2012 Golden Gate Challenge Day 3 Report (17km)

With Day 1 and Day 2 in the bag Day 3 arrived and it was a bunch of tired runners that gathered for the 4AM start. That meant that we were up by 3AM for day 3. The idea is an early start to be on top of the mountain to watch the sunrise. However, there was no chance of that today with low clouds and mist covering the mountains.

Ready for the last day!

Early start so headlights on!

I was very happy as my legs and body was feeling much better than I thought I would at the start of day 3. I was tired, but not really sore. Still, I was glad that day 3 was only 17km long.

On our way for the last time!

The first few kilometers were run on the road. Everyone was in a great mood and the time on the road went by very quickly.

At some point we turned onto the concrete road we came down the previous day. Today we had to go up to the chalets we passed the day before. It was a steep climb but did not hurt as it did when I ran down this road.

Back up to the chalets on our well known concrete road.

Checkpoint at the chalets.

Early morning view.

We ran passed the chalets and up onto a road that leads to some radio towers. It was not long before we had climbed above the chalets. The road was wet and muddy. The first mentionable climb of the day was done!

Going further up.

Wet and muddy on the mountain.

It was dark and misty on the mountain but not cold. I was glad I chose to go with short sleeves. It remained very wet under foot.

Dark, wet and misty.

I knew we were climbing high again today and I kept an eye on my altimeter. According to that there was still some hard work ahead. Knowing it was the last day certainly made me push harder. I was on my way to finish an incredible race. I was in a very good space as I ran on the mountain.

Running here I felt awesome!

Soon the climb to the radio towers came into view. It was a “road” with two tracks. This made it easier but it was very wet and slippery in places.

Road up to the radio towers.

Slippery going up.

I ate more Race Food and kept remembering their add saying “you eat your way up a mountain”.

After some hard slogging I reached the radio towers. The marshals here were wet and cold. It was not too far from the mountain top now. The view was once again incredible.

Radio towers.

Awesome view again.

From the radio towers we followed a trail along the top of the mountain. I took great care as there was some serious mountain edges on my left.

Trail along the mountain top.

The finish among the trees far below.

There was still some climbing to do.

Stay away from the mountain’s edge!

We followed the trail all along the top of the mountain. I was feeling strong and knew I was done with the most serious climbing of not only the day, but of the whole race! As we started the descent I passed quite a few runners with very sore knees and legs. I realized how lucky I was. My legs were tired but I had no pain anywhere.

Starting some knee breaking descents.

This is a beautiful place!

We linked up to the trail we ran on day 1. The last few kilometers were the same as day one, but I was feeling tons better and stronger than on day one. As the hotel came into view I phoned Anette who was there for breakfast. She could see me running and this gave me an enormous boost! Today I was ready to tackle that buttress!

Trail with Bradwag Buttress in the background.

I pushed quite hard on the way to the buttress and passed more runners. The faster guys from day 1 and 2 had much more pain in their legs than I did. The trail was still wet and muddy and I was very careful here. I didn't fall once during the race and was sure to keep it that way.

Wet and muddy trail.

Not long and I reached the stairs going up to the buttress. Today I had much more energy to tackle them positively. They were still a great test though.

Stairs up to the buttress.

Last steep push!

Then it was down the chain again…

Over some rocks…

Some interesting formations!

Through some hollows...

Over the little bridge for the last time!

To the finish…with a few runners I caught in the last few km.

I crossed the line in 03:27:42 for day 3. I was done! I finished the 2012 Golden Gate Challenge! I was very, very happy!

Day 3 done! 2012 Golden Gate Challenge done!

The last part of the trophy is your name on the base. Awesome!

Complete trophy.

Anette was there once again to welcome me home and I was in running heaven. How great is it to have this wonderful wife as supporter?

With my faithful supporter during the race…love her dearly!

What a journey! I am sure the Golden Gate Challenge will see me again.

Golden Gate Challenge – Day 2(29km) Report

I woke up on Saturday morning feeling a lot better than I thought I would after a hard day 1. My legs were a little tired but not very sore. I was secretly the most afraid of day 2 and especially the start of day 2. Feeling stronger than I anticipated gave me a huge boost.

Getting ready for day 2.

There was a cold wind blowing and the news from the top of the mountain was of 0°C…freezing point! I opted for a long sleeve top over my shirt to shield me from the cold wind.

Starting day 2.

Heidi Mocke, our RD, made no secret from the fact that day 2 starts with a monster climb. She warned us about the climb that would make us hate her on many occasions.

Well, let’s just say that Heidi did not disappoint J .

Early climbing on day 2.

Tired legs were tested once again.

