19 APRIL, 2019 | OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS TRAIL

Visiting An Old Friend ...

The Long Trail

This year I returned to the Old Mutual Two Oceans Trail for the 5th year in a row. Many will ask, why do you keep doing the same race over and over again. Well it's simple, this is that one race that got me addicted to trail running and having struggled on my first race here, running a time of 4hrs07mins back in 2015, to having run my PB last year in a time of 2hr48mins, it is that one race that will always tell me how far I have come, and how rewarding it can be.

Added to my time improvements over the years, it will always sit in my mind as one of the most beautiful shorter trails I have done. There are not many races in the world where you can run through a beautiful forest for almost half of the race, and then have to fight your way through some steep elevation in excess of 900m.

2019 the Old Mutual Two Oceans Trail would be a very different race for me, as the year has not been the kindest to me in preparation. Some unforseen injuries and even a flu spell earlier in the year meant that I had early on decided that I would take a very easy approach to the race this year, and just enjoy the scenery, snapping up many photos.

Toeing the line...

Being seeding in the B Batch for the 2019 edition of the Old Mutual Two Oceans Trail Run, meant that I would definately see a slower starting batch than in 2018. This year it suited me just fine, as I had planned to take the race slow. We were blessed with great weather at the start, and despite a miscommunicated start time, everyone was looking forward to a great event.

A Batch was set off at 07:00, followed but the remaining batches in intervals of 10 minutes. This means by 07:10, my run had started. The first few 100m's are on a tarred surface before making your way onto the trails that lead into the beautiful Newlands Forest. The route through Newlands Forest is made up of a combination of jeep track and some single track trail.

To waste, to destroy our natural resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to them amplified and developed.

― Theodore Roosevelt

You run through Newlands Forest for roughly the first 12km of the race, crossing a number of the streams, and up and down a few dips. As I was holding back, I couldn't help myself, from pushing a little harder through certain sections, but more in a playful way, hoping and skipping over the rocks and other obstacles along the way, just really enjoying the route and having some fun... After all when on the trails it's - "Time To Play" :-).

The 12km runners, would stay win the forest section for their entire race, and thus would not really face the steep climbs that lay ahead for those of us on the longer 24km route. I think the 12km race is a stunning race, and very must suited for anyone who wants an introduction to what trail running is about. You also get to experience some of the amazing beauty of the hidden in the forest.

Out of the Forest And Up the Mountain ...

After leaving the Newlands Forest, you make your way onto another jeep track section. This section stretches for roughly 2km and is almost completely exposed as you make your way around the base of table mountain, just below the old Block House. This section of jeep track can be extremely fast, as it is primarily downhill, and not that steep that you have to fear opening up. Even novice runners can make up some time here. Just don't get too excited, as it would be vital to saving some energy for the climb that awaits.

You take a sharp left turn to leave the jeep track onto the single track. From here on in, the next 8km or so will all be single track trails. You go down a bit of a dip, before having to make the first part of the steep climb. It's not a long climb, but can seem daunting to some. Once up this hill, the trail winds around the iconic table mountain, slowly going up.

After having some time to settle into a comfortable stride, the last, and biggest climb of the races appears in front of you. It is a climb that will take you from 200m to 610m over the next 5km. There is a mid section on the climb, at the old cannons, where it flattens out for a few meters, but only enough to get you through the aid station and to ready yourself for further climbing.

As you make your way to the top of Table Mountain, your are surrounding by stunning views of the harbour and the winding roads that lead up to the cable cart. One has to stop and snap up a few photos. It is also along this section where you can find yourself losing some time as it is extremely difficult to overtake with many narrow sections and steep drops.

Once you reach the top of the climb though, it becomes a very comfortable run. Yes, you still on single track, and have the steep drops to contend with, but you are able to open your stride up again if you are brave enough.

It was along this top section of the mountain where I decided to have a bit more fun, attaching the down hills, and just really enjoying being on the mountain. I did at one point alomst come short, when my arm hit the side of the mountain, my foot hit the edge of the ledge, and I almost lost my balance. It was a big scare, as it would of been at least a 15m drop had I gone over the ledge. That said, I always seem to struggle a bit at this section of the race, as I do have a fear of heights, and it's never easy to attack this 100m stretch.

So past almost falling off table mountain, the brush along the edge of the paths gets a little thicker from here, and there is constant battle to avoid being pricked by the sharp bushes. This path will also lead you to the biggest decent of the race, another point that can cost you a lot of time, if you find yourself getting to this point when behind a crowd. The decent brings you to almost a dead stop, as you have to safely navigate your way down the rock face. This is a very steep decent, and it's really not a time to be taking chances, especially knowing I still have to run 56km the next day :-).

Finally off the mountain, the trail again opens up into a jeep track section as you pass the block house and grab some refreshments at the second and last aid station. This last secton of the race is again a lot faster than the mid section, and brings a sense of reward. You have just experienced a really tough trail, filled with so much beauty along the way.

Coming off the trail, the last stretch of the race you catch up to the back runners of the 12km race. Fortunately, this last section is very open, and you even run the last few hundred meters along the tar road before finally making your way onto the UCT sports grounds. You now know that you have conquered Table Mountain.

Fair well old friend, until we meet again next year.