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15 Hours | with Ann Trason

Arguably the greatest American ultrarunner of all time, Ann Trason won an unprecedented 14 times at the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run while winning and setting course records at many other ultra races. But instead of embracing her incredible feats, particularly in the 80-90’s, a naturally introverted and modest Ann prefers to discuss the joy she feels on the trails and “competing with…

From Squaw to Auburn | My Western States 100 Race

On June 27, 2015 I toed the line at the race of my dreams: the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run from Squaw Valley to Auburn. Here is my personal account of that day and all the people that helped me rally to the finish line. It wasn’t the day I had envisioned in my head in the days, weeks and months leading up to it, but it was still the experience of a lifetime. Thank you to all that helped…

The 12 Days of Christmas – A Runner’s Version

Photo: Hyperlite Mountain Gear   I would be lying if I said that I didn’t have Christmas on the mind! So, why not REALLY get into the Christmas spirit with this runner’s version of The 12 Days of Christmas:     On the First day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: TWELVE months of running!!  On the Second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Twelve months of running; and…

Getting back to running after injury.

Returning to running after an injury can be daunting. Research suggests that 28% of novice runners who get injured do not return to running again. Is the experience so terrible that they choose to give up on running forever? That being said, I am yet to meet an injured trail runner who isn’t already planning their return up the mountain. Successful return to running is not an exact science; your…

How I beat the dreaded cramp…

How I beat the dreaded cramp… I find from most top athletes to my own training partner, everyone has their own secret for performance that they don’t really care to divulge. They may hint towards a remedy or two but their full recipe is always concealed.     It’s important to make clear that I do understand that if one thing works for me it may not necessarily work for you, but recently I have…

Trail legends Lucky Miya, Bruce Arnett, Quintin Honey and Gaizka Baranano (ESP) worked hard in the early stages of the race to keep local Basotho runner, Tsokolo Moahavi who placed 4th in the 2014 event, in their sights. This changed quickly when the serious climbing started with the defending champ Miya moving to the front at around the 12 kilometre mark. He grew his lead quickly and by the 30 kilometre mark had 15 minutes on the chasing group comprising of Arnett, Honey and Baranano. After the long decent from the top of the Maluti Mountain range which tops out at 3200m, Miya had extended his lead to 30 minutes. He dominated the course using his experience from the 2 previous editions of the race (the inaugural edition of the race took place in 2013) winning and breaking his own course record by 7 minutes in a time of 05h24m42s. Arnett, having come off a win at Skyrun 100 Kilometre only a week before, proved extremely strong and finished in second place 35 minutes behind Miya. The race for the 3rd spot on the podium was tight with Honey holding off Spanish runner Gaizka Baranano (ESP).

In the ladies race Tracey Zunckel, despite struggling through the early stages of the race, gathered herself and ran a great race. She led from the first climb all the way through to the finish breaking her own record by 20 minutes in 6h36m19s, finishing in 7th overall. Her closest competitor was Karien Bezuidenhout who finished almost an hour behind in 07h29m30s. Julia Hackland rounded off the podium just 10 minutes behind Bezuidenhout. Alissa St Laurent (CAN) was expected to give Zunckel some strong competition, but unfortunately she cut her race short after suffering illness. The race attracts runners from around the world with Spain, Canada, Ethiopia, Lesotho, South Africa and the United Kingdom all being represented. The international field embraced the challenge and their beautiful surrounds taking the race on with incredible spirit, guts and determination. The essence of the race has a lasting impact on runners and spectators with tears being shed on course and the finish line. Completing the challenge is an immense accomplishment for any runner with 2500m of vertical ascent over the gruelling 50km course. Lesotho Ultra Trail race director, Andrew Booth, commented how the race has developed over its 3 year history. “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible support for the race from all directions. Maliba Lodge, our host venue, are dedicated to the success of the event. We have volunteers who have made it their mission to help struggling runners through the toughest parts of the course. The inaccessibility of the route means that the volunteers and donkeys trek supplies into the mountains the night before to ensure aid stations are well stocked.” Questions about the 2016 event are already being asked – entries will open on the 1st February 2016 for the 4th running of the Lesotho Ultra Trail on the 26th November 2016. Visit http://www.lesothoultratrail.com to see a full set of results, photographs and video from this year’s event. [email protected]

