Marathon du MONT-BLANC 2014 - Skyrunning World Championships

This weekend saw the running of:

I wasn't in the SA tream on the start-line, that hounor went to Landie Greyling and
Lucky Miya!!!

This isn't their story but my story from when I was lucky enough to stand on the starting line. Now back in 2008 we had great weather, but these guys no so, in fact the route was changed at the end and the last +_6km instead of climbing up into the bad weather they dropped back down to town. (I don't know if there were any other changes.)

2008 a French Odyssey ‘The Mont-Blanc Marathon’

Not every race is just sign up and run, for some it is a journey getting to the start. My French Odyssey started in October 2007 when I teamed up with Will in a 211km stage race over the mountains of the Western Cape. After 5 days we were crowned the champs and our trip to France had began… (Linda had won the ladies race and was joining us, her partner had other plans!)

That was a long time ago...

After running up to the Mast in Tokai, Platterklip Gorge, Nursery Ravine, and the Bridle Path the Cape Mountains were no longer a challenge… So we packed our bags and started the 25hour trip to our hotel in the mountain village of Chamonix. After 3 flights, 4 airports and a car trip via the Salomon Head Office in Annecy is all it took. From my bed I could see the 4000m peaks of the Mont-Blanc, but after all that travelling I needed to stretch my legs, so we walked into the center of town to have a look around. Friday was also spent looking around the valley (mainly for chocolate for Dawn). With the race on Sunday we took Saturday easy and spent the morning watching the ‘Cross’ (The half, which is 23ish km)

Not wanting to be too keen I lined up in the 3^rd row with Will, while Linda was further back in the field. As the gun set us off I took to the streets of the town like a finely tuned running machine!!! OK I didn’t really start that well, but I wasn’t swamped by the other 1400 runners in the race.

I saw Will take off and weave his way through the field on the left. I was running at close to max (not in speed but in effort) and it wasn’t till I could see Will up in 3^rd place that my old body started to work! By 1.5km I was up with Will tucked in behind 2^nd place. Caught up in the moment of a big International Marathon I thought the pace was a little slow, so I allowed myself to pass Will and move into 2^nd place. Running freely I soon closed the gap on the leader. After thinking about going straight past, I opted for the sensible thing and tucked in behind him to let him do the work. I planned on destroying him on the hills… That plan didn’t last long as after a couple of km’s I decided that I was working to hard for a race like this, and eased up just a touch. That felt a whole better… but it did mean that Will and the 3^rd placed guy soon past. In fact about another 7 guys came past, but they didn’t seem to power on. They formed a group 50-100m ahead of Will who was only 10-20m ahead of me.

At 10.3km we hit the 1^st water table. I had put in a little effort and caught Will, well closed the gap to a couple of meters. This water table came at us all to fast; we had just dropped out of the forest on the lower slopes of the mountain and into a small village. I had to slow to take water and was dropped again. The climb out of the town was a little taste of what was to come, and I was able to get back into our little group. I know it was early in the race, but I was already thinking about just trying to stick with Will, and as in Odyssey finish together. It wasn’t long after that as we climbed to the next town, Montroc, I moved up into what was 9^th place. A friend Stuart called out our positions as we past 9, 10, 11. After climbing 644m in the 1^st 14.7km the next couple of km’s taking us to 18.3km was easy down hill and I was starting to really enjoy the race. By the 2^nd Water, Fruit, Cheese, Coke, Cheese, and who knows what else table, we had dropped to 1280m (Altitude) and things were about to get scary!!! Over the next 6.1km we would climb to the highest point of the day 2200m. I can’t work out what my splits were as there where no km markings, but I wasn’t flying. As we zig-zagged up the side of a very big mountain I was on the hunt… Turn after turn I closed the gap, and as we left the mountain bike downhill track and headed for the ski lift on a gravel road I past him and made a move to catch the next guy. The ski lift wasn’t the top; we still had over 200m of single track over snow to climb to the summit. With 24.4km behind us it was down hill time. We started down a rocky knife edge then zig-zag through the forest and back to the town of Montroc. I had lost a couple of places taking it easy as we dropped 720m in 3.7km!!! It was good to see Stuart and Charlotte counting positions as I came past, 12^th…

Yes it was a long way up...

