TRAIL
( MIS ) ADVENTURES trail ( mis ) adventures by CARLA LEA FARINA
Ready for More Loops
So let me tell you about the new , super-exciting format of trail running that has developed thanks to lockdown , the Backyard Ultra Series South Africa .
was a new loop on the hour every hour for the next seven hours , with a rest time between each lap of 10 to 15 minutes . In that time I drank some electrolytes , ate a banana , rubbed some gel on the parts of me that hurt , lay on my back for what felt like mere seconds , and then promptly got up and did it all again .
Images : Alethea Livanos & courtesy Carla Farina
In theory , the concept of the Backyard Ultra is pretty simple . You start by running a 6.7km loop in an hour , then start a new loop every hour on the hour . Sounds simple , doesn ’ t it ? So , for example , if your first loop takes 40 minutes , then you have a 20-minute rest until you have to start off again . And you keep doing this until you physically cannot do any more . Still think it sounds so easy ? Well , I attempted my first Backyard Ultra at Van Gaalens a few weeks ago , and I found out for myself !
Inadvertent Island-hopping
I love events like this , especially when they ’ re new and I get to try them for the first time . So , I packed all the essentials for an ultra – tent , various types of shoes , a cooler box of food , and enough clothes to last me for a two-week holiday – and set off at 5am for the race venue . The race was due to start at 7am , and I wanted to get there in time to set up my tent and get myself ready , but then it happened . My first misadventure .
For those of you who know the route to Haarties , when you get near to Pecanwood School , there is a massive centre that has a Pick n Pay or Spar , or something , and in the middle of the road the most random island you have ever seen . Anyway , it was at night and I didn ’ t see it , so I hit said island , and my car flew for a brief moment – I ’ m not even joking , all four wheels were off the ground !
This smashed my tyre and rim , so Su-yen and I had to stop and change the tyre , which we almost managed on our own , but the nuts were just a bit too tight , so we had to ‘ borrow ’ some cyclists to help . Anyway , tyre changed and all was well , but for the first time in history , I arrived at a race already covered head to toe in grime ! ( PS : If anyone from the local Traffic Department reads this , it may be worth putting some cat eyes on said island . Just saying …)
Run , Refill and Repeat
After this rather hectic start to the day , I arrived the race to be greeted warmly . Registration was hassle-free , I put my tent up in the speed of light and had a mandatory photo taken , and then it was time to start lap one at 7am . From there it
I did seven loops , giving me a total distance of just under 50km , and then decided to call it . Let me tell you , this was one of the tougher ultras I have done ! Keep in mind that because the loop is around 7km , you have to run at least some of it to finish within the hour , and you need to run most or all of it if you want to finish with enough time to rest before the next loop . I tend to walk many kilometres in ultras , but had to run most of the way here , so my legs got tired much sooner , but still , everyone can enter , as you can stop when either you have had enough , or you don ’ t make the hour cut-off .
In terms of the actual loop , it was lovely , with no noticeable hills , just one very fun bridge to run over , and a little river crossing . Some people opted to change into road shoes , but I stuck to my trusty Speedgoats and was very happy . I did not , however , need my tent – there was hardly any time between loops to lie down , and I left for home at around 3pm after watching a few more loops – and the race was so well stocked with race food that I hardly touched the cooler filled with all my race food !
More of the Same , Please
The race was run flawlessly , and there was an amazing atmosphere with such a wonderful vibe and spirit , so this is a race I can definitely recommend giving a try , as it caters to everyone ’ s running level and ability . The good news is that there are another four races in the series , around the country , so get your entry in … but only take a tent if you ’ re fast enough to actually have time to lie down ! ( More info on the series at www . wannado . co . za / bigbackyardultra .)
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 !
Carla and Su-yen heading out for the first of many loops !
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