98km and I can still walk

Well, well, well... I logged my first 12-hr circuit race on Friday night. Yes, 12hrs of running around a 1km loop. This is what I learned...

• The first 20km are easier than running a road race
• Grass track, on which feet have been running for days and hours, is as hard as tar.
• The most difficult kilometers are those that come after you've completed the minimum race distance (70km).
• It really is not boring running around a 1km loop. You're entertained by the other runners and the spectators camped around the track (thanks to the young gents at the 500m mark for their cheers of "Go Tannie" - even at 3am!). It's also really neat passing through the counting tent every kilometer because with each run-through it's another kay completed and the time inbetween pass-throughs isn't long.
• Friends and family are gems. It really was wonderful to see their encouraging faces everytime I ran past.

I'll tell you something... when I ran the 100km in Hawaii in Jan (off-road ultra, gnarly terrain) my knees and joints didn't feel a thing. By 30km here my knees had started to speak. This truely is the difference between on-road and off-road. Off-road your stride and cadence changes with nearly every step and the terrain is softer; more forgiving. But, because you have to watch each step, off-road is far more mentally demanding as you have to concentrate on each foot placement. On-road you run at a constant pace, on a hard (mostly even) surface and this takes its toll on the body. Needless to say I wasn't walking very well on Saturday (run finished at 07h00 on Sat morning) or on Sunday. I'm far more stable this morning.

Still, I was very happy with the run, which went smoothly with no problems and no blisters.

Result: 1st lady and 3rd overall.

My warmest thanks go to my mom, dad, Theresia and Neil, who spent the whole night sitting around the Randburg Sports Complex's track. Neil ran a good number of laps with me, getting up regularly from a warm sleeping bag to come out for a few kays. To Steve, from Suunto, for his visit 'til midnight (he should have been at a cycle race but was down with food poisoning) and for downloading my Suunto T6 at midnight. Pam and Lobby, thanks for your 2am visit. They woke up especially to come through and each ran a couple of laps with me. Michael & Heather, your sms' from Chile throughout the run warmed the cold night. Friends and family, thank you for messages, your support and encouragement on what was a long and chilly night out.

The next one... not for a while. The experience was a good one but I don't think I'll be doing these races regularly. I'd like to do one a year, just for kicks, and no, the 24hr category is not an option... for now.

Round-and-round the mulberry bush

Would you believe it? When I got back from Patagonia at the end of Feb I got my paws on the 2006 road running booklet to look for some runs to do. Lo-and-behold an event caught my eye... the Toyota 12-hour Circuit Race in Randburg (the date in the CGA book is wrong).

In road running, circuit races are event where you run around and around and around a set course for a finite period of time. This event actually has a 6-day category (these crazy buggers started running this past Sunday and are out there running as I type this), a 24-hr category and a 12-hour category. As I've never done one of these, I figured the 12-hour would be a good place to begin. We start at 19h00 this Friday night and finish at 07h00 on Saturday morning.

Must say, when I first checked this event out I was all pumped to try the 24-hr, afterall I ran reasonably comfortably (if you discount the downhills) for 22h30 in Hawaii on gnarly trails. I figured a 1km loop on even terrain should be a piece-of-cake eh? Then I got to thinking that to log an official finish in the 12-hour event we have to run 70km minimum. That's quite a bit and unlike running on trails, my pace will be even, it will be faster and my body is likely to take more pounding. So I toned down my enthusiasm a bit ;)

I've got no idea what running on a 1km loop for 12-hours is going to be like so I'll let y'all know post-run. Have I done any specific training? Nah. I'm going in cold turkey. First time for everything...

Our AR Club gazebo (navy blue with white branding) will be up so if you're doing nothing in the very wee hours of Saturday morning, stop by for a cuppa and a muffin with my mom, Liz. She's my ever-present support (thank you mom).

'Tis the season for change

I seem to pass through major life transitions - dramatic changes - every few years. My newest progression will be to formal employment - Eeeekkkk! Yes, it is true.

I've spent almost 6-years trying to find my calling. Leaving the basement world of cell biology, it was only through chance (and opportunity) that I landed in web design and site maintenance (a hobby I picked up at varsity), print layout design (by pure fluke), tv production as a cameraman & script writer, journalism and event media. It took 18-months to get into international online event coverage and another 18-months to log coverage of 9 foreign events (including the Big 3 - Primal Quest, Raid World Champs and AR World Champs) and passport stamps from 12-odd countries.

The glamorous side of online event coverage includes exotic travel, meeting and mingling with the who's who of the AR elite and absolute writing freedom. The reality is 3hrs sleep a night for the duration of the event, no training, bad nutrition and the typing up of reports at 3am. I sleep the entire flight home and it usually takes me 3 to 5-days after getting home to function normally. But, I absolutely love it!

I've reached the stage where I have media places at the BIG 3 for this year but now I'm giving this all up. Not from lack of interest or passion. My motivations are a) financial and b) desire for an opportunity to learn something new and to expand my experiences. With regards to the former... in this case, doing what you love doesn't pay. With regards to the latter... I need something that will utilise my skills, boundless energy and unending stream of ideas.

So, that's what I'm up to... Will my new career path affect AR.co.za? Nope, my baby will continue to grow and develop as it has over the past 5-years; with a number of new additions released during this year. And, perhaps I'll have more opportunities to race, instead of watching you all from the sidelines.

Starting Young

Being comfortable outdoors is not second nature to everyone. I was a fortunate little pumpkin. My folks took me camping and fishing and I spent many happy childhood holidays on a family friend's farm up in Zimbabwe leaping from the top of haystacks and rounding up cattle on horseback. Nothing could have been better.

Many kids in my 'hood are absolute city slickers. They're barricaded behind walls, instead of being able to race down grassy slopes on cardboard boxes after school (until sunset); for obvious security reasons. It is saddening indeed. Still, there's hope.

You're adventure types and certainly your kiddies will benefit from your experiences and exposure to the outdoors. 'Tis good.