Supplements Two Oceans Marathon Training Guide 2018 | Page 47
TRAINING
Tackling the Trails
Cape Town’s iconic and beautiful Table Mountain may be relaxing to look at while visiting the
wine farms, but running on its trails involves a big effort. Here’s how to tackle the Old Mutual Two
Oceans Trail Runs. – BY REBECCA JOHANSSON
T
he Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
offers two trail races, covering 12km
and 24km distances. While the
distances sound quite doable, the elevation-
gain is where the real challenge lies. That’s
because the 12km includes over 400 metres of
elevation gain, and the 24km includes almost
2000 metres of gain! However, the experience
of the race, the views, and the terrain will
stay with you for a lifetime, and the following
tips will help ensure you cross the finish line
smiling.
1 Recce the route, if possible: Table
Mountain’s trails offer a bit of everything...
some sections will have you skipping over
boulders, while other sections will see you
running in forest canopy with soft earth
below your feet. If you live in Cape Town or
are able to visit before race day, try to recce
the different sections of the race. The 12km
runners will want to check out Newlands
Forest, while the 24km runners should take
particular note of the middle traverse section
as you head towards the Kings Blockhouse.
If you are unable to recce the route, study the
route maps on a topographic map. Understand
where you will be doing the big climbs and
descents. Talk to someone who has run the
race before to get valuable tips. Oh yes, both
races start and end at the event finish on the
University of Cape Town Upper Campus.
2 Get proper trail shoes and train in them:
Because Table Mountain’s trails are rocky and
technical, having a good trail shoe will make
a big difference. Trail shoes have lugs on the
outsole of the shoe to increase traction and
help avoid slipping and falling. They also offer
toe protection on the upper, and many have
‘rock plates’ in the midsole to protect the
bottom of your foot. It is essential to train in
the trail shoes before race day.
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