Innehållsförteckning för April - May 2019 från Trail Run

Ahhh relationships. Our lives are made up of many, many of these things called relationships. I thought I might look at the official definition of that word ‘relationship’, so I asked Google (where else would we possibly go?), and here’s what popped up: “The way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected.” This works for me; they’re about people, things and connection. So, what I was pondering on my last run, after being prompted that this column was due, was my/ our relationship with running. Now this particular day I was having a good run, one of those ones where you get to the top of a hill and (a) you’re still running and (b) you didn’t really realise that you…

Where: To the south of Cairns in Far North Queensland, is the highest freestanding natural pyramid in the world. Walsh’s Pyramid towers over the small sugar-growing town of Gordonvale. Distance: Walsh’s Pyramid is 922 metres tall and is 7km round trip. Degree of difficulty: The gradient and roughness of the track makes it a tough climb and descent. Access: Drive south of Cairns to Gordonvale along the Bruce Highway. Just south of Gordonvale you will cross the Desmond Trannore Bridge over the Mulgrave River. Take a right a few hundred metres after the bridge into Moss Access Road and follow to the car park on your left. Why: To the south of Cairns is the highest free-standing natural pyramid in the world, Walsh’s Pyramid and the scenery from the top…

Since 2009, the Tarawera Ultra-Marathon has offered athletes the opportunity to sample the amazing off road running in Rotorua – amidst the heartland of New Zealand tourism, with a strong cultural element and local Māori support. Runners could choose between race distances of 20km, 50km, 102km, and the 100 miler, in the 11th edition of this event staged in February. A star-studded international field lined up for the 100 miler, with American Ultrarunning superstar Jeff Browning turning in an amazing performance to win despite running an extra two miles. The Oregon native took a wrong turn before recovering to run down fellow American Camille Herron in the final stages of an enthralling race. Herron was first to set the tone at the head of the race, leading the field through…

ON FIRST impression Jeff Browning, AKA Bronco Billy, is friendly and quietly observant, with the show-not-tell vibe of someone who gets things done. His relaxed demeanour belies the fact that he’s arguably one of the best ultramarathoners around, and certainly one of the most consistent masters athletes. He won the Hardrock 100-mile run last year, amid some of the more dramatic circumstances the event’s seen - the initial leader was disqualified, Browning went off-course - but he was rapt to finally take the win, after first doing the event in 2006. “Sometimes hard work and consistency reward you with way more than you expect, but you have to be prepared to grab that rare opportunity when it presents itself,” his post-event Instagram said. ‘Giddyup.’ He made the most of his…

I am a child of Africa. The motherland’s sunshine and sosaties pulse through my veins. Born and raised in central South Africa, I spent the first 40 odd years of my life exploring the rainbow nation's shores. From Cape Town to Kosi Bay, and Port Nolloth to Pietermaritzburg, my adventurous parents made sure that we saw it all. And then, after leaving home to start a job and raise my own family, a strong sense of wanderlust drove me to keep on exploring Southern Africa and beyond. With my husband and two children in tow, we discovered exciting new places and made a wealth of new memories. And while every one of those memories bring a smile to my face, our running adventures must rank highest of all. I ran…

◗ Burpees (without jump) ◗ Runner’s push ups (elbows open to front, keep to side of body) ◗ Bulgarian split squat* ◗ Walking lunge* (picking heel up to butt) ◗ Pistol squat (use seat to start with) ◗ Single leg deadlift* These exercises have a different focus, more explosiveness with control. To start with try 10 seconds of work for each one and have 30 seconds of rest in-between each exercise (work to rest ratio of 1:3) and 60 seconds rest in-between the sets.…

Tagaloa Michael Stowers aka Ironmike is a well-recognised character around the traps, often seen at sporting events over the past decade or so. Of Samoan heritage, the Auckland-based chartered accountant, husband and father has become a huge advocate for healthy Pacific people since he entered his first running event in 2006 and subsequently completed 14 Ironman-distance races and various multi-sport events. Since April 1, 2014, Mike has been on a running streak and not a day has gone by without him venturing out to run at least 5km. Where are you from? Where do you live currently? MS: I was born in Auckland, and brought up in a Samoan family of 13 (I am number 10) in Herne Bay. My father is from the Samoan village of Aleisa and my…

Mt Roy Wanaka NZ The view from Mt Roy in New Zealand's South Island is worth the effort. Y-Creak Valley The Remarkables, NZ An early morning runner makes her way along in the shadow of the Remarkables. Arthur's Pass National Park Arthur's Pass National Park, NZ Chapter 8 of New Zealand's famously tough GodZone adventure Race took place this year in Canterbury. The runners here are working their way through Arthur's Pass National Park.…

