parkrun #56, Event # 17

Golden Harvest parkrun started on Saturday 8 August and there was a fantastic turn-out.

A regular group of parkrun tourists

It was great to see a number of the woodlands parkrunners taking part as well as the usual parkrun tourists.

It is a lovely park to run through but like most of the public parks in Joburg, it is a little small for a 5km route. The Event Directors did a good job of making use of the space and scenery to get us to run a one lap course on cobbled paving (horrible surface in sandals) grassy patches and dirt road. We ran past the dam where a surprising number of people were already setup with fishing rods. The orange-tape markings were substantial although a number of my friend (faster runners, ahead of the crowd) commented that they weren't consistent and it was tricky to keep on track.

It isn't an easy course but it is a great course if you want to train on a good trail. I am sure will be back!

Results: I was the 55th lady to finish out of a field of 426.

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parkrun #55, Event #16

We spent Friday night with friends in Parys ahead of our first Parys parkrun, although it was their 39th event.
It turns out to have been the coldest start at Mimosa Gardens,according to the event organisers on the day. We lined up next to the Vaal river, shivering, shaking and watching our breath come out of our mouths. Fortunately they kept the race briefing short and we were on our way on the lollipop course.

Ian, Lisa and Rob along the bank of the Vaal River

The course is flat, along the banks of the river. Mostly grass and sandy trails. We ran under the road bridge into the ajoining property where a number of businesses were in the process of setting up their stands for a monthly market. Then out a little gate where we ran two loops (Big thanks to the marshal who stood out in the cold, directing us around the pole back for the second lap or back through the gate when we have done two laps). Then, back to the start. There were not many people hanging around at the finish!

Ian, Lisa and Rob along the bank of the Vaal River

Rob sporting his 100 and me in my 50th shirt

We ran back to our hosts house for a quick shower so that we could get back to the market. It is a very well organised market, selling unique items and delicious artisan food. I was still cold, and hungry and thourougly enjoyed a chilly chirizo soup with homemade bread sticks. Rob and Liz enjoyed the craft beer options and Ian tested unusual types of fudge. We didn’t stay for long as we were booked for lunch in Vanderbijl for the Wine Meander.
So, we will be back, on the first Saturday of the month to be sure to make the Hartelus market.
Results: I was the 9th lady to finish out of a field of 41.

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parkrun #54, Event #15

The Mofolo parkrun was officially opened on 25 July. And by official I mean a microphone on a podium decorated with pot plants, speeches by Louise Gordon of Joburg City Parks as well as Bruce Fordyce and cutting of the start ribbon. The parkrun SA sponsors were there handing out water bottles, fruit and raincoats. This was a long awaited opening of parkrun in Soweto.

Mostly white runners in a predominantly black park in Soweto

I had a comfortable run with Paula on a confusing course to follow. There are a number of loops, parts of each loop repeated in the next loop and without the marshals we would have no idea where we are going. The incredible Event Director, Boitumelo did instruct us to "Listen to the marshals, especially the handsome one at the top. He is my son! Most of the course is gravel, there are sections of grass scattered with large cow patties and then a bit of running on the pavement . Again, we were instructed by Boitumelo, to stay on the pavements as the taxis in the area don’t have insurance. There were a lot of children watching the runners going around and around with much amusement. I suspect that there haven’t been that many white people in a predominantly black park before.

Gift Kelehe, winner of Comrades 2015, running partner Paula, orchestra

The highlight of the parkrun for me was to have my picture taken with Gift Kelehe, the winner of Comrades 2015. He finished second, running like it was a literal stroll in the park.

This was the most amazing parkrun finish that I have attended. An orchestra performed while fruit and soup were made available to the finishers. I would like to see this parkrun grow and then I would like to go back, probably to volunteer.

Results: I was the the 23^rd lady to finish out of a field of 167.

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The Oxpecker Trail Run

Ian and I entered this race earlier this year. At the beginning of May I signed up for a weekend of ILS Enneagram Coach training and, sadly, said no to The Oxpecker. I am not sorry that I stayed on Jhb for my class but I am really sorry to have missed a great run and a fantastic weekend away with friends.