At the bottom of the hill

At the next water table I stopped to take a drink and gather my strength/energy for the last 12km. With 3hr of ‘running’ already behind us I thought the last leg of the race would be easy… Boy was I wrong!!! It took just 20 more minutes to turn my running into walking and my walking into just standing there and waiting for the Earth to turn…

Always time for a smile

The last water table was at 36.8km it had taken an hour to cover the last 6km, and with another 6 to go it was going to be a long day at the office. After sitting down to admire the snow peaked mountains around us it was time to hit the track for the last time… It felt as if I was in the Death Zone of Everest edging to the summit one step at a time.

After fighting off cramp as I tackled the last descent I could see the finish banner 2km away. Like all marathons you need a dramatic finish, and with 200m still to climb there was going to be no sprint for the line…

I finished with 4h44.52 in 25^th place. In the last 10km I had lost 15-20min and 12 places, at times I thought I would never finish I was walking so slowly… But step by step I pushed through. It was a fantastic race and I now long to head back to the Alps to tackle more of their great mountains. 

At the end of our race

25 x TABLE MOUNTAIN

Is there a race on the calender that you alway find yourself lining up for?

Well for me it is the Table Mountain 16km, a simple race up from Constantia Nek around the dams and back down, as easy as that... OK there is the little word "up" about 500m in the first 5km!!!

Now let me paint the seen for you:

It was a dark and stormy night... as a cold front rolled into the Mother City. Dawn decided to stay in bed as she thought there was a good chance that the race would be called off! (I would still run up) I left the house in torrential rain with the wind blowing it sideways!!!

On the drive up to the nek the rain abated... But that didn't make the drive any easier, it was dark and the road was wet, and then... lucky I was driving slowly, there was a tree across my half of the road! 200m on there was then a tree across the other half of the road!! There's more, another couple of 100m up the road was another tree in the road, this time almost across the whole road!!! I think I was the first person to drive around (I don't have a big car). 2 of those trees had fallen in the last 30min!!!

The brave race officials and Cape Nature people drove up the route to see if the race would be run, The call came through: GAME ON... the wait, we can't get down a tree has fallen down and blocked the mountain road!!!

30 min later, with the road now clear, the gun set us off, and like years gone by I moved to the front joined by 3 other guys...

200m into the race!

It only took about 1500m to break 2 of them... Pumlani, a 2h19 marathoner, didn't want to die!!! We were fighting the hill and I was fighting the wind! Then about 3.5km into the race he snapped and I was along for the last and steepest bit of the climb. That is not the top, and after about 1km of flattish running the road kicks one last time to The King Of The Mountain: 28:33, 5.3km down (or should I say up)

I was still in front about 45sec but slow (last year I was up in 26:40). I pushed on thinking I was running faster and maybe for me it was I didn't have another gear... Round the dam I looked back and I still had a lead, maybe just maybe the wind was hurting the other guys! The race was on and to open the gap more I didn't slow on the 200m single track over the dam wall, I was heading back.

Oh dear I wasn't the only one on the wall!!! At this stage we join the up route and start back.

Pumlani catching me...

I kept my lead to the King Of The Mountain, 21:03 around the top (last year 19:11 another slow split.) Now with only 5.3km of downhill it was race on...

NO it wasn't... my body is broken and won't let me run fast, I can't stride out without pain, and pain isn't good... One by one they past me and I finished 6th in one of my slowest times 69:51... I'll be back next year and God willing my body will work and I will be back fighting for a win...


I've been to the physio (2 of them), I've been to the Doctor (2 of them), I've been for a scan, and I'm due back at the doctor next week...

FISHERMENS 2014

Only a few stars lit the early morning as we picked Derrick up. Derrick, I've been racing him for 30 years now and the rivalry is as strong as ever. 

The start line!

Having checked our gear we headed to the beach for the start. This year Fishermens was run from Fishhook Yatch club and the route was slightly changed as we headed over the mountains to Hout Bay. 

It didn't take long for the changes to take effect!  While Derrick had the early lead it didn't last long as he missed one of the first turns!  I was on his tail and a couple of us last 10m. A new face took the lead (new to me that is!) and we followed. I was 2nd as we hit the mountain the race was now on...

