TRAIL RUNNING
Otter Still on the
Cards
Summiting Simonsberg with Christiaan and Christopher at 19 weeks pregnant
Top trail runner Landie Greyling won the Otter African Trail in 2014 and finished second last year , but at the end of October she will attempt something even tougher by her own high standards , when she tackles the gruelling marathon-length trail while six months pregnant . – BY KIRSTY HATT & SEAN FALCONER
They call it the Grail of Trail … 41km of
rugged Indian Ocean coastline trails through indigenous forests , four river crossings and spectacular scenery , with 11 significant climbs , over 2400 metres of elevation gain and some 7000 steps , on a route that is normally off-limits to runners . No wonder an entry for the Otter is so sought after , and why the best trail runners in the world all want to win this one – as Landie Greyling can attest .
The Stellenbosch-based pro runner has finished on podiums all around the world in the last decade , and has represented South Africa at the World Ultra Trail Champs , but top of the list of highlighted wins on her website is the Otter . She won it in 2014 , crossing the line in 5:11:46 after finally breaking the stubborn challenge of Nicolette Griffioen and Sue Don-Wauchope late in the race . Then in 2019 an emotional Landie finished as the women ’ s runner-up , crossing the line in 5:08:52 , behind Toni McCann ’ s record-breaking 4:52:48 . The reason for tears was that Landie ’ s son , Christopher , had just turned a year old , and she was making her comeback to racing after extended maternity leave . Fast-forward to 2020 and Landie is now set to tackle another Otter run , but this time with a difference …
Kleinmond Running at 10 weeks pregnant
Making Plans
After starting off the year in fine form , including a fourth place at the Hong Kong 100 , Landie was looking forward to a good year on the international circuit , but then all races were cancelled and international travel was banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic . She had planned to race the full year , and then in 2021 , expand her family with fellow professional trail runner husband Christiaan , but those plans changed once the lockdown began . “ Because of COVID-19 , we decided to speed up the plan , and our second baby is now due in early February – and we are keeping the gender a surprise ,” she says with her trademark smile .
At the time of writing , Landie was 25 weeks pregnant and still running six days a week , sometimes even twice a day , and doing fartlek and hill sessions in preparation for the Otter . However , instead of racing in the main Trail Race event on Saturday 30 October , with its nine-hour cut-off , she plans to run the slightly more relaxed and social Trail Challenge on Thursday 29 October , with its extended 11-hour cut-off .
Landie continued running throughout her first pregnancy , and believes it is good to keep running
for as long as possible during her second pregnancy . “ Training keeps my energy levels up and keeps me healthy . If you are used to a specific kind of exercise , I believe it is safe to continue while pregnant , obviously listening to your body and consulting with your medical professionals ,” she says . “ I ’ m slightly heavier on the uphills , but I ’ m enjoying being able to climb mountains , do summits with Christopher and Christiaan , enjoying nature and appreciating my health and mobility .”
Running for Two
Despite the extra weight of her baby and needing to be extra careful on the trails , Landie says that it is a blessing that she can still be part of the Otter this year . “ With Christopher , there were a lot of events I wanted to do , but couldn ’ t run because I was pregnant .” That said , she feels that not having races to train for has made her second pregnancy much calmer .
“ When I ’ m training as a professional athlete , there is always pressure to fit everything in , such as training , recovery , getting to the biokinetist , having massages , and sponsorship responsibilities , to name a few . I love my job , but now I get time to be a homebody and do special things with my little boy . I have a flexible job , so I spend more time with him and I am enjoying being in a different mindset to that of the focus required for competition times .”
Of course , a trail run , and specifically the Otter , is unique in the unpredictability of weather conditions , and Landie says she will not take any unnecessary risks , always putting her own and her unborn baby ’ s health first . Therefore , if the conditions are unsuitable , she will make the decision to pull out of the race beforehand . “ I am looking forward to the Otter and hope my pregnancy will continue to go well , so that I will get to toe the start line .”
Images : Courtesy Landie Greyling
Birthday run with Christiaan at 19 weeks pregnant
Finishing second at last year ’ s Otter African Trail
On top of Aasvoëlkop near Hermanus at 21 weeks pregnant
The Grail of Trail
32The Otter ISSUE African 134 Trail OCTOBER is run 2020 in alternating / www . modernathlete directions from . co one . zayear to the next , creating two different runs known as the Otter Classic , running East to West from Storms River Mouth Rest Camp to Nature ’ s Valley , and the Otter Retto ( Otter spelled backwards ) in the opposite direction . This year will see the Retto route being run . You can find out more at https :// otter . run .