|
Worcester 21K 26 July
I had the choice of either running a 10km race in Pinelands
or driving out to Worcester for the Rainbow Chicken's Half.
With the idea of going Wine Tasting after the race, we drove
out to Worcester for the half.
The first km took us on the road around the track before
we headed out. I was wanting to go under 80 minutes, but I
didn't want to work to hard. With most of my friends running
the 10km around Pinelands, I was on my own to run how I felt.
Well, that's what I thought... At about 3km, a blind guy came
running past me and almost ran on straight up the road. I
yelled at him and told him to turn left. He then almost fell
over the pavement instead of staying in the road. I don't
know what came over me, but I played the Good Samaritan and
offered to help him over the next couple of km as we left
the tar road and took the gravel out of town.
It's not the easiest thing in the world trying to run fast
and keep a blind guy on the smoothest part of the jeep track...
Back on the tar and things eased up a bit, I could let him
go on his own and use my arms!!! The next couple of km's climbed
till just after half way. I hoped he would run away, but I
kept catching him as the road got steep. He now wanted me
to help him all the way to the end, so down we went. He had
to run quite close to me to hear my foot steps, and as the
road turned I would say: "A little left, OK straight
now."
We made good progress and caught a number of the early front
runners. Things were easy till the last couple of km's as
we had to hop the pavements and negotiate a subway... With
all of that behind us I got him onto the track and around
the 200m mark before he sprinted away... Life isn't fair is
it.
The course: 4. I really enjoyed the route out of the
town and around the suburbs.
Marshals: 4. They had marshals in all the right spots
and they know what they were doing.
Handouts: 2 A medal...
Cost: R30.00
Value for money: 2. The race was well organised and
running out there was a nice change, but I think we always
want more for our money!
Other People's feeling about the race: 3. No-one was
really racing, so they didn't complain about the wind and
they enjoyed the run.
Total score = 15 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I enjoyed it and will
be back, as we can always go wine tasting after the run...
Next week Ravansmead 15
Hemel and Aarde 21K 19 July
The weekends come so quickly, and before I know it I'm standing
up early to run the next race. We drove out Hermanus for the
3rd running of the Hemal en Aarde Half Marathon.
Only as I lined up for the start, did I find out that the
route would be different from the previous years. We headed
up the valley and I immediately went with the leaders to see
if there was a chance of a podium finish. Well, as we ran
up the road the km's slipped by in 3:30 and 3:28 followed
by a 3:25 as the leaders pulled ahead, I realised that my
legs still had a bit of Comrades in them and they didn't really
want to race.
I let the 3rd placed group pull ahead of me, as we approached
the turn onto the gravel. Yes, I think I could have stayed
with them on another day, but not today. As we worked our
way up and down the vineyards, I let one of the guys fly past
me on one of the early downhills. Someone else was closing
in, but then came the 8th and 9th km's and I never saw him
again.
In those 'kays' we climbed steadily up to the top of the
mountain overlooking Hermanus. I closed the gap on the 3 guys
fighting it out for 3rd, but they still made it to the top
before I did. The road on the top is what I call 'flatish'
with a few undulations thrown in for good measure!!!
The smooth gravel turned into a rather rocky jeep track before
we turned onto a single track and headed back. I was now running
with no pressure and really enjoying it. The single track
took us back to the gravel road route back. I was off the
really nice part of the race and I had to now get to the finish.
My legs had recovered and the running was easy as I made my
way back.
The way back wasn't all 'flatish' as we had to drop down
the mountain and get back to the start. The drop was fast
and even scary, that is, if running fast down steep rocky
paths frightens you. The tar road we started on took us back
to the finish.
The course: 4. It's getting better, but I think it
was a bit short.
Marshals: 3. They didn't use a lot of marshals, but
you couldn't get lost and it made you feel you were out there
on your own against the mountain and the elements.
Handouts: 3. A Whale tail shaped medal and soap and
rolls.
Cost: R35.00
Value for money: 3. R35.00 could be a bit much, but
they do give you soup and rolls after the race.
Other Peoples feeling about the race: 4. It seemed
as if they all enjoyed it, it was advertised as a mountain
run, and yes we ran on the mountain!!!
Total score = 17 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 4. I enjoyed it more than
the other routes
Next week: Howard Center 10km and Rainbow Chicken Half.
Eersterivier 15K 06July
With one perfect day after another Saturday looking the same
as we headed out to Eersterivier. With very few races over
the last couple of weeks and only Knysna next week we had
to get out. It normally doesn't matter which car we go to
a race in, but Dawn's car has a thermometer and it was scary
to watch the temperature drop from the relatively high 11°
all the way down to 1°.
I didn't check the temp just before the race started, but
I would put money on it still been under 4° (it was 3°
after my warm-up run!!!)
The start took us down the side street at the school and
to the main road, we turned right and headed out of town.
Richard joined Dawn and I before the first km and the 3 of
us ran together with Richard and I setting the pace, with
Dawn pushing it from behind. The first couple of km's were
just under 4min/km and our / Dawn's aim of a 40min 10km was
on the card. (the last 5 would be a mystery)
I avoided the first water table, as they were handing out
ICE-LOLLIES, hot coffee might have gone down better!!! My
hands were starting to take strain from the cold, I was holding
the car-keys in one hand and Dawn's asthma pump in the other
and not been able to close my fingers didn't help. With this
race been an out and back, we saw the leaders on the other
side and a small group of 3 runners were far ahead. The turn
around was well marshalled, as we took the turn and headed
back.
With 8km gone we had only lost 6 seconds, but as the temp
seemed to drop so did our pace. Dawn was happy with our 40:20
at 10km, the pace then eased to 4:12 & 4:08. I now still
wanted to break 60, so after a short Coke stop, I said my
good byes and left Dawn. Richard decided to come with me and
Tex, who had just caught us, joined us as we sped off. It
felt a lot faster, but that first breakaway km was only a
3:57. I was now worried as I still had 38sec to make up in
the last 2 km, so I kicked and left the others for 'dead',
or should that be frozen! I don't know were the speed came
from, but I put in two 3:25 and easily made it home. After
fetching my Coke, I headed for he fires to wait for the others
to come in.
The course: 3. It's flat and one of the faster course
around, but it was to cold to see the really fast times.
Marshals: 3. I think they did a good job, it's an easy
race to marshal, but they did the basics right.
Handouts: 3. Medal to all finishers, and they had fires
burning to keep us warm..
Cost: R20.00
Value for money: 3. It's what you expect for a 15km
Other People's feeling about the race: 3. Cold, why
didn't I wear my gloves!!!
Total score = 14 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3.It was a good race to
make my come back on, now I need a half.
Next week: Knysna
|
