JMC Extreme-ing

Yesterday, me and half of the Western Cape's trail runners spend the morning in the Jonkershoek Mountains in Stellenbosch. OK, well, some spend a bit less time than others in the mountain. I was one of the few/many...de-bate-a-ble...that spend a bit more time going up and down the mountain.

The route was different than last year, more single tracks and a few km's longer. By the time I got to Swartboskloof(a mother of a climb to the top) I was already tired. and was already a few bruises richer. Nice!

What's the saying...."chick dig scars"

Half way up the climb, I was already over this whole race. The 20km road run I did the day before was propably not the best idea. But according to my program I had to do 2h. So, I did my two hours.
Then the mind games started....I did NOT feel like going all the way to the top, I did NOT feel like running 2h on the mountain, I just did NOT feel like running.

But I told myself "Self, just get to the top, and if you don't feel like running anymore, just stop, rock hop down the mountain and go home"

Oooh, but when will I be able to make up the missing hours in my training, I just don't have extra time to make up for missing training hours.

Once I got to the top, I ate something, and walked a bit. Wow, its SO beautiful up there, that I decided to carry on running. I am really glad I did. The best part of running on the mountain, is for every up there is a DOWN. and I LOVE the technical downhills. It was touch and go quite a few times, and if I did fall on the downhills, it would have been nasty.

Even though this was not my best race, I was confident in the downhills, and to me that is all that counts at the moment. I used my fancy new Inov8 Trailrocs....and they ROCKED!!

The Fish River challenge starts with a steep decent into the canyon...people better stay out of my way when I decent into that canyon.

Ok, back to the JMC.

I finished the race in a spectacular time of 5h19......hahahhaaha.....the guys who won the race, did the course in 3h!!

One day when I grow up I will also run that fast.

Now I'm just wondering.....if it took me 5h19 to run/crawl 35km....how long will the 100km in the canyon take me....O sh#t. I will have to take enough food for the midnight feast I will be having in the canyon. by myself.

me, smiling, before I realised there is a detour coming up.
 

65 days to go

I'm not sure how this happened....65 days to go to The Fishriver Challenge!!!!!!!

Training up to know has been a bit of a bumpy road.
First: sprained ankle
Second: Broken toe

I think my toe might still be broken, or something like that, but that is not going to stop me from training.

My visits to the Physio/Chiro is just a bit more frequent than other years. I believe, everything can be fixed. So just fix it!

anywoo, on a lighter note.

I'm at that point where excitement and fear are running next to each other, holding hands.
Suddenly there is so much to do!!!!!
Booking flights, booking accomodation, ordering new kit....wooohoo. O, and do we LOVE new kit.
My new shoes should be here next week. I'm sticking to my faithful friend - Roclite 268 from Inov8.
I must say, it is by far the best shoe I've ever run with. From the word go, I've never had ANY problems with those shoes. Love them love them love them.

My new backpack....I need to make up my mind this week which one to order. It will be one of the smaller Raidlight packs. I prefer the bottle system to the bladder. It is just alot quicker to re-fill when you are on the go. And I think I will be ON THE GO in the Fish. I don't want to be stuck in that canyon to long. It gets dark, very dark in there you know!

and because of the darkness situation, the organisers strongly advise to run with a GPS. Now my dear friends, for someone that can barely do 'left' and 'right'....now I have to do North/West/East/South.
So my training for the Fish will consist of running, Xfit and GPSfit.....hahhaaha.

10 Weeks to go!!!!

Can't wait!!!

the year of 2013

It took me a whole month to get into the year of 2013, and now, after 31 days, I can say, I AM feeling it.
You know that feeling where you know something fantastic is going to happen, but you have no idea what!
Now that's what I'm talking about.
Not the fear of the unknown, but the thrill of the unknown.

The 2 weeks of January was horrible, I could not decide what races to do this year. I was actually going a bit crazy. Gobi was an option, but bloody hell, the money! Where will I get the money.
Then I just breathed in and out, and chillax about the whole Gobi adventure.

So things started to happen.

Last year I came across 'Fish River Canyon Ultra' in Namibia(www.africanextremepromotions.com) 100km. one day. in the canyon.
Right, 2013 will be year of the Fish.

And I need my yearly Namibia fix!

This will be my first 100km event and I am super excited about it. I know I will be able to run the 100km in one day, but exactly how long that one day will be, I have NO idea.
The cut-off for the race is 24hrs.....now really, do I want to be running/boulder hopping/crawling for 24hrs....NO, I don't think so.

#from the website#
"The full 96km distance must only be undertaken by seasoned ultra distance runners, with experience in crossing, in parts, extremely difficult terrain as well as the likelihood of completing the course after dark. Event date is considered to coincide with full moons, nonetheless the canyon can be an imposing place after dark and requires athletes with sound judgement."

