As sure as night is dark and day is light I keep you on my mind both day and night

So apparently this weekend I had an incredible urge to seek out my old yoga studio in Cape Town. This is a very strange feeling due to the fact that yoga hasn't really crossed my mind in the past few months, but with winter rain, chillier temps, and less sunlight to work with my mind has apparently started to wander to alternatives to staying active (not to mention office work can really do a number on your back and neck, the poor spine really needed some tlc). Now that I have wheels :) I woke up early (I swear, I can wake up at the crack of dawn for running/ yoga/ you name it, but 9am always comes too quickly for work) and made the trip into town solo. I feel so cool, driving along. It is quite like a game, shifting your perception to the wrong side of the road, wrong side of the car, shifting with the wrong hand. But I have been surprised with how well your brain adapts to things like this. Oh the mystery that is the mind.

Anyway, got to yoga in once piece and on-time. Was a bit hesitant when I saw that my previous instructor was actually taking the class with me (I was then trying to wrack my brains to remember if there was a skill level or difficulty associated with this particular Saturday class, seeing as this whole idea was slightly last minute per my life lately) but everything turned out ok. Was a bit on the inexperienced side of things for this class (being a bit out of practice didn't help my cause) but the wonderful thing about yoga is that there is always a more difficult pose, so no one is ever really at the top. People are falling over doing balances and muscles are twitching, its a strug fest for everyone regardless of the level. After an an hour and a half, my body was so pleasantly stretched/ worked/ relaxed I had a bite to eat then decided to take a little walk around the waterfront and visit my favorite shop Cape Union Mart to ogle the lovely outdoors stuff. I think I could live in that place.

Was pumped to be going to the movies this weekend as well. I realized that the last movie I saw in theaters was Spud, which was in Durban last November. While waiting for a friend to get off work, I wandered back to the neighborhood I used to work in (Gardens) to the best little coffee shop/bar/ hookah lounge. Reading a book by candlelight, sipping on some coffee as you listen to Johnny Cash records, can't get much better. I loved being back in The City too. Everything feels so familiar, like I'm back living in Perspectives, working on Hope street and running down to the reservoir everyday. Good times. Crazy to think thats where it all began, couldn't have imagined back then that I would still be here now. Speaking of movies, I also just re-watched Blood Diamond this week and nearly had a heart attack when they showed Cape Town! I hadn't watched the movie since I came to Africa and couldn't even remember that parts of it took place here. Soooo trippy, especially because the last bit was shot at the waterfront, just where I had spent the afternoon!

Has really been good to reconnect with people back home recently as well. Now that school is finishing up I can see people de-stressing and getting into the summer mode. Really great to hear from everyone, and making me excited to make plans for when I return home. Will be sad to say goodbye to this place I love so much, but I will be back. Besides, I have to come back to run the Comrades right? :) 90ks huh... better give me a bit to prepare

When you’re lying in your bed and the sounds’ still in your head let it spin around you takes you back again, again

Another slightly scattered posting. For your reading pleasure.

This week will be my first full week of work since before Easter holiday...yuss South Africans love their public holidays and I quite enjoy finding creative ways of extending the weekend with running adventures. The most recent was voting day last Wednesday but there has also been Family Day, Workers Day, and Human Rights day.

Never thought it would happen, but now when watching movies set in the states I wonder why everyone is driving on the wrong side of the road. So bizarre, but very glad my mind has made the transition, especially now that I have started driving here on my own. Yay for being ambidextrous, and having a dad that made sure I learned how to drive standard transmission :)

I currently have 6 bruises attempting to heal. I'm not quite sure if I should start wrapping myself in bubble wrap or evaluate the life choices that led to these injuries. Hmm, racing, running through the African wilderness, downhill trail scrambling, and climbing tall objects...nope those all are going to have to stay. Guess its time start wrapping.

Due to the office Feng Shui experts I had to pack up and move 5 feet across to the other bedroom in my flat. After living here for 5 months. Seriously. Never a dull moment here.

I'm starting to have to think about what I have left to do before I leave. I can't believe time is going so fast. But then again I can believe it, with all the relationships I have found here and how familiar and comfortable everything seems now. I appreciate all the families that have welcomed this stray into their lives, it has really made South Africa feel like home.

I have never in my life been so freaking pumped about mail of all kind. Emails, care packages, letters, post cards. You wonderful people back home sure know how to make me smile :)

I think I have developed an unusual attachment to buffs. And the ocean. And the mountains. Dang it only one fits in my backpack. Well thats going to suck.

This week it took a South African to remind me that South Africa doesn't have bagels. Strange.

Totally was un phased when I went to get medicine for a sore throat just to get a bottle of pills with no directions, and had to google the recommended dosage and what exactly was in the tablets. Oh Africa, always so sketchy.

Found the "Smallest Pub in South Africa" finally. Its right here in Hout Bay, and have passed it probably a million times. But then again, its the smallest right, so I shouldn't feel dumb?

In case anyone is wondering, I did take a brief break from the running to let the legs (and immune system, stupid marathon colds) get back to full strength, but I am registered for another trail run in three weeks. Hoooray! But how to get a run in, SA doesn't have daylight savings so every day we lose a bit more sunlight from both ends of the day. Not sure which is more annoying, losing it all at once like in the states or losing a bit every day and have to keep recalculating the latest I can be out.

