Adrian's Table Mountain trail running chronicles

Last Saturday I went out with the desire (and need) to run far, but I had hurt my leg above the ankle but below the calf on the inside of my left leg during a tempo run on the Wednesday. This was probably because I left my house like a bat out of hell and these days I do actually need a warm up, it would seem.

I started in the dark up Platteklip by myself and it soon became obvious (probably when I climbed out of bed already) that running wasn't going to work too well. I hiked up and felt too much pain, but the views were amazing. As I stood at the top the sun rose, it was brilliant but I bailed and walked down. Eventually I ran down just to get away from the people starting to head up already. Not a great mission but so it goes - not every day can be a good day. Looking forward to some better ones soon!! Today is Wednesday and I did some short walks since and so far the ankle seems ok.

5.7 km
657 m ascent
(Average HR 106, max 147. Guess I did not try very hard at all.)




Looking up.

Still rising



Pity I did not video this. Friday morning early I may make a mission up.


Instagram video:

Having had flu for almost 2 weeks I did almost nothing. Oh wait I did do something, I was grumpy

On Friday morning I did a lap around Rooikat Kloof in the pouring rain with a mate, before climbing into the car and driving to Prince Albert. Not much to report. May and June were terrible running months. July has to double.

4 km
327 m ascent


At the top of Rooikat Kloof is this lovely waterfall. A stunning spot to get some great images if you take along a proper camera and tripod. I took my wifes dog with. She loved it.

I've been running in Knysna the last week but before I left, on 8 July, I managed a decent one out in the hills. I got to Platteklip an hour before sunrise and took the last available parking on the left side. I could not believe it. I decided to power up and overtook more than 20 people, thereafter not seeing anyone. A bit after that I started fading and slogged upwrads slowwly but still made it up in 53 minutes which is almost pretty decent if I say so myself. Have to keep working on that. It was cold and super misty so not many photos to report on. At the top the wind was nuclear. Please, observe:


I love the bad weather. This continued all the way with temperatures in the single figures. I ran to Maclears, then down Smuts Track all the way to Constantia Nek then around the dams, down Kasteelspoort and along the pipe track. Up Kloof Corner Ridge along the contour to Devils Peak then down and back along about 800 m of tar to the parking lot at Platteklip. Good run. Not too many people on top given the weather but I still saw a fair bit.

22.4 km
1409 m of ascent


Looking down at Kasteelspoort. Incredibly windy this side too.


Looking north. Lions Head in the mist. At the top visibility was minimal. Lekker weather to just run and empty your brain of everything.

Yesterday I tackled a run I had last done 16 January. My new training is paying off and I shaved off a huge 39 minutes. Granted my first run on that route was in gale force winds and I was blown to the ground three times. Yesterday was blue skies and no wind, perfect - despite my late start of 09:45 with our little great dane puppy keeping us awake all night!!

Parked in the suburbs of Camps Bay and went up Diagonal, finishing on Porcupine Ravine, left up the hill, down to Echo Valley, up again to where Platteklip ends then along to Maclears which was brimming with people. Down Smuts, right along Echo Valley again and up, down in Valley of the Red Gods down Kasteelspoort and back. Felt very good. Legs are hurting today

14.5 km
1667 m of ascent


Looking up Porcupine Ravine. No running here.


The view down into Camps Bay.


The bald man selfie. I bought an Osprey Duro 15 to run with. Works better in winter to take all the gear. I always train in the gear required so during a race it makes no difference to me. Not that it matters much at my pace.




Climbing out of Echo Valley looking south east.


Almost out of Echo Valley. Super views.


Looking north from Maclears Beacon. Devils Peak on the right.


About to go down Kasteelspoort.


Halfway down KP.


Almost back at the car.

May I kindly ask admin to move this post to the "Trail Running" section please?

This stems from this topic:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/34-this-site/56283-sections.html

I've been quite slack in updating this thread.
I also have some new ones on my Otter run as well as Ultra-Trail Cape Town 65 km which I'll be getting to this holiday.