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

Monday 22 July 2013

Hard Training for Hard Races

Just last week I wrote after a "hardwork" run that these are the runs that make us strong. It's definitely true...hard training for hard races is a must.

A wise man once told me: "if you want to run hard races you have to do hard training runs."

This weekend I had one of those hard training runs. This time it was 22.5km on the trails at the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. I like to do the harder runs on my own. It builds mental strength and I think it helps a lot that you only have yourself to rely on.

Best thing about this run...I felt great and the feeling lasted right to the end. There was a hickup at 8km when I took a tumble.

Same knee again! Really? I'm getting too old for this...

Bruised hands.

The Suunto is showing how tough it is. Brilliant device this!

Except for the fall I felt awesome. I am just sad to see the trails burnt like this...


Last week...


Same spot this week...


It's hard out there and life for the animals is tough in the dry season. Spending some hours out there certainly builds a bit of character. I hope these hard runs will make me strong for the hard races ahead...not only physically, but also mentally.

Have a super week everyone!

12 comments:

Robin said...

Sorry about the knee again Johann...hope that it's ok. Looks like a brutal route you ran! Definitely going to make you stronger..if that's even possible!

EB said...

Sorry about the fall. Looks like some tough, dry terrain.

Kate Geisen said...

Your poor knee. I like doing hard runs alone right now so none of my friends can hear me whining. :) Of course, they ALL feel hard right now...

Colin Hayes said...

Love the scenery, although not the burned part of it. It's amazing how resilient nature is.
Your "badge of honor" looks familiar. I've only run trails a few times, but I took a pretty similar tumble. But I'm kind of a klutz anyway ;-)
Sounds like a great run!

Jerry Smallwood said...

Tough and rough trail you have at home you were very lucky to just get the cut you did. Heal well.

Char said...

Maybe running with knee pads on could be an option. Sure it might look dorky but it might save the need for a blood transfusion.

ajh said...

Wow. That terrain changed in a hurry. You might laugh if you saw my computer right now. Your zebra picture is my screen saver.

Giorgio said...

Sorry to hear about your knee.
... "if you want to run hard races you have to do hard training runs." ... how did the old man understand this? :)

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

You see zebras when you run?! I'd never finish my run if I saw a zebra. I'd just stand and take a million pictures!

Black Knight said...

Sorry about the fall and the hard life of the animals.
Zebre is an italian rugby team too!
The trails where you run are scary but I understand you have "to do hard training runs"!

Theia said...

A friend of mine says, "Get comfortable with the uncomfortable." That kind of applies to your training runs, doesn't it?

Thomas Bussiere said...

Excellent point on training hard for hard races.
What a difference in the pics.