(The Hilly Communist)

Roger mailed me in the week with the above in the subject line. The conditions were perfect for this year’s run- no wind and cool temps to start. This was a relief compared to last year when race organisers had 90 min to change the course due to veld fires raging around Scarborough and Red Hill.
This year the start was a rather relaxed affair. Not the normal claustrophobic pushing of other events. Maybe the early morning trip to the deep south was too much for the pushers? The gun went off and we set off through the ‘burbs of Fish Hoek at a leisurely pace. Roger and I started together. I was concerned for my hamstring- see how it goes approach. The usual chirping between the two of us lasted at least the first 10 km’s. Running at a great pace the km markers flicked by at a rapid (ok somewhere around 4:35 pace).
Misty Cliffs- the name says it all! Especially in the early morning light. Then the gradient got steeper just after the sleepy Scarborough. Need to put a bit of work in. I had to remind myself that this was only a warm up for the real communist onslaught just up the road.
We turned left at the bottom of Red Hill glad not to have to do the 6km extra loop for the marathoners. Head down and keep the legs turning at a reasonable rate.
At the top we were greeted by the best water table I have seen on a road run in a long while. Food, real food sizzling in the skottles, liquid refreshments. I was running in a small group and I really wanted to keep up with them otherwise I would certainly have stopped for a lengthy lunch!
I really had to relax on the long downhill into Simon’s Town. The pace was hotting up. I just hope that I had enough in the legs to push the last few km’s to the end.
Running so close to the ocean should be flat. So why did I feel like I had to fight uphill? The watering tables were plenty and cheering voices a welcome sound.
Very pleased with 37th! in 2h47.