.....o my shattered nerves!

My new training plan kicks in on Monday, and then, good bye social life, hello mountains!

And this is how I kick start the year of 2013.

With a new goal.

Running the Fishriver Canyon.

NOW my year can start!

Plotting and Planning!

The post Sahara depression comes and goes. Today it is one of the 'goes' days. Why? Because there are stuff happening....and I want to be part of it.
And I'm GOING to be part of it.

2012 was a fantastic racing year. From NDC in March to Sahara Race in October. But what's next....can't wait for life to happen. I'm going to make it happen.

OK, so now I have to decide what race/races I'll be doing next year. Like everything in life, unfortunately, money talks. Money makes the world go round. Can't some money come round my way. All I want to do is run in deserts. That's not to much to ask for. Anyway.

Plotting and planning for 2013.

China??

Cameroon??

Namibia??

Watch this space for my 2013 adventures!

A very important part of training, is resting! and that is what I'll be doing until the end of the year.
and trying out that thing called 'a social life'! hahahaha. When I start my training again in 2013, it will be all systems go. There is a desert out there with my name on it!

the west

Sahara Race 2012

a Year and a half ago I did my first desert race - The Namib Desert Challenge. I went into the race, with no idea what to expect. I left the race with a feeling of belonging. I belong in the desert. The vast open spaces, the silence, the heat and the sand.

And so the addiction started.

Warren Muldoon, an American competitor, convinced me to enter the Sahara Race in Egypt.
Game on! Why not.

250km through the Sahara Desert, me and my 8.5kg backpack. One set of clothing, and alot of food!

The NDC Crew

October 2012......the wait.....and then finally the time came. On my way to Egypt for the Sahara Race 2012.
I got on the plane, super excited and super nervous. I had absolutely no idea of the adventure that awaits!!!

Hello Egypt!

I'm going to fast forward to the day we left for the desert.

4 busses with 134 competitors hit the dodgy Cairo roads.....don't think I'll go back to Egypt for a holiday(hahahah).
4 hours later we were in the desert, WOW - POWERFULLLLLLLL

The first campsite was next to a lake, that's one thing I can give to the Racing the planet team. Every campsite was on the most amazing spots. As for the CP's.....lets go with hide and seek...

Our village in the middle of nowhere

Khonsu - my home for the next 7 days. We were such a crazy cool bunch in that tent. Out tent was quite messy, hahahha - 2 Korean boys, 2 Japanese boys, 2 Japanese girls, me, Timo, Warren and Willem. It was a rather tight fit, very cosy! My sleeping partners on my left and right, was Timo and Juni.

Khonsu Fleamarket - Miki, Yoko, Timo and Willem

I love those kids to bits! Juni, was my favourite. He called me his ' Sahara mommy ', because I was always looking after them. Making sure that they eat etc. They only finished between 5 and 7pm everyday. And they finished and started every day with bit fat smiles. Juni is doing the 4 deserts grand Slam this year!!!! So super cool!

My kids

The day started any time from 4am!!! I got up at 5am ish, coffee, breakfast and then getting ready for the day. Every morning Juni will ask me "What time is it?" I will reply "5am" Juni "see you tomorrow" Covering his head, and back to sleep.  And suddenly it was 6:30 and time for the race breefing. Alina with her load speaker, explaining what is waiting for us in the desert.....the stages was described as moderate, difficult, moderate/difficult.....well my idea of moderate was definitaly not her idea of moderate.

The type of sand varied the whole time, so you keep on adjusting your running style. Or shall I say, shuffle style. And when tired. Walk. There were alot of walking involved.
The whole course where mark with pink flags, running one flag, walk one flag. "Just move forward Westie"

From 9am that thing, called the sun aka the one eyed devil, had no mercy. Like N.O.
All you can do is to try and block out the heat. And now and then there would be a bit of a breeze, heaven!

I couldn't do any heat training for the race, because the Cape Town winter was wet and cold.
But I knew I would be able to handle the heat, I grew up in the Northern Cape. And believe me, December in the Kalahari is no joke. My sister said to me before I left 'You will be OK, you've got Kalahari sand in your blood'

I ran my own race everyday. Just me, myself and I. When I started running everyday, I felt good. The legs took about and hour just to keep going again, and then I was fine. Flag to Flag. Checkpoint to Checkpoint.

Between every checkpoint there was a halfway marker, that really helped alot. Check check, water fine. Go.