50m from the top we turned left it took us about 100m to discover that we had turned early!  I wasn't going back so I turn up and headed for the right path.  I didn't look back but know a number of the top guys were all scrambling up after me. We joined the race 15m behind the new leaders. 

On the climb up to the caves I took the lead taking Ben, Dom and Mat with me. It's a big climb almost 300m in the last km... 

When I say climb I mean climb!!!

Rrom there I pushed on but soon would look at a wrong path and let Ben lead from there. Mat called out directions as we reached the amphitheatre.  I was happy with how I was going as we flew down the single tracks. 

On Top at last

At PC 2 I took the lead with Matt now behind me. It was just a short section before we reached the gravel road and Ben and I eased ahead. Before the road crossing. Having to wait for a couple of car didn't help our lead. And the 4 of us were back together again. 

Ben again took the lead on the next single track with me chasing hard. While I was pulling ahead of the other 2 Ben still got away from me. I lost sight of Ben and wasted a few seconds at the next junction before setting off again. 

Not wanting to be caught I ran on hard and at times could see Ben. Through the CP at the dam wall I saw Ben again and followed as we ran on... While he ran on round the dam I turned at the rest room... but I was on the wrong path and it only went to a picnic sight! !! Dam!!! 30-60sec wasted! !! Dom and Matt had moved into the lead... Ben had lost about 60 sec running to far round the dam. On the next climb I took Mat and Ben joined us again. It was Dom leading but only for a short time. .. Ben and I had to drop the others before the decent!!! 

Hout Bay Below us.

Blackburn and I didn't even try and get the lead letting Ben go his young leg have a lot more bounce in them! Bounce oh boy Dom's got bounce in him he could even be half rock rabbit! He closed the gap passing first me and then Ben! I was over a minute behind as I left the ravine but my body was broken and the rocky downhill to the fort was going to be slow... (I hear Dom got 60sec ahead, but Ben was able to run him down for the win!)

Derrick has descended like a hawk and was the next guy to catch me then Anda (he would catch Derrick and take 3rd) and lastly Bolalani. He reach Chappies just before me amd I took him on the road down to the beach. With tired legs I didn't have much left in me to fight the sand and seaweed.  As another guy past me leaving me in 6th and 2nd 40+.

Garmin called it a little over 20.3 km and I finished in 1h59:05. (fastest km 4:00 slowest 10:54!!! total climb 887m)

NO PAIN NO GAIN

I know I was talking about retirement but it's not retirement that I need, just a rest and a visit to a Physio... Yes I have been running these last months with a broken body and it is crying out for repairs!

So after my run up to the mast I popped into the local physio to have my body beaten back into shape. Now you must know that I was born in the 60's ('69) and grew up in the 70's & 80's now, back then it was all:

'NO PAIN NO GAIN"

Now there are times when this philosophy works, but with a torn/strained muscle... Not a good idea... as pain normally means the muscle is put under strain and could be tearing again!!! I don't know how much rest I need, but I've got 3 weeks before my next race so let's see if I can get this fixed...

But before my 3 weeks starts I have a taper week and a little 26km race... I promised the physio I would run slowly and I did... (over 8:00 min/km)

With a week of easy and doing the couple of exercises I was given I was ready to race (slowly) OK we didn't start that slowly with the first 3km under 5min/km but the running was easy mostly on the gravel road below the mountain... Then, yes we went up!!! I was still mixing it with the kids, but I didn't have my climbing legs with me as we climbed to the saddle...

In the saddle

From there we turned left and climbed the West Peak (yes climbed). With 6.5km done (52:30) I was at the top 5min off my fastest time up and 1 min off 2nd pace, couldn't see Bernie in the front. While I was moving a lot better that a couple of weeks earlier at JMC I was still scrambling down like a pregnant woman! (no offence to pregnant woman, but I was being careful and going slowly). I lost 1, maybe 2 place before we started up to the saddle again:

watching my every step!

This time we turned right and headed up to conquor The Dome.

it's gets a little steep at this point!

This was an out and back section and it was amazing to see Duncan (he had taken Bernie who's ankel didn't let him bounce up and down the mountain) hopped down the mountain. (OH to have young legs!)

The views up there are amazing, but there was no time to take them in as...

Katya was kicking butt in the Ladies!

