Saturday Oct 20 |
 | Trail Running race (Cape Odyssey) 4:19:12 [4]37 km (7:00 / km) +1045m 6:08 / km | |
| shoes: Salomon 3D Pro grey #8 |
| 0700 - Day 5 (Final Day) of Cape Odyssey Trail Race from Franschoek to Lanzerac, Stellenbosch. We were on a mental high after winning stage 4, but we knew that repeating that on Stage 5 was less likely. Montrail would definitely look for a win as well, whilst the high % of easy tar and dirt road running didn't suit our strengths. We had nothing to loose however, so we decided we'd try for the stage win anyway, but the 20 minute deficit to Montrail in the G.C. was probably 1 step too far.
Things didn't start off well at all. Montrail streaked away from the start line. My legs felt awful. We held on for 1.5km, but the 4.20 pace was too much 180km into a race. By the time we hit the start of the hiking trail over the Assagaaiboschkloof pass at 14km, we were in 3rd, some 9 minutes behind Montrail and 6 behind Scratchers. The trail was overgrown and almost non-existent in places and we made good time, catching Scratchers and then Montrail as we summited the pass. We pulled away slowly on the down (good path for a change), but I felt that we weren't going fast enough. We hit the Jonkershoek forest roads at the bottom with approximately a 4-min lead for the remaining 13km. This fell to about 2-min at the final water point at the start of the tar, with 7km to go. Montrail got within sight of us quickly at this point and put in some 3.40's to demolish us and gain a clear gap that they extended on the final 3km stretch to the finish at Lanzerac.
It was disappointing that we couldn't get the stage win on day 5 as well, but in reflection we already performed well beyond our initial expectations. We were also advantaged by some trails being extremely technical and overgrown in places. We finished 2nd in the G.C., 24 minutes behind Dion and William. Ryno was a superb partner, only suffering for 2 minutes along the beach on day 1 out of a total of 24.08.55 running time. I'm looking forward to this race growing... will be back next year.
http://www.cape-odyssey.com/raceresults.php |
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| C • Wow 5 |
Friday Oct 19 |
| Trail Running race (Cape Odyssey) 4:38:09 [5]38 km (7:19 / km) +1482m 6:08 / km | |
| shoes: Salomon 3D Pro grey #8 |
| 0700 - Day 4 of Cape Odyssey from Elgin Country Club to Franschoek Pass. With 2 steep climbs in the early stages of todays run and a 20km technical section along the Boland Hiking trail in the 2nd half of the race, Ryno and myself fancied our chances for today. The main objective was to move from 3rd to 2nd in the General Classification, which meant beating Scratchers by 11 minutes or more. The next objective would be to see if we could beat Montrail on the stage result. The big news was the withdrawl of Salomon 2, with Jan in hospital overnight.
The race started off tactically once again, with all the top teams forming a bunch for the first 4km. Montrail didn't go out fast and we suspected that William was not in great shape. I overcame a bad start as well, recovering in time as we reached the first mountain climb through the Eikenhof Lapa forest. We surged near the top to test the other teams, Montrail and Scrathers however re-caught us on the easy descent. On the 2nd climb in Nieuweberg (10km), we surged again near the top, but this time also pushed hard on the down on the other side. We were just starting to open a gap when we missed a turn... Montrail and Scratchers thankfully stopping as well to call us back. All teams then had to recatch some other teams who had come past in the meantime (Serengeti, etc.). We moved forward once again and made sure we were up front when we hit the Boland hiking trail. On the first technical down we broke away, immediately opening a 3-minute lead. This we extended over the next 9km on the technical trail before reaching the last waterpoint. By then we had a 6 minute lead over Montrail. We weren't feeling 100%, but kept pushing on, hoping other teams would also suffer on a track that was badly overgrown. The last climb was torturous, but we came home 1st, with a 16 minute lead over Montrail. Serengeti took 3rd whilst we claimed 2nd in the G.C. when Scratchers finished 4th about 1 hour behind us. |
Thursday Oct 18 |
| Trail Running race (Cape Odyssey) 4:08:48 [5]42 km (5:55 / km) +1234m 5:10 / km | |
| shoes: Salomon 3D Pro grey #8 |
| 0800 - day 3 of Cape Odyssey from Paul Cluver to Elgin Country Club. This was the first real mountain day, as well as the first time we got onto a few technical trails, was looking forward to it. Unfortunately was also nursing a couple of blisters from the long run the day before.
