Got up too late again, burnt my shoulders, burnt my nose, burnt that patch of skin where my hair is parted, great racer-back tan line, but that lie in sure was nice.

Running notes
Route: My flat to Kloof Nek, Signal Hill and back to Kloof Nek, up to the cable station, back to the flat
Height climbed: 350m
Time started: 09:12
Total time: 1:54:22
Total distance: 19.24km
Average pace: 5:56 min/km
Temperature: 28˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

I had a great view of their backs up Chapman’s Peak this morning. Nothing like being the last man on a mega hill. Sue, Caroline and Robert are all seriously experienced hill/trail runners so I did have to suck it up and try to keep the distance between them and me as small as possible. At one point Robert was a small pin prick in front of me on the hairpin bends, so the gap was a bit on the large side. Still I’m pretty good on the downhills and beat them all back to the Chapman’s Peak Hotel. Nothing like a bit of competition eh?

Running notes
Route: Chapman’s Peak Hotel via Chapman’s Peak Drive to Noordhoek, loop in Noordhoek and back
Height climbed: 400m
Time started: 06:03
Total time: 2:50 with about 20 mins break for drinks etc
Total distance: 29.7km
Temperature: 24˚
Runner’s condition: Fine despite having to get up at 4:45am

I tried to take a half day in lieu of the Joburg trip which involved sleep deprivation, and an average working day of 17 hours on Monday, Tuesday and most of Wednesday (welcome to the world of the creative pitch). When I made the fatal mistake of just ‘quickly’ checking my emails on the way out for my 8km time trial and 40 minute jog. Well, after three crisis telephone calls, and much stroking of design feathers I got out at 11.30am, and went to the reservoir to run laps which was my intention two hours earlier. Oh hell it was hot (had I left my brain in Joburg as well?) I had to get back in the car after two laps of said reservoir because I couldn’t see through the sweat which was stinging my poor dehydrated eyes and drive to the gym. Nightmare. This welcome but irritating break clearly skewed my results (which I am still pretending I could have done by myself) and by the time I finished I was in such a huff I didn’t even bother with the other 40 minutes.

Running notes
Route: Reservoir and gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 05:05
Total distance: 8km
8km time trial: 39: 58
8km average pace: 4:59 min/km
Temperature: 32˚ (probably less, but it certainly felt like it)
Runner’s condition: Dessicated from evil Joburg flights
Song of the run: You’re S*@” and You Know You Are. Okay I don’t have this football chant on my ipod, but it would have been fitting.

This morning I woke up at 1753m above sea level. Yes, I’m in Joburg this week lucky me. In fact I consider myself even luckier that I had the chance to run through Fourways for an hour and a half at 6.30am dodging the worst rush hour traffic in the world. Those ‘poor’ peeps in their Lexus Hybrids certainly weren’t going anywhere fast on William Nichol this morning.

I was surprised (between gasps for breath, and the onset of altitude sickness) to see a bit of wildlife in this city of 10 million souls. Wafting above the sprinklers and perfectly manicured lawns which are concealed behind concrete walls and electrified fences (strong enough to keep an elephant out and the rich egos in) was a clutch of weaver bird nests. I love weaver birds.

Running notes
Route: Fourways – have no idea where I started or where I went
Height climbed: 30m
Time started: 06:23
Total time: 1:30:27
Total distance: 15km ish (Nike+ had no juice)
Average pace: 6:00 min/km ish
Weather conditions: Warm and humid
Temperature: 25˚
Runner’s condition: Suffocating