It was surprising to see how I run in a straight line on the beach – almost as if I am putting one foot exactly in front of the other. Now I am wondering if that is correct – surely I am having to swing my legs around to get that right? Leading to an inefficient technique and overuse of the hips, hmmmm.
This was always going to be a training run. Yeah right. While the goal was to complete the race injury free, I was never going to be able to set aside my competitive nature.
The day was going to be cold and wet, I had a big plastic bag around me just in case it started to rain while awaiting the start, the rain did not come then, it came later.
My goodness there were a lot of people.
And boy, was I grateful to be seeded into the ‘C’ group, even though that got a bit crowded. By the time I was settled in, I was looking out for the 1hr45min bus. The 1:45 flag was buried deep in a mass of people that I was not going to weave my way though, so I awaited for the start with the aim of catching up with them.
At 5 minutes to go I gulped down the BioGen Bio-Kick Energy shot and continued to keep myself warm.
Continue Reading…
Call this half a rant if you will, but looking at some of the required equipment lists is completely demotivating. With some races requiring a small fortune to invest in. Granted the stuff should last long, but only because you need it 2-3 times a year. Never mind the fees for races.
Most of the stuff is needed for just in case. Just in case you find yourself stuck and the temperatures plummet or you are hurt and help is far away. I understand that, but it does not make it easier.
Case in point; I have a race coming up that requires a few items that will spiral me into debt, and just for one race that I might not do because of injury. So I am stuck, should I abandon the race or consider the purchases as an investment for future races? Only problem is that I not only have to motivate this to myself but also to my family.
So here I am:
Backpack – anything from R200 to R2000
Rain Jacket – R360 to R1500
Windproof shell – R300 to R500
And of course I have already made purchases for other things for short distance trail running.
No to mention that I need new shoes: R1200
Maybe I should just spend money on a LED TV and a sound system so I can vegetate in front of it, seems to be a cheaper option than pursuing the things I love.
The last time I competed in the Argus Cycle Tour was in 2004 – in a mountain bike, a not so light mountain bike. My time then was a reasonable 4:29:58. This year was going to be interesting since the training was way better, as was the Carbo Loading and nutrition, and I was riding a Road (racing) bike.
Fortune of fortunes I was able to negotiate my starting group from the back markers to the L group, effectively a 2.5 hour difference that would get me to the finish before the heat really hit (and boy did it hit hard).
Continue Reading…
It is so freaky to have just found out about someone only to read an article a week later that they have have passed away.
The dude sounded awesome; living the life he loved and running with pure joy.
It was in the book “Born to Run” that I found out about Caballo Blanco (Micah True, or whatever his name might be) and just 12 chapters in there is this blog post that he has gone missing, no man. For what it’s worth Caballo, cheers! You went down doing what you loved, and you have made a difference in many lives through it.
Trail running is a new thing for me, so ultra distance trail is a little bit out there for me, but you have brought it down to earth for me – that it is about the joy of it. So maybe one day I will be running a 50 mile trail; that day I will think back on you and give you another thanks.
Cheers man. Continue Reading…
Medac South Africa has a FaceBook Comment/Like competition Where you can win Compression garments and a sports massage.
You just need to get the most likes for a comment you make on their wall.
I have made a comment: http://www.facebook.com/MEDAC.ROCKETS/posts/320901411304591
enter your own comment and/or like mine please.
The jury is still out on the evidence of compression, but I am pretty sure that they help.
Right now I am struggling with a calf strain that rears it’s head whenever I get past 20kms – which I can’t have happen often on my journey to do an Ironman.
So I am asking you to please help me out in winning the compression sox (1st or 2nd prize).
Can’t really afford to blast away money on every injury I get so I am keen to rather win them.
Here is a screenshot that shows where exactly to like if you are unsure. After going to the link.
thanks a stack
It has been a while since I have written something down, sorry about that.
The journey is still on.
On The 11th February 2012, I took part in the 123km 99er. This was a big milestone for me because it was going to be my longest race.
