All the days of my life I have been waiting for this time Could you believe now it's right before my eyes

What do you do when you are trying to focus on the longest race of your life?

Step One: annual hot dog run with the club. Had an awesome extra 2 hours of sleep this Saturday, didn't have to get up until 6:30am for the training run, another look at the final stage of the ultra (Constantia Nek hill aka my legs worst nightmare come April 23). Its the killer that comes after the marathon mark, but this weekend on fresh legs it was nbd. Lets hope that it feels the same in a weeks time. Regardless, had a great last long run with the club followed by the traditional breakfast of champions. It's a very strange feeling to have two hot dogs in your system before 10am.

Step Two: find every running/ athletic/ outdoor store in the mall and drool over awesome gear. Seriously. I have decided that my future house needs no real decoration, just to be kitted out with outdoor gear. Also, buffs are my new favorite things. I really hope they catch on in the states because they are ridiculously awesome, especially my new multi colored gem.

Step Three: get totally pumped for the race by chatting with people who have run the Two Oceans before. A family dinner at a friend's house quickly turned into race strategy central complete with the pulling out of photo albums from past Two Oceans and Comrades marathons as well as timing predictions and goals for the upcoming event. Don't think I will ever tire of race war stories, and always helpful to listen to how other people have figured out how to conquer The Most Beautiful Marathon in the World.

Step Four: taper. Ok well I am not so good at this apparently. First weekend off of running I managed to still do a 5 hour hike up Devil's peak while doing a little race route recon for the Two Ocean's trail 20k. What beautiful trails! Had no idea they were hiding out there. This city seems to have an endless supply of awesomeness perfect for exploring. Also couldn't resist a scramble up Lion's Head Monday night for the full moon. Ooops, sorry legs, I will try and give you some time off now.

Step Five: get totally psyched up for racing by hearing about all my running friends back home dominated Boston. Awesome job guys! Wish I could have been there to cheer you on in person. Looked like an amazing day for an epic run. Brings me back to last year, who would have thought that race would be my qualifier for this ultra. Crazy.

Step Six: finally understand the difference between my pancakes and South African style pancakes. What I make is considered flap-jacks here, and pancakes are more of a crepe hybrid that can be sweet (we had cinnamon sugar with lemon juice) or savory (hello cheddar cheese) and are thicker, pan sized, and rolled up with the filling inside. Pancakes, flap-jacks, crumpets, crepes, I approve of them all. Great way to carbo load, that along with my Easter candy I got today. Winnnnnnn.

this is my life and i only got one yea

Confession time... I told myself that I wouldn't do super long races until I got older and lost my "speed" and gained "patience" but I severely underestimated the persuasiveness of my new running guys. EVERY weekend I met up for a long run I got nothing but reasons why I should change my registration for Two Oceans. I held strong, unsure if I could actually do it for one but also because I wasn't sure if I could still enter (you have to qualify with a marathon time). The week I did a training 40k I finally broke down and emailed the race director. Within hours I was told international registration was still open. Yikes. So now I guess I am officially registered for my first ultra marathon. Look out.

So this weekend the club and I ran the last 20ks of the race, mostly in the dark (5am start ensured we were less likely to be hit by cars speeding down the mountain). Really glad to have previewed the entire course (all 56ks) before race day, will be good for the mental game I will be playing to finish this sucker. Waking up so early kind of made the rest of Saturday extremely lazy, total approval. Nothing like knowing your work is done for the day around 8:30am... I have also come to the realization that I sleep in more on weekdays than the weekend... strange.

This weekend was also a cool tour of some new parts of cape town for me. Had a great dinner in Big Bay visiting a new friend, and was totally impressed by all the kite surfers rocking it in the ocean. Put that on my list of things to do. Also was able to spend some quality time at the V & A waterfront checking out boats, laughing at tourists and enjoying the beautiful sun all my s.a. friends had said was long gone. Excuse me but the sunburn I am rocking right now begs to differ. Summer lives on!

For some the world's a treasure to discover and your scenery should never stay the same

How do you start another awesome weekend? By getting a package from home filled with bday presents AND finally my pair of new shoes arrived! Grey/purple/ neon pegasus with gore tex. You may drool now. I of course had to test them out with a lovely long run Saturday morning with the Harriers. Another beautiful day to run. Its actually quite strange, I have noticed since being here I have started to be conditioned to crave coke when I am done running. Its the refreshment of choice post race here, no gatorade in the finish chutes just water and coke. Regardless, great run in brand new shoes was followed by one very classy lunch at Rust en Vrede, a winery in Stellenbosch (pictures above). Met some new friends for the winemakers lunch (first time ever having steak at a restaurant, everyone be proud, with the most amazing chips (french fries for all you americans) and salad you can ask for). Pair this with glass upon glass of the most amazing red wines imaginable (thanks to a new friend that works at Rust en Vrede we managed a free wine tasting) and some new pilot friends you have yourself a fine afternoon.

Sunday brought about a run/ scramble up Lions Head and Signal Hill, just what the new shoes needed, a little dirt to make them look legit. Have never witnessed so many people on the trails though, definitely got some looks as you run past the casual hikers lol. After a delicious brunch on Kloof st. the rest of the day was devoted to helping some friends begin apartment searching around the city. Somehow managed to bump into an agent that remembered seeing me and the other interns from perspectives! What a small world. However this whole experience makes me absolutely dread having to find a place to live for myself when the time comes, maybe I will just couch surf for the rest of my life :) Ended the night on the balcony of a ridiculous apartment overlooking the harbor watching the seals play and chatting with quite an entertaining couple. Seriously one of the greatest things about travel, meeting people and listening to stories. Wasn't quite ready for Monday after such a weekend, but with Monday comes the possibility for yet another epic week in Cape Town. Bring it.