Trail Running – my favourite part of winter

This winter however has been FUN!!!

I have been running a lot more than last winter!  That was not hard, last winter I was off injured for the majority of the time.

There are some amazing trails around PE and we have been making the most of them.  Most of them are free, some you pay a nominal amount – all are very worth it.

Here are a few of my favourite photos

First, My favourite one of me running.  (Thank you Willie Lawson for taking it)

Me – Trail running, my happy place.  Woodridge Trail Run

3 Rivers Trails, training run

Baakens Valley Series organised by Free Spirit Adventures

Alexandria running on the Hiking Trail (thanks Linda Rowe Photography) also organised by Free Spirit Adventures

My awesome sister (and Drylands partner)

Under Van Staden’s Bridge. An informal run to support the Friends of van Stadens and the Flower Reserve

Did you know that it is free to visit the Van Stadens Flower reserve and there are walks, runs and mountain bike trails that you can use all year round.

Crossways Farm Village

King Protea 3 Rivers Trails – Crossways

3 Rivers Trails – Crossways

Notes on the 3 of the venues:

In Port Elizabeth – Baakens Valley – FREE!!  There are many access points to the Valley all throughout the city.  It is free to run, walk or bike here but it is advisable to go in a group.  We have not had any problems but I have heard of some people being harrased or mugged. BE CAREFUL

Port Elizabeth – Surrounding areas:

Van Stadens Flower Reserve, access on on the same road as the Van Stadens Pass and Woodridge Schools. You can visit the Facebook group “Friends of Van Stadens or the website VAN STADENS: for more info.  The reserve spans both sides of the N2 and is stunning.  Entry is free of charge and there are easy walks, hikes and bike paths. There are also more challenging trails for running and walking. The vegetation is diverse and has wooded areas and fynbos.  It is awesome.

3 Rivers Trails – Crossways Farm Village  Cost R40.00 For more information visit their Facebook page or website 3 Rivers Trails.  The trails are marked and there are many different options for mountain biking, running and walking and all different distances. Each time we have been we have done a different route.  Those that did the Port Elizabeth leg of the Rhino Run will know it – this was the venue. Sign in and pay at the Crossways Farm Village Country Kitchen.  If you plan on doing parts of the Longmore Forest, you will also need a forestry permit.

If you would like to stay up to date on trail runs in the Port Elizabeth area there is a group on Facebook called Trail Adventures which is updated regularly.

Hitting the trails

(I love this picture – all lined up to wave goodbye as Mr OL leaves for work)

 

I have started running regularly again and I am happy girl.

This past weekend I did the Sunshine Coast Trail Run and it was awesome. I even managed to be sensible about the whole thing and restrict myself to the 8km option. There was a 20km but I figured that was pushing it a bit and one sure fire way to get injured again, so sanity prevailed. I did this race last year as well, and although I thought I was way fitter last year I found this year easier. Maybe I went slower. I think I walked pretty much the same amount.

However, sanity can only prevail for so long though and I have entered the 20km Rhino Run to be held on the 22 September…… To those of you that have not heard of the Rhino Run, you should look into it. They are held all around the country at the same time in aid off – yip Rhinos. There are even 3 options in the Eastern Cape, one at Crossways, and one at Kenton and one at East London, so no excuses (if you like trail running). There are 6km, 12km and 20km options. (You can enter the PE one HERE)
Then the Fairview Dryland is getting closer and closer! I am getting more and more excited and nervous! But I figure I will be walking most of those hills no matter how fit I am so I may as well look at it as a bit of hike and less of a run…….
Next weekend it is also the Urban Run. That is my all-time favourite fun event. I LOVE it. I am so glad that I will be able to do it as I was getting rather nervous that my foot would be ok. Looks like it will be fine.
OK, enough updates for now.
Wait – one more.     I have been getting customer photos for SA Medal Hangers and it has been so much fun to see everybody’s medals. Can I just say I am loving this!  I have put the photos upon Facebook – go have a look.  Such awesome achievements. I get excited for them.  Look at all those Ironman SA medals

SA Medal Hangers

Urban Run – wow!

Yesterday was the first Urban Run held in Port Elizabeth!  All I can say is wow!!!  I had a great time, it was tough and I am covered in scrapes and bruises and a cut on my knee but it was all worth it.   My brother had to unfortunately cancel as he was very sick that morning, but we “adopted” somebody for the day – Vuyani.  A brother by another mother…. or so we decided.  We only met him 3 minutes before the start of the race, but bonded quite quickly.  Mud, grime and pushing each other over obstacles will do that.

All fresh at the start!

The course covered 12 km with 15 obstacles. They ranged from barely noticeable to “OH MY GLORY” hard.  The hardest for me was a scout style rope bridge across the river.  My stomach muscles are aching, although I am not sure if that is from al the laughing or the hanging on for dear life so that I did not end up in the water – as many others did.

Vuyani, preparing to give me a hand over the cargo net.

The whole event must have taken some amazing organistation, it was run through the city centre, including the station – were we had to run through a train (great fun) and through the harbor.  We ran through various buildings and up and down stairways that I did not even know existed.  We had to climb a cargo net up and over the wall of Fort Frederick and then drop down through a window once inside. 

Up and over.

TMy sister through the window and dropping down the other side

One of the great things was running through the city.  We saw parts of it we have either not seen in many years, or have not seen at all.  The Braakens Valley was absolutely stunning – but is now unsafe to run in alone (thanks to all the police on their horse looking after us down there).  I really hope that this becomes an annual event, I know I will be back next year!

View of the Fort and surrounds

Not so fresh at the finish - 2 hours 23 minutes later

The medals make it all worthwhile!

Thanks mom for taking the photos.