running – Page 2 – Notes from the Cape

Published July 30, 2017

Running in the forest

Last weekend I went for a run in Cecelia and Newlands forests. It is such a privilege to have since amazing forests in my back garden. It had been pouring with rain for most of the day, so everything was wet and had that crisp and clean smell you get after the rain.

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An old tree reflecting in a puddle.

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The silver leaf trees on the jeep track. These trees literally look somebody has spray-painted the leaves with sliver paint, and they glisten with an almost mystical sparkle as you run past them.

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Running up – there was plenty of running up, and of course running down on this run.

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I’m convinced this trail was created for hobbits, or just for really short people. I had to bend over and just about crawl my way through the vegetation.

It was an excellent day out, and you don’t need to be a runner to enjoy these trails. There are plenty of walkers and families going for shorter strolls in both Cecelia and Newlands forests at the weekends.

Cape Town Running

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Published April 30, 2016

Muizenberg Monster Beach Run

13095782 1017156178353528 72789102799863587 n Running on the beach at sunrise (pic from Energy Events)

Wednesday was the second Muizenberg Monster Beach Run – a 20k “there and back again” dash starting on Muizenberg beach. Only about 45 or so peopled entered, and I ran it in 2:01, with a very respectable position of 22nd. But it was tough running on the beach – even though most of the sand is hard, there are still soft spots, and you are always running on a slight camber.

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The start line

My trail shoes were so full of sand by the end that I had to wash them with the hose-pipe afterwards. But it was amazing running on the beach as the sun slowly rose, and the sky went from almost black, to a golden yellow sunrise, and then into the day.

I will be back next year!

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One of the water crossings

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Published April 15, 2016

Table Mountain dams

If you are feeling energetic, there is a lovely walk from Constantia Nek up the mountain to the dams on the back of Table Mountain. While it is only around 7km or so, it is very steep.

The dams were built in the late 1800’s so have historical value for Cape Town.

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Woodhead Reservoir

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Woodhead Reservoir wall

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Woodhead Reservoir sign

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Part of the mechanism of one of the dams

If you are keen to do the walk, here is the route I took (but I ran it).

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Published April 2, 2016

Two Oceans Marathon – update

A few days ago I posted about me entering the Two Oceans Marathon. This is a quick update to let you know that I finished the 56km race, and I finished it under the cutoff time of 7 hours (6:53 to be exact). This was my second ultra-marathon, and while I found it extremely physically tough (but then I guess that any run that long is going to be tough), mentally it was a much easier race.

Cds medal

While running it I was seriously wondering why on earth I had got up at 3:30am to run 56k, but as soon as I got home and had a good bath I started thinking about what I could do differently for next year! But the support from my fellow runners and the spectators was simply amazing. I don’t think I could do it without that comradery.

And yes, I will see you next year!

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About 2km from the end – I was a lot more sore that it looks

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Published March 25, 2016

Two Oceans Marathon

Pretty much a year ago I completed my first Ultra-marathon – the Two Oceans Marathon, the world’s most beautiful marathon. A gruelling 56km run through Cape Town, including over 1000m of climb. It was a brutal yet exhilarating experience. It is difficult to explain the conflicting emotions between joy and pain that I experienced during the last 15k or so.

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At around 40k – I was in a lot more pain than I was showing

Well, I am running it again this year. Tomorrow to be exact. 10999 people will be joining me on my run, and another 13000 will be running the half-marathon.

But the route is amazing. You start outside the brewery in Newlands, run down to Muizenberg (almost past my house), down the coast to Fish Hoek, across to Noordhoek, then over Chapman’s Peak. This is the first big hill and where some say the race really starts. Then into Hout Bay where you hit the marathon mark, up Constantia Nek (the big scary hill), and then down about 10k past Kirstenbosch Gardens to the finish on the UCT rugby fields.

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Crossing the finish line last year

Last year there was a course diversion over Ou Kaapse Weg – a brutal 7km climb, so in theory this year’s route is a little easier. I hope I am ready; I have certainly done the training. So here’s hoping for a great run.

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Published March 18, 2016

Olympic stadium

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This is the Olympic Stadium from the 1896 Olympic Games, on the site of the original games. It was also recently used for archery in the 2004 games.

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Of course, I had to run a lap around the track (which you are allowed to do). This is me in my Cape Town Marathon shirt and Luna running sandals, which seemed kind of fitting.

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athens running stadium

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Published December 30, 2015

Chapman’s Peak – just before the fire

Earlier this year I posted photos of the fire that devastated our mountains. The good news is that the plants seem to be recovering well, and parts of the mountain have already been reopened.

The day the fire started I was meant to run over the mountains, so I ran this alternate route to Chapman’s Peak instead, little knowing that just a few hours later it would be on fire as well.

You still cannot run sections of this road (well at least you are not supposed to).\

I remember it howling with wind and being freezing cold, but I am glad it is coming right slowly.

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The view to Hout Bay from Chapman’s Peak

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At Chapman’s Peak

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Published December 28, 2015

Silvermine open after the fire

Silvermine West is once again after last year’s fire. So I could finally go running on one of my favourite trails – up the old wagon trail to the dam and back. The devastation from the fire is saddening – there is not a single part of the trail where you don’t see massive fire damage. cds-IMG_2912

But the good news is the regeneration. It will take a long time to get back to how to it was, but regrowth is clearly happening.

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Published December 26, 2015

2000km running

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I just hit the 2000km running mark this year, and what better route to celebrate than a run though the trails of the Constantia Green belts up to the mountain and back?

This bridge was just about at the 2000km mark. Although strangely enough I have never crossed it – my route turns left at the bridge to continue down towards Alphen.

More good news on the running front is that the West side of Silvermine has been reopened after the devastating fires last year, so a recon run is definitely in order.

Finally I hope you all had a great Christmas, see you in the new year.

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Published December 10, 2015