"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Friday, 23 July 2010

Races and Goals

I’ve done it…I signed up for another tough, but beautiful race. This will be the Sani Stagger on 27 November. This is a marathon that is run on the Sani pass in the Drakensberg between South Africa and Lesotho.


The Sani Pass is a gravel road and people are advised to only travel it with 4x4 or other off-road vehicles. The marathon literally runs up to the top of the pass and back down again, an uphill half marathon followed by a downhill half marathon. The start/finish is at the Underberg golf course.




With the Mont-Aux-Sources 50km Challenge in September and the Sani Stagger in November I now have my main goals for the rest of the year sorted out. Both races are entered and paid for so there is no excuse or turning back.

I love these main goals. They give me purpose for the long term and helps with motivation when I’m not running other races. I’ll be doing other races still this year, about 10, but they will be part of my training for the main goals. That’s why I’ve added two countdown clocks to my sidebar...one for the next race and one for the next goal…all part of me psyching up myself.

So it’s training time! Saturday will be a short run with a LSD trail run of 28.5km (17.7 miles) on Sunday. I’m really looking forward to Sunday’s run on my favorite trails in my favorite nature reserve.

Have a lovely running weekend everyone!

16 comments:

ajh said...

I love the pictures you posted. Have you done that marathon before? I do like to follow a training plan for a specific race. I don't mind brief interludes but overall like the focus.

Tricia said...

sounds like a great race

Jennifer said...

OMG Johann that looks like one bad-a$$ race! I am not sure what is worse going up hill for so long or the downhill! Kudos to you going for it! Cheers!

Pahla said...

Wow! That race looks amazing and challenging, to say the least. It's so great to have a goal (or three) to work toward!!

misszippy said...

Holy cow--you are a beast to take that on! Can't wait to hear about it.

Julie said...

Hi Johann,
You are such a running stud for even attempting some of the really tough and challenging races that you have done! This race looks amazing with such stunning views to soak in along the way:)

I hope that you have a great running weekend too!

KovasP said...

Love that second picture with that sinuous road leading up the mountain!

Char said...

That looks like one seriously tough race. You're definitely a man who doesn't shy away from challenges.

Andrew Opala said...

Amazing race! It would be hard for me to concentrate on running I'd be just oohing and aahing left and right!

Chris K said...

Johann, what plaent do you live on?

Alyssa said...

Holy cow. That race looks TOUGH!!! You are a strong, determined, brave, man. Good for you!!

Giorgio said...

What a beautiful landscape to run! You showed interesting running paths through a nice scenery!
I've read that Mont aux Sources Challenge is organized by a wildlife organization to raise funds for conservation projects. It's in support of a social sause.
You'll reach the top of the Amphitheatre :) Go with your goals and your training Johann, go!

Natalia said...

Great pics, but it looks tough - very tough! Hope you have fun, and vasbyt.......looking forward to the race report.

Erika said...

those pictures look amazing!! what a beautiful place, but sure looks tough! good luck! Can't wait to see how you do!

Thomas Tan said...

Those are some fantastic looking and challenging courses. Hope I get to run in one of them someday! Good luck in both races!

brian said...

That looks like a challenging and amazing course to run. Best of luck in your upcoming training!