Small turnout due to the race tomorrow. Had a nice little trot up to Suikerbossie and back to Camps Bay. After a long run its nice to put the legs in the ocean, today though the sea was so cold I could hardly put my feet in, the biting temperature often gives you a headache – I had what is known to locals as the ‘ice cream head’.

Running notes
Route: Sand Bar, Camps Bay to the top of Suikerbossie and back
Height climbed: 100m
Time started: 07:0o
Total time: 1:50:43
Total distance: 18km (Not measured with Nike+ as I forgot it)
Weather conditions: Sunny with a breeze
Temperature: 22˚
Runner’s condition: Fine

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

First club run of the year. My Saturdays always start with a groan as the alarm goes off at 6am (much worse when its dark and I’ve had a few beverages the night before). My club Atlantic Athletic does a great Saturday morning run from Camps Bay along the coast road up to Suikerbossie, generally about 18km with stunning sea views. Today we had a small and somewhat lazy turn out and decided that we couldn’t possibly manage more than the gate at Oudekraal. This decision probably saved my life and the rest of my crew listening to me whining.

Running notes
Route: Sand Bar, Camps Bay to Oudekraal and back
Height climbed: 60m
Time started: 07:00
Total time: 1:15
Total distance: 11km ish (not measured with Nike+ as I forgot to switch it on)
Average pace: 6:30 including stops
Weather conditions: Cloudy and some sun
Temperature: 22˚
Runner’s condition: Out of breath