How to become a first-class Seconder

Runner being welcomed back after taking on the Mighty Mutter 2015 They say that being a seconder to a runner – be it road or trail – is just as difficult as running the actual race! If there is anything I have learnt during my time of being forced to the sideline – it’s that they weren’t lying! Being the seconder to a loved one or friend can be quite a stressful and demanding job which requires…

This year started out quite good with my Comrades preparation being solid until I got injured in March. However I thought things would be “okay” and kept thinking that the Comrades will define me. I thought that if I don’t line up at Comrades Ultramarathon I would be a failure and all this would be for nothing.

I ended up not running The Comrades Ultra Marathon this year because of many things and in many ways the injury was a blessing. Watching my friends reach their goals and complete the Comrades was one of the toughest moments this year. I was angry and jealous…

I had a tough year with studies and some family problems that made things seem ten times worse. Working, training, managing a blog, studying a degree and being comfortable in the uncomfortable was just not possible. I lost my Grandfather and Grandmother, my parents separated and so many tears were shed this year.

So with all this …. I started training for Ultra Trail Cape Town that would take place on the 3rd of October 2015. When I received my free entry from the organisers that invited me to come and run the race (Thank you Stu and Nic ), I was not sure if I was capable. I think God was telling me you need to do this…it could be good for you. The training started and for about 3 months leading up to the event, I only ran trail 4-5 times a week with my coach and friend Johan. I knew that I needed quality over quantity, running on the road I could do the 70- 80km per week but on the trails it would be less.

It is strange how things happen because two weeks out till race day I strained my calf. I don’t know how it happened, but it did happen and I would have to deal with that. So I did absolutely no running for the next two weeks and… o boy it seemed like every part of my body was now duelling against the other. I was falling apart!

With plane tickets booked and accommodation arranged, my wife and I traveled down to Cape Town not knowing if I would be able to start the race, but my wife had spoken… we are going.

Before I tell you about the race, I would just like to mention that when you attempt something like this make sure your wife, friends and family know how committed you are to your goal. There will be times when you want to quit, that you feel you are not strong enough. This is when they will lift you up and dust you off when you can’t. They will support you and cheer for you. Race mornings I get quite nervous but on this specific morning I woke up at 2:30 AM and sat there in the room sipping on my coffee – silent. I saw the rain outside and smiled because as if things were not hard enough God likes to mix things up. We arrived at the start and the atmosphere was one of excitement and nervousness, people from many countries and provinces about to take on this challenge.

I was standing at the start with my calf patched and rain pouring down. I prayed just a little and asked myself “why am I here?” The race started and the next thing I knew I was running past Lionshead on my way to Kloofnek. The pain was there but I was managing… Running into Kloofnek was amazing because of the support I had on the route. I checked in with my wife and friends! All OK

Heading from Kloofnek up through Platteklip gorge was probably the toughest climb that I have ever attempted. By the time I got to the top of Table Mountain the wind was blasting me and I was so cold that my hands were not working. Guess what? The rain was pouring down! I managed to push on and reached Woodhead Dam, cold but still keeping things together. The run down from Woodhead Dam to Groot Constantia was brutal but I took things slow, I did not want to blow a quad. The trail was muddy and unrelenting…

Just before Groot Constantia at the 100k and 65k split, there was a little aid station for the 100km athletes. This was the first time I wanted to quit the race and I reached for my tracking device. One of the older guys manning the aid station saw what I was about to do and took me by the shoulder and asked me how I was doing. I said “ It hurts”. He walked me out of the aid station for what seemed the next 500meters and reminded me why I am here and that he believes in me.

Let’s just take this back a bit, some random guy I don’t know is motivating me to continue and his words were genuine. This is our sport of Mountain Trail running…you cannot explain this to people. The run from there to Groot Constantia was really one of the strongest 3-4km runs I have ever had. The mud was thick but I felt unstoppable. From Zero to Hero as they say. Reaching the Groot Constantia Aid station I felt strong and determined. Checked in with the wife. All OK! Had one of Noels pancakes and headed off to the winelands. My race actually started from here because close to Alphen Trail aid station I felt severe pain shoot up from my calf into my leg. The pain was so bad that I had to stop running. I walked my way to the aid station where my wife and her friend were waiting. I was in bad shape.