It wasn't only the ladies chasing, the old men were also on their way up. The 2 guys I had been holding onto on the way up were running away from me on the down. Okay running isn't really the right word as I was really sliding down on my ass!! One of the old men, Derrick,  took a tumble and after cartwheeling was able to get up and keep running! Last year and the year before some-one had been airlifted off the mountain after a tumble!

On my second West Peak ascent I run into one of the rocks I had run into on the first loop, you think you would learn!!!

The second loop was great as while I was been caught buy a couple of the Kids I was catching guys running the shorter 15km loop.

With over 3 hours of running under the belt I was happy to still have a little running in the legs!  I really thought a couple more guys would run me down,  but it was me who ended up catching a couple of the guys who had hopped past me on the vertical rocky decent...

Race done 3h32 for the 26ish km  (over 2000m climb) Now it's time to rest, and listen to the physio!!! It's 3 week to my next race and being only 20+km I should be fine with 3 weeks rest!!!

Perfect morning on the mountain!

TIME TO RETIRE or NOT

4 May 2014, it was early Sunday morning with the threat of rain as drove out to Stellenbosch and through to Jonkershoek for the 36+km Mountain Challenge. I knew I was up for the Challenge, but was I up for a race!!!

We ran over that!

With the clouds heavy on the mountain we set off down the gravel road with Bernard setting the early pace. I found myself in the chase pack with 3 youngsters and 2 other old men... The race was on!  I had a great plan and round one was to back off and be running well at the end.

On the start line with Bernard

I let them go on the last 'flat' of the gravel road as they sped up but I found myself closing the gap on the climb. I was feeling great and full of running. We were now on the single track and the guys were flying... Easy does it Coach we will run them down in the 2nd half... Andrew came by in his 5 Fingers, mad I tell you my New Balance 1010's were great for grip and protection!.

Back to the race, and with about 12km gone I had taken one of the kids and it was time to venture into the clouds!!! The climb is only about 2.2km long with 500m climb, now the make things exciting the visibility was dropping with ever meter you climbed. The Kid didn't come with me and it wasn't long before I could see Derrick (a gorilla in the mist!) I past him and set about hunting down the next guy... But I couldn't see anybody! I don't think they were miles ahead, they were just out of sight.

Down load from Garmin

The top of the mountain is anything but flat and we had a couple more tops to reach. I wasn't tired and my legs were sore, they had just stopped working!!! So instead of flying along the flatter bits like the years of old, I run along like an old man. Derrick was running again and caught up again, I let him go knowing that I would catch him on the next climb... (OK I didn't) I was still climbing like a goat, but I could run down hill, and with most of the remaining 17km down hill I was in trouble!

I struggle down to the contour and thought I would pick up the running then, but that didn't happen, all the time guys were catching me. We had now dropped out of the rain and wind. Did I tell you it was like an Arctic storm up there? Well the wind was so strong I had to take off my hat at times! Back to the contour, and while it looked like I was out for a Sunday jog (I hate that word). The short route joined us and they were also passing me at will...

While it was lovely on the mountain enough is enough and I was ready to sit down and call it a day bring on the end. 4 hours 16 min later I was still running (not walking) or should I say jogging as I crossed the finish line!!! I had lost up to 45min in the 2nd half...

Are my days of racing over, is it time to put this old Goat out to pasture?

Now it's the middle of the year and I have lots of races still to run, they have been ended and I have a sponsor to make happy, so one week later I was back in my CONTEGO gear lining up for another Mountain race!!!

The Mast Challenge... 10km 800+m climb, a simply race up. Just how you get down is your problem!

Just Up

Big Steve, and some Kid took off at the start, so AJ, Craig and myself set off after them... AJ soon joined the guys at the front leaving Craig and I too our own battle. We started together till about 3.5km when there is a flattish bit and his leg speed took him clear of me... (the boy is really quick 3:57 for 1500m)

I pushed on up the Monster Hill...

Only half way

Got away from him

Up into darkness

After leaving the Monster behind I saw 'the kid' who had gone to fast and was paying big time...

The 2nd half of the race is tar and through the mist I took a split to Craig and called it 35 sec, but 5km and 400m climb is a long way... He disappeared as we climb higher into the clouds, the cap wasn't coming down I wasn't going to catch him!

