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Posted

Good luck to all you Ultra manne for the weekend! Hope it goes really well.  :thumbup:

 

Tomorrow this time I'm already bleeding through my eyeballs on those uphills... ehhhrr... sorry, having a blast, enjoying the views, smiling all the way and having a beer at a waterpoint... on the trail. Think it's gonna be a toughy (ito elevation and terrain, not distance), but let's do this! Really looking forward to it! 

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Posted

So how did everyone go at OMTOM? 

 

I bled through my eyeballs but happy to say I managed to push on with constant time pressure and squeaked in on a 6.58.58.  That would be a disaster for most of you snakes, but for me given my lack of preparation and injuries the last couple of months it was a success.  

 

I found it harder and way more emotional than anything else I've done (including IMSA) - was really proud to have pushed through and to have my kids there to see it.  Seeing my 10 year old daughter jumping up and down and the feeling I had as I entered UCT with less than 2 minutes to go is something that will stay with me forever.

 

What did I learn?  I already knew it intellectually, but Saturday I proved to myself in practice that the mind rules the body - not the other way around.  Other than that, on the day I thought I learned that two oceans was to be my running pinnacle - I could not fathom myself attempting anything further / tougher.  3 Days on - I am still sore, and I still think that is the case, but for some reason I am not ready just yet to offer up my comrades entry - will give myself a few more days to make that decision.

 

Such a great event though - comrades aspirants who have not already done so, add Oceans to your bucket list.  Now.

Posted

So how did everyone go at OMTOM? 

 

I bled through my eyeballs but happy to say I managed to push on with constant time pressure and squeaked in on a 6.58.58.  That would be a disaster for most of you snakes, but for me given my lack of preparation and injuries the last couple of months it was a success.  

 

I found it harder and way more emotional than anything else I've done (including IMSA) - was really proud to have pushed through and to have my kids there to see it.  Seeing my 10 year old daughter jumping up and down and the feeling I had as I entered UCT with less than 2 minutes to go is something that will stay with me forever.

 

What did I learn?  I already knew it intellectually, but Saturday I proved to myself in practice that the mind rules the body - not the other way around.  Other than that, on the day I thought I learned that two oceans was to be my running pinnacle - I could not fathom myself attempting anything further / tougher.  3 Days on - I am still sore, and I still think that is the case, but for some reason I am not ready just yet to offer up my comrades entry - will give myself a few more days to make that decision.

 

Such a great event though - comrades aspirants who have not already done so, add Oceans to your bucket list.  Now.

 

Well done Dracs... you're more ready for Comrades than you think  ;)  :thumbup:

 

I ran the Two Oceans Mountain Massacre 22km  25km Trail Hike - was beautiful and brutal. Probably not the best Comrades prep, still piecing my legs back together - but definitely one for the list  :thumbup:

Posted

my first ultra went very well for me. Paced myself for a bronze and finished in 5hrs53. Funny enuf, i still had lots left in the legs when i finished. I really enjoyed it. The hardest part for me was running down chappies. Midway down, i reduced my stride and it helped 100%.

Posted

How did it go on your side, Andrew? I really enjoyed the route and the vibe. Loved the extremely different terrain than I am used to running on. 

 

But was feeling crappy on the day (extremely dizzy and could not focus properly - not ideal for trail running!)  and ended up walking most of the downhills and rocky bits. Medics said afterwards walking straight with my ears in the condition they were in (apparently hectic sinus infection) was an accomplishment...  :blush:

 

Cannot fathom that they did the bit we climbed/mountaineered (no other words for it!) up past Blockhouse downhill in the previous year(s?).  :eek:

Posted

So how did everyone go at OMTOM? 

 

 

 

Well Done Dracs, just finishing any Ultra is an achievement in itself..

 

Don't think about Comrades being 34kms further, its another race on another day.. Your mind was only prepared for 56km Saturday, on the 29th May it will be prepped and ready for 90kms..

