|
Hewat 20 miler 28 Sept
Mike arrived at my house before the sun, and the 2 of us made
our way to 3 Anchor Bay to catch the to bus to the start.
This is one part of the organisation which needs a bit of
work. It looked, as if there was only one bus which was making
a round trip to ferry the 600 runner up the hill. Due to this
factor, the race started almost 10mins late. [The last
bus only got to the top at 07h05.]
I wanted a hard run and was hoping for a top 10 finish.
To 'suss out' the field, I took the early lead and let the
pack catch me at 2km. It wasn't a pretty sight, as about 20
guys were in the bunch. I let them go and I settled into my
own stride.
On the steep downhill from Kloof Nek, John joined me and
we ran together, slowly catching Chris, while Charles closed
in on us. By the end of the downhill at 10km, we were working
well together and had settled into a nice rhythm. The route
took us out towards Oudekraal, and with the lead runners coming
back, I could see that my hopes of a top 10 had been 'washed
into the sea'.
We had been catching a few guys, but the lead pack was still
too big and the guys were working well together. We had been
knocking off 3:36 / km's and I was happy with the pace. But,
after the turn and the half-way mark, the pace dropped to
3:40. My pace judgement is normally quite good, but in trying
to get the pace back I threw in a 3:32 followed by a 3:29.
Both Charles and Chris fell of the pace.
Chris used the steep downhill at Bantry Bay to close in again,
but he could only stay for a few km's before John and I went
on the hunt again. Running down to the Waterfront we passed
a few very sore runners. After the turn John saw Michael and
went for the 2nd vet prize. I stayed with him till 1km to
go, then my calf tightened, so I backed off a bit. I was still
able to catch Michael and finished in 17th place. The last
couple of years, I would have easily had my Top 10 finish,
but not this year...
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: 3. It's a 20 Miler, I think they should
give us mile markers?
Marshals: 3. A lot of the course didn't have marshals,
but where they were needed there were more than enough
Handouts: 2. Wooden Shields, I didn't get excited
Cost: R45.00
Value for money: 3. OK, since that includes the bus
fare to the top of Signal Hill and the use of Champion Chip.
Other People's feeling about the race: 4. Everyone
seemed to enjoy it, but very few guys didn't have very sore
legs !!!
Total score = 15 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I didn't like the "mess"
in getting to the start, so we'll have to see what next year
holds.
Next week Elsies 10km and VOB 21.1km
Strandfontein 15K 21 Sept
Saturday we headed out to Strandfontein. The wind had been
blowing at home, but out there it was a little stiller. It's
a flat race, and with the route a little different to last
year's, I was ready to make a go of it.
Starting at the Sports fields we headed for the beach and
the coastal road. Running up the coast into a gentle breeze,
I tucked in behind a couple of guys and we worked together.
We caught the pretenders, who had gone out too fast. I think,
I'll time-trail in a few weeks time and then I'll be a pretender.
But, for now, I'm just after a hard run.
Going through 5km in 16:26, a good 15 was on the cards. We
turned and 8 till 9, was a cracker and with the wind behind
us I was wanting a fast time... Working hard, I was cruising
down the road, but the km to 10 was a little slow then to
11 the wheels came off and I was in survival mode.
A junior caught up to me, so I tucked in hoping to be pulled
along. The pace was slow, but my legs were sore and without
a few more hard runs in them, I was going to have to settle
for the "slow" pace. Leaving the beach front we
climbed a bit, before tackling the last km down to the finish.
I tried to take the junior, but his young legs had more left
in then than my sore, old legs...
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: 3. It's better than last year, and if the
wind stays away you can look for a fast time.
Marshals: 3. They did their work, but nothing stands
out.
Handouts: 2. Medals, I didn't get excited
Cost: R18.00
Value for money: 3.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2-3. Jacov ran
a PB, while Chris was out of breath, no-one said: "WOW,
what a great run" But, then again on-one complained.
Total score = 14 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. 3. With most of the race
been an out and back course I love the support I got and was
able to give.
Next week Hewat 20 miler.
Peninsula Marathon 08 Sept
For years the Peninsula Marathon was run in February and the
South Easter was our biggest enemy. Now things have changed
and we ran the marathon this past weekend, before the start
of the Summer winds. Saturday looked like Summer was here
with the temperature reaching 29, but come evening the clouds
rolled in and the North Wester picked up.
