I'm 50 and Blessed!

Today is my 50th Birthday and as I wrote when I logged my run on Dailymile: "I don't feel a day older than 35".

I am really blessed in that way with great health and the ability to do many things that people younger than me can't do.

People who hear I have a big birthday this year all guess 40! Yay me!!!

I am truly blessed.

With three wonderful children...

Roberto the pilot...

Carla the gymnast...

and Rohann the thinker...

My running supporters...

And then my lovely wife Anette...the best companion anyone can have.

And always ready to help the next charity...

I'm blessed with all of that and then I still get to run here on Saturday...

Life at 50 is good and wonderful. Yes, I am blessed!

What happened to the flag?

Remember the International Running Flag of Friendship?

Well, sadly it has gone MIA in France. That is the last I heard of it anyway and it's been quite a few months now.

Who knows, maybe it will show itself again someday, but for now it is MIA. 

If by some chance you see or hear about or find it, let us all know please. I hope somehow it can still complete its journey. If not we might have to start a new one...

That's all from me today. Keep training everyone!

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!

My Running/Training Nemesis

I don’t know what it is or why, but this one hill where I do my trail training has become my nemesis. Since I ran it the first time it has hit me hard.

It is not the steepest, or the longest and not even technical. It just hits me hard every time.

I know a part of it is the fact that you start a gradual climb for about 500m before the real climb starts, but this alone can’t be the reason. Maybe it is all in my head…?

Or it is because it goes up…

…and up…

…and more up…

…and then some more up?

Anyway, last Saturday I felt my best yet on this climb. Maybe I’m learning to hit it back at last. This Saturday we will meet again and I will hit it back again. Well, I’ll try for sure.

Have you got a running/training nemesis?

Inaugural Thaba Trails Trail Race

As the post title suggests, a new race! What makes it great is that it is local for me...about 7km from home!

Race Details:

Inaugural Thaba Trails Trail Race
Organised by Low Impact Trail Running
Venue: Thaba Trails, South of Johannesburg.
Google coordinates - 26°18'02.54''S and 28°02'56.73''E

Distances: approximately 11km and 21km
Entry fees : R100 / R180
Registration : from 06h00 to 07h00
Race time : 08h00
NO WATER POINTS- Supply your own.
Medals to all finishers

Prizes to the top 3!

Remember TRAIL Etiquette. Leave only your spoor behind.

http://www.facebook.com/events/628390520523672/

We don't have many trail races in the Johannesburg area so this is great! I might only do the short run as I have the tough Num-Num trail the following Saturday, but I will be there. I love and always try to support local races.

Happy Running!

Wear Your Reflective Gear!

See the runner in the picture above? Neither do I, but that's what he looked like when he came running from the front this morning. Not only invisible in his all black outfit, but also running with his back to the traffic.

I can't believe we still have fools like this out on the road.

Wear your reflective gear!!!

Rhodes Ultra Preview

On Saturday I'll be in survival mode while completing the Rhodes Ultra trail race. I did not plan to run this race but I've been on the waiting list for many years. So when I suddenly got the opportunity to run it I had to go for it.

This is a tough 52km mountain run and definitely not for the out of shape or faint of heart. The profile speaks for itself.

The Sentech Tower in Brixton, Johannesburg is 237m (778ft) high.

Mmm... Survival mode for sure!

Add harsh weather conditions to the mix and we can be sure to be in for a hard day of fun. Chances for snow seems low at the moment as we are experiencing a very warm winter so far.

So if we don't get this...

We'll be having fun with this...

We are leaving early Friday morning as we have an 800km drive to Rhodes. I'll report back as soon a I am able to.

Happy running everyone!