Feedback: Saturday 29th August - Constantia Nek - Skeleton Gorge - Hely Hutchison Dam

After some stunningly balmy spring-like days earlier in the week, winter made a mean comeback this morning but did not deter 29 trailers from arriving at Constantia Nek for the Table Mountain Trailers 5th birthday sortie.

Three groups set off from the car park at the earlier time of 07h15, heading straight up the two sets of steep steps to the top of the mountain, and disappearing into the mist.

This week's sortie was managed by Peter Rogers and the groups were led by Geoff Nell, Neil Garbers and Peter Rogers. The main group of 12 trailers trekked almost 15kms in 2.5 hours, while the recovery group strolled 13km in the same time. This week's 3 walk/runners covered 10km in 2 hours.

We have loads of lovely photos this week thanks to Andrew Pitchers, Gae Tompkins, Jo Boswell and Lorraine Nevin.  






A word for newbies: Please sign the register when running with the group - even if you're not sure that you'll be back. We do not use the email addresses for anything other than to keep you abreast of sorties and only add you to the mailing list after you have joined us for three runs. We do not spam you or pass your details on to any third party. The phone number we ask for is an emergency contact number. We will only contact this person should you require assistance after e.g. a fall on the mountain. It can be disappointing for you later on if you DO continue to run with the group and don't see your name on the Runner's Log with the correct number of runs recorded. (Regular trailers, please let newbies know this. Thank you.)

FEEDBACK Saturday 22nd August – SANDY BAY CIRCUIT

It was an absolute stunner of a morning!

The main group ran all the way to Llandudno whilst recovery turned around at the parking and back down towards and along the beach to Oude Schip. Some of the daring main group went onto the point. Strenuous schlep up Gabion Hill onto the jeep track and back to parking.

Notable this week:

Allison Lamb completed her 75th Sortie and is only the 11th trailer eligible to wear the Blue tee. Well done, Allison!

The main group did approximately 11.5km and the Recovery group about 9.5km.

The Run was organised and reported by Laura Adinall. Additional photos by Randolph.

Table Mountain Trailers Feedback: August 15th - Constantia Greenbelts

Table Mountain Trailers Feedback: Sortie August 15^th:  Constantia Greenbelts

This morning's route followed our familiar home-ground trails: Alphen, Klassenbosch, Diep River with a loop up into Cecilia Forest. 

The morning broke damp and grey, but did not deter the 29 trailers that grouped at the Constantia Sports Complex at 7:30am, including 4 newbies. The temperature was 14C at the start and we managed to make it back to the cars before the drizzle began in earnest.
 

[Gaeleen’s Note To Self: When trail running during winter in Cape Town, bring rain jacket, even when the Norwegians say 'no rain'! ]

 

Mud, mud, glorious mud.

 

If a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it, does it make a noise?

 

It’s not often the recovery group gets ahead of the main group but this week it happened! The speedy Gonzalezes only caught up with the "Tweenies" at the top of Southern Cross Drive, from whence we all hiked up to the waterfall for the group photo (minus Dave&Tissa and Liz who had decided to head back earlier).  At this point the main group lost 2 other members as Allison and Natalie joined the recovery group and missed out on the second loop planned for
the main group.

The main group did 15 km in 1 h 45 - a bit faster than the last time. Julian/Hein set a fast pace and poor Dave was left to sweep up the rest.

The recovery group led by Gaeleen did just short of 11 km in 1 h 35 and the Run/Walk group were hot on their heels.  

Main and Recovery groups at Cecilia Waterfall

We would like to take this opportunity to say a very fond farewell to Nicole Meyer who has led the Recovery Group for the last year and has been a willing Sortie Organizer, as well as Blog Editor. Nicole will be heading off to continue her studies in Canada next week. She will be delving into the inclusions in diamonds to solve the mysteries of the planet's evolution --- and trail running in winter weather of minus 20 degrees C. We’ll miss you Nicole!

 

And a rainbow to end on.

Next week's run will be at Sandy Bay. Please wear your water belt/backpack. ;)

 

FEEDBACK Saturday 8 August: TM North Face Traverse

We had a really good turn out of 31 runners today, not bad for a long weekend! The Romanovs made a reappearance and we had one visitor from the UK – Zach (misled by Julian who told him once up Kloof steps that the worst was over, completely forgetting about the climb up to the Saddle). He took a small tumble and will be going home with some grazes as a reminder of his time on the mountain.

I chose this route purposefully to get my mountain mojo back after a disastrous 21km forest run last weekend where my legs decided, for no good reason, to just not work. Running is largely all in the head and this route is perfect to get out of a running slump. It’s some of the most technical singletrack on Table Mountain, where if you lose concentration for a second you will be flying like Jebb Corliss but without a wingsuit. There is no time to listen to the demons in your head, all you can think about is where to place your feet. When you do look up, the views are sublime, ocean and city spread out on your left and mountain on your right. Today the city looked like the set of Gotham with a few skyscrapers and cranes peeking out over a thick blanket of mist. There was still plenty of water flowing down the mountain and we took a few waterfall showers along the way. How wonderful to be running in short sleeves in the middle of winter!

The main group led by Julian and Hein went along the top contour, up the Saddle, down onto the Oppelskop path and lower contour to Platteklip and then back onto top contour home. They did 12,5 km in 2h10. The Recovery group led by Neil turned at the Devils Peak turnoff and did just under 10 kms in 2h06. The Walk/Run group led by Peter did 9,5 km in 2h30. Thank you to the various run leaders and sweeps and the ever gallant Geoff, who looked after Liz when she tweaked her ankle on the way home.

This Saturday saw both Marilyn Maree and Elizabeth McGeever complete 25 sorties so they are eligible to don a red tee and Liz Robertson competed her 10th sortie so now can use the Speed Check-in on the Start Register.

Run manager Allison