TRAIL
( MIS ) ADVENTURES trail ( mis ) adventures by CARLA LEA FARINA
Images : Courtesy Carla Farina
If you ’ ve read my column before , you will be familiar with the rules of a Backyard Ultra : It ’ s a 6.7km loop ( known as a ‘ yard ’), which you run on the hour , every hour , until you either pull out , get cut off , or win the challenge . Isn ’ t that just too exciting for words ? Well , the Delta Backyard Ultra ( DBU ), hosted by fellow trail runner and friend Martin Crouse and his team towards the end of October , was undoubtedly one of the most well organised , fun and exciting races I have done .
It was held in Delta Park , featuring a route that was not as flat as the loops I have done in other Backyard Ultras . The downhills were very welcoming , whereas the uphills … well , those were mostly walked . It was a beautiful day , and we kicked off at 7am sharp . The first couple of loops always involve getting the route memorised , and figuring out the spots where you will walk or run , eat and drink , and stop to smell the roses ( if you have the time in hand ).
With Friends Like These …
My goal for this race was 10 loops , so I set off at 7am fully expecting to be done at 5pm . The first couple of laps were relatively uneventful in terms of misadventures , and I was waiting patiently for the end of lap five , when I had some friends coming to run a few laps with me . That ’ s because this amazing event allows you to have anyone you want to come and run a lap or five with you . So , I headed out for my fifth lap knowing that at the end I would have some company for the next one . And then the misadventure struck .
Heading rather fast down an uneven gravel road , I pretty much tripped over my own feet , and while I managed to somehow protect my face , I still skidded for about 10 metres and ended up with the world ’ s biggest warwounds . I looked so hardcore with blood gushing from
Coming in to finish one of the early laps
Trail Bliss in My Backyard
If there is one big misconception , it ’ s that us Joburgers have no amazing trails to run . While we don ’ t have huge mountains , or plunging waterfalls , or long , untouched beaches , we do have some special trails , and this month I want to tell you about one of the best trail races I have done to date , and it was right in the heart of sunny Johannesburg , a mere five minute-drive from my front door , in my proverbial backyard .
Refuelling for the next lap , war wounds and all
Getting by with the help of some friends …
my leg and hand , but not to worry , my friends Nats , Mike , Parys , Sue , Robs and Sam fixed me up when I finished that lap , and then Mike , Robs , Parys and I headed out for lap number six . It was so special having them run with me , and Mike ended up doing six laps with me , always making sure I got back in time to not be cut off .
Finally , it was time for the elusive 10th lap . I was so excited to reach my goal , and I said to Mike and Robs that whatever happens , I had to be back before cut-off , because this lap had to count , and they promised me it would as they ran with me . On the way , we spotted the owls that were nesting in one of the trees , and that made it even more special , see them on this run , right in the middle of Joburg ( wink , wink ).
Hey Guys , Just One More ?
Well , we made it in time and I reached my goal , but then I got thinking ... I didn ’ t want to pull out , I would rather get disqualified . Just then , I saw my mom , and Comet ( my crazy , energetic pooch ), and I hatched a plan : I would walk the 11th lap with Robs , Mike and Comet , and we would take longer than the hour , so I would get disqualified . This is what we did , so officially I got 10 laps , but unofficially I did 11 .
Then came the best part . First , my amazing friend Nats had come back to see me finish and then gave me the world ’ s most amazing leg massage . Now that ’ s true
friendship , because my legs were properly disgusting by then , and then I drove the short distance home to go get into my own bed . OK , first I had to deal with the agony of cleaning gravel out of my legs and hands … but then I was able to get into my own bed !
Martin and his team really did run an amazing event , and I highly recommend you give next year ’ s DBU a try . I will definitely be there again ! Thank you for an epic weekend , Martin , and well done to Lucky Miya , who was the winner , finishing an impressive 28 yards ( 187.6km ), very closely followed by Garry Cooper on 27 ( 180.9km ) – you are both amazing !
Personal pacer Mike , and crazy , energetic pooch Comet
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-say-die attitude , and a healthy sense of humour about all the misadventures that befall her on the trails !
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