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

Saturday 18 June 2011

Back on the trails!

This morning I went for a run on my favorite trails at the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve south of Johannesburg. It was fantastic to get back on the trails.


I chose one of the coldest mornings of the year for my return to the trails after all the months on the road before Comrades. Frost covered the grass at the entrance to the reserve where I parked my car.


Frost covering the grass at the entrance to the reserve.

It was 2°C (35F) when I started my run. Frost covered the edges of the trails that were in the shade. It almost looked like snow in some places and was really beautiful.


Frost on the edges of the trail.

The first 3km was really cold and my toes and fingers were numb, even though I wore gloves. Once I reached the areas where the sun was shining it was really pleasant. I was in my element and a very happy trail runner. I knew this is where I belong.


Nice to be back on the trails.

I chose an easy route as this was my first trail run in a long time. I ran only one technical stretch but was happy to feel the good fitness base I have after all the road running.


Fitness makes a huge difference when running trail like this.

I had a great run! During the last part I ran through some very tall grass. It was two feet and more above my head in some places.


Running through very tall grass.

All of this made me very excited about the great trail season I have ahead of me in the next few months. I’ve entered some fantastic races and will post about that soon.


Happy running everyone, I know I will be!

32 comments:

juanitagf said...

Looks like a wonderful place to run!

Ewa said...

Love frosty trails.
We are getting toasty here. Seems we skipped spring and went straight into the summer but in the mountains there is still plenty of snow.
I am curious about the races you signed up for. Any plans to do Western States? :)

Unknown said...

It's so much more pleasurable to run on the trails, especially in such great scenery - it's takes your mind off the discomfort and makes you so much stronger.

Have fun out there :)

Marlene said...

Glad you had a nice run! It's crazy seeing frost right now while we're in the summer heat.

Jill said...

That frosty trail picture is unbelieveably breathtaking! Yay you're back on the trails that your heart has been missing, I know how good that has to feel!!

Jennifer said...

look at those rocks! Happy trails Johann!

Kate Geisen said...

Oh, I love the pictures! So happy for you that you're back on your trails. It's funny looking at your weather getting colder as ours heats up. I remember you saying the same thing to me a few months ago. :)

ultra collie said...

its funny seeing frost in our summertime..mind you we dont see much sun! looks a grand outing

Char said...

There's something about being out in nature in the bush, surrounded by green (or white in your case) that can bring such peace. It's a gorgeous area in the pics.

Amy said...

Glad you are back to running bliss! Those trails look very rugged - I would have to be watching my step all the way. Enjoy your winter season!

Liz said...

That looks like a run with a lot of obstacles! Great fun though. Enjoy those trails!

HappyTrails said...

WooHoo - Johann is back on the trails!!! Hope that toe is feeling good. But...The frosty mornings you can keep :)

Giorgio said...

Nice report of your training session! It shows that the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is a beautiful place to run ... although in the fourth photo I've seen some stones along the running path :)
Enjoy the rest of this Sunday!

A Prelude To... said...

I love love love sunny frosty mornings like that!! It always reminds me of camping for some reason.

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

I'm totally jealous of the weather, but the rest of it hmmm, not so sure. The rocks, the tall grass - I'll take the asphalt. I'm a whimp!

Amy said...

Looks like a beautiful trail! Glad your toe isn't keeping you from running!

Staci said...

You look so happy in the picture, you are truly in your element out there. I am happy for you.
I heard the 2 degree forecast for the morning and stayed in bed :-) I feel the biting cold just looking at the frosty picture.

misszippy said...

So great you are back where you belong and love! Enjoy this downtime.

Mike said...

Trails are always the best!!

Anonymous said...

Wow- that is quite a technical trail! You must be quite good to have a good run there. I hope to be able to tackle that type of terrain effectively one day. :) Good luck this season!

The Green Girl said...

Oh, Johann, I'm so happy to see you were able to get back out there for a run!

Julie said...

Gorgeous trail! Seeing that frost made me jealous..it was 105 degrees here today with high humidity too which is pretty miserable. Glad you are feeling better and able to enjoy those beautiful trails. : )

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Frost!!! Do you have the opposite season then me?

Indi said...

Beautiful...those are lovely winter trails! That is some amazingly tall grass..and we though we had a lot of tall grass here! Glad you are out where you love running!

ajh said...

I have to stop and realize our seasons are the opposite. Glad you are out there having fun.

Teamarcia said...

Wow those frosty trails are magnificent. Enjoy!

Lauren said...

Awesome! I'm so happy for you. That running through tall grass is scary stuff for me in my parts when it's super hot and rattlesnake season.

Love the frost pictures. So beautiful.

Have fun!!

Richelle said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Looks like you had a beautiful run! I enjoyed the photos!

Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

So so glad to hear you're back!

wendy said...

I love, love, love the blue sky through the tall grass! Sounds like a nice run : )

Anonymous said...

Wow, the rocky part of the trail looks treacherous! What a beautiful run.

Clint said...

Some of my friends run at klipreviersberg on Saturdays, I am sure they will be back after trail series. Jose usually leads it, you can contact him on wildrunner http://wildrunner.ning.com/profile/JoseSilvaRebordao?xg_source=profiles_memberList