Then I rounded a corner and saw Big Steve...(caught him) and I was now closing in on Craig, The road was running out, I needed another km of climbing to catch him, I had worked my way into 3rd (1st 40+) but was still 10sec off 2nd... AJ, well he had miles on us!!!

Fighting to the end

Time to rest before heading down

Steve made it up

After a run down, which in my case turned out to be an adventure on it's own... But I've said enough for one day...

Top 3

EASTER 2014 (OCEANS WEEKEND)

With the training behind us, Easter was upon us... Easter in Cape Town is Oceans weekend, and if you run there is something for your:

• First up is the 56km tour of the peninsula, over the years I've found myself on the start line 11 times, but as the years have ticked by the race has laughed at me, so I don't line up anymore!
• Then about 17 years ago they decided to have a half marathon as well... With 16 000 people on that start line there was no way I was going to be lining up for that medal.
• 5 years ago a trail run was introduced and I was back running Oceans, 23.4km of trail is more my thing now a days... (if that scares you there is a 10km trail as well)
• Oh that isn't all, there are a number of fun runs and even a nappy dash of 56m for those younger than me!!!

I popped into the expo to collect my number on Wednesday...

Only one picture of the expo

 Now since I work over the road from the expo I was back on Thursday to meet friends as they registered.

Friday was race day for us trail runners and at first light we headed to UCT for the start of a little run on the mountain...
The short trail set off first, 400 of them and after 500m they turned off our route, so the trail was almost empty at 07h30 when the gun set us off and like the years before I took the lead... I wanted to see who could run and up the first hill I was joined by 4 guys with the rest of the field left lying in our wake... NO, they were right behind me as we climbed to Rhodes Mem and then left the tar, 1st km down.

The front four raced for the single track looking for position, the race up front was on, I was now left in no-mans land as I opened a little gap. Not wanting to be caught I opened my legs as I reached the gravel road, this took me back into the lead pack and the 5 of us now had a lead. I had made sure of that...

The next section of the race turned up Heart Break Hill (don't think Boston Marathon, think the type of hill your granny gear on your mnt bike can't even get you up!) Lucky for us we turned right Kane, Thabang then Mahlangu and Ben with me breathing hard...

Again the trail eased and the front boys took off, Kane and Thabang, gone... Ben chased Mahlangu a bit, but he wasn't up for the chalenge and was dropped. With Ben now in my sights we turned up the side of Devil's Peak. With all that hard running done I didn't have great climbing legs and was slow in catching Ben, but since the climb was over 1km long I crossed Tafelberg Road before him and set the pace around the mountain. I had planned on catching Mahlangu and dropping Ben...

OK those plans didn't work and Ben stuck to me as I chased hard, but not fast enough to make any difference. Running single tracks at that speed (OK we weren't really running fast) you can't really look back to see who's following or you will hit the ground in a bad way. The contour ended with Ben still hanging on and Mahlangu gone! The next km was up to the sadle and a 170m climb, since this climb had some 'power walking' sections I was able to look back a bit and see Christian chasing hard about 1:15 back (could have been as much at 1:30 at the top). The sadle isn't very big, so within a 100m or so it's time to start down... This was not good, and while I opened 5m on Ben, Christian must have closed 30+ sec on us, (He's young and fearless.)

Now we follow the top contour back around Devil's Peak. Half way round the mountain we dropped to a lower contour and Christian closed again (Oh to be 20 years younger!)

Around Devil's Peak

I was still running hard worried about being caught from behind, I knew he was coming, and I wanted to get past the next down hill before he caught us... We had to if we wanted to stay ahead...

Ben and I starting the decent...

No sooner had we started then Christian passed us, he thought it was a tar road and didn't even slow... passed the Block House he had already opened a minute and there was another 'technical' section to come! we didn't see him again!!!

I hoped his legs was give up and he would come back to us, but as we (Ben was still in tow) climbed 'Bastard Hill' and there was no sight I knew he had us beat... Now how was I too beat Ben?

It looked like that hope was gone as Ben made his move to 'Woodcutters' but I closed the gap and passed him again it was going to be cat and mouse to the end. With the race nearing it's end I saw Dawn in the forest supporting us, not for to go, Ben was back in the lead...

With 50m of gravel before the last single track out of the forest I passed him again then broke him on the down hill the Christian had broken us... Now to hang on for the last km!!!