At every CP you were greeted by the friendly voluteers. Cheering you on and filling up water bottles.
I didn't dare sit down for a bit of a rest, I was to scared I won't be able to get up again. hahahaha.

and then, suddenly - HOME! I was rather relieved everyday to see the campsite.

first things first. Back to the tent. Recovery Time!

My recovery consisted of the following:
Getting a camp chair.
Shoes off.
Socks off.
Feet on chair.
Hammer Recoverite with Pepto Pro
BCAA's
60g Parmesan cheese.
and Bob's your uncle.

Dinner time.....anytime from 4:30 was a good time to have dinner. But then madam still had to make her bowl...you cut a 1.5l water bottle in half. A cup and a bowl!
The one evening Timo asked me "when shall we go for dinner", and his next question was "have you made your bowl yet" Now that's what I call a wingman!

Lunch is served, desert style!

Dinner time

Next time I will definitaly take a bigger variety of food. I had Cottage Pie EVERY evening. At least it tasted good. Adding some olive oil for extra Calories. the Italian style!

Khonsu Fleamarket.....the best flea market in the Sahara.
Warren got rid of food on a daily bases....he's pack was to heavy.
We didn't mind at all.....cliff bars, freeze dried meals, gels! I'll take it!!
But you have to be quick - I was quick! very quick.
Left over chicken and rice. Thank you Warren!

The long march - 12h46 of running/walking/crawling. It's all about the long march, and I still had some energy left. The previous day I ran a bit to hard, so I could feel that the legs were not to happy. But its the last day, and I knew I would finish this race. Come hell of high water.
The day feel like of a bit of a blur at the moment. I had no idea how long the 87km will take to complete.
At CP6 - the over night and hot water point - I had some tea and marched on. Liz was manning the CP, and it was so nice to see her face! She had to pull out of the race, doctors orders....Liz, there are still alot of deserts out there. And I can hear them calling us....Liiiiizzzzzzz.....Kriiiissssss.

At CP7 I got the good news.....only 28km's left. I had to fight back the tears. Can't start crying now, still 28k's to go girl.

only 28km to go!!

Tony did a quick kit check - red flashing light + head lamp. Tick. Right ready for the running in the dark. I've never ran in the dark before, it was not as scary as I thought it would be. I could see red flashing lights in front of me, and the route was marked with glow sticks. So all good, no need for a panick atttack!

The last CP before camp, I saw my favourite Frenchie....Max! It was so good to see his face. Max was the man in charge of the Cybertent. He did not sleep alot!

Wow, the finish line.....there are no words. That feeling of accomplishment is what make us come back for more. Tears of joy was streaming down my face. Fuckit, I did it!


I miss the desert and its people. ALOT.

New friends for life!

until next time!

Thanks Eqypt!

Greg, me, Liz

 

my wingman

the beginning

It's been a rather long road to get to the Sahara 2012.

Hours and hours of training. Weekends were no longer for socialising, but for running.
But I don't regret a single minute of it. There is nothing like spending hours on the trails, running, walking, crawling and climbing.
And now it's showtime!

I see the Sahara Race as the beginning. The beginning of fantastic things to come.
Everyone says that the race will be life changing.....maybe that's why I'm doing these kind of races.
Constantly looking for something, and deep down hoping I will never find it.

Everything is set for the Sahara. My bags are pack and ready to go.

my pack weighs 8kg......so much for 7kg.
the only way I can get to 7kg, is if I get rid of some food.
I'm sure I'll do some repacking in Egypt with the help of my fellow runners.

I'm so SO looking forward to this adventure and seeing my two friends Warren and Timo again.

Ok, one or 2 loose ends to tie up......chat soon via the 4 Deserts website.

I'll be back. With my medal.

Kriss West, Queen of the desert

11384 KJ's

or +/-2600 Cal...........

and this my dear friends, is what I will be consuming per day....give or take a few Cal's.

It is so difficult to pack food for a day, when I have NO idea how much time I will spend running.
When I look at last years times, day 1 is the fastest, day 2 longer, and then day 3 and 4 sort of the same. And then the infamous LONG day.

My packing list for the long day will be a bit different for the other days.
I will have to eat some proper food somewhere during the day, because only living on energy gels for 15hours will not do the trick.

the whole eating and carry on running bit I don't really like. Its going to be HOT and I will have to do my best of best to keep the food down. So, smash and biltong it will be. And its been tried and tested by myself - Delicious!
Not sure how delicious its going to be in 50C......I will let you know afterwards.

I've got this mental block against packing my bag for the race, but this weekend is D-day.
If I can check in under 8kgs it will be FANTASTIC!

In the not to distant future.......this will replace

this in my pack!

Today are one of those days, where I am SO SUPER EXCITED about the race.

only 18 days to go till showtime!!!!!