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Pinelands 10K 28 July
In year's gone by Cape Town became known as "The Cape
of Storms", and this weekend showed us why... With big
sea swells and the North Wester. The wind had 'hammered' the
house for 2 nights , but come Sunday morning the wind had
dropped off for the race.
In previous years the race was run on a Saturday at 07h00,
because it was being run on the Sunday this year we were able
to start at 07h30, making it a lot lighter and the start less
dangerous. I've had a few too many easy weeks to still be
in sub 33 shape, but a sub34 was the aim. So on the start
line I put together a bus of club mates, all with the same
ambition.
With the ears still ringing from the sound of the gun, we
took off through the streets of Pinelands. By 1km the bus
had taken shape, and with 7 VOB runners in it it looked more
like Lance's Blue Train of the US Postal Services, than a
running bus... Well the team didn't last and buy 3 / 3.5km
we started to lose runners off the back. By 4.5km I was almost
alone, with only 2 guys left in the bus, and they were only
just hanging on.
We were now running into the slight breeze so I took shelter
behind the 'Enemy', a Runner from Celtics. He was great and
kept us on track. At 8km my lungs were burning and Barrent
(the Celtics Runner) got away. I wanted to throw in the towel
and jog home, but the race was on. I wanted to be the fastest
"white boy" and top 10 overall in the club. So,
with 1.5km to go I caught one of the juniors of our club,
and had another in my sights... I caught a Maties runner,
but the VOB runner stayed ahead. I was 9th in the club and
50th overall with a time of 33:42 just, what I had been aiming
for.
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: 3. It's a flat fast course, but the km
board were in the wrong place, one 100m long, then one 100m
short.
Marshals: 3. I don't remember any of the marshals,
but they managed to keep us going in the direction
Handouts: 3. Medals, with a key ring attachment, just
how many keys does one have?
Cost: R15.00
Value for money: 3. It was WP 10km champs, but the
normal runner gets nothing out of the race.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2. A 10km race
on a Sunday doesn't work, half the guys want a long run on
the weekend, and if you're going to race a 10 on Sunday, when
do you put in you long run?
Total score = 14 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I like to race a couple
of 10's in the year and this is one of them, it's fast and
flat.
Next week: I don't know what's on the road, so I might have
to run the UCT Cross Country.
Hemel and Aarde Half 20 July
After two weeks of holiday and travelling around this country
of 'ours', it was time to get back to Cape Town and my weekly
routine. Now what a better way than, to start with a race
on the Saturday and a long run on the Sunday ?...
Well, I was wrecked come Sunday and decided to stay in and
watch the golf. Yes, Saturday's race was a little more than
I could handle at the moment, or should I say I ran a little
harder then I should have.
It's not the easiest of race and after 2km of flatish running
we turned off the Main road into Hermanus and started the
ascent to the top of the mountain. I found myself in 3rd place
as we climbed up the road. I was hoping to blow the 4th placed
guy away and then to catch the 2nd place guy.
Now try taking 2 weeks off after a couple of easy weeks and
your fitness starts to go. My hopes of a podium finish were
dashed when we reached the top just before 5km and the 4th
placed guy just jogged past me!!!
At 6km the tar road turned to gravel as we ran along the
top of the Mountain. I hear that the views from up there are
really great, but I saw nothing as my eyes' were floating
in lactic acid... After another 2km of undulating gravel road
it turned into a jeep track to take you to the turnaround.
My 4th place was still safe, as I saw the 5th placed runner
was 30sec behind me. I slowed to recover a bit and could now
see the Hemel and Aarde wine farm off to the right and the
coastal town of Hermanus on the left.
I would be happy with a 4th and I was now running hard,
but well within myself. I don't know what made me look back,
but it was a good thing that I did as the gap was down to
10 sec and closing. It was a good thing the last 5km were
down hill and I could run fast, without having done the training.
3:02 and 2:53 took me to the bottom of the hill and I still
had enough to get me home...
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: 4. It's Great to be up on the Mountains
on a perfect Saturday morning.
Marshals: 3. I think they only had 3 marshals, but
that didn't matter as you can't take a wrong turn without
falling off the mountain!!!
Handouts: 4. Medals, in the shape of a whale's Tail
very nice.
Cost: R35.00
Value for money: 2. It's a long way to go for a half
and R35.00 is steep, but if you've spend the weekend in the
town it's a lot better.
Other People's feeling about the race: 4. Race numbers
are up from the 1st running last year, and I think, although
most guys said it was the toughest half they run, it was a
great run.
Total score = 17 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I like running out there,
and the atmosphere at the end is really good so I'll keep
running it.
Next week : Howard Centre 10km Flat, Fast, and all that goes
with that...
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