REDHOUSE RIVER MILE 2012: ALLY AND NATALIE LINE UP TO REGISTER
SURFERS MARATHON 2012 IN EAST LONDON; REDHOUSE RIVER MILE 2912 OFF ROAD TRIATHLON AND SWIM AT SUNDAYS RIVER
Friday 17th Feb 2012 Charles and I go to watch Rugby at the Stadium. We arrive earlier than we needed to but the time passed quickly. We bought a couple of Draft beers and Hamburgers. We had to move up as the rain fell quite steadily at one time. We had a good group of spectators around us. The first half went quite well and ended 10 -3 to the Sharks. The second half was not nearly as easy as the Sharks ran in try after try. We managed one try to end the game around 37 to 13. A good evening out.
KINGS PLAY SHARKS WITH MANY SPRINGBOK PLAYERS INCLUDING PATRICK LAMBIE
I LOVE GOING TO RUGBY IN THIS STADIUM.
Saturday morning Tommy Satchwell fetches me. Travelling with us are Bob Stedman and Graham Nel. We are off to run the Surfers Marathon in East London. Tommy and I have done this before two years ago. Last year Ally had a Polo tournament at Selbourne over the same weekend and I used the opportunity to run the race. It will be Bob and Graham's first Surfers.
We take the costal road as the inland road is under construction. Stop in Port Alfred at the Wimpy and then drive through to EL where we meet up with a friend of Tommy who has collected our race numbers for us. Tommy then introduces us to Steve, an ex work colleague of his. This proves to be a really interesting morning as his wife gives us tea and they talk about the old days of their working on roads and some funny stories are swapped.
From here we drive to where the race finishes at Nahoon Beach. Grant Breedske is the resident Life Guard and he drives us throught to Kwelera Mouth. I was already in my running kit. The others get changed and ready for the run. We walk down to the start where we sit on the grass waiting for the start.
GRAHAM PUTS ON HIS RUNNING SHORTS
The gun goes off and as is always the case there is an immediate bottleneck and walking as runners somehow think that it is neccessary to avoid a slightly muddy patch, little knowing what they are still to encounter.
The first 6kays of this event are the toughest. We run along the pathway taking the High Road. The crowds split up and the bunching is less than it was earlier. But the terrain is the toughest that you will ever run. Small round rocks make it almost impossible to make any reasonable headway. The tide and the tail wind make the going a lot easier than it was in some of the previous runs that I have done. There is a lot of bamboo littering the beaches but this is not a problem as we kind of jog / jump over this. I saw a number of runners at the start with bare feet. They will not find this section easy.
TOMMY BUTTS IN AS HE GETS READY TO RUN, SWIM AND SLOSH AROUND ON THE SURFERS MARATHON.
The beaches are, as always, soft sand which plays havoc on any attempt to set up a steady stride. The flat rock sections are equally tough as the rocks are often slippery and certainly do not provide a smooth running surface. I found that in previous runs I was out of breath and feeling light headed. This afternoon I am feeling quite a bit stronger. I think that the fact that I had a Porrige and then a Wimpy breakfast makes a difference. But also the weather is in our favour. It is not as heavy or humid as we have experienced in previous years.
Finally we reach the Gonubie River. We have to cross a rocky and boulders section before we finally have that long awaited first swim of the day. The tide is rushing out. The pull on the river is strong. I move up a little and then have an amazing swim. The water is so refreshing and cool. Just what I have been waiting for. I have been running through the water on the beach so this swim does a bit of cleaning of my shoes.
Strangely enough the wet shoe does not worry me at all. Soon after running into Gonubie my shoes feel quite normal again. The first bit of the Tar Road run into Gonubie is now up a hill. It is quite a long hill and I am able to Vas Byt this section. Jog down towards the Gonubie hotel where I again see my faithful supporter and work Colleague; Abe Cilliers. He has a beer in hand and looks like he is enjoying his afternoon in the sun watching all these tired bodies making their way into his territory.
