.....well, almost ready to go.
I still have a few last minute things to sort out before I hop on the plane tomorrow morning.
Why do I always leave things until the last minute.....like stitching the velcro onto my running shoes.
last time I use a cobbler, but this time around I will have to do it myself.
so guess what I will be doing tonight! Me myself and I and velcro and a needle and thread and my Inov8's. Nice way to spend a Friday evening.
The nerves are starting to kick in, but it's all good......I know what to expect. Part of my game plan is to start the race very easy. Day 1 is the most important day to me. If I can finish the day without any blisters, it will be awesome.
It will be very hot, but so what - deal with it!
Can't wait to meet up with some old friends and making some new friends!
Wish me luck!!!!!
Check you on the flip side
Friday, 23 March 2012
Thursday, 15 March 2012
in 2 week's time
I will be running(shuffling) day 4 of the Namib Desert Challenge 2012.
The day starts with a little swim in the canyon, fantastic, wet feet within the first hour of the race!
But don't be a-feared(don't think this is word, I made it up).....you've got another 7+ hours for your shoes to dry, before you crawl up dune 45.
The race organisers are really kind people, they make you run for 7/8 hours and then they make you run up an HUGE dune. NICE! And then you are finished. YOU ARE FINISHED and so is the long day.
How is it possible that time can fly so so quickly! It feels like just yesterday that my colleague and friend, Colette, baked me this amazing Desert Cake after I completed the NDC 2011.
Collie, I hope I get another one this year........
The training for NDC is done, now it's taper time and time to pack my bag and sort out last minute things.
Going to do the last bit of shopping this weekend and work on my game plan.
My friend DGT wanted to know - exactly what does "game plan" mean. Am I planning to win?
No no, planning to finish the race.
"game plan" to me means - when to eat what, what to do when I wake up, what to do when I finish each day etc. It may seem silly, but last year I was so tired that I forgot about silly small things.
Like vaseline before the day starts......
Aaight, 'till next week.
The day starts with a little swim in the canyon, fantastic, wet feet within the first hour of the race!
But don't be a-feared(don't think this is word, I made it up).....you've got another 7+ hours for your shoes to dry, before you crawl up dune 45.
The race organisers are really kind people, they make you run for 7/8 hours and then they make you run up an HUGE dune. NICE! And then you are finished. YOU ARE FINISHED and so is the long day.
How is it possible that time can fly so so quickly! It feels like just yesterday that my colleague and friend, Colette, baked me this amazing Desert Cake after I completed the NDC 2011.
Collie, I hope I get another one this year........
The training for NDC is done, now it's taper time and time to pack my bag and sort out last minute things.
Going to do the last bit of shopping this weekend and work on my game plan.
My friend DGT wanted to know - exactly what does "game plan" mean. Am I planning to win?
No no, planning to finish the race.
"game plan" to me means - when to eat what, what to do when I wake up, what to do when I finish each day etc. It may seem silly, but last year I was so tired that I forgot about silly small things.
Like vaseline before the day starts......
Aaight, 'till next week.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
and I present to you.......
anyway, spend this past weekend in the Cederberg - alot of training and a bit of social.
the terrain there is alot like NDC, very rocky jeep tracks that are quite hard on the feet.
but I managed to do a long run on Saturday without any twisted ankles or blisters.
My nutrion during the run was not ideal, it was extremely hot and I really struggled to keep food down. Just when I think that I've got the whole Gu or not to Gu routine under control!
Less than a month left before I go to Namibia, so only a few weekends left to get the whole food issue under control.
here's some more pics of the weekend away at Bakkrans Nature Reserve in the Cederberg.
and then......nothing like chilling in a rock pool in the middle of nowhere!!
(my friends very patiently awaited my return)
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
32 days to go
Only 32 days left until NDC 2012. S#@T.
I'm sure every runner has her/his off days or even an off week. I hate it when that happens, especially when I have 3 weeks of serious training to get through. But, today is a new day!
and I started off on the right foot. 1h gym at the University of Stellenbosch Bio and a short run after that.
Tonight I'll make up for no running yesterday. I'm going to take my backpack for a 2 h run in the mountains.
so all good, not a lost cause yet!
I know by now what to do if I don't feel like running, know the drill......Just put on those running shoes and go for it. I might find my rythm after 10min or 20min or 30min....but I know I will find it eventually.