On the grass to the finish

5th place was mine, and along with that came 1st old man... the route was just over 1km longer than last year, not enough to explain away the almost 10min I had lost the last years time, so it hadn't been a fast run, but I had enjoyed it.

The weekend was far from over with the 21.1 and the the 56km Ultra to be run on the Saturday...

This time I was on the side cheering the masses on. First stop was the 6km mark of the half, WOW 16000 people came flying by and since it was still mostly dark I didn't get to see every one. From there we (My lovely wife Dawn was with me) head to Kirstenbosch and the 16km mark. After watch the front of the field fly by, OK we stayed to see the field till the guys who would finish in under 1h50. Then it was off to the 29km mark in the 56km race to watch the leader come through. Again we didn't get to see all our friends pass, but with the leaders through the marathon mark it was time to catch them at the 49km. Again we hopped in the car headed to our next watching point.

This time it was for keeps...

One by one the tired bodies came passed...

running a couple of 100m with Ian

I clocked 17km running up and down the road supporting friend, and that isn't counting the walking I did with some of the guys who were broken... I like to think my few words helped a couple of them get their medals...

My medla from the trail

That was me weekend...

3 WEEKS of TRAINING

After African-X, like any other good Athlete (and by good I mean well behaved) I took the week off... OK I took 3 days off, OK I still ran but easy, only running 6km on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday was a really beauty of a day so I headed up to the Block House...

That's Nic, don't think Usain Bolt would have made it up there!!!

I think the legs must have recovered or the brain had stopped working, because with Friday a holiday I had time to head up the mountain... It was perfect up there, not a breath of wind or cloud, and early in the morning I was alone!

Maclear's Beacon

Now with the weekend behind up, and the rest week over it was time to start build-up to Oceans. While I am aiming at the 22km trail race most of my boys have the half in their sights, so the program would focus on them...

WEEK 1: with Monday's easy run behind us Tuesday had us on the road for 3-4 x 2km (90sec rest). (3 for the guys doing the half and 4 for the rest of us.
Wednesday I sent the boys off to run an easy 15km with a couple of long hills, while I ran 15km on the mountain following the Oceans trail route.
Thursday and it was time for the next session... HILLS, Oceans has plenty of hills and the boys need to be able to run up and down! The entrance to Rhodes mem has a long unforgiving hill of almost 500m... I called it a day after 7 reps, I must be getting old in the 90's I would be 10sec faster and run 10 of them...
Since there was a 30km race on Sunday I took Saturday easy only doing 16km (OK I popped up Nursery from home, a 750m climb). As for Sunday's 30km, well it was really just a training run and I was fine until the last 5km (which is all down hill) when my legs got tired so I couldn't pick up the pace and run with Eddie who had run with me till then...

WEEK 2: We changed the 2km reps for miles, and moved to the grass. I was running a little quicker and while I should have done 5 I stopped with the other at 4. (Lazy)
This week I joined the boys on the road, and while they only did 12km I did the full 16km.
Thursday was another long hills session, but we moved the hill to Boshoff Ave. and since it's not as steep the boys were flying on the way down watching their style... I've seen a lot of guys run a hilly race and after hammering the downs they haven't had the legs to run on. My boys should be ready!
I didn't want to drive out to the half on Saturday morning, so I headed for the mountain again. This time over Vlakkenberg, Manganese Mines, up Blackburn, through Silvermine, and back along Level 6 through Tokai Forest.

Love the sunny days

Half way up Blackburn

With over 1000m of climb on Saturday I went flat on Sunday taking Dawn with me, she was on the bike, and had to keep turning back for me!

WEEK 3: We again shortened the reps and this week it was 8 x 1000m (the half boys only did 5, but were flying). Wednesday's 15-16km run was run to 13km and Thursday's hill session was changed to 60sec fast up. I had planned on 15 of them, but number 10 was so slow I called it a day... OK I changed the rest of my session and just add 2 x long hills running them the way I would run them in a long race... (slowly on tired legs)

I'm please this week is over and week 4 is a taper week up to Oceans, I would not have made 4 hard weeks this time round.

Now as for the weekend? Well on these tired legs I'm going to line up for the 10km race and see if the legs will work, before running leg 2 of the cross country relay in the afternoon...