind, the others
sprinted off in a mad rush for the line. Charles won that
little race.
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: : 3/4.. It could be a really fast race,
with the only hill between 15 & 16k ...
Marshals: : 1. I wasn't the only one complaining about
the marshals, they didn't
seem to know that they are meant to stop traffic and show
us the way...
Handouts: 2. I got a medal,
Cost: R25.00
Value for money: 3. I think we are spoiled in Road
Running in Cape Town, other
sports are so expensive.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2/3. Very windy,
and unpleasant, but since a
lot of runners used it as a long run not all moaned.
Total score = 19 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. It was just a long run,
but I had fun.
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