The last trail run I did was in Plettenberg Bay in December. The Sabrina Love at Kurland equestrian estate. The equestrian part should have alerted me to the fact of poles. Given that I'm a bit of a clumsy individual at the best of times - I can wipe out on a flat road with no visible impediments and find myself on my hands and knees questioning life and nursing limb - I should have been more careful.
As it is, 10 minutes into the race I was watching the ground very closely due to the above-mentioned self- knowledge and so ran straight into a pole. When the stars had abated I found my contact lens had popped out of my eye and several concerned, professional-looking trail runners were peering dubiously into my face. I shed a little tear and carried on valiantly till the end. As a prize for my endeavours I had a lovely raised lumpy bruise on my forehead - perfect for storytelling for the rest of the holiday.
Consequently, when I signed up with my significant other for the ITEC Oxpecker - a two-day trail run around Spioenkop in KwaZulu-Natal - I had trepidation in my heart. It will be so much fun, he said. I was not convinced. But I packed some extra contact lenses and set off into the unknown.
HAY BALES AND BUNTING
First there was the matter of the tent. The significant other, knowing my proclivity for luxury and actual beds, made sure I signed up for the correct tent package - the Kingfisher - which entailed actual beds in a largish two-person tent with bedding and access to warm water in private ablution facilities. Like I said, luxury. Not glamping exactly, but not bad.
I started feeling it was all looking up when they welcomed us as we arrived on Friday with a mug of gluhwein and a delicious Ottolenghiesque dinner supplied by The Farmer's Daughter. You may have lunched at their restaurant in Howick in the Midlands. Delicious.The hay bales, pretty bunting, artisanal coffee and insane doughnut displays all did the trick to calm my pre-race nerves and distract me with general feelings of wellbeing.Stage 1 involved the small matter of 20km over the rather steep mountain. Once we crested, the scenery was of such high quality it immediately numbed my moaning muscles.
The lovely Green family who organise the race thoughtfully provide selfie stops so that people can get off the track and take pictures in peace. I took these as legitimate opportunities to grind to a complete halt.
I also spent quite a bit of time at the tables supplying libations, date balls and oranges, and I must confess also to discussing the etymology of stripper names with the chaps collecting the clothes we discarded along the way. The stripper names were on the packets so we could find our kit at the end. Just one of the many amusing touches provided, I presume, by Spoen Green, the race organiser, charming daughter of farmer Green.
After an ice dip at the end, much lunch and an afternoon nap in the shade of the luxury tent, we all headed out to sundowners in the Spioenkop reserve and a brilliant talk on the famous battle.More food and then a bit of a dance party. Yes, you read right. The Oxpecker is like a music festival for people who run. We danced by the light of the moon and also some brilliant laser projections onto the beautiful trees around the gigantic bonfire. Just like the Burn, but probably without the hallucinogenic drugs. Although I can only speak for myself.
Stage 2 was a little less precipitous. I found I had got the hang of this trail thing and running through farmland and the bush became almost meditative. The 16km went by in a flash. And I managed to stay upright throughout and keep both my contact lenses in.
I could get used to all this nature, camping stuff if it comes wrapped up like this. Sign me up for next year.TRAIL RUNNING TIP FOR NOVICES..