Restaurant - The Blend - City of Cape Town

11 April 2014 - After a meeting in Cape Town CBD, my colleague and I popped into "The Blend" to have a quick bite to eat. The Blend was right next to where our meeting was. It is quite a small quaint venue.

Food: They don't have a huge food selection, but they have a variety of sandwiches, my colleague opted for the chicken mayonnaise and I the BLT. The chicken mayo's bread was a bit hard, but we asked whether it could be toasted. I really enjoyed the sandwich - the "lettuce" bit was replaced with basil, and the bread was on deliciously sesame encrusted health bread. Very tasty.
Drinks  - we both opted for sparkling water - but they are apparently renowned for their coffee.

Service - they were very friendly.

Value for money - I did not pay, so cannot provide feedback on this.

Recommendable - not bad for a quick stop. I won't go to town specifically to hangout here, but it works for a quick lunch break.

Rating - 6/10

Race - Old Mutual TwoOceans Half Marathon - Cape Town

19 April 2014 - This was my first half marathon (21.1kms) ever. What an experience!

Leading up to the TwoOceans it had become a weekend ritual to meet up and train with my fellow Hout Bay Harriers running friends - one Sunday we ran from Hout Bay to Bantry Bay (15kms) and took the MyCiti bus back (those training for the ultra had the stamina to run back!) Another Sunday we did Southern Cross Drive in the rain, with the last Saturday before the race doing  a Harriers tradition of a 'hot dog run' from Hout Bay to UCT (12kms). 

The start - 16 000 21.1km runners!

I will admit that even though  I was a lot fitter than I had been at the beginning of the year - I had been travelling a lot in the last month making training a bit more tricky and on my last trip home, had picked up a scratchy throat and sniffles. I was nervous about my fitness levels and whether I was going to make it. My aim was to finish in two and a half hours, but when I realistically thought about it, realised that all I could and should do is aim for sub-three and a finish would do.

Nomawethu - greatest running buddy!

They say it is the most beautiful race - and it really is. The beauty of the City's lights and outlines of the mountains as you come over Edinburgh Drive at dawn and the supporters and "gees" really does do wonders to keep the runners going - especially up the gruelling Southern Cross Drive. 

Sweet end of success

Then there is the sweet sweet end of realising that you've made it! Seeing your running buddy and that can of Coke - bliss.

My time: 02:37:32 - super super chuffed and incredibly proud.

Rating - 11/10 and definitely something that should be on everyone's bucket list.

Race - Spar Ladies Race 2014 - 10km - Sea Point

06 April 2014 - Today's race went considerably better than the last one at Sea Point (Lighthouse Ten), I am definitely more of a early morning runner than a late afternoon one. Still did not make my 1 hour goal, but I am fairly happy with my 01:08:something time.

They say it is "The Most Beautiful Run" (I did think this was the slogan of the Old Mutual Two Oceans -?-), and they are not wrong, it was an amazingly beautiful, warm, clear morning. There is something incredibly exciting about early mornings, the freshness and promise of what the day holds is something that I am very grateful for - what a way to start the day and a race!

There were apparently a record breaking 22 300 participants today - what an operation! I was impressed with the communication throughout the registration process, how smoothly it went on Friday when we collected our amazing goodie-bags, and even received an early morning 'wake up' text.

The first two kms went incredibly quickly, so much so that I did wonder whether the signage was correct; the last km definitely felt the longest. 

What I did miss was the cup of Coca-Cola at the end, nothing quite quenches your thirst like that cup of Coke - we got water, which was appreciated, but I will make a note for myself to drink Coke en route next time.