Puffer Trail Run Race Report
The day started with my alarm clock sounding a 2:30am. I jumped out of bed and looked out the window to check the weather. Faaaak...it was blowing a gale and the rain was pouring down. These were not ideal conditions for running the Puffer but I was ampt to get to the start line and get the show on the road.
I got to Cape Point just in time to catch the 5am bus to the start. There was a deadly silence on the bus and all I could hear was my heart beating and the gale force North Wester that we would be running straight into. The rest was a nervous blur and at 5:30am the start gun sounded and we were off…
Nick de Beer, Ake (Hout Bay Trail Challenge winner) and I took the early lead. We ran in a tight group trying to get some shelter from the gale force gusts of wind that once or twice nearly blew me off my feet. As we came out of the reserve Nick put about a 50 second gap into Ake and myself and looked very comfortable on the tar section of the race -this came as no surprise as he had run a 6hour 12min Comrades earlier this year….FAAAAKING FAST!!
At the top of Red Hill we turned onto the trails and immediately I felt and home. My legs felt like compressed coil springs waiting to explode and soon I found myself on Nick’s heals. I looked back and Ake was nowhere to be seen. I felt really comfortable and pushed hard on all the hills up to Constantia Neck (55km mark). The gusts of wind were still really strong but luckily there was not much rain. Running into Constantia Neck I realized I was on record pace and if I had a good run over the mountain a sub 7 hour Puffer was on the cards.. The support at Constantia Neck was awesome but I got the unfortunate news we were getting diverted around the mountains due to the harsh weather conditions.
I headed off around the mountain knowing I just had to keep a steady pace and the race was in the bag. I knew the contour path (route we were diverted along) backwards and still felt relatively strong…except for the stair section – that hurt!! Just before turning onto Tafelberg road the wind picked up again and it felt like I was running backwards in slow motion. The 70km’s of running had caught up to me… I started to hurt and was not a happy camper running along Tafelberg Road. The visibility was really bad running up Plateklip and I took a wrong turn….and suddenly realised I was nearly back on Tafelberg Road. My worst nightmare had come true and I thought I had thrown the race away! I ran, scrambled and crawled in a panicked frenzy back up to the contour path. My adrenalin was pumping and I was not tired anymore. I saw Owen Middleton on the path (taking photographs) and he confirmed I was still in the lead -that brought an instant feeling of relief and smile to my face.
I had about 8km to go and realized a sub 7 hour Puffer was still on. I increased the tempo on the last few Km’s and crossed the finish line at Ferryman’s in the Waterfront in just over 6hours and 57mins. I was super stoked and also relieved (felt the pressure big time the week leading up the race) to have won the race known as the “Comrades” of trail running. I will have to give it another bash someday and go over the mountain!
Well done to all Puffer Runners, Eric for winning the Tuffer Puffer and to Karoline for winning the women’s race. Note Karoline and myself are both coached by Ian Waddell… Thanks Ian!!
Thanks to the organisers, Serena and Martin for putting on an awesome event!!
Thanks to my sponsors whom this would not be possible without:
Velocity Sports Lab – Trevor there are no words to describe what you have done for me!!
Salomon – You guys are like family.. (Brothers and sisters from another mother!!)
Red Bull – That E shot with 6km to go was the bomb!!
Oakley – No matter how misty and gloomy conditions got…life was still bright through my Oakley’s!!
Imazine – My green and yellow arm bands once again helped me cross the finish line feeling strong….maybe these arm bands radiate EPOJ
Hammer Nutrition – Perpetuem…I don’t need to say anything more!!
Suunto – My T6c gave me accurate running pace and timing along the whole route… a must for keeping a constant rhythm!!
A huge thanks to Big Steve (your support over the last two years has been massive – respect dude!!) and Vanessa for seconding me along the route (thanks babe!!) – I could not have finished the Puffer without you guys!! Thanks so much!!
Cas and Pi your company along the route was awesome – things can get a bit lonely running 80km on your own. Thanks dudes!!
Off for a light jog now on Sani Pass…. some recovery and prep for the Trans Alpine run in two weeks.
Have a look at my running partner for the Trans Alps, Linda Doke’s blog: www.lindadoke.blogspot.com
Thanks for all your support!!
Ryan
