Just keep showing up!
Cape Town delivered the perfect race day: cool weather, great crowds and the luxury of racing practically from my own doorstep. There were nerves, strange mental games to keep the pace going and the infamous “Loop of Death”, where the course takes you past the finish line before deciding you haven’t suffered quite enough. Somehow, everything clicked.
Four weeks between two marathons sounded manageable on paper. In reality, my post-London “recovery plan” involved apple cider, junk food and enough prosecco to make my Garmin deeply concerned. Now, with Cape Town Marathon less than two weeks away, I’m trying to transform myself back into a responsible runner again.
London delivered exactly what it promises: huge crowds, nonstop noise, and just enough chaos to derail even the best-laid race plan. What started as a controlled 3:15 attempt slowly turned into a lesson in patience, pacing, and survival. This was less about perfection and more about getting it done.
12 days to the London Marathon! It’s getting close! My taper officially starts this week, and I’m more than ready for it. My legs are…
Phew! Ran my fastest 10K ever at the SPAR Women’s Challenge, but the podium stayed out of reach. Eighth in my age group at 58 – proof that getting faster doesn’t always mean finishing higher. Can’t wait to hit 60 and start fresh in a new age group!
A “dress rehearsal” 30 km race quickly turned into a full-blown showdown. I battled the hills, kept one step ahead of Obertina, and survived the relentless instructions of her yelling coach. I crossed the finish line first in my age group, exhausted but triumphant…
London, I’m hoping for a calmer run!
Swiss news. Lemon juice. Harbour sunrise. Threshold intervals. CrossFit chaos. Wordle with my dad. A cannon at noon. Tea, Netflix, bed by nine. Nothing spectacular, just the small rituals that quietly make up a good day.
I returned to the Peninsula Half Marathon two years after a stress fracture derailed my season. This time, everything clicked: good legs, kind weather, a small personal best, and a confidence boost heading towards the London Marathon.
Less than three months to the London Marathon, and I’m juggling early-morning runs, blood tests, and an annoying Garmin. Join me for the ups and downs of marathon prep.
Back from snowy Switzerland and feeling decidedly “unproductive” (thanks, Garmin), I faced a 30 km race… or a 15 km race. I chose less—and wow, what a difference! Hills, laughs, overtaking exhausted runners, and a second-place finish later, I learned: sometimes less really is more.