A Question for Me

After the question in my previous post Char from My Life’s a Marathon had another question for me. “what was your first ultra, how many marathons had you done before it and what made you decide to take up the challenge?”

Well, my first ultra was the 56km (34.7 mile) Milo Korkie Marathon in 1985. My motivation for running it…my dad. He had been a runner since I can remember and always my greatest inspiration. Here I am in my first ultra (no. 1623). I was 21 years old at the time. The runner that is cut off on the right hand side is my dad who ran all the way with me.

I received this tracksuit badge for completing the 56km Milo Korkie Marathon. Medals were not common in those days.

Here is my dad in the Comrades Marathon of that same year, 1985.

To answer the rest of Char’s question, I ran 3 marathons before I ran my first ultra. In South Africa that is the norm. You run a few marathons and then proceed to ultras. Marathons don’t really count in SA. It is all about the Comrades Marathon here. If you haven’t completed at least 1 Comrades (90km, 55.8 miles), you are not seen as a runner. Believe me, in South Africa you can complete 100 marathons, but if you don’t do 1 Comrades, you are not a runner. That’s why it was pretty normal for me to run 3 marathons at age 21 and then move to ultras. Comrades here is probably like Boston in the USA. If you start running marathons, that’s the one you aim for.

Luckily I’ve done Comrades so I can call myself a true South African runner.:) For those interested in stats, I’ve now completed 122 marathons and 112 ultras. This Saturday will be marathon number 123.

What is your favorite distance to run in a race or just out on a run?

This post is in response to Christina’s Running Question Challenge.

Question:
What is your favorite distance to run in a race or just out on a run?

Answer:
There are two questions here and I have two different answers. The first would be my favorite distance to run. In my case that would be 32km (20 miles). Just as it starts to get difficult and sore, it’s over. That’s what I like about the 32km distance. You get a good challenge without the hurting and battle a marathon throws at you.

The second is my favorite distance to run in a race. My answer here would be ultras, the longer the better. I would say ultras of 100km or more are my favorite races. I think there is a difference between “favorite distances” “and favorite races to run”. Nothing can beat the feeling of finishing a long race after 20 or more hours. There is something about it that only those who have done it can explain.

So if I have to pick a favorite distance to run and enjoy often it is 32km (20 miles). If I have to choose one favorite distance or race to do it would be an ultra of 100km or more.

Do you have a favorite distance?

Good Trail Run Including The Black Night Virtual Race

Yesterday I did my last hard run before the Sani Stagger Marathon on 27 November. I ran 18km (11.16 miles) on trails as the Sani is an off-road marathon. I decided this was the perfect run to include the Black Night Virtual Race.

The virtual race rules stated that I had to wear something black. My trail shoes are black and I also went with black running shorts and my black hydration pack. I didn’t wear a black shirt as I’m experimenting with different shirts for different times of the day for my ultra run on 8 January. I also think it is safer to have a few colors visible when running on trails. My personal photographer, my 9 year old son Rohann, accompanied me on this outing.

Ready to go!

And I'm off!

It was quite a warm morning and the temperature was 22°C (71.6F) when I started at 07:00 and 30°C (86F) by the time I finished. The first few km was easy trail next to a stream. Once I crossed the stream this changed very quickly into a very steep, technical climb.

Easy trail to start with.

View from the climb. The above trail can be seen next to the stream below.

The trail becomes beautiful towards the top and the green summer colors are starting to show. Not many people take on this climb and there were parts where the trail was not visible at all. Luckily I’ve been here many times and I had no problem to find my way.

Beautiful trail towards the top.

Spot the trail...

When I reached the summit I was feeling great. I love running at the top of this hill. It is always beautiful and the views are spectacular.

Trail on top...lovely!

Beautiful view.

The trail to get down is very rocky and technical and I took my time getting to the bottom. I don’t want to risk injury at this stage and definitely not on a training run.

Rocky trail down.

Rohann was waiting close to the bottom and took this photo “to prove that I was really running the virtual race” as he put it.

