PETER GIDDY.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

HOGSBACK 21K TRAIL RUN 13TH DECEMBER 2014

DUNCAN; NATALIE; JOHN; BENITA AND CHILD AND PETER AT THE START

BENITA WAVES TO ANDREW WHILE I APPEAR TO BE PULLING UP MY SHORTS. JOHM IS FOCUSSED ON THE RUN.

John and I had first of all entered the Merrell Hogsback event and then I suppose, just because we can, we decided to enter this event as well.

We left PE at around 2.30 on the Friday afternoon, Petrol had been short in PE due to delivery issues and so we decided to fill up at Colchester. This took a while as there was a line of cars at the pumps. Finally we were off. Today we had to contend with traffic. It may have been that there were people leaving PE after "factory shut down" or maybe it was simply a Friday afternoon. But we had traffic all the way to Fort Beaufort; trucks and cars.

The drive to Hogsback is about 270km and took us over 3 1/2 hours. To our surprise there was already a caravan and tent in "our spot". It was getting dark and misty so we set up camp on the road side. We were in a bit of a rush when we left home and I had forgotten the tent pegs which I had dried out after the camping of two weeks ago. Despite our small setbacks our camp turned out to be okay in the end.

We drove up to the Arminel Hotel and registered. Sharon gave us really good Hoody Tops as well as a Tog Bag. The last time I had done this event we were also given a small tog bag but mine had been stolen from my car. I have a hoody from 2013 when I was due to run the event but we were in East London staying with Ben (for Ally's water polo tournament) and I had not run but Cristin had collected my hoody for me.

We had supper at the Light House restaurant again; same beers and same pizza's. Boring but nice. As we sat in the restaurant it began to rain quite heavily. Back at the tent we settled in with a Movie on my Laptop. I was extremely tired and with the combination of a drive, supper and beer; I was asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.

I ASKED THE OWNER OF THE LIGHTHOUSE TO PUT THE FIRE ON AS IT WAS A CHILLY AND WET EVENING.

Saturday Morning the race was due to start at 8.00am. We had an early breakfast; John brings his spare kettle and we are able to make some porridge with a cup of tea. At the start of the event we meet up with the Bartons; Benita is feeling the cold and wearing three layers. It is just 9degrees and my feet and hands are "tingling" with the cold. Duncan and Natalie join us. Mike Webb from Kingwilliamstown; who I met many years ago doing trail runs with Dave and Chel Gassner, was there . He now "sweeps" for the 100km trail run and tells me that he has done 13 of there events.

JOHN; BENITA; CALEY AND PETER AT THE START

DUNCAN AND NATALIE ADJUSTING BENITA'S PACK.

The race organisers inform us that the start is delayed as they are waiting for some people to arrive. And then as we are about to start there is a second delay as they are still marking the trail. Finally the race starts at about 8.20am. There appear to be over 200 participants. The Ten and 21k events start at the same time and will split after about 6km.

The course starts off across the road down the Arbortotium (forest reserve) and right up a forest road. Then we turn left into the forest through some beautiful grassy trails. Then begins one of the toughest (steep and long) climbs. It is humid, misty and we are drenched as we climb up and up. I am reminded of one of the climbs that we do on the Woodridge trail. This one must be at least a kilometer of hard slog, single track, steep climb.

John, Benita, Duncan and Natalie have gone on ahead. John meets up with Cyril; who we met in 2013 and who we have seen at various events. He runs with Cyril for most of the second half of the distance.

BEAUTIFUL FOREST PATHWAYS

At the end of the climb we are rewarded by a view of the Kettle Spout where we were just two weeks ago. And again after this we make our way along more single track narrow and slippery down hill before emerging at the bottom back on the forest road. I had taken a Bum Slide fall on this section. No injury fortunately.

KETTLE SPOUT

Back on the forest road we climb for a short while before the first refreshment station. At this point the 10km runners turn left. This is where the "park bench" is where I had taken a pic of Seeth and Sheena two weeks ago.

The rest of us continue up the forest road. This continues for a long way, up and up. I met Robin (a gaenacologist from East London). They had bought a property at Hogsback and she tells me that her Husband is busy working on the property as they plan to build a residence for themselves. The runners who take part in this event are mostly from EL. It is a drive of less then 150km for them.
Robin tells me she knows Lizette Owen (MPRG). Robin uses this outing as a stress reliever and soul builder. Being a gaenacologist is not an easy job; the hours are tough and the job is made even tougher by greedy lawyers suing doctors who are simply trying their best to help patients. Patients develop selective hearing and accuse doctors of all kinds of misrepresentation.

