Conquering the Majestic Swartberg

The Fairview Dryland Traverse, a race covering a distance of approximately 84km over three days and four stages, was recently named as the having ‘The Most Memorable Start’ in Runner’s World Trail Runner Magazine. The race certainly didn't disappoint as the Prologue of the race began with a 1km sprint-tour of the dark, damp Cango Caves.

A race start doesn’t get more unique than this; although admiring the majesty of the caves quickly became the last thing on my mind as I attempted to run at speed, avoid bumping into other runners or whacking my head on low archways as well as stopping myself from slipping on the damp cave floor.

This race really does show off all that the beautiful Swartberg has to offer as runners are fortunate enough to be allowed access to parts of the mountain where the public are no longer allowed. Each stage of the race showcases a unique part of the Swartberg and allows runners the opportunity to gaze up into the bluest of blue skies that frames the beautiful Karoo landscape, climb the treacherous, quad busting hiking trails of the Swartberg Trail, relish in the gentle arms of the undulating, winding roads of local farms and fight with gravity on the infamous Swartberg Pass.

Looking out over the seemingly endless Karoo countryside from the top of the Swartberg made the uphill battles all the more worth it but it was actually the water points, that appeared every few kilometers like an oasis in the desert, offering an array of Karoo treats including the most delectable koeksisters, fudge and droëwors, that got me through each day’s stage. With temperatures peaking in the high thirties each day, keeping cool and hydrated was a challenge. Each breath of dry Karoo air I took whilst running burned the back of my throat, the heat from the sun-baked trail scorched my feet through my shoes and the sweat evaporated from my skin before it had the chance to cool my weary body. A cooling breeze at the top of the mountains and the shade of the occasional thorn tree were all that offered a brief respite from the heat of the day. However hot it was, coming home to the friendly Dryland team and unrivaled Karoo hospitality soon had you forgetting about your weary legs and relaxing with a glass of ice cold Fairview Sauvignon Blanc over the most delicious lunch with new friends.

Kudos to race organizers Dryland for an amazing event that ran perfectly smoothly, from race registration to the final prize giving.

I practice Yoga because it feels damn good.

And it does amazing things for my running.

In fact, yoga adds a completely new dimension to my fitness by challenging my body in a different way every time I stretch out on my mat. It is an excellent form of cross training and the perfect workout for a rest day or a day that you don’t feel like pulling on your takkies. Yoga realigns the body and releases any tension that I have been carrying around deep within my muscles and connective tissues.

Yoga is a full-body strengthening workout that develops core stability, greatly improves flexibility, increases range of motion and aids mental focus. This means that with regular practice, my running style becomes more efficient and I am less prone to stiffness and injury.

Yoga has taught me how to breathe and how to still my mind and by using the techniques learnt on the mat, running has become an extension of my yoga practice and in itself, a form of meditation. Hitting the trail and finding that familiar rhythm is calming and a way to clear my mind from the stresses of mundane life. Regularly practicing yoga has increased my body awareness and this allows me to run more mindfully and stay in tune with my body while tearing up the trail, using my body and mind as a team to push further and endure longer distances.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

 

They say that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” and I can certainly say that when it comes to running, these words of wisdom ring true. When running is part of your everyday routine, taking time off to rest or recover from an injury or sickness is hard, frustrating and even painful.

Running on the mountain, through the beautiful fynbos and forests that we are so privileged to have access to in Cape Town, makes me incredibly happy. It may sound ridiculous, but I have been known to sprint down a single track, navigating through trees and around hairpin bends, hopping over boulders with an insane grin on my face. For me, running is more than exercise, it is pure bliss, a chance to get outdoors and appreciate the beauty of nature, a way to clear my head and continuously challenge myself beyond my comfort zone. I love running, so much so that in recent months my boyfriend has taken to calling me ‘Gump’; and without my daily dose of trail, I seemingly morph into an irritable and anxious person with twitching legs and way too much pent up energy.  I am no longer ‘Gump’, but ‘Grump’.

After a fall a couple of weeks ago that resulted in an injured knee, followed by flu and laryngitis, I decided to wave the white flag and give into a good old rest period. Taking my dogs for walks on the trails on which I should’ve been running frustrated me to no end and cycling; swimming and any other form of cross training was out of the question. My only saving grace over this period was regularly practicing yoga, which helped to keep me sane. As hard as it was to stay away from running, I know now that there was nothing as good as rest to help heal my injured body and give it a chance to recover.

On the up side, taking out those abandoned running shoes and stretching out your legs as you take the first few tentative steps on a run after a long break feels amazing and the sensation of running on fresh legs and expending all that pent up energy is incomparable. The feeling that one gets when setting off on a run after a rest period is almost worth taking the time off, it grows your appreciation for your fit, healthy body and shows us how lucky we are to be able to take time out of our busy days to get outside and do something we love, to run.

Running Wild

“People say we are crazy to run 112km over three days, but we say it’s crazy not to run, because that’s what humans were born to do.”

A few weeks ago, I took part in what will arguably be one of the most memorable running experiences of my life. A three-day trail running event that showcases some of South Africa’s most beautiful and untouched coast line. With only the Cattle paths and the footprints of those runners ahead of you to guide you, the Wildcoast Wild Run covers a distance of 112km over three days. My journey from Kei River Mouth to Hole-in-the-wall was shared with 80 other runners and blessed with balmy sunshine and a cooling ocean breeze.

 The running terrain is mainly made up of endless beaches, broken only by rolling green headlands littered with the brightly coloured rondavels of the local Transkei people. The lush green grass of these headlands provided a welcome relief from the soft sandy shores and steep camber of the beaches and the many river crossings a brief respite for aching, weary muscles from the building number of kilometres and the heat of the day. Besides a few friendly fishermen, the only beachgoers that cross your path are the lazy Nguni Cattle, cheeky goats and inquisitive sea birds.

Passing through tiny hill top villages, runners can look forward to encountering smiling groups of local children who fall into step beside you shouting “Sweets! Sweets! Sweets!” like the war cry of cheerleaders. The smell of food cooking atop fires wafts out of these colourful houses, causing your stomach to groan hungrily at the thought of eating anything other than a gel or energy bar.  Passing a bustling Spaza Shop, you cannot help but resist the temptation to stop and buy an ice-cold Crème Soda to get you through those last 10 kilometres of the day.

 The going is tough, the soft sand brutal and the hills quad-busting but the beauty of the Transkei is so magnificent, that any pain you feel whilst running is soon forgotten, healed by the bewitching spirit of this beautiful place. There is so much to see along the Transkei coastline and spending a couple of hours each day running through this untouched wilderness is certainly one of the best ways to fully appreciate your surroundings. From ever-changing sand dunes to forests of succulents, from having to climb up steep green headlands on your hands and knees to feeling the course beach sand between your blistered toes, from rusting ship wrecks parked on the shores battered by angry seas to abandoned cars, lonely in the middle of nowhere, from the welcoming spirit of the local people to the feeling of elation that hits you as you come over that last rise and see the race finish at Hole-in-the wall, the Transkei is a magical place and the journey of the Wildcoast Wild Run is the perfect way to take in all there is to see.