God the first working day of the year, not a bad one, afterall the office is so dead I didn’t have much to do, but the issue with that is that doesn’t half drag. I’ve been a member of Atlantic Athletic Club (AAC) for over two years now. Whilst I know people train themselves for long distance (which I think starts at marathon length) I have no idea how you can motivate yourself for long months of training without the help and spirit of a running club. The best thing about clubs is the majority of members are better than you. Been there done that, and got multiple hideous race t-shirts in the cupboard. So when you are hyperventilating over your first marathon or half, there will always being a calm voice in your ear giving you advice. There is nothing like getting the club’s praise and attention once you’ve completed your first race, got a PB or gone further than you thought possible.

Running notes
Route: Kloof Nek car park to the Lower Cable Station turn at the end of the tarmac on Tafelberg Road and back
Height climbed: 180m
Time started: 15:48
Total time: 1:33:06
Total distance: 13.28km
Average pace: including stops 7:00 min/km
Weather conditions: Sunny
Temperature: 26˚
Runner’s condition: Whinging