We were climbing very early on and the legs certainly felt the previous day’s effort. It was a beautiful, open morning, but the trails were still very wet. As we approached our first water crossing of the day, the monster climb stood before us. Tiny specs of front runners made some people gasp. It was indeed a monster climb!

Water crossing just to remind us the mountain was wet.

The climb ahead…tiny runners making their way up.

The climb was hard and very steep in places. The terrain was easier than I expected and that made me positive. I was also a lot less tired from day 1 than I expected. This was doable I thought.

Starting the tough climb.

I broke the climb into smallish chunks and made my way up to the top. Stopping for air and taking photos helped keeping my mind off my burning legs. At least everyone was going through the same, some clearly in worse shape than I was.

Everyone is tired. Knowing this helped me a lot.

I was sweating a lot going up but I have learned to keep my warmer layers on for the cold wind that always waits at the top. As I approached the first summit of the day I was glad I learn from experience as the wind was really cold.

This climb was long as well as steep.

Nearly at the summit.

Sounds of Hallelujah rang through the air as we finally made it to the top! The first challenge of the day was done and a long stretch with downhills and flats was waiting. I felt great going down the other side of the mountain with brilliant views in all directions.

 Worth the hard effort!

The first water and checkpoint of the day waited on the other side of the mountain. My legs were getting stronger and better as I dropped down into the valley where I spotted the water point. Bacon and egg sandwiches awaited!

First checkpoint with bacon and egg sandwiches!

Feeling good after 8.5km of day 2.

There was  no serious climbs for a while and we ran on a jeep track with mostly flat and downhill. As Murphy would have it the wind was blowing strong from the front on all the downhills!

Flat and down…with the wind against us!

The wind was still cold and I kept my long sleeve on for the first 18km. There was always something beautiful to look at. This part of the reserve is not open for the public and I knew I was privileged to run here. This area is called Little Serengeti.

In the heart of Little Serengeti.

The second checkpoint came very quickly and I was feeling great. Progress was faster than day 1. I did wonder about a second huge climb I saw on the route profile. Heidi was very quiet about that one… We ran over some petrified/fossilized river beds which I found really cool!

Stone now, but river bed many many years ago…awesome!

It was really beautiful here. The grass was green and everything looked clean and pure. I removed my long sleeve at the second checkpoint because the sun was starting to make its presence felt.

Green and beautiful.

Then the second climb of the day came into view… Again the tiny runners making their way to the top gave an indication of how big the climb was. I knew it was the last big climb of the day and kept my thoughts on that.

Next obstacle ahead. Tiny runners at the top!

This climb was no joke either! Still, I was feeling strong and positive. I was certainly going to finish day 2 with enough left for a good day 3.

Another long and hard climb.

Getting closer to the top…

Rewarded with another amazing view - happiness!

There was one little down side to reaching this point…it was not the end of the climb! There was a flat stretch ahead followed by another last climb to the summit. The flat stretch was beautiful and there were Zebras and Black Wildebeest grazing the green grass. It was absolutely spectacular!

Amazing place! I will do this race again just to get here again.

Then it was time to tackle that final part of the climb. I was eating “Race Food” during this race. I love this product and will review it soon. Their one advertisement is done by a regular Everest climber. He says: “You eat your way up a mountain”. I did just that and it worked!

Still hard climbing!

The most incredible views!

At the top! Unbelievable!

I stood still for a few moments and took in the views from the top of this mountain. It was truly amazing. Rushing past here would be a sin. This was one of those moments where I really felt small and insignificant.

I have no words to describe what I saw and felt here…

My spirit was high as I ran to the next checkpoint. This was at some chalets with the most spectacular view. I have to bring the family here for a weekend!

3^rd and last waterpoint of the day.

My mind was in heaven, but as we hit the concrete road down the mountain from the chalets, my legs told me very quickly that this was hell! It was a hard and painful descent on this road. My quads were screaming!

Very painful descent on this road.

Luckily it didn’t last too long and we were back on the trails soon enough. We were now heading home and I was feeling great! I was getting stronger and stronger towards the end. This made me very happy!

Back on the trail.

We ran a short bit on tar road. Here we passed a spot where we heard 100’s of frogs. It was awesome and made me feel even stronger. We crossed the main road and then Mushroom Rock came into view.  The finish was just behind that. I ran the last few km quite hard. I was very happy that I was feeling so good.

Mushroom Rock

One last water crossing.

Up one last time.

We climbed up to the base of the rock and then ran around it. The finish was now in view and I saw I would go under 6 hours for the day. Anette was waiting at the finish once again and took some pics. Seeing her at the finish was awesome every day.

I finished strong and very happy! 05:56:42

Day 2 in the bag!

Second part of the trophy received.

I was positive and ready for the third and final day.