Training Log Archive: nmulder

0500 - Early morning start from Cata Hut for Day 2 of the Amatola. First time that I've done this day of the race as I bailed after day 1 two years ago due to ITB. We did manage to cover a small section of the course though on Bull of Africa over Geju peak a couple months before.

The nice early morning start was enjoyable as the day was obviously going to be a scorcher. It was supposed to get up to 27 Deg C, but the temps at Hobbiton - Hogsback at the finish suggested it was well over 30. The main problem with this is that Day 2 covers major sections of motane grassland, with only two sections of indigenous forest.

I had a good start to the day, charging up Geju Peak out of the start (the first of the 3 major climbs of the day - 400m climb in 4km) and immediately dropping Andre and Steve. Dropping down the other side into Malan Forest, I was able to take a 5 min split, but it would be the last I saw of them for a while as I think I opened a major gap going down this technical trail to Mnyameni hut. Climb 2 was immediately after the hut, but thankfully in the shade. Thereafter we got out onto a contour path in the open, and even at 8am it was scorching. The next section was a beautiful descent through the wide open valley of the Wolf River before we dropped down into forest again at Zingcuka hut. Refilled here before heading on to the waterpoint / cp manned by Peter Samuel. Then a further climb over the escarpment and out of the forest before starting climb 3, the Hog, out in the scorching sun. I was toast at this stage and took it very slowly up the switchbacks. Was able to get a split on Andre and Steve some 20 mins back but had decided that I wouldn't be able to break Andre's trail record by this stage. I thus eased off further and conserved energy.

Coming over the Hogsback ridge (8.5 km to go), things got a bit worse as a hot wind started blowing from below. I lost major time (probably 10+ mins?) before realising at about 5km to go that I was misjudging the kms and that I could still go for the course record. Things worked well, mainly due to it being downhill and through some cool forest, so I crawled into the finish at Hogsback with 6 mins to spare. Andre finished 8 minutes later whilst Steve had a major blowout towards the end and lost half an hour.

Mnyameni Hut - 1h39
Zingcuka Hut - 4h32 (split 2h53)
Dr Pete's Cafe - got there at 10am (approx. 4h53)
8km mark on the Hogsback - 6h01 (split 1h28) - approx. 9.5km to go.

I definitely prefer Day 1, but the whole course is superb. I look forward to doing this again. I think I could probably take another 20 - 30 mins of Day 2's time now that I know the course, and if the weather were kinder on me!

C • Course record! 5

0600 - Day 1 of the BAFFER (The Amatola 100 Trail Run). Nice day for a run, but it would get slightly warm towards the afternoon (25 deg C). Luckily, most of day 1 is in indigenous forest, so it remained quite cool. Just after the start at Maden Dam I made a break. Was suprised that Andre (who won 2 yrs ago) didn't come with me. I opened a gap and didn't see anyone for the remainder of the day. Got sick just after cresting the escarpment after Dontsa Hut (maybe something funny in the water at Dontsa falls?), but recovered quite quickly. Estimate that it cost me about 20 mins, but luckily not the position. Felt a bit worn down after this, but plodded on, dragging myself into the finish at Cata Hut 10 mins ahead of Andre Erasmus and a further 3 mins ahead of Steve Black. Completely different feel to the race from 2 years ago when it was wet and muddy, but still one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Gwiligwili Hut - 2h10
Dontsa Hut - 4h43 (2h33 split)
9km mark on Doornkop Peak - 6h15 (1h32 split) - lost about 15 mins on this leg and a further 5 mins into the finish. Estimate that I can probably take off 30+ mins off my time next year.

Used a combination of a Salomon backpack and Salomon 2-bottle hip pack. Worked superbly with eating and drinking. Refilled at Dontsa Hut only, other than the scoop of water at the Dontsa falls.

Driving down to the Amatola's for the Amatola 100 Trail Run. 2 x 50km on Sat and Sun. Looking at the line up, will be happy with 2nd or 3rd, but the main goal is to beat my 2006 time by 30 min or more on Day 1.

C • Good luck 2

1745 - First time in a boat since Bull of Africa. Therefore me and Mac were quite surprised that we had a good 55 min time trial. We were expecting about 58. Lots of training between now and Portugal though.

0645 - Fairland and Berario.

1530 - Market St. Timed myself over a 2 block course, with u-turns at each end: 1.1km in just under 5 min. That's suprised me, as my target for Portugal is to be comfortable in the 10-12km/hr bracket. This suggest that I should up that to 12-14km/hr?

1845 - Only got lapped right at the end, with 500m to go. I think I only got 13 laps this time, missing the start of the 14th by 20s, so approx. 50s slower than last week as a result of being pushed less by riders behind me. Av 20.5 Mx 36.2

0545 - To Emmarentia and back. Av 19.3 Mx 44.0

1700 - Market St.