Table Mountain Trailers: September 2015

Sunday, 27 September 2015

Feedback Saturday 26th September - Sunbird Centre circuit

By Gae Tompkins
27 runners arrived at the meeting point at the cross roads – no-one hurrying to exit the cars and stand in the rain. Nice to see some runners back after a short break (Richard, Dawn and Tamsyn to mention a few), and even two runners whom I think have been removed from the speed check in – welcome back to Kerry and Lanesse. We even had at least one ‘newbie’ joining us – the designer of our Table Mountain T-shirts – my son Brian – who like his dad, seems to be a natural trail runner.

The Norwegians were wrong again – no rain expected – well, luckily as good trail runners, we were prepared with our rain jackets.

We had lovely run from the Sunbird Centre (definitely a favourite) – bit of light rain during the run, but it added to the beauty of the run. Nice to see how the mountainside has recovered and was lovely and green, but still plenty of evidence of the fires with the burnt trees visible.

We split into 2 groups – the main group led by Julian and Richard, with Hein offering to be sweep. I took the recovery group, with Dawn and Randolph taking care of the back runners, and keeping an eye on poor Marg who wasn’t well at all.

After our first regroup, the main group took off and we only met them again on our way down.

When we got to the top of the rocky climb, I mentioned to everyone to please take note of the rock and sign on the contour path because that was the point where we would turn on our way back to go down - more than one of us have missed this in the past (including Kerry).

We all made our way in an anti-clockwise direction to the amphitheatre and then down the Crassula path. We did meet a few runners coming in the opposite direction – it was the Fisherman’s trail run.

From the gravel path, the main group did an extra loop, and the recovery group went down and we all met at our next turning point. I mentioned again to everyone – “don’t forget the ‘rock’ to turn down”, but unfortunately for Kerry, she missed it again, and was ‘split’ from the group and landed up doing an extra km or two. We realised what had happened, when she didn’t arrive back at the cars, but we were able to contact her on her cell and all ended well. The rock with now be renamed as ‘Kerry’s rock’ for future reference.

The main group did 14.58 km in 2h04 and the recovery group did 11.82 km in about 2h10.

Gae

Sunday, 13 September 2015

FEEDBACK- Saturday 19th Septebmer - Olifantsbos

Saturday was the last day of SANPARKS WEEK so we took up their offer of free entry to their parks and did the popular Cape Point Ofifantsbos/Sirkelsvlei route.

A nice turnout of 26 considering the distance to the start with 10 of us meeting at the Tokai Total garage and sharing cars. Thanks to Claude and Neil for being the volunteer drivers for the day.

We all did the same 10.4km route with plenty of regrouping - finishing between 1h25 or so for the fastest and about 1h45 for the last with Neil and Felicity sweeping.

The Norwegian weather report was right as we had quite a lot of wind. A few people had minor falls but only Paula was blooded.

We passed several Bontebok and ostriches, but no zebra or baboons this time.

Special congratulations to Natalie Marcus who completed her 50th Sortie.

Gae

Saturday, 12 September 2015

FEEDBACK SEPTEMBER 12: NOORDHOEK BEACH

A brisk and chilly wind welcomed us to Noordhoek this morning. We quickly signed in and separated into our groups before setting off across the sand and, within minutes, we were toasty warm, if a little 'sandblasted'.


Nanu nanu Moira!

The sky and sea were grey and wintery this morning in stark contrast to our last run, when the soft pink and yellow hues of the winter sun had painted the sky in a pastel delight. Today, the breakers were a cool green-white and quite ferocious. The sun hung higher in the pale sky. There seemed to be a veil over it, keeping it at bay.

All three groups together at the water crossing on the return

The little water crossing was also more challenging than last time. It cut deeply into the sand but was no real obstacle to such brave Trailers. The kelp forest of June was gone, leaving only a few strands of dried up seaweed to remind us of the previous run. Even the birds were fewer.

The main group, composed of 5 strapping menfolk led by Hein, faded into the distance. Adrian's watch reported that they were running along the hard sand at a 5min/km pace. The recovery group ran at a good pace behind them, stopping at the shipwreck for a regroup and a chat, and the slow group followed briskly.

The Recovery group turned around at the Kommetjie ablution block. The run back towards the start was less pleasant than the outward trip as the wind was now blowing towards us. However, we had the sun ahead of us which gave us some pretty views over the dunes.

All three groups met up at the water crossing and we took the opportunity to take a photo of all three groups together before the 5 spartans dashed off into the distance again.