Training Log Archive: nmulder

Day 2 of the Wolkberg Trail Run.

A relatively flatter day, but still 3 decent up's during the race. Started and finished at Stanford Lake College, with the looping going out through Wegraakbosch, Cheerio Gardens and then looping back via Ebernezer Dam. Cold and cool day, so nice running temperatures.

Went out at a steady pace. Was more single track than I expected as they've built some new MTB tracks in the plantations. Then some beautiful indigenous forests before climbing into Cheerio Gardens which were absolutely stunning. After that things settled down a bit and I caught and ran with David B for a few kms until the last waterpoint. This was nice steady pace that allowed me to recover just in time as Piers and a small group was coming up from behind. I picked up the pace and managed to go harder for the last 9kms. The 22nd and 23rd kms beside the dam even proved to be two of the three fastest as I was feeling really good at that stage.

So overall a much better feel to the run and a better result (24th, with a combined result of 23rd). Beautiful run and well organized, so I'll be back next year.

First day of the Wolkberg trail run, which is part of the Sky Runner series. Started down in Georges Valley at the canopy tours (about 1050m) and climbed up to the Iron Crown (2150m?), so about 900m altitude difference. First part of the route was through plantation and indigenous forest, very beautiful. I had a decent start and felt strong going up the tracks, even running through all the switchbacks. When we got up into the grasslands I started feeling less great, with my feeding scheme not working out as I wanted. Ended up walking too slowly up to the Crown itself and loosing contact with some of the runners I had been with till then (including David B). Went over at 2:03:45.

Over the top we went through the Wolkberg plantation which will be used for the next Big 5 O-Week at the end of 2017. I started feeling a bit better on the descent, but still tired legs. Got passed by Alex, Piers and Nando (Brian was way out in the lead group, finishing 4th!). I was feeling good again at the last water point with about 7km to go, but I mistimed taking an energy gel and blew about 1km out, just as I had started catching a few people again. :-(

The last section was a swing through the Haenertsburg hiking trail, which is always difficult, even if not at the end of a 35km trail run. There was also a final kicker leading into a quick drop into Haenertsburg town where I walked a good portion of the down. Final position was 26th overall.

Around Bryanston after dropping Steph off.

7.5h of mapping

4 hours of mapping

Fourways suburbs

5.5 hours of mapping

Craigavon loop plus extra inside the estate.