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Durbanville 42k 17 May
Comrades rolls ever closer and so with Durbanville Marathon
on the weekend, I headed out for a last 40+ km run.
Having never run the Marathon before, I didn't know what
to expect. As the Gun set us off, I looked around to see who
I could run with. Both Chris and Graham seemed happy with
the first km at 4:27 so I left them and joined the bus just
ahead.
We were ticking along at around 4min/km when we reached a
downhill and the group sped up, I didn't want to get carried
away so I stayed at the back and let them run away. Tim stayed
with me and the two of us ran together. He's also aiming at
Comrades, but unlike me he wanted to run hard till half way
and then ease off and come home at Comrades pace.
So, we headed into the farmlands, just after 10km we left
the tar road and took one of the gravel farm roads for a short
out and back section. Doc was far out front as the runners
came past, then came a rather large following group and then
the drips and drabs of the group I had started in. After the
turn we could see who was chasing us. We were now running
into the sun and making out who the figures were was rather
difficult.
Back on the tar road and I had to back off as we had started
to dip under 4min/km which was a bit fast!!! The running must
have been easy as some Vet past us and started to pull away.
He didn't get to far ahead before the road we were on ended
in a T-junction and we turned right, and on to an undulating
road.
On the climb up to 21km, Tim turned to me and said"
I don't suppose now is a good time to tell you that my PB
for a half is 86min !!!" With that he wanted to back
off and start his easy run to the end, but I got him the 21km
board in 84:59 and we both stopped and attacked the Coke stand.
I soon left him and was now on my own, it didn't take long
to get back into my stride and I started thinking about the
2nd half of the race.
I could see a couple of guys up ahead and I was tempted
to run them down, but sanity prevailed and I just ran alone
at same pace. Before the turn back to Durbanville, I had passed
a couple of guys who seemed to be taking a bit of strain.
The road home was a longway and lots could happen. Someone
had counted me at 21st, but that didn't hold true for very
long, as I had just caught a small group. I tried to tuck
in behind, but that didn't work, they were running to slowly...
I was out on my own again and it wasn't till about 6k to
go when we joined the half marathon runners that I had people
to run with, OK I couldn't run with them as they were running
a bit slow, but it was nice to be passing lots of runners,
I even caught a few marathon guys... I had been watching the
clock and made sure that I didn't lose any time over the last
few km up to the finish and ended up running negative splits
and breaking 2hr50.
The course: 4. I really enjoyed the route through the
farmlands on the quite country roads.
Marshals: 4. Years ago they had a problem, but since
then they do a great job.
Handouts: 2. I ran 42.2km and all I have for my effort
is a medal...
Cost: R40.00
Value for money: 3.5. The race was well organised and
running out there was a nice change.
Other People's feeling about the race: 4. 'Just a training
run' was the answer I got when asking guys about the race,
but they all enjoyed it and are looking forward to the big
taper for Comrades...
Total score = 17.5 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I enjoyed it and will
be back, if not for the marathon, then for the half.
Long Beach Mall 30k 11 May
I had run Don Lock 8km on Saturday, but Sunday saw the first
running of the Long Beach Mall 30km and at 05h45 Steve and
Will picked me up.
With Comrades not to far away, Steve and I wanted to put
in a few extra km before the start. So with 40min under the
belt we lined up at the start. This was to be nothing more
than a training run for Comrades, we weren't allowed to get
carried away, racing up and down Ou Kaapse Weg (both sides)
could be dangerous!
The race took us out to Noordhoek before turning up the little
known side of the 'monster' hill. We had a nice group going
till the road started to get steep, then Steve and I seemed
to pull away. We were running easy, but everyone else was
running slowly, and we started to catch people.
After a slight down, we turned onto the "real McCoy"
and the long pull started, and to make things worse the wind
was blowing. It would have been a great help if the wind was
blowing us up the hill and slowing us on the down, but 'Murphy'
would have non of that...
Km after km we climbed into this cold wind, catching group
after group of runners. It was great to reach the relative
flat of the top and the 10km mark. The next 5km took us down
into Tokai and to the turn-a-round point. We were very controlled
and didn't even break 4min/km on the way down to the turn-a-round.
The others must have, as all sorts of people came past us.
I looked for some-one to take over from me at the turn-a-round,
but all the guys there had partners... I had to run back.
After a stop for Coke, I was ready to take up the challenge
and quickly caught Steve again. Now all we had to do was get
back to the car... the only problem was Ou Kaapse Weg was
standing in the way!!!
This side has only 4km's of hill as to the 8km we had already
climbed... So yes, you've guessed it, it's a little steeper!!!
Running into the wind didn't help matters, and Steve just
tucked in behind me and up we went. It didn't take long before
we started to catch and pass all those who had overtaken us
on the down. The higher we went the windier it got and it
wasn't till the last corner that we turned to have the wind
behind us, but by then the hill was all but over as we had
reached the 20km mark.
It was now just a matter of holding the pace and negotiating
the long down without causing any damage to the legs. Yet
again, we lost a few places, but then a top placed finish
wasn't what we wanted. With the hills now a thing of the past
and only 3km to go we had done it an easy training run of
close to 40km (if you take our warm-up in to consideration).
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: : 4. Good training route for Comrades
Marshals: : 4. The Route didn't need a lot of marshals,
but at the few intersection where it mattered they had it
under control, and I was very impressed with the turn-a-round.
Handouts: 3. Couple of spot prize as one finished and
a 'Dog Chain' to all who made it to the end, a nice change
to medals
Cost: R35.00
Value for money: 3.
Other People's feeling about the race: 3/4. Most of
the guys I spoke to had used it as a training up and had enjoyed
it.
Total score = 17 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. Nice training run, not
a good race to race.
Next week Durbanville Marathon
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