Running – Page 2 – Notes from the Cape

Published July 30, 2017

Running in the forest

Last weekend I went for a run in Cecelia and Newlands forests. It is such a privilege to have since amazing forests in my back garden. It had been pouring with rain for most of the day, so everything was wet and had that crisp and clean smell you get after the rain.

Cds 2017 07 09 15 46 04
An old tree reflecting in a puddle.

Cds 2017 07 09 15 55 32
The silver leaf trees on the jeep track. These trees literally look somebody has spray-painted the leaves with sliver paint, and they glisten with an almost mystical sparkle as you run past them.

Cds 2017 07 09 16 20 53
Running up – there was plenty of running up, and of course running down on this run.

Cds 2017 07 09 16 36 40
I’m convinced this trail was created for hobbits, or just for really short people. I had to bend over and just about crawl my way through the vegetation.

It was an excellent day out, and you don’t need to be a runner to enjoy these trails. There are plenty of walkers and families going for shorter strolls in both Cecelia and Newlands forests at the weekends.

Cape Town Running

cecelia forest newlands forest running

Leave a Comment

Published April 30, 2016

Muizenberg Monster Beach Run

13095782 1017156178353528 72789102799863587 n Running on the beach at sunrise (pic from Energy Events)

Wednesday was the second Muizenberg Monster Beach Run – a 20k “there and back again” dash starting on Muizenberg beach. Only about 45 or so peopled entered, and I ran it in 2:01, with a very respectable position of 22nd. But it was tough running on the beach – even though most of the sand is hard, there are still soft spots, and you are always running on a slight camber.

Cds 2016 04 27 07 11 37
The start line

My trail shoes were so full of sand by the end that I had to wash them with the hose-pipe afterwards. But it was amazing running on the beach as the sun slowly rose, and the sky went from almost black, to a golden yellow sunrise, and then into the day.

I will be back next year!

Cds 2016 04 27 07 47 17
One of the water crossings

Cape Town Running

beach muizenberg running

Leave a Comment

Published April 15, 2016

Table Mountain dams

If you are feeling energetic, there is a lovely walk from Constantia Nek up the mountain to the dams on the back of Table Mountain. While it is only around 7km or so, it is very steep.

The dams were built in the late 1800’s so have historical value for Cape Town.

Cds IMG 2238
Woodhead Reservoir

Cds IMG 2239
Woodhead Reservoir wall

Cds IMG 2252
Woodhead Reservoir sign

Cds IMG 2255
Part of the mechanism of one of the dams

If you are keen to do the walk, here is the route I took (but I ran it).

Cape Town Running

black and white cape town dam running table mountain

Leave a Comment

Published March 25, 2016

Two Oceans Marathon

Pretty much a year ago I completed my first Ultra-marathon – the Two Oceans Marathon, the world’s most beautiful marathon. A gruelling 56km run through Cape Town, including over 1000m of climb. It was a brutal yet exhilarating experience. It is difficult to explain the conflicting emotions between joy and pain that I experienced during the last 15k or so.

Cds Oceans 2015 2
At around 40k – I was in a lot more pain than I was showing

Well, I am running it again this year. Tomorrow to be exact. 10999 people will be joining me on my run, and another 13000 will be running the half-marathon.

But the route is amazing. You start outside the brewery in Newlands, run down to Muizenberg (almost past my house), down the coast to Fish Hoek, across to Noordhoek, then over Chapman’s Peak. This is the first big hill and where some say the race really starts. Then into Hout Bay where you hit the marathon mark, up Constantia Nek (the big scary hill), and then down about 10k past Kirstenbosch Gardens to the finish on the UCT rugby fields.

Cds Oceans 2015 5
Crossing the finish line last year

Last year there was a course diversion over Ou Kaapse Weg – a brutal 7km climb, so in theory this year’s route is a little easier. I hope I am ready; I have certainly done the training. So here’s hoping for a great run.

Cape Town Running South Africa

marathon running

3 Comments

Published December 30, 2015

Chapman’s Peak – just before the fire

Earlier this year I posted photos of the fire that devastated our mountains. The good news is that the plants seem to be recovering well, and parts of the mountain have already been reopened.

The day the fire started I was meant to run over the mountains, so I ran this alternate route to Chapman’s Peak instead, little knowing that just a few hours later it would be on fire as well.

You still cannot run sections of this road (well at least you are not supposed to).\

I remember it howling with wind and being freezing cold, but I am glad it is coming right slowly.

Cds 2015 03 01 08 33 45
The view to Hout Bay from Chapman’s Peak

Cds 2015 03 01 08 32 23
At Chapman’s Peak

Cape Town Running

cape town fire running

Leave a Comment

Published December 26, 2015

2000km running

Cds 2015 12 22 16 52 09
I just hit the 2000km running mark this year, and what better route to celebrate than a run though the trails of the Constantia Green belts up to the mountain and back?

This bridge was just about at the 2000km mark. Although strangely enough I have never crossed it – my route turns left at the bridge to continue down towards Alphen.

More good news on the running front is that the West side of Silvermine has been reopened after the devastating fires last year, so a recon run is definitely in order.

Finally I hope you all had a great Christmas, see you in the new year.

Cape Town Running

constantia running

Leave a Comment

Published December 10, 2015

Langebaan beach in the mist

Cds 2015 04 26 08 23 57

Langebaan public boat launcher on the main beach in the mist.

Running South Africa

beach langebaan running

Leave a Comment

Published December 5, 2015

Glen Cairn Main Road

That is me at the top going for a training run from my house to Simonstown and back. It is a lovely 30km route, with a stop in Simonstown for an energy-rich croissant. (Photo by one of my running buddies Steve Mathew)
Cds 11834826 10153575005674540 3909448181681344029 o

Cape Town Running

cape town running

Leave a Comment

Published November 27, 2015

Cecelia Forest Cork Trees

These Cork Oak Trees were planted by Simon van der Stel in the 1800’s and are now protected. It is a lovely short walk of about 3km or so from the Southern Cross Drive entrance to the forest down to the main parking on the right.

Cds 2015 09 05 16 42 32 Edit 3
Cork Oak trees