The first of the Cape Winter Trail Series was held today at Paul Cluver Wine Estate, Grabouw. Although a little bit chilly the rain didnt look like it was going to make an appearance so we were in for a good, albeit muddy, trail run. I must say all the Cape Auto Centre Tri Team looked awesome in their 32Gi vests! I was feeling a little bit out of match practice but I knew once I started running I would soon get into the swing of things. It was a fast downhill start so I made sure I got a speedy start and made use of the downhill to stretch out and loosen up my legs. After about 4km my legs were already beginning to feel heavy and I was not charging up the hills like normal. I’m not sure why. My training has been a bit out of sorts with the tapering for the Knysna marathon which I was supposed to have run last weekend but was cancelled due to the floods and so this week I have been all go and trained doubley hard! My mind began to wonder a little and I was just hoping 8.5km would come soon so we could start descending. Colla had passed me and by now seemed to be getting further and further into the distance! I was lying in 6th position at this point. I was so relieved to reach the highest point and my legs came alive again as I hit the technical downhill. I passed Colla, with a very near miss not far in front of her (I’m not sure how I stayed on my feet!!) and soon I passed both 4th and 3rd placed ladies, Marie and Jacoline. Two stops to tie my laces (I must tie them better next time!!) and another brief stop to grab my mobii which was dislodged from my arm by the trees as I descended down the waterfall enabled the 3 chasing ladies to gain on me slightly. I struggled up the final hill and by this point Jacoline was breathing down my neck. My legs didnt have any energy to put up a fight so she passed me in the final 1km and there was not much I could do about it! But I was very pleased to come home 4th. Well done to Colla on her 5th place and well done to the rest of the team! Some great results. I didnt run with a camelpak today as usually I manage fine without fluids for 16km but I felt quite dehydrated at the finish. I was very glad I had brought my 32Gi chocolate recovery drink with me in the car and polished it off in a flash! Without sounding too much like a racehorse, I definitely needed the run, and I’m looking forward to CWTS2 next Sunday at Tygerberg.
Apologies, I was 5th overall and 4th in the Open. I didnt realise there was a 19 yr old up at the front.