The Cape Town environs – being aware and prepared for Two Oceans
Cape Town is a place of beauty, and the Two Oceans route is a gorgeous one. However, if you don’t live in the city or aren’t used to training there, some things can catch you unawares on race day. Here are three factors to expect:
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The wind
The wind in Cape Town is almost always more forceful than you expect, especially on stretches where you run along the coast and on Chapman’s Peak. If it’s blowing against you, running will take much more energy and effort than usual, which may slow you down significantly. If you can’t train along the route in advance to get an idea of what it’s like, get in some hours of hill training or try running with a tyre or weights attached to elastic and holding you back. This will help you get used to the resistance you’re likely to experience en route.
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Cat’s eyes on the road
You’ll be surprised at the number of people you see stumbling over the reflective studs – also known as cat’s eyes – that run along the middle (and sometimes sides) of the road. Some people run looking down, but if you look up or fix your eyes in the distance as you run, you may find yourself tripping over them, especially as the road curves along Chapman’s Peak. Not only can you fall, sprain something or injure yourself if your feet get caught in these reflectors, but you can also cause accidents if there are people coming up fast behind you – so watch out!
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The heat and humidity
Remember, the more hot and humid, the more fluids you need. It may be chilly in the morning, but don’t underestimate the strength of the sun. Head to Clicks or Dis-Chem to stock up on sun-lotion (at least SPF 50) and lather it liberally on race day. It’s worth the cost, especially since you can get up to 25% cash back on sun care and preventive care products with the HealthyCare benefit.
As Louis Pasteur famously said, “chance favours the prepared mind,” – so prime yourself to get the most out of your run!