So, thanks to Francis for the photos and guest race report.

I am not sure what makes a good or a bad race. My criteria for road and trail are different.

It is often not one thing but a whole bunch of things that make it a good experience.

For most runs it is often about the people you travel with. In this case I knew I was sorted. Had a great group heading on a Winterton road trip.

A weekend away is always a treat. And if it is a weekend with friends and running it is better.

Trail runs are about experiences and seeing different parts of the country and experienecinng different environments. They normally have a theme about protecting something jn the area which is a stark reminder that nature is fragile and we all have a part to play.

Oxpecker was no different. It offered conservation by trying to re- introduce the oxpecker to the environment. Sometimes a reminder too to focus in the small stuff.

APart if the route was run along parts of berg in the bush cycle race paths. Especially day 1, I was thankful I was running and not cycling. We did the "berg" part of the race. Some nice running along mountain trails. Not too hard, and although there was a climb it was very manageable. On my side I was coming back to running from time off. I have been experimenting with heart rate training and working in a low heart rate zone. Tough route with lots of climbing then requires a lot of walking. So for me I was able to get a lot of running (albeit it slower) which was great.

The end of the race was great. From a very cold start -1 c, it quickly warmed up and we finished with time to spend an afternoon lying out in the sun.

Food and water points often set trail and road apart. For road runs the water points are grab a drink and go. However on trail runs a feast awaits- and here was no different. I must say there was something for everyone , even the banters amongst us. For the banters cheese and sausages were there, and for those of us not too fussed we had option of race food, oranges, date balls, raisins. And if we hadn't quite warmed up yet the stops also had sherry.

So an awesome spread- no one was due to go hungry.

Day 1 we were treated to an afternoon at Spionkop lodge while Raymond Herron had us enthralled listening to the battle of spionkop. Who knew that 3 people of future importance were there- general Louis Botha, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Ghandi! But to find out that no-one really own or lost the battle but yet it goes down in history for the most amount of lives lost on one acre squared, is a harsh reality of war. Even just for this afternoon the race would be worth it! The stories and sitting outside watching the sun go down is memorable.

Day 2 was another chilly start, but more in the "bush". Highlights were seeing Nguni cattle, running thought the aloes, along the Tugela.

To summarise it was a good weekend away with friends. I think a great entry level race for anyone new to multistage racing. The race village was good. We opted to stay in bergville rather than camp (for me this was the right decision- as it came with electric blankets and all). The second nights entertainment was good fun and a lot of laughs seeing people trying to win prizes especially "Arse Money" had us laughing.

The things I like

1) runnable routes- nice race for new to trial running.

2) a bit of history

3) some conservation

4) a weekend away with friends

The Oxpecker Trail Run is a 2 day event that is organized by the same organisers as the Berg Bush cycle race.

Francis was very happy with the accommodation booking that she made at Bergville Caravan Park and Chalets.

 

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XeroShoes for Me

So this month is my "Running in Sandals" 5th anniversary. My first full-in-only-sandal run was on the Umhlanga promenade while I was in Durban to watch Comrades 2010.

I had started running in September 2009 with the goal of running Comrades 2010 but I experienced constant pain and niggles, while wearing shoes. In March 2010 I ran the last half of the Bergville half marathon without my shoes (just wearing my socks) and it felt good to run barefoot.  I researched online, came across Invisible Shoes, as they were originally known, and ordered a pair immediately. I received my DIY kit in May and I made them up by cutting the A4 size rubber to the size and shape of my foot, knocking in 3 holes using a belt tool and tying them with cored roped.

5 years later, I have just received, and started running in,  my 6th pair of sandals - now known as XeroShoes. I have at least one pair of all the upgrades - mostly in black but also in blue,  a 6mm salmon coloured pair for the trails, and my newest ones, the Amuri Cloud, in green and blue. The amazing thing is that I haven't had to buy a new pair because the tread on all of them is still good, I just buy them to try them out.

I have tried a few different brands of sandals during the 5 years, some I have persevered with for longer than others but each time I have come back to the XeroS.