Weather changed overnight and we headed out into a strong South-Easter up the Groenlandberg. Montrail immediately went for a break and dissapeared over the rise in the lead, with me and Ryno settling into a comfortable position in a chasing pack. We'd re-adjusted out objectives and were now aiming for a top 3 on at least 1 of the remaining stages. We liked our chances, with Moos from MTO Forestry supposedly nursing an injury and Salomon 2's race not going to smooth either. The pack was hiding behind each other up the twists and turn, trying to avoid the wind. MTO were first off the back and the bunch surged. Ryno and myself finally decided to break the pack up about 2km from the first mountain peak at 12km. The group disintegrated, with only Scratchers remaining in sight along with 1 unofficial team (Matt and Craig). We regrouped on the contour path before tackling the jeep track up the main 2nd climb (23km). By then we had dropped Scratchers again, but once again they caught us on the easy downhill off the peak. Thankfully there was a 3km technical section a while later where we made our break, getting a 3 minute buffer which we kept on the remaining 4km sprint to the finish next to Eikenhof Dam. We finished in 2nd, 13 minutes behind Montrail. |
Wednesday Oct 17 |
| Trail Running race (Cape Odyssey) 6:07:56 [4]61 km (6:02 / km) +1226m 5:29 / km | |
| shoes: Salomon Wings Red |
| 0700 - Day 2 of Cape Odyssey from Kleinmond to Paul Cluver wine estate. Race started with a run up the Palmiet, where we were in our usual 7/8th position. We first caught Men's Health on the climb out of the valley to Geelbeksvlei at 20km, then were passed by Scratchers who stormed through to finish in 2nd overall on the day. At 30km in Highlands, we caught Serengeti. I blew about 2km before the 40km water point, Ryno pulling me through. We were surprised to see Montrail also still in water point, with William suffering. Were caught and passed by 1st ladies team (Salomon Sportsmans Warehouse) at this time. I recovered well at the water point and we set off through Lebanon forest trying to chase down the ladies, who were chasing Montrail. Never caught them, but did come across a despondent Salomon 2 who had taken a wrong turn and mentally given in. Finished in 5th place, behind MTO Forestry, Scratchers, Montrail CapeStorm and the Salomon Ladies. I went through 42.2km mark in 4.23 (my first measured Marathon) and was generally very happy with the run. Was now looking forward to the remaining 3 days, now with the 'sprint' and the 'ultra' out of the way. |
Tuesday Oct 16 |
| Trail Running race (Cape Odyssey) 2:55:02 [5]32 km (5:28 / km) +296m 5:14 / km vdot: 39.3 | |
| shoes: Salomon 3D Pro grey #8 |
| 0800 - Day 1 of Cape Odyssey 5 Day Trail Race, 211km. Teamed up with Ryno Griesel for the event, same organisers as Cape Epic. Our goal was set as being top 10, hopefully pushing towards top 5 teams, especially towards the end of the week when the technical trails started. www.cape-odyssey.com
Day 1 saw us head out from the start of Hermanus up the 200m high mountains outside town. We fell comfortably into about 7th position by the time we were on the descent on the other side. From there we headed for the beach, first about 10km through a coastal nature reserve on tracks and then 11km of beach running to the finish at Kleinmond. We'd climbed up to 5th in the reserve on the rocks and sand, but were caught by Team Men's Health on the beach. Finished 6th in the end, behind MTO Forestry (Israel and Moos), Montrail/Cape Storm (Dion and William), Salamon 2 (Bruce and Jan) and Serengeti (Fritz / Rudolf). Stratchers (Geoffrey / David) were 4 min behind us. MTO Forestry won in 2.39.28. |
Monday Oct 15 |
| Road Running 5:00 [3]17 km (18 / km) | |
| shoes: Salomon Wings Red |
| 1600 - Ran around the block of our hotel in Hermanus. Was testing my new belt pouch, trying to work out what water carrying system I'd use for the Cape Odyssey. |