My husband and I eagerly awaited our first adventure race, The NAV Challenge. An early start during the Christmas period; however, Laborie Wine Farm was beautiful, the course well-marked and there was ample parking space.
We had stocked up on essentials: a waterproof cell phone, team Buffs and supplements for our Camel Baks. I hadn’t studied a map since matric, but my husband was able to make sense of all the lines and dots. He confidently plotted our plan of attack.
Under blue skies and a cool breeze, we were bound for Paarl Mountains. CPs 2 & 4 were safe options, before our climb to Taal Monument. With an all-women’s team hot on our tails, we climbed and clambered our way up the hill. A cultural experience and 40 points richer, we were headed to the next CP.
This is what trail running is all about
Just us and nature, the wind in our faces, the sun on our shoulders and dust on our Salomon’s. My husband and I were free to enjoy God’s country; which weaved a tapestry of countryside, mountains and vineyards. As we laughed about the previous evening’s Christmas party and discussed home décor, a glance at our map was the only reminder that we were actually racing.
We secured another 40 points at Viewpoint (CP19) and Krismas Kamp (CP18) and climbed to the peak of Bretagneklip. Our challenging climb began with a wooden staircase, which never seemed to end, and I playfully imagined bum sliding down the bare face of the rock. A gale howled and we couldn’t enjoy spectacular views at the summit, but we had secured a further 50 points.
Our strategy was to stay in the mountains for as long as possible, before descending into town with maximum points in the bag. We spent the majority of the race on dirt roads, trails, mountain passes and two dams (Bethal Dam Wall at CP14 and Nantes Dam Wall at CP15).
Uncharted territory
After leaving the dams, we headed into the Botanical Gardens, secured another 20 points and were ready to descend into town. So far, we had had a flawless run. Navigation was great, we had not had a couples row, our Camel Baks had been full, our legs fresh, and we had 230 points in the bag. At 11am, the sun reached its height and we found ourselves in uncharted territory.
We dropped off the dirt road to look for the elusive CP9, which was attached to a large boulder, much further down the footpath than we had anticipated. I decided to continue down the footpath, away from the dirt road. Despite having secured 240 points, we were fast running out of time.
As we reached residential Paarl, we realised that we would have to forgoe the Fireman’s Pole and the river crossing; these are two CPs I was particularly looking forwards to. At the same time, my legs gave way, my feet blistered, my Camel Bak was dry and my temper was as raging as the mid-day heat. My husband was like a racing snake, raring to go and I, his unsuspecting prey hoping for a quiet siesta.
Pain like the end of Two Oceans and a 3-day stage race
Our final push was physically testing and my motivation wore thin, despite my husband’s encouraging words. The welcome sight of a sign to Laborie stopped me from blaming our poor performance on my husband’s decision to visit the second dam.
As we rounded the corner, the finish line came into view. We left our bickering on the mountain trails, held hands, shared a tender moment and dug deep to cross the finish line.
Sipping on champagne and eating strawberries at Laborie, one thing became clear; that my day had, actually, been perfect. Mishaps made me realise that we are only human and our relationship as husband and wife proved as solid as Bretagneklip. We crossed the finish line a little later than expected, but 240 points before penalties are something this racing snake is proud of.
By Jen Skordis
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