The day went very well except for a few rookie mistakes and the rain. Next time I will not try skip from one group to the next.
I finished in a good time of 4 hours 15 mins.
However I was left wondering how on earth I would be able to run a marathon after that – refer to rookie mistake.
This race was to prove very influential in my Argus seeding even though it was a 2013 qualification race.
14th February 2012. I love trail running. and here was a wonderful opportunity to take part in a race. My first was the First of the Summer trail series in Silvermine, there I struggled because of all the people in front of me on the narrow tracks. I also sprained my ankle;twice, hmmm.
This time I started in the front, ummmm, that did not work because we were sent the wrong way and had to filter into that masses in any case. Strambling to get back in front I twisted my ankle in the grass, arrrrrrrg.
After my ankle felt better(after hopping for a while) I high tailed it through everyone. Some of the ascents were challenging, but most of the race was on jeep track. The backend of the race was downhill and it went by like a tornado. Ok, a lot of people only did 8km because of a problem in the directions but I was still impressed.
Results: 47mins 16 seconds with an overall position of 27th. thats more like it
On the 19th February 2012 I took part in the 11 Global Triathlon: 1.5km Swim | 40km Cycle | 10km Run.
It was great, ok maybe not the swim. Man alive the water was cold. It was my first swim in the ocean so I had already made peace that it was going to be difficult, but I must say that the kelp leopard crawling and sea water breathing had me wondering a bit. I boy did I wonder, I really need to get my own wetsuit and do more Ocean swimming – I tend to zig-zag a lot.
When I came out of the water the announcer was commending us on our times, oh I thought,really?
Getting to my bike I was motivated by the fact that there were still so many bikes left.
I took a moment to breath and then I gave it gas. Gunning it up and down the 4 10km laps I was only passed by a few hard-core looking cyclists in their super bikes.
Things were looking good.
Until I hit the transition. What? All the bike still here. No way that many people passed me or that so many people were still in the water, hmmm.
Anyway the run went very well, in spite of the fact that my stomach wanted to run along side me.
All in all I was impressed. The swim could have been improved by 10 mins, and the run by 5 mins, but hey I was not trying to kill my self.
Official Times
Swim : 00:25:45
Bike : 01:21:04
Run : 00:47:33
11th March 2012. Wow. What a way to finish the cycling season (for me)!! I was able to motivate a better seeding because of my history and the difference the 99er made. I moved from a 9:24am start to a 06:55 start. Huge considering the heat and the riders around me.
My goal was 4hrs. Have take the route in a moderate fashion the week before I was a bit reasonable in my goal.
Maybe a tad bit to reasonable.
The start had me struggling to find a group that I could stick with. A couple times I had to scramble to stay with them as they filtered through slower groups.
At the top of Chapman’s Peak I realized that I was going to smash my goal so I jumped off and had a quick drink (also because I was very aware that my bottles were running low) and took the decent easy.
My finishing time was 3hours 32 minutes. Something I could never have imagined.
So training does pay off 
Running is my priority as I aim for my first ever Marathon in July (Knysna)
First up on that path is the 2Oceans Half Marathon (next year I intend to compete in the ultra)
The very importantly follows the JonkersHoek 30km extreme trail run. Important because I see this as an ultimate challenge. Trouble is all the compulsory equipment and it’s cost implications – I must still find a suitable hydration pack.
Of course I will be back for JailBreak, but this time the 70.3 version. Or if the talk is true, then the even longer version.
After that, God willing, calf willing and finances willing, IronMan SA in April 2013.
The Phillip Gibb Daily is out! http://t.co/Q3P03kEo ▸ Top stories today via @SFCutters @KentSpeakman @liezelv Link@ryansandes well done dude! LinkRT @ryansandes: Ryan has won the #TNF100 in a time of 9hrs22min - SUPER SUPER PROUD!!!! LinkFacebook Hit With $15 Billion User Tracking Lawsuit http://t.co/RNHh9hKC LinkRT @mashable: Facebook Hit With $15 Billion User Tracking Lawsuit - http://t.co/pJTRTXnV Link