I leave her at the top of the hill where the second water table is situated. When I did this run with Svenje in 2012 this hill had been completely engulfed by mist. We had no idea where we were. Today it was slightly misty but more Humid. At least we could see across the valley and down to the dam which you drive past on your way to Hogsback. The fields and villages are spread below you. If you know what to look for, you are able to pick out the Arminel Hotel.

THE VIEWS AS YOU CLIMB TOWARDS THE SECOND WATER TABLE

From the Second water table (about 9 - 10km mark) we make a right turn. This morning we were into a fairly strong breeze which made the next section quite cold as our shirts were saturated after the long climb and the damp air. But we soon started to warm up as we are on an open jeep track and in the morning sun. From up here you are able to see across the valley to where the next water table is. It will be about 4 to 5kays of running before we get there. Although there are some hills, this is the easiest section of the course. It is along forest roads and jeep tracks and reasonable easy terrain.

We pass the last water table at about 14km and descend along more forest roads. There are again some up hills but nothing too hectic. And the roads are relatively easy to negotiate. One of the difficult parts of running a trail is that you are constantly having to watch your footing or you will end up tripping and falling.

RUNNING ON JEEP TRACKS AND FOREST ROADS IS A LOT EASIER THAN THE SINGLE TRACK. THIS EVENT HAS TWO REALLY TOUGH SECTIONS. FIRST CLIMBING UP TO THE KETTLE SPOUT AND THEN THE SECOND IS THE FINAL TWO KM DESCENDING TO THE FINISH.

At this stage I am more or less running with two couples and the man tells me that we have just 3km to go. We run down a shale / gravel section of road. My legs are tired and I have to concentrate to stop myself from tripping on the stones. I look across the valley and see runners climbing up a hill across to the left. We turn off the forest road down a valley and then have this long steep single track field to climb. At the top you have to be very careful to look for the markers. In 2012 Devon and other runners had turned left and had done an extra about 5km. You have to turn right and down a steep section of single track. This last three km takes me at least 30 to 40 minutes. I am not steady on my feet going down slippery, muddy trails and find myself on my bum on a number of occasions.

I grab hold of branches to steady myself and end up with thorny bush in my grip. And then even when you are at the bottom of this section there is a "never ending" trail -- up and down where you are not able to do much more than a fast walk at any stage. Windy and overgrown and slippery. At last we emerge at an old hut and onto the forest road which is familiar from two weeks ago. Past the Arbortorium.

I put my head down and determine to Not Walk over the last two hundred meters. John is waiting for me and I finish in just under four hours. He has been here for about an hour.

Back at the camp we take down the tent which is still damp, shower and leave for PE just before 13.00. The drive home is much easier than the drive to Hogsback and takes us just over 3hours. I drop John off, unpack the car, wolf down some lunch -- I am shaking with hunger -- and then go to Summerstrand to fetch Ally from her lifeguard duty. She has had a 10 hour duty shift.

Jacqui took her family to the Kragga Kamma game park and saw a multitude of animals. Safari duty done.

DUE TO SOME PEOPLE ARRIVING LATE AND FIXING THE MARKERS ON THE TRAIL WE START THE EVENT ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATE.

SMALL GATHERING OF PE PEOPLE AT THE ARMINEL POOL

DUNCAN; NATALIE AND BENITA AT THE FINISH OF THE HOGSBACK 21K

RUNNING THROUGH THE FORESTS OF HOGSBACK MAKES THIS TRAIL WORTHWHILE.
SHORTLY AFTER THIS SECTION WE START THE LOOOOONG CLIMB ON A SINGLE TRACK TRAIL UP TO THE KETTLE SPOUT. AND THEN AFTER A SHORT DESCENT WE START CLIMBING AGAIN -- ON FOREST ROAD UP TO THE HALFWAY POINT.

Monday, December 1, 2014

HOGSBACK HOBBITON 16 AND 38K TRAIL RUN NOVEMBER 2014

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING AT SWALLOW TAIL CAMP; HOGSBACK.

