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

Saturday 25 June 2011

Sweat Your Thorns OFF Virtual 5km Race Report

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I decided to take part in Adam the boring runner’s virtual 5km race even though it is winter here in South Africa now. The race is called “Sweat Your Thorns Off 5k” because of the heat experienced in the USA at the moment. I could not have had a more opposite experience than this morning’s.


A very strong cold front moved over the country yesterday and this morning was the coldest so far this year in Johannesburg. The low was -2°C (28.4F) and when I went out for my run it was 0°C (32F). There is also a very annoying and freezing wind blowing today. During my run it was no different.


I’ve never run a 5km race but this was my second virtual 5km race. I had 7.5km planned for today and decided to run the first 5km as the race. I have a nice 2.5km loop from my front gate through our neighborhood and decided to run three of the loops.


The wind was really cold and quite strong, but other than that I had a good run. I pushed a little towards the end of the second loop to complete the 5km virtual race in 28:20. Not fast in most books, but for me that was more than fast enough.


I completed another loop for my 7.5km and then went for the prize giving.


Post race photo. I did sweat (a bit) even though it was zero degrees.


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The race swag was all home made in my garden. A lovely ice medal from the bowl of water I put out last night for the race and a lovely branch with thorns from the thorn tree I planted 4 years ago. Maybe I didn’t sweat the thorns off, but they were handpicked just for this race.


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Thanks Adam, for hosting the race! Maybe I’ll do a proper sweat one when you host a freeze race in your winter.


Happy running everyone!

31 comments:

tahoegirl said...

Your race report was awesome. So weird to see you all bundled up...we usually see you sporting shorts!

Black Knight said...

Indeed you ran fast with such weather conditions: under zero and windy.
In SA cold winter, in Italy hot summer. What a wonderful (bloggers') world.

Julie said...

Hi Johann! Nice job on that SYTO 5K! It is so funny to think that you have cold temps right now. We had our first really nice day yesterday. It has been so much cooler than what it should be at this time of the year for Minnesota summer. Take care of yourself!

Brett Martin said...

Great pace for that weather. I remember running in that when I lived more north of where I am now. I have never heard of a virtual 5k before so I might have to check into one for the future!

Patrick Mahoney said...

Considering you could have carried on for another 50K + without even thinking about it, I'm not sure the time matters.

Jennifer said...

Very respectable pace indeed! Good job Johann. Can you send some cold our way?

ajh said...

What cool swag! I can't remember if I wrote about this but your son loving the yellow school bus cracked me up. What are the busses like there? Yellow ones are everywhere here.

RunningLaur said...

very fun!

Char said...

Nice finisher's medal and age group trophy. But when your medal's made of ice I don't think you're running in the spirit of the event. Laps around a sauna would have been more appropriate.

I liked your comment on fabric on my blog. It was an interesting perspective but I still won't be choosing my fabric on its ability to absorb blood.

Jill said...

I suspect your 5K pace is about the same as your 100K pace...well done! And fine prize swag to boot!

Laura said...

Awesome! Sweet swag idea!

Q said...

Ha ha, great swag!

It's hard to imagine winter right now.

Anne said...

I guess you did the "Freeze Your Thorns Off" version of Adam's race :)
Very cool swag.

I do wish that was about as cold as our winter's got!

Raina said...

What? Your toe is healed? I am GLAD to hear that!

Great ice medal :)) and nice 5K!

Lindsay said...

too funny that you were freezing while here in the us we are burning up!! i am sad that your medal won't last forever :)

Chris K said...

I bet you win for coldest race conditions. I teased Adam that it was about 15 deg C when I "raced" mine yesterday which is pretty much perfect.

Good pace Johann.

HappyTrails said...

Some fine swag for such a short event ;-) It is currently 96 F here, which is way too hot at almost 7000 feet elevation. But won't wish it away since it is sooooo short lived in the mountains! Have a great week Johann!

Richelle said...

Nice work! I like the race swag... very clever!

Kruns2 said...

WTG!!! Most unique swagger I've ever seen. ;)

Kruns2 said...

WTG!!! Most unique swagger I've ever seen. ;)

Raina said...

I am somewhat aware of the situation in Sudan...will be praying for your decision.
The race here is smaller than i thought- only about 5000 combined.

Cory Reese said...

This is awesome - great job!

Tricia said...

great report!

and loved that it was freezing there and 101degrees here

Teamarcia said...

Nicely done and coolest race swag ever!

Molly said...

I love the ice medal!

wendy said...

You should have called it your own "Freeze your buns off" 5K, lol! Nice job on your race, it is much harder to run when it is cold and windy! I love your race swag, but I'm seriously glad it is winter there and not here : )

The Boring Runner said...

HAHAHAHAHA. The medal is AWESOME!! Way to play along even though you southies are switched from us northies.

I think you just might win for best medal. :)

ultra collie said...

we were 32 degrees yesterday!
love your medal..hope you popped it in the freezer for safe keeping!

The Green Girl said...

Wow, I agree, you probably should have just repeated the Freeze Your Thorns Off 5k, Johann!

Amy said...

BRRRRR! Hard to imagine it's so cold, now that it is so warm here - it is all so relative, isn't it?

Lindsay said...

sorry for any confusion! CVS is a pharmacy/drugstore here, as is Walgreen's and Rite-Aid. sometimes a coupon will print out for X-dollars off a later purchase, part of their "frequent shopper"/loyalty program i guess.