We've got our visas!

Yippee! Our visas came through today. Wooo Hooo... now just waiting for our flights tickets... ;)

Paddle training update

Paddling is a HUGE component of this race. Days 2 and 3 are dominated by this discipline.

With three of us in Joburg/Pretoria (Lisa, Lauren and Christiaan) and Garth in East London, we've often needed a 4th for paddle sessions. We have been so fortunate to have Cheryl Luppnow (pictured above with Christiaan) and Steve Smith (not yet photographed) join us for numerous sessions. Today we went for distance and duration at Homestead Lake in Benoni. It is scenic and much bigger than Emmarentia Dam, where we usually paddle.

Spot the difference... the two dams viewed from the same altitude. Yes, we get dizzy in Emmies.

Homestead Lake, Benoni

Emmarentia Dam, Emmarentia (central Joburg)

On the paddle training side of things... how do you prepare for >100km paddling (split into 30km and 80km-odd distances)?

For the past two months we've been paddling once, twice or three times a week, depending on our availability. Christiaan, Lisa and Lobby have also had two sessions with paddling coach Russell Willis, which has made a huge difference. We've been focusing on a technique specifically for paddling consistently for a long duration. We're feeling better, stronger and faster. We have an indoor session with Russell on Tuesday evening and then our last paddle will probably be on Thursday evening.

Garth lives at the coast; he goes out regularly on his surfski.

Lisa and Lauren did around 20km on Homestead today - and they're very pleased that they felt comfortable throughout the session! Cheryl and Christiaan got on the water a bit later. They covered around 12km and were looking smooth and strong.

The race provides boats (37kg sea kayaks with sails, seats and backrests!) and PFDs. They also provide paddles but we've chosen to take our own.

Cheryl & Steve, thank you for always being so willing to paddle with us - even at short notice! You have both been invaluable.

Uge 65km, Rust-de-Winter

Lauren, Christiaan and Lisa did the 'uge.Events 65km in the Rust de Winter area on Saturday. Lisa and Lauren raced as a girls pair; Christiaan raced with two friends.

This area is absolutely stunning; lush, green and with a clean dam. The weather was perfect, albeit hot and humid, and the course was well planned, with many discipline changes to keep up the pace and variety.

Lisa and Lauren had a good, solid race - with clean navigation - coming 16th overall. They lost a number of places over the last few kilometres when Lisa punctured her rear wheel. The front had punctured earlier; Lauren's front tyre carried an embedded thorn for most of the last 20km cycle - it fortunately held.

Christiaan's team's homecoming was delayed on the final cycle when they repeatedly suffered punctures. Yes, punctures got most teams - some more than others. Christiaan's final count was 7; two for him and 5 for one of the other guys. They used up their spare tubes and 12 repair patches! Christiaan eventually ran the last 7km to the finish.

All in all, this was an excellent training race keeping us out there for 8-hours and more.

First Ascent team clothing

Our team is kitted out in First Ascent upper-wear; Firestorm pullovers, men's and ladies CO2 short sleeved tops and long-sleeved Bladerunner tops. These will all be branded with www.ar.co.za badges.

We all have gear from racing so we didn't want to duplicate our current wardrobes. We decided to just go with tops, especially as we all have cycle shorts, shorts and tights. Similar tops will keep us looking alike.

We chose First Ascent's charcoal colour as blues and reds are very common at events. Charcoal should be a little different. We'll be wearing white caps, which should be great in the desert heat. The yellow, white and black www.ar.co.za badges will add a dash of colour; we also have to wear the race bibs all the time.

CapeStorm Rogaine 2008, 1-2 November 2008

The team together for the first time! Garth flew up from East London on the Friday evening His arrival was a little delayed as he'd made a bloopse in booking his ticket; he booked two tickets FROM Joburg TO East London, instead of East London return. It all worked out well as we fetched him en route to Christiaan's parent's farm about 45km from Belfast, where we spent the weekend.


Lisa ran the foot rogaine with her regular rogaining partner, Tania Wimberley. The girls were chasing "their" Women's Trophy, which they'd won in 2005 and 2006 (Lisa won it at the inaugural event in 2003 with Tracey Sanders). They "lost" the trophy in 2007 as missed they event; Lisa was running in India and Tania was hiking in the 'Berg with her family. The good news is that they got their names back on their trophy, winning the women's category and placing 4th overall.

Lauren had Christiaan and Garth on her foot rogaining team. Lauren did the 2006 rogaine; this was a first time experience for Christiaan and Garth. They did exceedingly well to place 4th in the mixed category and 13th overall.

Then came Sunday, and the 5hr mountain bike rogaine. This time Lisa teamed up with Lauren and Christiaan and Garth made a pair. The two navigators and the two guys! The guys placed a fantastic 6th in the men's category (9th overall!) on their first outing as navigators. Lisa and Lauren were 2nd in the women's category and 23rd overall.

This weekend was a great opportunity for team bonding; we all get along very well and our personalities and skills are well matched. After this weekend the race is becoming more "real" and with 4-weeks to go before we leave, we're getting excited.