GRANT TOMMY GRAHAM AND BOB
The Gonubie run is around 6 kays of tar road. There are a couple of hills but nothing that deters us. I run past Chel Gassner and her friend Hiedi. They have run the Wild Coast run. This run starts at Port St Johns and for the next 6 days takes the athletes along the Wild Coast beaches and hills until they finally reach Kwelera and they end the 260kay event with the Surfers Marathon. Chel started at Hole in the Wall so avoided the first two days which is the longest and toughest. My running partner from the time I did this run -- Patrick -- joined them there. Patricks friend, Colleen, has moved to PE and has run with her cousin, Lyn for the past few weeks. Colleen is certainly no slouch herself when it comes to running.
I catch up to Graham and to Ian Ross and we run together off and on for the next section of the event. The support in Gonubie Village is amazing. The locals come out in their thousands to watch and support their friends running. Hose pipes and showers are abundant on the road. The seconding is far better than I remembered. Over the 18kays there are a total of 7 water points. So as long as you take water regularly you will not dehydrate.
We run out of Gonubie and down onto the beach again. This race is made up of three 6 kay sections. The first is the toughest with the soft sand, rocks and boulders, then there is the 6kays through Gonubie on Tar road. Here you have to put your head down as slog it out, The final six kays is from Gonubie to Nahoon. There are long flat sections of beach. Nothing as tough as the first six kays. But this section seems endless. I see a good couple of shoes being discarded. Amoung them is a pair of New Balance that look in better condition than my own running shoes. So I pick them up and carry them with me. A bit of a burden but I know that in just over half an hour I will be finished this event and that these shoes could, if they fit, be worn for many months ahead.
TOMMY AND GRAHAM GETTING READY TO RUN SURFERS MARATHON WITH BOB CHANGING IN THE CAR.
From the time that I came out of the Gonubie river I have run solidly. I am able to jog at a steady pace. Not fast but I notice that I am passing some of the runners who had passed me earlier. Bob is ahead of us. I know that he will be grinding it out relentlessly. He is a real hard core sticker when it comes to tough stuff. So I try my best to keep a steady jog going. Finally we reach the last swim of the day. The Nahoon river. Here the tide is really pushing out and we have to hang onto the rope to stop ourselves being washed out to sea.
The final 500 meters are run in the rain. This has the effect of making the sand a little firmer to run on. I am used to this section as a tough little end to the run. But today we are spoilt as the going is as easy as it will ever be.
Cross the finishing line. Claim the T-shirt which will be worn with pride over the next few days in East London. I try to find my group but cannot see any of them. It is cold and the wind makes it unpleasant standing there. So I walk to where I think that Grant will have parked the car in the Caravan Park. Here I find Graham and soon the rest of the group arive.
PETER TOMMY GRAHAM AND BOB
We drive slowly up and out of the parking area. Drop Grant off at his home and after a stop for Milkshakes at Friesland we are on our way back to PE. Stop in Port Alfred for a hamburger and refuel. Tommy drops us all at our homes where we are able to be in bed by around 9 or 10. I certainly make short work of a cup of tea before closing my eyes for the night.
Sunday morning.
I am up early for the Redhouse River Mile event. I load my bike and the rest of the kit. You have to think carefully for a triathlon. There are so many bits and pieces to think about. But I am soon ready and at around 7.30 fill up with petrol and drive out to Colchester at the Sundays River. I register for the Triathlon and push the bike to transition. I did this event last year and was shocked by the number of people who had flat tyres. We received an email reminding us to put Slime into our tyres. During the week I had done a bit of a double up on the slime. Adding a bit more just in case.
BRIAN SAUNDERS IS A STRONG SWIMMER AND IS NO SLOUCH ON THE MTB. HE TELLS ME THAT HE MAY BATTLE ON THE RUN. BUT HE IS STRONG AND KNOWS HOW TO RUN.
