boristheblade

hi Koei, i have that cape storm belt. theres just enough space for my phone and car/house key when i go running. i track my runs with Endomondo on my phone. so i prefer it not in a arm band - advertising my phone to everyone passing me - its a safety issue if you think about it. the belt sits underneath my shirt, and no one even knows i am wearing it. there's very limited space , so dont know how much you will be able to fit - maybe a GU or 2. some of our running club members run with their car keys in hand - eish, that just wont work for me.

thanks for the input - sounds like i will need to save up for a the solomon pack. like i said , i dont want to buy a "entry level" pack for R1000 , only to buy a "proper" pack 3 months later for R2000. also like the idea of having water bottles in front. but http://www.nativesport.co.za/hydrate-wisely-ultraspire/?sort=featured&page=1have got some good specials running at the moment - pic taken at the Ultra trail champs last weekend (which i saw on facebook ) - all different packs - of which 2 has the water bottles in front

also recently got in trail running. currently still only doing the shorter distances. but looking ahead, i see ALOT of the longer distances require you to take your own water with. when i buy a Camelbak-type hydration system, i really only want to buy one. One that i can use for longer and shorter (if needed) distances. there are so many to choose from, its actually confusing. any thoughts? i have seen those with pockets in the front for water bottles, and then the more traditional ones with the reservoir at the back. looking at the prices , the CamelBak ones (marathon vest) is ALOT cheaper than the Salomon alternative.

i started earlier this year - and i followed one of those "Couch to 5k" programs (as that was literally my situation) but i ended up injuring my soleus (part of the calf) muscle twice. each time taking about 3 weeks to recover before i can start again. so my 2 cents : start as slow as possible. by overdoing it you probably will get injured. many articles suggest a walk/run approach first. (i still walk alot, especially on uphills on the trails). also good shoes is a must. good luck, its not easy to start.

hey Purnjap - the race is on Sunday 14 December - and not Saturday 14 December like - sorry about that

from what i hear table mountain is not safe alone - but i might be wrong. Dirtopia has a trail run on Saturday 14 December at Warwick Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch. Their events are always lekke. This event has a 5km, 10km, and 15km. Pre-entries close 9 December http://www.dirtopia.co.za/index.php/dirt-trail-runs/trilogy-trail-run

entered the 10km 2Oceans Trail Run

i am not quite there yet - fitness wise - 14km mountain race will be a bit to much for me. i will end up doing alot of walking and not alot of running. but will definitely remember this one for next year. regarding the CityTrail - i dont have a clue what the route is going to be like, except that we will be going up the rhodes memorial steps. they shared a photo on facebook giving us a clue of the route, and this photo is definitely the rhodes memorial steps. see https://www.facebook.com/CityTrailSouthAfrica

hi trail runners new to trail running - and loving it. at the moment i am only doing the short distance events (5km-7km or so). anyone entered the Salomon City Trail happening on the 7th of December? http://www.citytrail.co.za/This-is-citytrail.html sounds like fun

sjo, how fast is he over those technical sections - he doesn't make it look technical at all.

my first (and current) Merida MTB came out with Merida Race tyres. Standing in the shop i was told that they will put some slime in my tubes and then i should be ok. that didn't work for me at all. i got so frustrated with punctures, that i was forced to go tubeless. So i upgraded. had to do the full conversion (tyres, valves, sludge and labour costs) as my tyres weren't tubeless-ready. only after i did that, did i really start enjoying mountain biking. my maxiss crossmark tyres are quite heavy but can go through/over anything to date. i still remember my old tyres - i use to cycle exactly in the middle of the foot paths cause i was just so scared of punctures. so if my Merida Race tyres got punctures on the trails, i think the Makro tyres will give you punctures on the tar... so ja, keep this in mind as the full conversion can cost you anything from R1500 - R2000.

have now entered both the MTB (55km) and the road cycle (argus) - was told you get a special medal when doing both?

ja - look i also wasnt trying to be rude - it looks hectic, to hectic for me. but well done on attempting it and doing it.

11:47 balls gone

rain predicted for Wednesday and Thursday this week - can we expect the terrain to clear up by Saturday?