I told my wife that I am quitting here because I cannot imagine running with this pain. We debated about this for about two minutes and she refused to let me quit. She refused to let me quit MY race at 43km. I was angry and we almost ended up fighting but I left the aid station.

In the forest, leading up to Newlands Forest I met up with Elaine. She was an international runner from Singapore. At that stage we knew we needed each other and decided to stick together. Elaine kept me going in the difficult times, there were many! My fast hiking pace was about her running pace but we had worked out a system and kept pushing on.

Reaching UCT it was really surprising – it is as if the body had come back to life. Checking in at the UCT aid station was the first time I believed that I could actually finish this damn race. Checked in with the wife. All OK…actually GREAT! Rob Enslin’s wife was also part of my support crew at this stage, and she also checked in with me. We had some soup and topped up the water and off we went. The last part of the race was really one of the toughest 10km sections I have ever done. Running up to the blockhouse on Devils Peak is no joke after 55km. We managed to keep a good pace and after what seemed like forever, reached the road leading down to the rugby club.

Running to the finish and completing this race with Elaine next to me is a moment in life that I will remember forever. I have gone the distance and measured myself. My wife and friends congratulated me. If they only knew that without them I would not have come close to finishing. I shed a tear or two but was happy that I could be back in time for the Rugby.

The power of friendship and love for another is unbelievable. I will forever be grateful that my wife did not let me quit. She is my rock.

To all my friends that helped me to complete this goal – Thank you! To my UltraRunner and Tailwind team – you guys are the best!

Life is full of challenges, we run them every day, sometimes trails and sometimes road, but the biggest ultra is Life. We are all athletes just in different ways. Go for a Run…and change your life

It would never happen to me……..

Define Risk; –  A probability or a threat of damage, injury, loss, or any other negative occurrence that is caused by external or internal vulnerabilities, and that may be avoided through preemptive action. I have always been a risk taker, and at times I have put myself in harms way while out trail running, or durning open water swims and surfski paddling. I would not say that I am reckless,…

When you choose a sport that requires you to run up and down mountains, you very quickly learn that strength, not speed is what helps you go the distance. Because of the demands of trail running we need powerful glutes and arms to drive us uphill, strong quads to resist kilometers of downhill and a rock-stable core to rule them all. Trail runners should master Strength Training (ST) for 2…

Sharing trails with snake tails

Sharing trails with snake tails I was not born a trail runner, yes I can grow a beard and can plod for 80 kms but I am scared of heights, spiders and my biggest fear of all… SNAKES! I found the main reason I was scared of snakes was because I didn’t know enough about them. Sometimes we run in really remote areas or go off the path into areas that do not see a lot of human activity, this is where…

I chatted to Emelie Forsberg ( Swedish trail runner, ski mountaineer and mountain lover) the “European Ultra distance Skyrunning Champion 2015” informally and just asked her some questions.

Photo Credit: Emelie Forsberg FB

Her BIO on her website:

Member of Salomon International team and a devoted lover of the mountains. The best time is the time out in the mountains where the clock and the world outside doesn’t count. In the summertime I run in them and in winter time I go skiing. When I’m not in out in the mountains I do some studying.

Q: We all know you as the trail running superstar, but please can you just tell us in short when you started Trail and Mountain running and where the love for the sport comes from?

I think it is hard to answer that question, because when you are a child, your run everywhere, right? You never see children just walk. At least not when they are outside in the nature. And as a kid I spent many hours outside. That was my playground. When I started school I started many sports, but running was always there on the side because it was so easy – you only need a pair of shoes.

After many years of football, cross-country skiing and basket ball, I started to climb as a 14 year old. Then mountains came into the picture and I did everything there: climbing, skiing, running. It wasn’t until I was maybe 21 that I really started to realize that I didn’t want to spend a single day without running (at least in the summer as I only ski in winter!)

I started to compete around 5 years ago, and 3 years ago International races.

Q:What do you love doing other than running? I see a lot of mountain runners spending their time climbing or Mountain biking.