At the transition I see Charles' friend Martin and his son George who will be doing the event. Brian Saunders, Chris and Rob Elfick are there. Michelle is there. Sharon Wilson -- a braver woman I dont know. Sharon is a sure thing at these tough events. Headwig who was at the Bushmans ride last year. Rob Ermes as always. Dave Emslie. Sjani comes to wish us well. It is a great pity that she injures so easily as Sjani runs well when she is on the road. She will not be back with us until the middle of this year.
RONEL RUNS THE 5KAY TRAIL RUN WITH THE DAUGHTER OF A FRIEND
We start with a swim from the slipway in front of the main area. The swim is with the tide towards the sea and then turns back against the current. The tide is extremely low and we are able to kind of walk swim back to the slipway. Back on the grass and up to transition. Here I put on my tackies, helmet, gloves, remove the cap and goggles, pick up my camelback and get going. We ride a short distance along the side of the river and then up and over the bridge that runs over the N2. down the other side and then onto grassy and dirt tracks. There are literally thousands of thorns. Every now and then I run my hand over the front wheel to get rid of some of the thorns.
Along the road I see only three or four cyclists who have punctures. Most of us have slimed our tyres and tubes and have avoided punctures. The ride is fun, not too technical but also not boring. I pass Sharon. She swims well and so has a good lead on me to start off with. We ride together for a short while. Along the rail track. Through path ways and some rough terrain but finally back to the village and down tot he river. I am not brave enough to cycle down the steep grassy patch but am soon back in transition.
TRANSITION IS A BUSY AREA. BUT NOT WHEN I GET IN. MOST OF THE RUNNERS ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY OR FINISHED.
Rack the bike on the bales of hay. Remove the pack, helmet, gloves and start the slow jog along the river. Here I know that I can hold my own. Not fast. But just above a walk. We go back over the freeway bridge and back down to the cycle path that we have just been on. It is hot and humid. There is no breeze. The steam from the bush seems to attack us. Close and sweaty is how I describe it. I pass a number of the stronger cyclists. I am able to raise my pace just above a walk to a miserable shuffle otherwise known as a jog.
Back to the village. We are all so hot and tired now but make our way to the finish line. Ronel greets me. I am so glad to be finished this tough event. I pack up and push the bike to where Ronel and her group of friends are sitting. They go off to prize giving and I change and then wheel the bike back to the car. I keep just what I will need for the swim and then join Dave Emslie on the river side.
PETER FINISHES THE OFF ROAD TRIATHLON. IT IS A GOOD EVENT. ENOUGH TO WORK UP A SWEAT BUT NOT SO TOUGH THAT IT IS OUT OF MY LEAGUE.
Ally gets a lift with the Billsons and I meet up with her at registration. Once we have all our stuff: cap and wrist band and been body marked by Cheryl Kotze we move back to where I have left my stuff. Ally is feeling very nervous for this swim and this makes her nauseous. We agree that she has many years ahead to do this kind of thing and if she is not feeling up to it there is no reason for force the issue now.
REDHOUSE RIVER MILE: ALLY AND NATALIE LINE UP TO REGISTER
We watch the finish of the Girls event where Jessica Roux makes a debut win and then Ally agrees to carry our stuff back from the finish. Markus and MC Burri are there and take Ally up on this offer. This is just as well as there are so many Devil Thorns on the path that walking is really unpleasant for most of the swimmers. Ally is saving us a most painful walk.
I enter the start area just as the race briefing is taking place. What there is to brief on a swim I am not sure but soon afterwards we all take to the water and the race starts as soon as we are all behind the designated buoys. I have a good pair of goggles and detirmine to swim the whole way. The only time that I swim breast stroke is when I bump into another swimmer or when I look up to see where I am going. Otherwise I swim crawl the whole way. It is not easy to guage your distance when swimming. So just press on and make the best of the tide and tail wind.
This turns out to be one of my better swims as I am finished in around 25 minutes. We all bunch up at the finish but are soon past the finish line and walk up to the grassy area. Ally is waiting where we have our kit. We pack up and drive home. For me this has been a fun day and not nearly as tiring as I anticipated.
A fun weekend. I am not sure if I will do the Saturday and the Sunday events again next year. But time will tell.
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