John Nelson and Andrew Jonas have been training hard for this event. They have been running in the Baakens Valley on Sunday mornings as well as doing some long runs in the week. John did the 38k last year and experienced how tough the event is.
I had attempted to run the 38 but had to bail at 24k as it was just too tough for me. We heard that there were 36 runners taking part in the 100k which starts the other side of KingWilliamstown and is a Two Day event. Cristin Flynn was amoungst that group.

We left Port Elizabeth on Friday 28th afternoon at about 2pm. We had borrowed the trailer from Andrew Barton but managed to put all our stuff into the car and left the trailer at home. Stopped at Nanaga for a snack and then traveled via Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort. The drive took us just on 3hours.

TENT IS SET AND WE ENJOY OUR FIRST BEER OF THE EVENING

ANDREW HAS THIS NEW STRETCHER AND MAKES HIMSELF COMFORTABLE

We had booked at the Swallow Tail 082 800 8731 045 962 1317 where we had camped on previous occasions. In a short while we had set up camp. Andrew had a new stretcher that he was trying out. To save on space, John and I were going to sleep on a mattress on the floor.
As soon as we were packed out, John offered us a cold beer which went down well and we spent a short while relaxing before making our way to the Lighthouse Restaurant. When camping like this for just one night I find it easier to do no cooking at camp and choose instead to eat out. I had not expected the evening to be quite as cool as it was. The mist and cool breeze made wearing of warm tops necessary.

JOHN AND ANDREW DISCUSS THE UPCOMING RUN

PIZZA'S AT THE LIGHTHOUSE RESTAURANT WITH A FIRE IN THE MIDDLE.

We ordered two pizza's to share with draught beers. It seems that the owners are fairly new and were keen to serve good quality Pizzas. We were more than satisfied and finished every last scrap.

Back at the Tent Site we were soon bedding down and watching a Series movie on my Laptop. I could hardly stay awake after the drive and the beers.

JANE BARNARDO; JOHN AND ANDREW. ALL SET TO GO WITH FULL BACKPACKS

Saturday morning 29th.
We are all up early. We had brought some breakfast cereals and John boiled the kettle for tea. The 38k started at 7am and so we were at the Arminel Hotel at 6.30; Registered and greeted some of the PE people who we know. Jane Barnardo would run to a first place in a time of around 6.40 I think. Graham is the main organizer and he tried to explain the route in a briefing session. Unfortunately it is not easy to follow his instructions when standing like that in the morning. And at 7am the group of about 30 runners took off.

PE GROUP OFF TO RUN THE 16K. SEETH; PETER; SEAN; SHEENA AND OTHERS.

THE 38K GROUP IS OFF AT 7AM. JOHN AND ANDREW ON THE LEFT.

I had also registered and was ready to start the 16k but found out that it was only due to start at 9am. So I drove back to camp where I lay down and slept for an hour. I needed that sleep and felt a lot better afterwards. I met Steve and James in the camp. They are from East London and we drove to the start together. We too had a race briefing and started down the main road at 9am. Left at "Away with Fairies" camping and then down a single track hiking trail all the way down and down to the river at the bottom.

The trail is tricky and has many places to trip and fall if you are not careful. Rocks and roots and slippery underfoot can easily lead to trouble. After what I estimated to be 5k we took a short detour to see the Madonna Waterfalls. Here there were a number of DSG girls and other hikers who were in the pool. I too decided that a swim and cool off would be a good idea. Steve was with me at this stage but he left and I had to work quite hard later on to catch him.

MADONNA FALLS

MADONNA FALLS. SWIM WITH A BIG GROUP OF DSG GIRLS AND OTHER HIKERS.

After the falls there is a steep climb back to the forest road. Here we run for a short while before we take a left turn into the forest again. The forest pathway is not easy and is full of ups and downs and twists and turns. Finally we emerge onto a Loggers Jeep track which takes us Up and Up. I try to run and walk as much as I can. At about 8 or 9k we find the only water table for the 16k. At this stage if you were doing the 38k you would have to make a right turn up a steep incline. I was glad to be able to stay on the Jeep Track with Seeth; Sean; Sheena; Steve and James.

AT THE 9KM WATER TABLE. WITH 7KM TO GO WE ARE ALL HAPPY THAT WE DONT HAVE TO GO UP ---- THERE. WITH PETER; SEAN; SHEENA AND SEETH.

