October 23, 2019.

We put our worlds on hold for a week, and took off on foot into a world of sand and rocks and rivers, canvas and fire, dirt, Weather Gods, stars and scorching sun. As the days ticked by a new reality was weaved; one of footprints, friendships, wildlife, tales, tears and laughter.

What the Kalahari Desert delivered, we accepted. Because there was no hiding from a 250km pilgrimage across this arid land, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon. And while the desert played king, the human spirited soul supplied the answers. The true heroes were not those who ran or marched the fastest. The true heroes were those who, every morning, were the first to depart camp for yet another day of hardship on their sore and tender feet and aching bodies, and would most probably be the last ones to ring the finish line bell each evening at the next rest camp. Their faces still smiled and twinkled as they received a loud applause from their fellow runners and walkers, camp crew and ever attentive medical team as the sun was dipping. And there was not a dry eye in the house when the final KAEMer slackened the finish line tape on the seventh day.

The KAEM experience can now be filed away as a memory, and forever reflected on as a week where the desert ruled, and that coke bottle never did fall from the sky.

Hermein Burger Webb thanks so much for capturing the moments with your lens work and smiling face.

And a special word and thanks to sponsors ADVNCE Hi Performance XTR Body Fuel for Sport – our bodies really do lap up Vitamin C like its going out of fashion when you’re running through a desert. #goodbetterbest #nevarest

July 28, 2019.

Trail runners pack lots into a day when they’re in their happy place of the mountains. So running the five-day Num Num Hiking Trail, in one day, makes perfect sense. Num Num is the onomatopoeia for ‘yum yum’ fruit. But no time to embrace this when you’re trying not to kiss the dirt.

Yesterday’s 32km race, which took me the best part of eight hours, took us to nearly 2000m in altitude where we explored the Highveld Escarpment of the Mpumalanga province, (you know you’re quite high up when your chest starts making squeezy pains and your ears pop…🙄) as well as down to the bottom of valley floors stacked with  forests, rivers, meandering trails and waterfalls. And plenty of ladders – a bit like snakes and ladders, but different. And what is with South Africa and its dodgy hang bridges?! Eish, some took good concentration. The trail was beautiful, the scenery and terrain constantly changing, variety of technical running.

Injuries were quite minimal; one face plant, running into only one tree branch, half slipping off just one cliff, and only drawing blood once. Getting lost once or twice is a separate topic.

Now, yesterday’s race did come at a sacrifice. Rugby. I did have a loyal rugby mate sending me through score updates of the All Blacks Springboks battle that was concurrently taking place. But that plan soon fell victim to lack of cell phone coverage. So it was a waiting game; to eventually find out that the full time score was a draw. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. What a great battle it must have been. When it comes to our two nations and rugby, let’s put it in context; take your best day, put it next to a solid ABs Boks game, and that game will nudge out on top. If you were to add a few unicorns and dragons you’d probably go cross-eyed with excitement. So my super lekker day in the mountains just ten-folded, and I happily trotted the last three hours to the finish line – many of my fellow Num Num mates were already parked up drinking beer and enjoying a braai….. How those okes run so damn fast, and not break or lose teeth, I have no idea.

It was straight to the pub from there, a staunch Afrikaans watering hole in the town of Machadodorp. A big burly Afrikaans oke by the name of Jaco, who is really brilliant at making that tomato relish you put with your pap, thought we all looked a bit worse for wear. So soon enough there were a couple of rounds of shooters on the bar top, to slap a broad smile on our grubby faces.

Oh, and speaking of unicorns, we got to hang out with some super chilled and a little bit hilarious donkeys this morning, before a hike through the nearby Wathaba Trail, to stretch the legs out. More waterfalls, solid inclines, rocky descents, epic views, and good banter. Amongst the surroundings where you wouldn’t be that surprised if Peter Pan and Tinker Bell flew by and hollered ‘Howsit??!!’ Or they might say, (as I learned today..) “There ain’t no Burger like a Jo’Burger bru!!” 🙈🤣

A fun weekend for the feet, and the soul.

👣❤️😁 #goodbetterbest

https://www.wildtrail.co.za/num-num-trail-challenge

TIERPOORT ADVENTURE FARM

May 7, 2019.

A lekker morning for a 21km Sunday morning trail run. Up koppie, down koppie. But you know it’s been a less than perfectly ideal race when you hear this at the prize giving; “She had about 5 falls, 6 swims, got lost, is a little bit grubby now, and still came second. Eish, these kiwi girls eh.” Thanks Shane… Note: I had no swim – in fact, a swim may have been rather nice. There was no mentioning of me swallowing a bug either, good. I especially liked seeing the cows, although it wasn’t them I asked directions from, twice. These South Africans sure know how to put ‘adventure’ in an adventure run. @nevarestteam @trailadventure #HIGH5Nutrition #goodbetterbest #taylorpasshoney @photostudio78

September 8, 2019.

New word: Rumming. Definition: Slamming out a 19km trail running race in Rodrigues, the morning after you’ve given the Mauritian rums a very good nudge at the Expedition Africa after party. A bit tricky to talk and think in French with one of the local runners when you’re trying to focus on not spewing or tripping over. A great way to absorb some more of how this beaut wee place ticks. #itsallaboutrodrigues #expafricarodrigues #with_belles_on