Vacation Training

I'm currently on vacation in Namibia.  Yes, it is summer. Yes, it is freaking hot. 

While this 2 week break will serve as `n little break from running as well before going at it hard in January, I'm planning on doing some training sessions.  The training sessions will be with a specific goal in mind.  In 2011 I would like to compete in some multi day races taking place at altitude and extreme heat. 

Windhoek is sitting pretty at 1650m.  This is a great opportunity to see how my body react at the higher altitude.  For a coastal dweller like me this is quite a jump. 

The temperature in Windhoek is daily above 33 degrees and very dry.  So my second goal will be to see how I fair in this kind of climate.

Next stop will Swakopmund, back at the coast. There will be a lot more oxygen, yeah! But there will be a lot more sand.  The coast of Namibia is home to some of the highest dunes in the world.  Here I will test my skills and strength on the dunes.  Giving me an idea of what to expect in races like the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme and Marathon des Sables.

Three Peaks 2010 Race Report

It was going to be a perfect day out on the mountain.  The weather was cool and the sky cloudless as we toed the start line at 5am.  For some reason the busy party street which is Long Street was rather quiet.

"OK, lets go", and we were off.  The first couple of kilometers up to the trail was a frantic sprint.  People scattering in all directions pursuing what they believe will be the fastest, most efficient way to the trails.  The poor newbies didn't know if they should come or go.

As we started the climb up to Devils Peak the sun started to come up and I was excited to see the views from the top.  Last year we could barely see 5m in front of us.  Half way up the trail splits.  I took the more direct option and Neil Hermann taking the other option.  He beat me to the top by a couple of seconds.  I followed him down and we were able to miss the traffic still ascending.

Returning to Green market Square I was feeling good in 7th position.  The climb up to Maclears Beacon (Table Mountain) was epic as always.  There were lots of hikers on the mountain to give us encouragement. This gave me a good excuse to rest every so often to explain to the tourists why we are doing this.  After touching Maclears Beacon I headed back to Green Market Square. Deliberately taking the descent easy and slow. The climb up to Lion Head is not easy and you need a lot of leg strength.

The climb up to Lion Head was painful and slow as always.  The key is to just keep moving.  When I reached the chains a group of kids were coming down, without ANY supervision.  They took took forever to come down and I did my civic duty and helped them down.  This gave me a descent rest for the final climb, but I lost some valuable time. Mark Pikker came along and instructed them to wait.  I lost a position to him on the final section.  The descent was a crazy mad dash trying to make up any lost minutes and hoping to pass someone.  I was sliding down on my bum and ran as fast as I could once I hit the road. 

Exhausted I reached Green Market square in 5th position and almost an hour better than last year!

Three Peaks Challenge is one of the oldest runs in Cape Town and is super special.  The camaraderie is unbeatable.  If you ever feel like putting yourself through a little but of pain this is the one to do.