‘It comes in waves’ I say to Monique as she asks me how I’m feeling. I’m referring to alternate moments of excitement and sheer panic. She’s just picked me up from the expo where I’ve registered, collected my numbers, had a browse, and generally started to feel sick. Its finally here. I’m really going to do this. Getting  up this morning at 3:45 was a bit of a shocker, saw a couple of familiar faces at Cape Town Airport, and the plane was packed with tracksuits and running shoes.

So I’ve started and finished my training with the same run. I only realised this significance as I pounded up the hill. I’ve just got in and re-read the post from 142 days ago. I’m glad to see I’ve sliced 15 minutes off that time, though it should be pointed out I am neither hungover nor is it hot. I think I could have done it in 35 minutes if I’d decided to race it at the bottom of the hill not at the turn around point.

So running Signal Hill on a Sunday is my favourite, and I was a touch depressed up there today knowing I won’t be able to run it for a long time after the race next week. Comrades professionals have told me I won’t be able to run on tar for at least 4 weeks after the race and I’ll be so broken anything more than 3km is out of the question for a while after that. I know I’m going to hit a downer after the glory of finishing the race wears off. I am really not looking forward to that.

So on a more positive note, I’ve got a week to focus, rest my body and stuff myself. This afternoon I’m going to start packing – no I’m serious, all my kit is coming out of the cupboard and getting laid out, and here comes my anal streak, absolutely nothing is getting left to the last minute. My new and old running shoes are coming with me in case I change my mind about what I’m going to wear, and all my kit is going in the hand luggage in case my bags get lost.

I’ve glanced at my watch, this time next week I’ll have run for 6 hours and 20 minutes, and I’ll be facing at least another 4 before I hit the grass at the cricket stadium in Durban.

Running notes
Route: Kloof Nek car park to the end of Signal Hill and back
Height climbed: 130m
Time started: 10:23
Total time: 36:50
Total distance: 7km ish
Weather conditions: Weather on the turn
Temperature: 17˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Nice short 10km from Camps Bay polished off with a club breakfast at Cafe Sophia and a glass of champagne. Felt myself getting agitated towards the end – this could have been because I was late for my sports massage, or more likely I’m beginning to *%$£ myself.

Running notes
Route: Pick n Pay in Camps Bay to just past the Twelve Apostles and back.
Height climbed: ?
Time started: 07:30
Total time: 55 minutes
Total distance: 10km
Temperature: 20˚
Runner’s condition: Gah!

So today I ran an hour slowly – the evil plan said 1:20. Pah! I laugh in the face of the evil plan! Last session at the gym this morning.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 05:52
Total time: 1:00
Total distance: 9.5km
Temperature: 18˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

No hills, no time trial, just a nice slow leg stretch and some lunges.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 06:01
Total time: 1:20
Total distance: 12.5km
Temperature: 17˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Yep, that was a cold. Just hope its gone soon. Ran on the mountain, was dark by halfway so got a lift to the lower car park from the cable station. Can’t afford to fall now.

Running notes
Route: Kloof Nek car park to the Lower Cable Station turn at the end of the tarmac on Tafelberg Road and fiinsh at the Lower Cable Station
Height climbed: 180m
Time started: 17:35
Total time: 1:10
Total distance: 11.5km
Weather conditions: Dark
Temperature: 18˚
Runner’s condition: Bit sickly

Sun again! Woke up with a dry throat – is that a cold coming?

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: 10:52
Total time: 1:40ish
Total distance: 16km
Temperature: 17˚
Runner’s condition: Blearghh

With at least ten days of solid rain, my legs were itching to get outside. The talk was mostly of the race in two weeks, good fun for those that aren’t running, not so hilarious for those that are. Being mostly terrified of the prospect, I didn’t say much.

Running notes
Route: Sand Bar in Camps Bay over the top of Suikerbossie and back
Height climbed: ?
Time started: 07:00
Total time: 1:45
Total distance: 18km
Temperature: 18˚
Runner’s condition: Frightened

Yes, its still raining.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: 9 x 2 minute hill repeats (one less this week due to the tapering, hardly worth it really – 4 at 6 incline, 5 at 5.5)
Time started: 17:52
Total time: 1:05 ish
Total distance: 11.5km ish
Temperature: Outside 16˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Pushed myself harder tonight. I think I might not do the time trial next week (my last training week) just keep it easy.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 18:02
Total time: 1:20
Total distance: 13.5km
8km time trial: 40 mins ish
Temperature: 20˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Again today – working late tonight so had to miss the mountain run, wouldn’t have mattered anyway because its still raining.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 06:02
Total time: 1:20
Total distance: 12.5km
Temperature: 20˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Couldn’t run on Signal Hill because it was chucking it down so hard that I could hardly see the end of my street. Went to the gym and did the time trial I missed this week, except I only managed 3 lots of ten minutes.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 9:45
Total time: 1:20
Total distance: 13km
8km time trial: 3 sets of ten minutes (rubbish)
Temperature: 20˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Only did 20km! And along the normal route from Camps Bay! And at 7am! I didn’t realise bow much I’ve really missed it, it must be months since I’ve run my normal Saturday club run.

Running notes
Route: Sand Bar in Camps Bay over the top of Suikerbossie, down the other side and back
Height climbed: ?
Time started: 07:00
Total time: 1:58
Total distance: 20km
Temperature: 21˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

Had a tough time getting out of bed this morning. I think Sunday tired me more than I thought. Late to work again, Oh yeah, and it was book club at my house last night, which meant I could drink as much as I liked (mistake).

Running notes
Route: My flat to Bellevue road, hill repeats and then home via Buitengracht
Height climbed: A lot
Time started: 07:11
Total time: 1:20 ish
Total distance: 11km ish
Temperature: 15˚
Runner’s condition: Blood alcohol units to high

Feeling pretty good after Sunday. Nice and easy this morning though. Had a slow run today in the gym in case of niggles.

Running notes
Route: Gym
Height climbed: Flat
Time started: 06.35
Total time: 1:20
Total distance: 13km
Temperature: 20˚
Runner’s condition: Fine, bit tired