Thank you to Charlene and Dy for joining me this morning for an interesting run through the Rondebosch area! Even though the morning was extremely hot (22 degrees before 6am!), we had a good run, taking plenty of water breaks along the way.
We'd all run on Sunday out in the Tygerberg area, so were all in the same boat with slightly tired legs. But that didn't stop us from running a quick pace - apparently we're all stronger than we think!
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We started out at Great Westerford with me getting stuck in the gym after dumping my gym back in the lockers. Head to the door to join the others outside and the door won't open!!! Press unlock button, but no *click* Great, now I get stuck in the gym until someone else triggers the door lock release from outside, which at 5:15 in the morning won't be anytime soon. Building security is still asleep. The others' cellphones are either at home or in their cars, so calling them won't help. What do I do????
Well it turns out that the lock-magnet sometimes jams, and a hard enough yank on the door will release it. So I escaped from the gym 5 minutes later and rejoined the others outside to start our run.
The run itself was pleasantly uneventful, with little traffic out at that time during the holidays. We started out up Main road - no hills today! Over Belmont and around the Rondebosch Common, which seemed unusually long this morning. We noticed the heat almost from the start, and enjoyed the odd breeze that came our way.
By 5km we were done with the Common and heading towards the Shell for some much needed water. The water was warm but wet, we all drank and splashed our faces to cool off before setting off again, this time for Sandown Road.
Sandown took us all the way through to Milner Road, and shortly thereafter we doubled back up Ave de Mist, towards the WPCC grounds, where Dy suggested another water break - its great when someone reveals a new tap along an old favourite route! And this time the water was cold too!!!
Refreshed, we headed off through the WPCC, changing our route slightly from the original plan - that's what's so nice about these morning runs: we improvise routes as we feel like it, often coming up with interesting new routes to add to our ever-growing repertoire. Emerging from the far side of of WPCC, we headed towards Squirrel Way to rejoin the original route along Water Road, along the canal.
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| Route Map |
A short but fairly steep climb (the only real 'hill' of this route) led us back to Palmyra Road, but we quickly turned off into Mariendahl and headed towards Newlands cricket grounds (hmm, I'm sensing a cricket-theme to this morning's run!). Up and over the railway bridge (the digital display on the Carecross building confirming the hot morning, clocking in at 22 degrees already!), we hit Main Road for a short while, before turning off again into Letterstedt to view some more of the area's landmarks: SAB, Newlands train station, Springbok pub, Sports Science Institute.
Then suddenly we're heading down the subway under Main Road, dashing back up in front of Great Westerford, and 11.4km later we're done. Hot, thirsty and tired, but feeling great! A shower and some coffee and I'd be ready to face the day ahead.
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Thursday we'll do 11-12km, easy paced but with a few hills. The current plan is to follow our old favourite route up Glastonbury and through Kirstenbosch Gardens. Probably the scenic route along Klassens Drive. Meet 05:30 on Thursday in front of Great Westerford (and I'll try not to get trapped in the gym and keep everyone waiting again!)
Dean Street Hillbillies
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