Running The Balck Night Virtual Race

I crossed the stream again and was back on the open trail. Here Rohann joined me for about 2km. It was warm by now, but running here with Rohann was awesome. I was having a lovely virtual race and getting in some good training at the same time.

I crossed the stream twice.

With Rohann on the trail…what can be better?!

The trail from here is absolutely perfect with some really beautiful parts...

Rohann asked: “How long is the virtual race?” “Oh my, I think it is 10km, I better finish it now.” So Rohann dashed ahead and drew the finish line in the ground. He cheered as I crossed the line to finish the Black Night Virtual Race! My 10km was done somewhere in the middle of my 18km run. Looking at my average pace for this run I estimate my time to be about 01:14 for the 10km. Then again, it included the very tough climb and might even be slower. I don't use Garmins or any other fancy gadgets, I just estimate.

Finish line for The Black Night Virtual Race.

This was really fun! Thanks to Stefano, The Black Night, for giving me the opportunity to run in his race. I had a few more kilometers to go to finish my 18km and felt really good when I reached the end. This was a good run.

Confirmation of a good morning on the trails.

Have a fantastic week everyone and be sure to sign up for the Black Night’s Virtual Race.

Agape 32km Race Report

As promised in my previous post a short report of my 32km (20 mile) race I ran this past Saturday. The race was held in the North Eastern suburbs of Pretoria. When I arrived at the venue I thought we would run towards that mountain…

…and I was right, we ran towards that mountain.

This meant that there were quite a few hills on the route. We ran up and down towards and away from the mountain a few times. The hills were quite steep, but never very long.

At least there were some good downhills as well.

The morning got warmer and at about 17km the sun came out and stayed out for the rest of the way. Luckily these parts of Pretoria have semi-tropical weather so there were lots of lovely trees along the way to provide some shade.

In the last 7km I ran on the pavement next to the road for some extra shade and also to avoid a bit of traffic on some streets. I enjoyed the pavement running and was spying on all the locals in their homes and gardens.

I ran very comfortably the whole way, maintaining my planned pace for the Sani Stagger off-road marathon I’m running at the end of the month. I really enjoyed my run and never felt tired or experienced any problems. My base for the Sani Stagger is very good.

Too soon it was all over and we had this lovely downhill run under the trees to the finish.

Apologies for a few blurred photos…I was just moving so fast!

Good race and a recovery run for World Run Day.

Yesterday I ran the Agape 32km (20 mile) road race in Pretoria. I had a good run and did exactly what I planned. I will post a report and some photos soon. I received this lovely medal for my efforts.



This morning I ran a 5km recovery run and I’m very happy because my legs felt 100% with no effects from the 32k race. Things are looking positive for my upcoming adventures. I made a commitment on Natalia’s blog to do a recovery run today as my run for World Run Day. Here I am, after my 5km run for World Run Day.

5km for World Run Day

Throwback Thursday

We all need a good laugh today. So I give you my 3rd birthday...31 July 1966!

Birthday boy me with my brother and two sisters.

Have a great day!

Exciting Start to 2011

Today I entered the Odyssey Ultra Trail Run. This is a 100km trail run on the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.

Date: 8 January 2011

Time: 03h00, yes, that's 3 AM!

Some details:

The route is unmarked bar the start and finish areas. Simply follow the coastline until you reach the finish.

Runners/Walkers must carry water and nutrition for the duration of the day. There will be one water-table/checkpoint en route only. Local communities may provide drinks (for sale) at various accessible venues en route, but this is unreliable.

A race sweeper will follow the last runner and will be in radio contact with the organizers.

There will be a dedicated event medic on standby in the event of an emergency.

Race cut-off is at a predetermined 20h00 Saturday 8th January 2010, and is only enforced for your own safety.

If you withdraw from the race it is your responsibility to inform the organizers as soon as possible, failure to do so could result in an extensive and costly man hunt.

I'm really looking forward to this one!

Have a great week everyone!