Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 54, January 2014 | Page 39

Race Report

(My

Experience)

The Push of

Pelindaba

Laur

en e

njoy

ing a

runn

er’s

high

.

Spur Gauteng Summer
Trail Series #4,
Pelindaba Nature
Reserve, 1 December
Images: Wildrunner & Shaun Naidoo

The cool weather helped out more than 400
runners who turned out to take part in the final
Spur Gauteng Summer Trail Series race of the year.
It was needed, with Pelindaba’s steep climbs! – BY
LAUREN VAN DER VYVER, MODERN ATHLETE JOURNALIST

T

here I was, ready to conquer the 7km short course, although I
was a little wary of the mud from the Highveld rains the night before. On
several trails over the last few months, I’ve become paranoid about going
full-speed on the downhills – kept imagining falling face-first in puddles!
But the spectacular course curbed my fears. With a flat, rocky first 2km,
I felt myself get into a strong rhythm. In my previous Trail Series outing
at Segwati, I struggled with my hydration pack straps. At Pelindaba,
everything clicked. My shoes had better grip, my banana breakfast gave
me a burst of energy, and my bag was not bouncing hazardously on my
back.
After an easy start, the course became narrower and it took a lot of focus
navigating over stones. With a few runners slipping around me, I made
sure that I slowed down enough to keep my balance. Then came the hills
– a characteristic of Pelindaba – and my legs felt like jelly! The morning
was getting warmer and the long course runners looped onto the same
track, so I moved to the left for them to pass. There was no way I could
pick up the pace after those hills! But Pelindaba helped me to gain a little
more confidence on the trails, and I can see myself picking up more speed
on the steep downs. Definitely a must-do next year – grinding up hills and
all!

LONG COURSE SERIES WINNERS
Men: Mapepane Mahlangu
Women: Catherine McGown

SHORT COURSE CHALLENGE
WINNERS
Men: Ryan Mathaba
Women: Zoe Brentano
For more info and results, go to
www.trailseries.co.za.

@wildrunnerza or #spurtrailseries
www.facebook.com/trailseries

Trail Series ad designs 2 Dec 2013-2.indd 1

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