 

Personally my race couldn't have gone better on Saturday and another confidence tick on the way to Comrades.. we planned a 4.20 with a 2h07 half, 3h13 Marathon split and pretty much went to plan.

 

The weather was almost too perfect in the first 21kms down to Fish hoek.. one found themselves purposely trying to slow themselves down to avoid hitting the half way mark too far ahead of schedule.. we went through just over 2h06 and then got greeted by some pretty angry gusts of wind on the way up Chappies.. luckily they were only few and far between and the climb wasn't as bad as expected.

 

My hardest part of the day was also coming down the other side of Chappies. 4kms of pounding on the legs on that camber is not for girls and I found myself thinking I need to get back in the gym and up the Leg sessions before May .

 

Always nice seeing the crowds in Houtbay and we climbed out quite comfortably to the Marathon mark in 3h12.30 right on track. At this point I felt great and decided to change my race plan and see where the legs were at. I put in a solid last 14kms in just over an Hour to finish in 4h13.29 still in high spirits and feeling strong. The fact I could run 5min kms up the Nek tell me the hill sessions are definitely paying off.

 

The new Colour Chet Sainsburg medal (sub5) on the year of his death is quite pretty and ill always be proud to have it in my collection.

 

9 weeks to go now, a solid 500km April and I can probably afford (and will probably take) a full 3 week taper into race day...

 

Just under 1300kms done now and still on Track to hit the 2000km Mark...

 

Route Tester in 3 weeks... which will be the last little test followed by an easy Slowmag marathon the week after

Posted

How did it go on your side, Andrew? I really enjoyed the route and the vibe. Loved the extremely different terrain than I am used to running on. 

 

But was feeling crappy on the day (extremely dizzy and could not focus properly - not ideal for trail running!)  and ended up walking most of the downhills and rocky bits. Medics said afterwards walking straight with my ears in the condition they were in (apparently hectic sinus infection) was an accomplishment...  :blush:

 

Cannot fathom that they did the bit we climbed/mountaineered (no other words for it!) up past Blockhouse downhill in the previous year(s?).  :eek:

 

I buggered up my calf within the first km, so it was a very long day for me... started to turn back to the start, but some other runners convinced me to try run it off. So ran most of the race on my right leg using the left more as just a prop as it hurt too much to actually use my calf.

The vibe and scenery was just awesome, took loads of pics and really just enjoyed being out in nature. Would have liked to actually run a whole lot more, but just made the most of a 'bad day at the office'. Will definitely do it again, but hopefully a good 10kg's lighter and a lot fitter. Apart from a little vasbyt training, it hasn't helped my Comrades prep one bit.

 

Some pics to give the guys an idea

 

And yeah, running down that uphill we climbed must have been very interesting!

post-3544-0-73880600-1459249005_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-92385300-1459249057_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-05497300-1459249069_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-90137600-1459249101_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-38500800-1459249128_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-65227900-1459249161_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-49238300-1459249206_thumb.jpg

post-3544-0-26795000-1459249271_thumb.jpg

Posted

Well Done Dracs, just finishing any Ultra is an achievement in itself..

 

Don't think about Comrades being 34kms further, its another race on another day.. Your mind was only prepared for 56km Saturday, on the 29th May it will be prepped and ready for 90kms..

 

Personally my race couldn't have gone better on Saturday and another confidence tick on the way to Comrades.. we planned a 4.20 with a 2h07 half, 3h13 Marathon split and pretty much went to plan.

 

The weather was almost too perfect in the first 21kms down to Fish hoek.. one found themselves purposely trying to slow themselves down to avoid hitting the half way mark too far ahead of schedule.. we went through just over 2h06 and then got greeted by some pretty angry gusts of wind on the way up Chappies.. luckily they were only few and far between and the climb wasn't as bad as expected.

 

My hardest part of the day was also coming down the other side of Chappies. 4kms of pounding on the legs on that camber is not for girls and I found myself thinking I need to get back in the gym and up the Leg sessions before May .

