Article By: Thamar Houliston
Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:26
Day one of the Cape Odyssey started on a pearler of a day, at the Old Harbour in Hermanus. As whales splashed in the bay there was much anticipation in the air.
Team iafrica was feeling pretty confident about the first stage of the race — a 32 kilometre off-road run from Hermanus to Kleinmond. We gathered at the starting point, rubbing shoulders with some of the best trail runners in the country. Moyra Shear and her team-mate Ian Little from Montrail/Cape Storm, who we had stayed with the night before, are hot contenders for the winners of the mixed category.
Today was one of the 'easier' days. The problem is, however, that you don't want to run too hard on the first day as you don't really have any idea of how your legs will feel the next day and tomorrow (Wednesday) is the longest day — 60 kilometres.
So the first hill climb — a steep 200 metre ascent up Fernkloof Nature Reserve — became a hike with runners not wanting to injure themselves early in the race. The hill separated the pack of 100 runners and soon enough my team-mate Nick and I were trotting along with a crystal clear view of the coastline.
How not to run the Cape Odyssey
After the first climb and descent into the Hemel en Aarde valley to Onrus, we were pacing well and seemed to be in a good position. We were both feeling strong as we passed some of the Cape Odyssey marshals, but at 10 kilometres I began to feel a little green.
A mixture of the heat, a dodgy energy drink and dehydration had turned me the colour of my carbo-loading fluid. We did, however, make it to the first water station and after taking in some liquid I thought I would be fine.
Running over rocks and on sand in the Mudgepoint Nature Reserve, following the coastline, only made the nausea worse though and Nick had to carry my hydration pack and coax me to keep going — proving that having a partner has a purpose after all.
While Nick's approach was encouragement, I tried my hand at throwing up before giving in to my ego and deciding to walk for a bit.
Heading towards Hawston the sandy track felt never-ending. Nick got so tired of waiting for me that he decided to take pictures and seemed like he was just on holiday enjoying the scenery.
Once we reached Hawston I spoke to the medics, who in turn gave me a choice: Valoid or an injection? Hmm… maybe not. So the decision was made to forge on. The last section was now a 12-kilometre beach run towards Kleinmond, which runners might recognise from the Total Sport’s Challenge.
What running is made of
They say it's all in your head, and when it comes to races like this it definitely is. Having loads of support around me — including our closest competition — team Outthere, I felt motivated again and decided to give it my all.
The last stretch was tough, but knowing we had plenty of time — five hours to do 12 kilometres — we relaxed and even stopped to enjoy the scenery. We took our shoes off for the rest of the run, splashing through the waves, which were unavoidable at this point, as the tide was coming in.
At this point it dawned on me that as much as everyone wants to do well, at the end of the day you have to enjoy what you are doing. It’s so easy to get caught up in the race and forget why you are there in the first place.
The first day of the Odyssey was a stunning route, not too difficult but also challenging at the same time. Of course when your body is saying no – it’s a bit more of a fight – but at the end of the day it was definitely worth it. Day one down — the biggie tomorrow...
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