Ok, enough of the semi negative state I'm in at the moment.
In a month's time, I'm off to Namibia for my first adventure of 2012!!!!!
Can't wait to meet the rest of the runners and to make new friends. After each day, the campsite looks like a war zone. People lying everywhere, some waiting for Amy to fix their feet, some stuffing their faces with fabulous cuizine (aka freeze dried meals) and some just gratefull that they survived yet another day.
Why run for 5 days in the desert?
Don't have a clear answer on that one yet.
I'm sure every runner has her/his off days or even an off week. I hate it when that happens, especially when I have 3 weeks of serious training to get through. But, today is a new day!
and I started off on the right foot. 1h gym at the University of Stellenbosch Bio and a short run after that.
Tonight I'll make up for no running yesterday. I'm going to take my backpack for a 2 h run in the mountains.
so all good, not a lost cause yet!
I know by now what to do if I don't feel like running, know the drill......Just put on those running shoes and go for it. I might find my rythm after 10min or 20min or 30min....but I know I will find it eventually.
Ok, enough of the semi negative state I'm in at the moment.
In a month's time, I'm off to Namibia for my first adventure of 2012!!!!!
Can't wait to meet the rest of the runners and to make new friends. After each day, the campsite looks like a war zone. People lying everywhere, some waiting for Amy to fix their feet, some stuffing their faces with fabulous cuizine (aka freeze dried meals) and some just gratefull that they survived yet another day.
Why run for 5 days in the desert?
Don't have a clear answer on that one yet.
Monday, 13 February 2012
Block 1 out of 2.....DONE!!!
The past weekend I spend hours and hours running......all for a good cause.
The cause.....Namib Desert Challenge which kicks off in 40 days.
I must say, I feel alot more confident about the race than last year this time.
Last year I had 4 month training behind me, this time around I've got a year and 4 months.
The mission for NDC is to finish the race, blister free, enjoying the scenery and to make new friends.
I think that is the best part of these stage races, you make friends for life.
The camaraderie in these races are just amazing.....maybe that's why I do it. and love it!
My new backpack is arriving from the States today. Let's hope my dear friend, PH Surfer, did not forget it in his hotel......I'll send him back to go and fetch it!
I'll be using this backpack in the Sahara Race end of October - OMM 25l.
I'm a Raidlight fan, but I'm going to give the OMM a chance.
There is still enough time to sort out backpacks and kit before then.
But for now, NDC is looming......I don't have to carry too much with me during every stage.
Just water, snacks and emergency equipment.
It's tough enough running in the heat, but when you pack is to heavy - it ain't no fun.
So I'm going LIGHT. very LIGHT.
I'm getting my new training program today......please be kind Ian.....I would really appreciate 2 days of rest.......
The cause.....Namib Desert Challenge which kicks off in 40 days.
I must say, I feel alot more confident about the race than last year this time.
Last year I had 4 month training behind me, this time around I've got a year and 4 months.
The mission for NDC is to finish the race, blister free, enjoying the scenery and to make new friends.
I think that is the best part of these stage races, you make friends for life.
The camaraderie in these races are just amazing.....maybe that's why I do it. and love it!
My new backpack is arriving from the States today. Let's hope my dear friend, PH Surfer, did not forget it in his hotel......I'll send him back to go and fetch it!
I'll be using this backpack in the Sahara Race end of October - OMM 25l.
I'm a Raidlight fan, but I'm going to give the OMM a chance.
There is still enough time to sort out backpacks and kit before then.
But for now, NDC is looming......I don't have to carry too much with me during every stage.
Just water, snacks and emergency equipment.
It's tough enough running in the heat, but when you pack is to heavy - it ain't no fun.
So I'm going LIGHT. very LIGHT.
I'm getting my new training program today......please be kind Ian.....I would really appreciate 2 days of rest.......
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Quote for 2012
I found this quote on the Likeys website:
LOVE IT!
"Don't walk behind me, for I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, for the path is to narrow. In fact, just sod off and leave me alone"
this is what ultra running is to me.
It's my "me time".
LOVE IT!
"Don't walk behind me, for I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, for the path is to narrow. In fact, just sod off and leave me alone"
this is what ultra running is to me.
It's my "me time".
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