STEVE AND JAMES WERE GOOD COMPANY ON THE TRAIL THIS MORNING

The next four or five km is along the Forest Roads mostly uphill. Sean went off ahead. I tend to run or walk with my head down and so on two occasions missed the turns. Fortunately I was called back. Seeth, Sheena and I find the Bench which is dedicated to the dogs of a local person. At the top of the hill we turn left and find the Kettle Spout. This is a waterfall that tends to spurt out as a Kettle would do. The lookout point is a dangerous area where you can look across to the spout but could just as easily fall over to certain death if you are not careful. There is no railing or other safety mechanism.

SHEENA RELAXES WITH SEETH FALLING ASLEEP ON THE PARK BENCH.

KETTLE SPOUT POINT WITH SHEENA

SEETH AND SHEENA WITH THIS AMAZING VIEW OVER THE MOUNTAINS

SEETH SAYS: THIS IS THE BEST VIEW!

THE WORLD FAMOUS SEETH . HE MUST HAVE TAKEN A NOSE DIVE INTO A MUDDY SECTION TO BE QUITE AS MUDDY AS THIS. MICHELLE WAS BACK AT CAMP: IN HER WORDS; "I AM KNOCKED UP"

The final few Km takes the runners through a single track where the 38k and 100k runners come past us. You need to be a little careful as the rocks and roots are slippery and it is easy to fall with tired legs. This is exactly what I did and found myself sliding down a ditch. Seeth pulled me out. The last 500m is back on a Jeep Track and then finally back to the Arminel Hotel.

I have taken 3 hours for this 16k. I anticipate that John and Andrew will take around 7 hours so I think that I have about two hours to shower and pack. Back at the camp I have myself a really good, long shower and have a bit of a relax before making my way back to the finish area. I want to sleep but think that I will miss them coming in. So I stand with a group of people and watch the runners coming up the final hill.

John comes in at about 7.40. We enquire about Andrew and find that he must be about an hour behind John. We think that he must have got lost at one stage as he was ahead of John. This turned out to be correct. John has a wash and we pack the tent and wait for Andrew who comes in at about 8.40. He is fine. Seeming to have enjoyed his outing. The extra hour or more was due to him becoming lost and having to back track. He had phoned Graham and found out that he was completely on the wrong track.

The medal for this event is a Clay Warthog which is made by Local people.

We all pack up and drive home to try to be home before dark. As we approach the Nanaga interchange we see some of the worst (Dangerous) driving that you will ever see. Cars and Taxi's overtaking on blind rises, on left bends where there is no visibility and finally a taxi passes us into oncoming cars, hooting and flashing his head lights telling the oncoming cars to get out of his way.

We arrive safely, drop Andrew off at home. Dianne comes to fetch John who still has to go to a Dinner Party. I am too tired to think much further and fall asleep early this evening.

ANDREW FINISHES LOOKING AMAZINGLY FRESH.

ANDREW EXPLAINS TO JOHN HOW HE BECAME LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS.

this mail from the organisers says it all:

A massive WELL DONE to all of you who conquered the Hobbit trail runs.

The 38km and 16km routes are possibly the toughest in their distances in the country. You are all champions for getting through them. The tamer and gentler 5km route proved very popular and gave you a great sense of the forests and single track that the area has to offer.

With the great weather, awesome views, fantastic trails and happy, exhausted runners, we could not have asked for more. It made our day to see you all cross the line, collapse on the lawn and soak up the sun. The Arminel Hotel proved to be the ideal venue and the vibe at the finish was wonderful.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

WIND TURBINE TRAIL RUN -- BLUE HORIZON BAY -- PORT ELIZABETH NOVEMBER 2014

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.

HELOUISE; JULIA AND TARRYN AT THE START OF THE EVENT.

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.

SHEENA; GEORGIE; CONNOR; PETER WADE AND SEAN.

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.

JULIA SETS OFF AT A FAST WALK WITH THIS LADY WHO SHE MET AT THE START.

OCTAVIA PASSES THE FIRST TURBINE

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.

FINAL WATER TABLE. A HUGE DISSAPPOINTMENT TO SOME AS THERE WAS STILL ONE MORE HILL TO CLIMB.

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.

HELOUISE FINISHES HER 18K EVENT.

OCTAVIA; WEARING EDGEMEAD COLOURS; AS THEY ARE FROM CAPE TOWN FINISHING THE 12K TRAIL RUN.

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.