I do a little bit of climbing as I like to reach summits, and often there is some climbing and scrambling included in that. Also I like to keep my climbing shape. So ice/ mix climbing and rock climbing. I don´t do biking, but sometimes I do some roller-skiing just to prepare the winter season.

Photo Credit: Emelie Forsberg FB

Q:Any weird hobbies that you have that nobody knows about? Cooking? Knitting?

Weird? I don’t think cooking or knitting is weird… But I do both! Some years ago I did a lot of knitting when I spent time with my grandmother. Also when I studied at university, I did knitting as it was a good way to relax, and not read!

Q: What drives you to get up in the mornings?

Everyday life! I´m a lover of the small happiness in the everyday life, like a cup of coffee on a chilly morning, sitting outside looking to the sun when it rises. Also bigger goals, like training for the season ahead, writing, learning new things, sharing the passion etc.

Q: One of our Team Members commented on your website “I dig her website. Such a laid back girl”. Do you enjoy interacting with your fans over your website/blog and are you just easy going?

Hmm I think I´m just easy going. I have always like writing and sharing what makes me happy, and I think I just keep doing it the way I did 5 years ago when no one knew who I was!

Q:Where do you see your career going? Do you plan on running professionally forever or would you like to help the sport in other ways later in life?

I´m pretty young in the racing life, and I have so many things I want to do here! I want to progress, run races, do better. And I think I can do this for a long time, or at least as long my motivation and inspiration is here.

Afterwards, for sure I would want to contribute to the sport somehow. But I also want to have more time for small scale farming!

Photo Credit: Emelie Forsberg FB

Q:Have you heard about any races down in South-Africa? Any plans to ever come and run our small hills? We have many great international standard races here! Killian has been here before so he could probably tell you!

I have heard about some races yes! The Otter trail! I would love to come exploring! Maybe I’ll look for a trip this winter to get some sun and miles in my legs.

Q:What makes you happy?

So many things! Just to wake up to a new day makes me happy and grateful for what I have. I can´t ask for more, you know. But seeing people going their own way, seeing people finish a race, seeing people happy, I guess that makes me happy too!

Dogs also make me happy. I love them! Their pure joy for just being in the moment.

You can follow Emelie here:

https://www.facebook.com/tina.emelie https://www.twitter.com/tinaemelie http://www.instagram.com/tinaemelie

So there you have it another bloggers corner done! I will try and get another one out next week…I know what you are thinking! I will try my best :)

Happy Trails

P

PODCAST – Bennie Roux

Interview with South African trail runner Bennie Roux. Bennie is a force to be reckoned with, he has and amazing running CV. We chat about UTCT, Nutrition, gear and loads more. Enjoy this podcast. https://soundcloud.com/ultrarunner_za/bennie-roux-ultrarunnercoza-interview

UTCT 2015 – The Official Results and… The Stoke

Official Press-Release On Saturday 3 October 600 runners made up of 32 nationalities lined up to run either the 20km, 65km or 100km course from Gardens Tech Rugby grounds in Cape Town. Table Mountain hid beneath a thick white mist, and 6 hours of solid, icy rain played havoc with the nutrition and hydration plans of the runners. The brave stepped up, and ran out, lead by race organisers Nic…

Hello, my name’s Natasha and I’m an injured runner

Via Instagram @romangal30 Injuries… we all have to deal with them at some point in our lives! What runners sometimes forget – and I’ll admit that I was one of them – is that because running is such a high impact sport, it can cause a lot of stress on your joints and is therefore quite a degenerative sport (More so for road running than trail! #JustSaying). It doesn’t build muscle – in fact, work…

Why?…. Because !! I know that sounds a bit like a toddler’s remark, but that is my standard answer when you would ask me why I love running in pristine environments, sweating like a pig, trying to look like a fox, noticing zillions of tiny details, moss covered rocks, tiny flowers, the silhouette of trees against the morning sun, the freshness of forests filled with bird life, past secret and…

10 things I hate about trail running

Via Instagram @romangal30 *A satirical ode to my one obsession in life. Trail Running, what a boring, non-addictive sport, which I have hated doing for the last three or so years. Countless runners always ask themselves within the first couple kilometers why they do the sport… only to do it all over again the following day! This damn sport and I are involved in a bittersweet relationship which…