The Long Run
Dear Diary
1 weeks to Cape Peninsula 21.1km -19th February
2 weeks to Cango 21.1km - 25th February
4 weeks to Totalsports VOB 15km - 12th March
9 weeks to Two Oceans 21.1km - 16th April
‘Winning shoes and getting two PBs in one week'
I can’t describe my elation when a fellow runner tagged me on a Sportsmans Warehouse Facebook post to say that I had WON a pair of running shoes. And, not just any pair but a pair of the new Asics Nimbus 25! Brand, spanking new. They have only just arrived in SA and I already have a pair! How lucky am I?
When I saw the post, I literally squealed with joy and a few happy tears may have leaked. Just this week I was talking to a friend about running shoes. We were both saying that we would need new shoes before Two Oceans this year. Truth is, when you run lots, your shoes wear down quickly.
The Nimbus 25 comes in an array of colours. The papaya/violet quartz for the ladies, and for the men an island blue/gracier grey and black/pure silver with wider fit. It’s not often that a shoe colour melts my heart, but the island blue is a magnificent turquoise! I am deeply in love.
If the Nimbus 24 is anything to go by, the Nimbus 25 is going to be a treat. The shoes are designed for comfort and distance with a well cushioned sole. This allows for softer landing and more ‘kick’ in the toe-off. The flexy, breathable tongue and upper is a recent addition to the range that hugs your arches like gloves, whilst allowing maximum breathability. And, for the eco warriors, large portions of the shoe's upper material is recycled. Thus, reducing land-fill waste and carbon emissions. It's a win. I also love the corresponding detail in aglet and eyelet and the shoe colours are spectacular! Also, the laces are a good enough length.
'I’ve had three runs in these shoes already and they feel great. '
They are bouncy, light and super spacious around the toes. The kick off is responsive and also supportive.
The real kicker is that I knocked 1 min off my November 5km time trial. What a winner!
Thank you Sportmans Warehouse and Asics for this incredible prize! I am a very proud Asics supporter and fan.
Firgrove Challenge:
This past weekend was the annual Spartan Harriers Firgrove Challenge hosted by the club. It was very well attended by runners and walkers, well marshalled, and supported by a few other clubs. The turnout was really fantastic, far exceeding any expectation.
The race begins at the Maths and Science Academy on Firgrove Rd, and takes you along various roads in the leafy suburbs, and ends back at the starting point. This route has a few mean hills that are not for the faint hearted. Check this profile! There are plenty of hills all along this route; Nova Constantia, Constantia main and the likes of Sebastian and Picardie!
A run/walk strategy works well for hills. It's important to listen to your breathing and heart rate. It should feel moderately comfortable. You shouldn’t push till it feels uncomfortable but not to exhaustion. Fortunately, we came down Southern Cross, Brommersvlei and Rathfelder, Ladies Mile and Spaanschemat and into Strawberry.
The last bit of Strawberry Lane is always a challenge, and leads into an uphill on Willow and back onto an incline up Spaanschemat. My splits tell me that despite the hills, I really pushed for the last few kms. At 12.5km I realised that there is a chance of a sub 2hr finish. It was a great motivator for me as I did not hold back for that last stretch from Spaanschemat to the finish line.
Going into this race, I was determined to improve on my Bay2bay time. I hadn’t anticipated I’d be so close to a sub 2 finish. I ran my heart out back to the finish. That sneaky snaked finish inside the school grounds caught me by surprise. With the screams of encouragement from friendly marshalls, I kept going. That finish line was like a cold beer on a stinking hot day. It was so welcoming and I felt such joy crossing it!
I am over the moon and SO happy with my finishing time of 1:59:58. It got WAY better when I realised that my 15k time was a PB of 1:58:11 AND a PB for 10k of 1:17:08.
My Bay2bay 15k time was 2:05:06 vs 1:58:11 for Firgove so that's a vast improvement. Granted, the profiles are quite different but it's still a good comparison and I am delighted by the improvement.
Next stop Cape Peninsula 21.1km!
Here is what I've learnt:
A positive and determined mindset goes a long way.
I do well on hills with a run/walk strategy
I run well with music
I LOVE my new Asics Nimbus shoes!.
XOXO
Haylee
Goals for 2023:
Lose weight in the region of 25kg
Get much, much stronger.
Run 2 marathons in an improved time from CTM
Improve on my half marathon time
Top tips for the week:
Slower runs help you recover
Intentions for the upcoming week:
Get back into my 5am routine
Upcoming runs:
Here is my list for the rest of the year and some others you might like.
Cape Peninsula Marathon and Half Marathon 21.1km 19 February 2023 (2)
Cango Marathon - 21.1km 25th February
Totalsports VOB 15km - 11th March Two Oceans Marathon 21.1km or 56km April 2023 (10) (ENTERED 21.1km) SAFARI Half Marathon 21.1km May 2023 (1)
Festival of Running July 2023 (1)
World Rowing Masters 21-24 September 2023 (0)
The Gun Run 21.1km September 2023 (3)
Cape Town Marathon 42.2km October 15th Sunday 2023 (1) (entered)
Istanbul Marathon 5th November 2023
Fueling:
32gi Sports Chews, Endure Sports Drink and Hydrate for running/snack fuel
HMT Vegan Protein - post run recovery. I loved chocolate for years and now love combining the strawberry and vanilla flavours. Takealot: https://tinyurl.com/25n6s7d6
HMT L’Glutamine - amino acid replacement and before bed to aid recovery. This stuff is the bomb! Takealot: https://tinyurl.com/2p9ep5nb.
Invest in your own Rock Rabbit and get 20% off: Haylee20
