Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 131, June 2020 June 2020 | Page 40
Kloof Nek, Table
Mountain Challenge
Fractured Paths
This is a story about life, and some of life’s problems. A story about running… and running away from life’s problems. This is
my adventure, with the lessons I learnt through running, and the perspective I gained when I could no longer run.
– BY LEIGH DE NECKER
After completing the 13 Peaks Challenge on the
Cape Peninsula, I felt invincible! To maintain
this high, I began working towards my next
big challenge, running my furthest trail race to date. I
had entered the 44km Solo Table Mountain Challenge
(TMC) a few months back, so I had a realistic amount
of time to prepare. I usually don’t do too much
research on a route before, I just run. However, when
the title of the race includes the words, “Mountain”
and “Challenge,” I figured it may be a good idea to do
a practice run, along a section of the route at least, to
get an idea of what I had signed up for.
Lesson #1: Stay on the path
The TMC route kicks off with the Kasteelspoort climb.
Not being familiar with said climb, I got my friend,
navigator, and fellow 13 Peaks conqueror, Sean on
board, to show me the way. We began with a brisk
jog along Table Mountain’s “Pipe Track,” before the
big ascent. Upon reaching the top, we looked back
over the majestic Lion’s Head mountain, and Robben
Island blotched in the middle of a beautiful blue sea.
The ecstasy that comes with this kind of elevation is
unreal! We were energised, and far from ready to head
down the planned route. We trotted on a little further,
Dangerous Ascent,
Dangerous Descent,
Kasteelpoort
led by the sights and smells of Spring, until… we got
lost.
As trail runners know, this happens (a lot), so no
big deal. Paths generally link up, and getting lost is
sometimes the best way to find new routes with the
best views. We did indeed find beautiful views, but
after veering off the technical descent of Oudekraal
Ravine, we found ourselves boob-deep in dense,
aggressive vegetation, on the edge of a mountain,
searching for a path… any path.
The GPS pointed towards a route above us. Getting
frustrated by bushes and trees cutting up our legs,
we began climbing what looked like sturdy rocks.
Sean tried one side, while I tried the other. My side
was too steep, and as I made my way down, the
boulder I was holding for support dislodged. It went
tumbling down the mountain, while I was caught by
the rickety branches of a single, random tree. Besides
my legs being pretty scratched up by the butchering
botanicals, and the minor psychological trauma of
nearly falling to my death, I was unharmed.
Lesson #2: Nature will always win
These mountain missions are amazing, and there
is a thrill associated with the danger of some of the
lost cause quests I set out to do. I am driven by the
desire for adventure, pushing my limits and beating
my bests, so I am guilty of being pretty reckless
sometimes, and not always being prepared. This was,
however, a healthy reminder of how Mother Nature
Images: Barbara Cole, Ray Chaplin, Sean Altern, & Courtesy Leigh De Necker
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ISSUE 131 JUNE 2020 / www.modernathlete.co.za