I must say this week seems to just suddenly be here. 20 March was still far away not so long ago. Now suddenly it’s 5 days to go! Am I ready? I think so, as ready as can be anyway. My mind is ready for a marathon and that wins a big part of the battle already. I’ve got no injuries or niggles so the body seems to be ready as well.
The Elands Valley Marathon starts at the station in the town of Waterval Boven. Waterval Boven is nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains on the fringe of the escarpment, at the foot of the southern hills in Mpumalanga. It is a beautiful place and the Elands River and waterfall make it popular with tourists. It is also famous amongst rock climbers.
The marathon starts in Waterval Boven and runs down the escarpment next to the Elands River, East on the road to Mozambique. The run goes through the Waterval Boven tunnel and passes one of the area’s main tourist attractions, the waterfall and old railway tunnel. Runners go through Waterval Onder and the race finishes at the Sappi training grounds at Ndogwana.
We’ll be camping at Elandskrans holiday resort for the weekend as Monday is a public holiday in South Africa. I’m looking forward to the weekend and run. I ran this marathon in 1997 and it’ll be good to be back. I’m going for a relaxed run and just want to finish under 5 hours.
I ran a relaxed 21km yesterday and I’m resting today. I’m glad to say I can’t even feel I ran yesterday. My legs are ready for longer runs. I’ll run 9km tomorrow, 6km Wednesday and 5km Thursday. Friday is rest and travel day. Saturday at 06:00 the marathon starts.
Now to get through the week’s work and stay sane. I’ll be busy at work which is definitely a good thing. Have a good week everyone!
14 comments:
Oh Johann,
That running course is absolutely beautiful!! Just think you get to be running that route very soon:) Enjoy your rest! I am sending you tons of good luck vibes!! Take care Johann and enjoy your week:)
Hi johann,
The photos which you posted show that it must be so nice to run in such a wonderful place next to the river and the waterfall.
Have a nice training for Elands Valley Marathon.
And thanks for visiting my eclectic blog.
What a beautiful course to run on. I hope you have a nice week of tapering and a great Marathon run!
Have a great run! May your best race in 2009 be your worst race in 2010 (borrowed from Lolo, but sincere all the same). Cheers!
I can't wait to hear about this one. What gorgeous pictures. No wonder it is popular with the tourists. I love running in beautiful places and you will be doing that for sure. Good luck!
Awesome photos, very gorgeous. It will be a great one!
Wow--that looks spectacular! I hear you on the tapering...it's the hardest part. Best of luck to you!
thank you very much
I'll be thinking about you this weekend and am looking forward to a race report. Remember...go out slow. Good luck!
It's here!!! You are presently on that beautiful course enjoying an amazing race! I can't wait to read all about it :)
How did it go ???
I was there myself and enjoyed every bit of it.
You can read about my experience here:
Elands Valley Marathon - My perfect race!
Does anyone know who took the photographs of the race?
Just a suggestion for next year....jelly babies and some eats after the 21km mark cause it does get a bit hectic out there with only water and Pepsi
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