At 06h00, I stood on the start line with a few friends, the
threat of rain was in the air, but for now it was still dry.
It wasn't a mad rush as we started and finding the right pace
was easy. Actually the first 3km's were a bit fast, but with
the wind on our backs it was to be expected.
On the first down hill I slowed and let the "Louis bus" go
ahead, I was going to run most of the race with Neil. This
was his first attempt at a sub 3Hr and only his 2nd Marathon.
My legs felt a bit heavy, but I was running well within myself.
The going was easy as 5km went in 20:37, a little under target
time, but with the wind at our backs it didn't worry me.
We left Town on the Main Road and the kilometres were flying
by. Louis and his bus were about 20 sec ahead. Neil and I,
were closing the gap at about 1sec per km, so both busses
looked good as we past the next 5km in 20:37. Dropping into
Ronberbosch, Marc was meant to be out and supporting us, well
I think the bed got the better of him. We thought Steve
had pulled the same stunt as we passed his flat. But he was
a little further down, standing with Dawn, who was following
the race.
Climbing up Wynberg hill, we caught Louis and the remains
of his bus. It was a good thing we caught them as we could
have taken the hill a little harder than planned. We didn't
pass, but joined them till about half way 87:45, then Louis
went ahead again. Our pace was still good and the km's went
by without any trouble till 28 when Mother Nature called,
so I popped into the bushes and left Neil to keep the "said
pace". I was now a few kg lighter and after a few fast km's
I caught Neil again. Working together we caught Louis at FishHoek,
with only 8km to go and 40 min left to break 3 hour I knew
Louis's Sub 3 was safe. Neil was still strong so we pressed
on. Running through Simonstown he tried to send me on ahead,
I think he was now taking strain, but I said I would stay
with him till the end. With a bit of downhill we made up some
time and now a 2hr55 was there for the taking. A bit of hard
running down to the field and on the grass gave us a 2h54:50.
Absolute GOAL achieved.
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: 4. If, run this time of the year it's a
good route.
Marshals: 3. Nothing special, but there were no problems
this year
Handouts: 4. Medals & T-shirts
Cost: R40.00
Value for money: 4. Puma spent a lot of money on the
top athletes, which is good, but the really good thing is
that the "also rans" got something for their money
Other People's feeling about the race: 4. By the sound of things a good time was had by all, well except Lyn, but I think the distance got the better of her.
Total score = 19 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I was a bit nervous at
the start, but the body worked well and even with a few fast
km's in the middle I had no problems, and not having to worry
about the route or traffic made it a nice run
Atlantis 15km 31 Aug
After a hail storm on Friday the skies were clear as we drove
out to Atlantis for their 15km. Sitting in the car it didn't
look that cold, but getting out to enter we noticed just how
fresh it was. After a warm-up in the car, heater on, we jogged
the 400m to the start.
I didn't want to run to hard, I just wanted maximum club
points, so all I needed to do was be the first VOB athlete
in. By 500m I was 16th overall and first in the club. Donavan
was just ahead so I decided to run with him. I don't know
what happened, but the pace picked up, maybe it was the slight
downhill or the fact that the wind was now behind us. After
a 3:14 and a 3:16 I was feeling good and thought that while
the running was easy I could handle the pace.
Well, it wasn't long after 5km when Donavan just stopped
on the side. I was now alone and with the guys in front far
ahead and the following pack way off. We had run though the
whole town by 6km, and turned into the industrial area. After
a few comfortable km's (3:30), I had made up ground on a Celtics'
junior and as we were leaving the industrial area for the
road back into Town, I caught him.
We were now running into the wind and on catching him I
thought of tucking in behind, but he was running too slow.
I also slowed and just ran the long road into town, no-one
was catching me and with a Marathon plan for next week I didn't
want to run to hard.
Ratings: (Out of 5)
The course: 3. I don't think the organises could find
a much better route for us to run.
Marshals: 4. They did a good job with the marshals.
Handouts: 2. Medals
Cost: R20.00
Value for money: 2. It was a long way to drive out
there for a morning race, maybe if there was a town festival
it would turn out to be a good day.
Other People's feeling about the race: 2. The wind
which was blowing was really cold and that seemed to spoil
the run for a lot of people.
Total score = 16 out of 25
My feeling about the race: 3. I had fun and enjoyed
the run, the wind didn't bother me as I was not trying to
race the last 5km
Next week Peninsula Marathon
|