It would have to be called a scandal. Maybe not one that has rocked the trail running fraternity as deeply as the mainstream media coverage has suggested but certainly it has cast the sport in a less than favourable light. Perry Newburn, the amiable long-distance veteran, spread Christmas cheer in November last year when he broke the record for running the length of New Zealand. Newburn, raising money for Idea Services Charity, set out to break the near 40-year-old record set by Siggy Bauer and when he pulled into Bluff 18 days, 8 hours and 42 minutes after he left the top of the North Island, he posted on Facebook that he had been successful by 19 minutes. He was understandably tired. Exhausted. Frazzled, even, and perhaps that’s why he…

At the helm of Bledisloe Cup hitting the shores of the west coast of Australia, the city of Perth and its surrounding regions boasts a plethora of experiences ready to be encountered and consumed. You can experience the locals’ life and loves in a number of days with some of Perth’s best and unique experiences within an hours’ drive from the city centre. CITY LIVING, SIDE BY SIDE WITH NATURAL LANDSCAPES If you’re not sure where to start your sightseeing adventures, then a visit to Kings Park is a great starting point. From its elevated vantage point, be blown away by awesome city views and a perspective of the Swan River like no other. A new forward-thinking perspective on the city’s developments and economic growth has given Perth City a…

It started off as a crazy notion, but soon it became reality for hardy athletes wanting to test their mind and spirit. The Alps 2 Ocean Ultra – New Zealand’s first ultra-staged run saw 135 entrants pushing through the pain barriers over 323km during February, while still enjoying the incredible sights from the base of Mt Cook, to the small, historic town of Oamaru, perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Athletes competed in the self-supported option, the supported option or the team event, and the run was broken up into seven stages of varying distances, with the longest approximately 75km-85km. Competitor Jacqui Bell says she found the event “unreal”, and had only praise for race director Michael Sandri and all the volunteers. “They were the best people,” Bell…

Suffering from severe asthma as a youngster, Jason Reid was 15 years old before he could run around his school oval – but by 17, he was running half marathons. He joined New Brighton Club where cross country running was fierce and one of New Zealand’s best with national representatives such as Pete Renner, Tom Birnie, Don Greig and Mal Radcliffe, Reid says. “I always remember watching the Pier50 (mile) race start at New Brighton Mall each year and I would marvel at the runners and I was determined I would be among them. “It only took another 30 years,” he says. Running has remained a passion throughout his life and he has clocked up many miles competing in ultras including the Blue Lake 24 Hour race, North Range Trio…

NORTH ISLAND April 6 Radix XTERRA Rotorua Festival, 21k, 11k, 5.5k, Rotorua, off-road 6 Sun to Surf Half Marathon, Whakatane to O hope Beach, 21k, 10k, 5k, road 7 Run Out West, Henderson, 10k, 5k, road 13 Waitomo Trail Run, 35k, 21k, 11k, 6k, off-road 14 Auckland Waterfront Half Marathon, Mission Bay, 21k, 10k, 5k, kids 2k, road 14 Pay What You Want Tauranga Half Marathon, Matua, 21k, 15k, 10k, 5k, 1 mile, road 21 The Honest 10 Fun Run, Evans Bay, 10k, 5k, road 28 Platinum Homes Orewa Beach Half Marathon, Orewa, 21k, 10k, 5k, kids 2k, road 28 Sri Chinmoy Auckland Series 2018/19 Mt Roskill, 21k, 10k, 5.6k, kids 2.5k, road May 4 55th Rotorua Marathon, Government Gardens, 42k, 21k, 10.5k, 5.5k, road 4 The Great Kauri Run,…

“The warm up and warm down periods with any exercise session is extremely important in allowing the body to prepare for the work ahead, then flush out any by-products produced from the session. ” TRAIL running is a beautiful test of the entire system. Awareness, agility, joint range, control through that range, and core stabilisation is required to improve the state of flow over uneven, undulating terrain. “It was the first time I had to run in snow anAchieving this efficient running ‘flow state’ is much easier over a flat road surface as the variables are more constant. Running on a tricky trail as opposed to the road is like surfing a tricky, shifty break compared with surfing a uniform consistent wave at Kelly Slater’s home wave-making machine (if you…

I am often asked by new mothers when they can get back to running. While everybody is different there is scientific evidence that suggests waiting at least six to eight weeks before you start. That’s how long damaged tissue takes to heal and almost all women have something going on that requires healing, be it episiotomies, perineal tearing, C-sections, or even damage to pelvic floor from pushing the baby out. You should also go to the doctor for your six-week check up before getting out there. Another sign to tell you where you are at in the healing process is to monitor the bleeding that occurs post partum. It needs to be lighter, almost pink before running as raising your heart rate and increasing blood flow while actively bleeding is…

Ultra Trail Mount Damavand If you like the sound of an adventure with a genuine point of difference then why not consider entering the Ultra Trail Mount Damavand in Iran? The event will take you through the foothills of the snow capped Mt Damavand (5,610 metres, the highest mountain in the Middle East) just 85km from central Tehran. Located in the beautiful Lar National Park, there are three distances from which to choose - ultra 102km, 58km and 18km. The start is at the mountain refuge Polour run by the Mountaineering Federation of Iran and finish is at Rineh (Mt. Damavand base camp). The race route covers some of the most beautiful scenery in Lar National Park and around Mt. Damavand, including remote and unspoilt grassland, nature trails, Lar reservoir…

