It's Comrades Weekend!

Sunday sees the 90th running of the Comrades Marathon, the biggest ultra in the world, with 20000 entries allowed this year.

To all my friends and each and every other runner: "Run strong, persevere and enjoy every moment. I'll be following the race at home but in my heart I'll be right there.

All the best! You are all winners!

My Cycling Experience So Far

Wow, I have never been away from blogging for this long! This needs to be rectified properly starting right now.

Quick update:
I am still cycling and will do a short test run on 1 June. The best part of the cycling experience is that my leg is really feeling good. The worst part... I was just getting the hang of the cycling thing when I injured my back when moving a cupboard. Real bummer!

My back is still stiff and sore but it seems to be healing well. I am literally praying that it does not have any ongoing side effects or symptoms.

Getting back to the title of this post, I must admit I am enjoying parts of the cycling story. It will never be like running for me but it can definitely be a part of my life going forward. Getting used to all the paraphernalia is the worst part... I have to get out of bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier just to put on or clip on everything.

I feel a little like this when I head out the door...

Then we are also moving into winter and morning rides are dark and also getting colder and colder. Being visible is my number one priority. Being warm enough comes next. Cycling on South African roads in the dark is dangerous. There is nothing else to say about that. I think I look like a mobile Christmas tree,

Two strong lights at the front...

...and a headlight with that.

Facing backwards I have a read and a white light. These flash with different intervals and are positioned to lighten up the reflector belts and bibs I wear in different positions.

Then its gloves and helmet and, with the mornings getting colder, ear warmers and glasses to protect the eyes and what not else... Luckily I have numerous buffs to wear in the places I might get really cold. I think I'll continue adding buffs to my apparel as we move deeper into winter.

All in all the cycling experience has been good. It is just not as simple and effective as running. Also not as cheap...

Happy training everyone!