|
The West Coast Marathon 2008
After the first bus passed us we thought that perhaps we weren’t trying hard enough at waving them down. After the second bus passed us and nearly ran us down we decided that it was a conspiracy.
Instead we decided to wave down a sedan – we didn’t wake up at 5 in the morning to miss our race! We ended up in a really comfy car with a heater and a bunch of race officials-way better than the bus that was supposed to stop for us. We were staying in some cottages in the west coast national park for a wedding at Geelbek on the Saturday evening, and my husband had supposedly organized that one of the buses leaving from Langebaan would pick us up on the way out to the start!
The marathon starts at the very end of the park at a place called Tsarsbank, with a backdrop of crashing waves and the pungent odour of rotten kelp – there was a light mist over the sea and a layer of condensation over the land. It really was spectacular. About 400 people took part and everyone was in great spirits - the weather was just perfect. There wasn’t a breath of wind (which I gather is extraordinary for the west coast) and the sky was beautifully clear. The marathon started just as the sun came up.
There were only a couple of km’s of dirt before the tar began and then it was gently undulating all the way through the park. There were 2 ladies just ahead of me in the first 20km, but I had them in sight, and felt very comfortable and confident that I would be able to get the better of them, which I did! I managed to complete the second 21kms in a similar time to the first, without too much effort, finishing in a time of 3 hours and 16mins. The last hill is a real killer, about 150 degree gradient and only 2kms from the end. Just as I was about to contemplate having a little walk, the Actionography photographers spotted my Cape Storm/ Montrail gear and shouted furiously for me, which gave me that last little boost up the hill.
At the prizegiving I was asked a couple of questions, one of which was what my next race was, and I told them it was the Fisherman’s Challenge. He looked at me confused- I had to explain that it was a trail run. He looked even more confused and I had to go into what trail running was. I said he should try it some time but he looked a bit put out. Bloody roadies!
Name: Olivia Read
Age: 31
Been running since: for many years, but only competitively for a couple
Montrail athlete since: October 2007, still have to prove myself though
Hometown: Cape Town, but grew up in Joburg
Favorite superhero: My husband!
Snacks on the run: gu and more gu - nothing else wants to go down
Quote to live by: Life is too short for regrets. Try and live each day to the fullest, and of course dont forget to laugh.
Shoe of choice: Montrail hopefully!
Real Job: Doctor specialising in Ophthalmology (eyes that is)
My idea of training is: For me running on the mountain isnt really training, and thats why i love trail running so much. I only count the road runs as training runs! I guess the main thing is just getting as much time in the shoes as you can. Most of the trail runs vary from 20 up to 80km, and there aren't that many around, so one doesn't really have the benefit of choosing a single distance and training specifically for that distance. Speed work is also important even if ones training for those long runs.
Greatest moment of glory: Finishing the Puffer this year (my first) with my husband. I loved every minute of it.
Upcoming Race plans: I'm hoping to do as many of the trail races next year as i can fit into my timetable. Hoping to also convert some of those seconds i so enjoyed getting into firsts!
Advice to first timers: You have to enjoy it. Start slowly
|