After attending the Veg and Vines Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) medical conference I felt inspired to live more authentically with true wellness. Wellness has to encompass ALL of me, ALL of us, ALL living creatures, and the entire ecosystem. The human body - mind - soul is interconnected. A behaviour or action will effect the entire system. Nothing works in isolation. Our medical system so often works in reductionist silos without the expansive view needed to fully shift people towards true health and wellness. We are ALL intimately connected to our ecosystem - without the basics of oxygen in air death would ensue in around five minutes and without drinkable water we would perish in around a week. If our air and water quality is degraded then our health…

Where experienced runners run in no-fee events, with no prizes, no aid and no wimps. That’s the opening line of the fat ass world website. Back in the day, fat ass ruled trail-ultra. It had a vibe of an underground movement and spawned ultra-runners from a hotbed of tough love. A few years ago, the trail running scene changed. A tsunami of new, fee-paying events increased access the sport. The 22-kilometre 'ultra' entered people's vernacular, and fat ass faded into obscurity. But lately, whispers are again carrying the fat ass ideology around the trails. Burgeoning race fees and a craving for simplicity seem to be fuelling the resurgence. Runners want to leave behind the marquees, muffins and merchandise of modern racing. They want to purge the addiction to bling and…

The eighth chapter of Godzone began in Akoroa in mid-March and attracted the usual international field of world class athletes. The event saw world adventure racing champion Chris Forne team up with current Coast to Coast women champion Simone Maier and Emily Wilson and Marcel Hagener. Australia’s top A1 Adventure Series team lead by Rob Preston and South Africa’s leading team Jabberwock led by Cobus van Zyl were also part of the field, while there were international competitors from USA, Scandinavia, Canada, Argentina, Czech Republic, France and Europe. “We have more than 250 adventure racers from around the world plus media and support crews here for Chapter 8,” said GODZone event director Warren Bates before the race. “Christchurch NZ are the location host this year and its thanks to them…

Western Australia June 2 Kalbarri Gorge Adventure Run, 8k, 4k, kids 4k, off-road 2 Bigurda Bash Cliff Top Trail Run, Kalbarri, 8k, off-road 2 Elleker Half Marathon & 10k, 21k, relay/solo/walk 10k, kids 2k, off-road 9 Salt Lakes City Limits Trail Race, Lake Walyungup, 21k, 13k, 6.5k, kids 2k, off-road 16 Kununurra Half Marathon, relay/solo 21k, road 16 Rottnest Running Festival, Rottnest Island, 42.2k, 21.1k, 10k, 5k, road 21-23 Wild Goose Chase Running Festival, Avon Valley National Park, Multi-day 177km, 106k, multi-day 85km, 53k, 45, 22.5k, 18k, off-road 23 Eagle and Child Trail Run, John Forrest National Park, 22k, 10k, off-road July 7 Broome International Airport Marathon Cable Beach, 42.2k, 21.1k, 10.5k, beach 7 Salming Bibra Lake RunningWorks Festival, Perth, 0k, 42.2k, 21.1k, 12k, 6k, road 14 Jolly Jumbuck Trail…

Monday (Normal training in temperate conditions). Tuesday 20 minute warm up at aerobic intensity. 4X (5 minutes at interval intensity plus 2 minutes at absorption intensity). 20 minutes cool down at aerobic intensity... 28-33C/55-65% humidity. Wednesday (Normal training in temperate conditions). Thursday 45 minute run at tempo intensity. 28-33C 55-65% humidity. Friday (Normal training in temperate conditions). Saturday 20 minute warm up at aerobic intensity. 10X (1 minute at repetition intensity plus 1 minute at absorption intensity). 20 minutes cool down at aerobic intensity. 28-33C 55-65% humidity. Sunday. (Normal training in temperate conditions).…

◗ Burpees (without jump) ◗ Runner’s push ups (elbows open to front, keep to side of body) ◗ Bulgarian split squat* ◗ Walking lunge* (picking heel up to butt) ◗ Pistol squat (use seat to start with) ◗ Single leg deadlift* Start within capacity e.g 5-10 reps of each and 60 seconds break between sets, 2-5 sets. Then increase reps or make it time dependent 10-20 reps or 20-45 seconds with little or NO rest between sets. * Can start with bodyweight then add small weight (I use a kettlebell) if form is maintained.…

When somebody mentions yoga, the images that often spring to mind are of someone in lycra contorting their body into unusual shapes. While this might look interesting, it’s hard to reconcile how such a practice would benefit the average trail runner. By taking such a narrow view, we are overlooking the wider benefits of yoga, both in our running and in our daily lives. A more appropriate way to view yoga is as a living tree, which has roots in the ground, a trunk for support and branches which support blossoms and fruit. The most commonly practised form of yoga is Hatha yoga which is one of six branches on the tree. The other branches include raja, karma, bhakti, jnana and tantra yoga. Each branch of yoga has unique characteristics…