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| WIND TURBINE TRAIL RUN AT BLUE HORIZON BAY |
WIND TURBINE TRAIL RUN -- BLUE HORIZON BAY -- PORT ELIZABETH NOVEMBER 2014
I had met Julia in Plett a few weeks ago and she had told me of the Wind Turbine Run. It is something that I had suggested to Don Mc Gillivray some time ago but never followed up on. So I determined to enter the race with Julia. She had invited her friend (Tarryn) to join her as well.
During the week I found out that Helouise Erasmus would also be taking part. The four of us ended up driving together.
Julia met me at our house; we then collected Helouise and Tarryn. We had left at around 7.15 for a race that started at 8.30 at Blue Horizon Bay. We arrived in plenty of time. It was an easy venue to find as I had run this section of the road from Draaifontein Corner to the Van Staadens River Mouth on many occasions when training for Comrades.
We could see the Turbines from far off and found the turn off easily.
The announcer told us that there would be a race briefing. We greeted familiar faces and gathered together in the lager of caravans and activity for the race briefing. Chris is the main organizer. He explained the route which was simple enough -- Follow the pink ribbons (on your left hand side).
There were three events -- 18k; 12k and 5k. Helouise would start off first on the 18k trail. The lead bike showed them the way and then came back for the 12k runners. That included Julia who planned to walk the whole way. Octovia; and myself.
Finally it was the turn of Tarryn who was taking part in her first trail run (She is a Horse Rider).
Julia had not done this kind of distance for some time and was very nervous (she did not sleep at all and had woken up tired).
We later hear that Tarryn had run her heart out on the descent. Little children leaping along the pathway with Tarryn in tow. Then from the bottom of the hill most of the children faded and so Tarryn was able to make up some time and pressed on to take third ladies position at the end of the event.
We set off along the dirt road with the Turbines on both sides of us. These Turbines are enormous structures with the Alternator at the top the size of a small house. They were still when we arrived as the wind had not picked up but when we left they were starting to rotate. The blades tend to make a gentle Wooshing noise.
Shortly after setting off we started to descend. It is a long downhill to the stream below. This is clearly a MTB trail as well as there are plenty of MTB obstacles. We ran down the hill, through bushes and down to the stream. I run through streams. It was too early to have a swim but actually I should have as there was no place later on for a swim in the stream.
From the bottom of the hill there is a short section of flat and then we climb back up to the Wind Turbines and past the start area. I had been able to jog most of the way to here with occasional short breaks of walking. There is little or no breeze down at the bottom so I take off my shirt for the rest of the run. I see that a number of other chaps did the same.
Once past the start area we descend again down some steep sections back to the stream. It was around this time that I started to fade. I had lost my energy. Even though it was mainly downhill I was slowing down considerably.
Fortunately I had brought a Squeegy (energy syrup) and I had a small bottle of water. So I slurped the GU and washed it down with some water and then was able to get going again.
There were Three water tables in the first section before we passed the start area and then two more in the second half. We were well hydrated -- just needed a bit of sugar.
Once we passed the table at the bottom of the hill at the stream again it was a long, steep climb back to the top of the hill. I was feeling re-energized and was able to push up a bit of a jog. We reached the top of the hill at the same level as the Turbines. As we ascended we, mistakenly, had thought that it should be pretty much flat to the finish.
But as we crested the hill and took a final sip of water from the table, we saw that we now had one more down and up to negotiate; a bit disappointing and I could see the dismay in some of the faces around me. The final hill is short and steep so we mainly jogged up the hill and then the final short stretch to the finish.
Keith, Zelda and Cytomax gave us a bit of an energy boost. I found Tarryn in the car studying. She is studying to be a teacher and has a year of Practical and final exams to finish in 2015. I changed and we walked back to the start area. Just then Julia and a lady who she had met, walked over the finish line. Shannon (friend of Helouise) finished with me. Octavia was next and then we waited for Helouise to finish the 18k. It had been a tough outing for her. I think that the heat got to most of the runners.
The Prize giving went slickly with Tarryn winning a third ladies prize and Julia a lucky draw pair of socks. Tarryn received a couple gifts but most valued was the Wooden Plaque.
We left immediately the prize giving was over and I dropped everyone back at their homes.
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