TRAIL
( MIS ) ADVENTURES trail ( mis ) adventures by CARLA LEA FARINA
Wet and Wild
The Wild Series races are some of my favourites on the calendar , and I recently ran the Wild Series Golden Gate Challenge . This year ’ s race was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic , but it still really got me thinking about why I love trail running so much .
It was dry when we set off , and even warmed up a bit … sort of . We had a coffee at the top of the mountain , then continued our journey , and to me it felt like I was on a quest in The Lord of the Rings , but that ’ s just my wild imagination taking over . As we descended the mountain it started to rain lightly again , but for the most part the weather gods were clearly in our favour .
Images : Gareth Roberts Photography & courtesy Carla Lea Farina
This year ’ s Wild Series Golden Gate Challenge was a little different . There were only about 40 runners , with no race village and no formal prizegiving , but it took running back to its core . As much as I love big , festive race villages – and I can ’ t wait to have them back – this was a nice change of pace . In fact , while this was the 10 th edition of the race , it was like being at the first ever Golden Gate Challenge .
However , what I want to talk about this month is not the race itself , but trail running in general , specifically the camaraderie and unity you get at a race like this . Especially when it rains … and let me tell you , it poured and poured and poured at this event ! We were camping , and to be out there in the pouring rain with fellow runners was pretty cool . OK , my tent didn ’ t leak , and I stayed dry . This article probably would have gone slightly differently had I been in a leaking tent !
Whacky Weather
So , the race was on the Saturday and Sunday – a change from the usual three-day event – and the weather leading up to the race was hot , about 30 degrees , my ideal racing conditions . However , when we got there , the temperature began to plummet . By Saturday morning when we set off at about 7am , it was cold , but not raining just yet .
What a beautiful race . OK , it ’ s pretty much never-ending climbing , but the views from the top were just breath-taking , and after a morning of great running , we explored Clarens for lunch , as the race was not catered this year due to COVID regulations . Then at about 2pm the rain set in . Properly ! It rained nonstop until 4am the next morning , but then the most wonderful thing happened . It stopped raining just in time for the race start on day two . It was like magic !
A welcome coffee on top of the mountain
Carla and running mate Su-yen Thornhill re-enact a previous misadventure
The stunning Golden Gate setting
Reasons to Run
That brings me back to the most wonderful part of trail running , and the reason for these trail misadventure articles . Part of this awesome sport involves misadventures – OK , for me they are usually quite a lot worse – but the thing is , you experience them with people who can easily become lifelong friends .
You will fall in love with the most beautiful landscapes , and have epic adventures that most people only dream of . Yes , you need determination , willpower , physical and mental strength , and yes , you will be challenged . Yes , you may feel like quitting , but you keep going . Isn ’ t that a wonderful analogy for life ? There are ups and downs around every corner , but you keep on going , one foot in front of the other .
Sure , it ’ s embarrassing almost having to be airlifted off a cliff , and it ’ s a bit awkward being singled out when race directors are explaining the route , the colour of the markers and how not to get lost . Yes , it ’ s painful falling flat on your face at every race … but that ’ s what trail running is all about , making the most of the misadventures and things that don ’ t go according to plan . It ’ s learning to adapt to unfavourable conditions . And it ’ s about being OK with people laughing about your misadventures , because you know they will have your back when push comes to shove .
Recalling Good Times
When I think back to all my misadventures , it ’ s not really the trials and tribulations that I remember , it ’ s the laughs I had with friends after the race ( or rescue ) while telling them about the latest misadventure . It is the happy tears I have shed with some of my favourite people when I have completed something like the Karkloof 100 Miler . And those misadventures quickly turn into memories and ‘ war stories ,’ and you forget about the parts where you felt like quitting .
I am so glad I got bitten by the trail bug all those years ago , and I look forward to all the new misadventures that lie in store for me . That ’ s why I wrote this edition of Trail ( Mis ) adventures , in the hope of inspiring everyone reading it to get out onto their local trails , tackle some stage races , and have some misadventures of their own . There is a big wide world out there , and adventure awaits !
About the Author
While Carla ’ s ‘ day job ’ is Head Tennis Coach and Director of Tennis at Game Set Match Tennis in Johannesburg , her second love is trail running , which she tackles with an unquenchable thirst for adventure , a never-saydie attitude , and a healthy sense of humour about all the misadventures that befall her on the trails !
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