 

Always nice seeing the crowds in Houtbay and we climbed out quite comfortably to the Marathon mark in 3h12.30 right on track. At this point I felt great and decided to change my race plan and see where the legs were at. I put in a solid last 14kms in just over an Hour to finish in 4h13.29 still in high spirits and feeling strong. The fact I could run 5min kms up the Nek tell me the hill sessions are definitely paying off.

 

The new Colour Chet Sainsburg medal (sub5) on the year of his death is quite pretty and ill always be proud to have it in my collection.

 

9 weeks to go now, a solid 500km April and I can probably afford (and will probably take) a full 3 week taper into race day...

 

Just under 1300kms done now and still on Track to hit the 2000km Mark...

 

Route Tester in 3 weeks... which will be the last little test followed by an easy Slowmag marathon the week after

Well done, that's an awesome time - massive respect, I know that doesnt just happen  :thumbup: 

One day I want to be on track for Comrades, lazy bugger  :blush:  

Posted

So how did everyone go at OMTOM? 

 

I bled through my eyeballs but happy to say I managed to push on with constant time pressure and squeaked in on a 6.58.58.  That would be a disaster for most of you snakes, but for me given my lack of preparation and injuries the last couple of months it was a success.  

 

I found it harder and way more emotional than anything else I've done (including IMSA) - was really proud to have pushed through and to have my kids there to see it.  Seeing my 10 year old daughter jumping up and down and the feeling I had as I entered UCT with less than 2 minutes to go is something that will stay with me forever.

 

What did I learn?  I already knew it intellectually, but Saturday I proved to myself in practice that the mind rules the body - not the other way around.  Other than that, on the day I thought I learned that two oceans was to be my running pinnacle - I could not fathom myself attempting anything further / tougher.  3 Days on - I am still sore, and I still think that is the case, but for some reason I am not ready just yet to offer up my comrades entry - will give myself a few more days to make that decision.

 

Such a great event though - comrades aspirants who have not already done so, add Oceans to your bucket list.  Now.

 

 

Dracs,

 

Still a long way to go and another 6 weeks of decent training can certainly get you there. You are 100% right in that Comrades is a mind game. Everyone hurts at 60K, it's just telling your legs and body to keep going.

Posted

So how did everyone go at OMTOM? 

 

I bled through my eyeballs but happy to say I managed to push on with constant time pressure and squeaked in on a 6.58.58.  That would be a disaster for most of you snakes, but for me given my lack of preparation and injuries the last couple of months it was a success.  

 

I found it harder and way more emotional than anything else I've done (including IMSA) - was really proud to have pushed through and to have my kids there to see it.  Seeing my 10 year old daughter jumping up and down and the feeling I had as I entered UCT with less than 2 minutes to go is something that will stay with me forever.

 

What did I learn?  I already knew it intellectually, but Saturday I proved to myself in practice that the mind rules the body - not the other way around.  Other than that, on the day I thought I learned that two oceans was to be my running pinnacle - I could not fathom myself attempting anything further / tougher.  3 Days on - I am still sore, and I still think that is the case, but for some reason I am not ready just yet to offer up my comrades entry - will give myself a few more days to make that decision.

 

Such a great event though - comrades aspirants who have not already done so, add Oceans to your bucket list.  Now.

 

well we must have passed each other, I finished in 6:53:53, and wasn't only my eye balls that were bleeding.

 

I thought I was ready but no-one told me that the climbing starts at Fish hoek and and ends at the top of Chappies (and then you get the awesome stretch after the marathon mark)

 

well done to everyone who finished the run (or race for you fast okes)

Posted

Well done toe all finishing OMTOM. I started off great, but my running buddy was struggling just after Chapmans Peak and I decided to stick with him as it won't really make a difference. Constantia Nek was painful as always and the downhill after that hurts.

 

Finished in 5:52, I am happy with a sub 6, even though the plan was 5:30. I will be back next year, such a beautiful race and the support is amazing. 

 

My only complaint is the traffic at the start. It was a total mess with the pre-paid parking tickets. 

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