I am currently holding a Hout Bay library book hostage. It has been overdue for about a month. My current late fee is R6 (less than a dollar, gasp). Don't they know that books over a thousand pages should get some sort of exception to the two week return rule?

Ok random jumblings done.

Hurry hurry hurry Now quick quick quick Just step on the gas cause I don’t wanna miss this This opportunity will only come once in my life, my life

Last week an invite to run the African x fell into my lap, and feeling a bit reckless at the time I eagerly accepted. Pretty glad my body doesn't always remember physical pain, because I would have been missing out on some pretty great experiences if it did. African x is a 3 day trail race based in Kleimond, South Africa which is a beautiful oceanside town near Bettys Bay. The race was something I had never experienced before. What an atmosphere! With your entry you get all your meals, a huge goodie bag, and entrance into some of the most beautiful trails I have ever run. You can't help but pick up the fabulous vibe off of all the excited runners ready to run. The lyrics for the title of this blog come from their theme song of the race, Happiness by Alexis Jordan, which was blasted for us at each stage start.

Day one: 23ks and 599m climbing.

Feeling a bit nervous (and totally wondering what I was doing starting a 3 day offroad race almost exactly two weeks after an ultra marathon) I started out this stage pretty conservatively. Although scenic, the first bit on the beach kind of smelled like horribly rotting eggs (first picture) lol. Somehow bumped into a lady that recognized me from another trail race (do I really stick out that much?) and got chatting to her and some others as the path snaked its way up a ridiculous mountain path. Definitely the technical stage of the race, but managed to keep the ankles in tact. Loved the "magic forest" bit and finished with amazing views of the bay.

Day two: 40ks and 1137m climbing.

Now this was the tough one. The first 5ks are straight uphill and the rest of the day continues to give you mountains and valleys. Had some seriously beautiful views (pictures 2 and 4) that continued to change as we wound our way around fire burnt areas (the fynbos need fire for their life cycle, but natural fires ravaged the area in March of this year). Had to dig deep in some parts of this stage, not only my first time running (practically) a marathon off road, but doing it on tired legs is a whole other game. But this is why I signed up, I wanted to test myself in a way I hadn't before. I feel strongly that tackling physical challenges shows you your inner strength and allows you to overcome other obstacles in life and learn how to deal with difficult circumstances. This race was proving to myself that I am as strong as I choose to be.

Day three: 21ks and 452m climbing.

After yesterday my body was starting to feel the wear, but a layer of second skin on my gigantic blister, some ibuprofen and two buckets of ice to fill up the tub in the hotel and I was good enough to make it though the last day. 8ks straight of climbing was our wake up call, but the pleasant single track of equestrian trails that followed it made it all worthwhile. I was holding my breath when I saw on the race guide that the last 5ks were on the beach (sand and sore legs, not an ideal combo) but it was actually quite manageable. Definitely no sweat after the previous day.

All weekend I was in awe of the strength of the runners I was surrounded by. There were even a pair of 60+ women that finished every day! I am very thankful that this opportunity to experience something new with a complete stranger (my partner, quite a legend in this area, and I met the day of the race) and learning about someone else in such an interesting setting. I appreciated the ability to experience this, since it may only come once in a lifetime.

Bonus: I got to drive all the way back from the race by myself! :)

I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise, to fly

Well guys, its official, I have finished my first ever ultra marathon! Couldn't have picked a more perfect race as well, Two Oceans, aka the most beautiful marathon in the world. 56ks around Cape Town, with views of beautiful beaches, scenic ocean overlooks, and two grueling climbs up Chapman's peak and Constantia Nek before finishing on the University of Cape Town's Rugby Fields.

The race weekend started off with supporting Pieter in his 20k (alright afterwards we realized it was half marathon distance) trail run. It was only the second running of this event but definitely one to watch. If you like intense scrambles and extreme terrain mixed into your long run, then this is the race for you. In order to just spectate his parents and I had to hike up to the King's Blockhouse, no easy feat. Perhaps not the best way to rest your legs for an ultra, but thus is life, you do what you want to :) Pieter's parents are seasoned ultra runners however, so they kept reminding me to sit down and drink water the whole day. Had an awesome chat with who ended up being the chairman of the local trail running team while waiting for the runners to come by. Spotted some of the runners way up on the exposed cliff section, definitely a race not for the faint of heart (P's mom had to look away lol). Did I mention this was his first trail race? So intense! Looked strong all the way to the finish, definitely deserved that medal.

The rest of the day consisted mainly of naps, hydration, and an incredible amount of pasta. Nerves didn't get too bad until it was time to go home and try to sleep. Thankfully I managed a few hours before waking up at 4:30 to get ready for my pickup at 5. My Hout Bay running buddies have an awesome business office in town just a block away from the start! Soooo ideal, especially when this means no porta jon lines. Had a bit of a struggle with bag check once we got there, but shimmying through to the front of lines has become a skill that I pull out in times like these and managed to get onto the start line with a few mins to spare.

Once in my corral (they assign you according to your qualifying time) I was able to relax for a bit and chat with people around me and altogether get excited about what was ahead. Your bib also shows if you are an international participant (bright orange instead of the usual green) and what country you are from, as well as your name, so it starts up many convos. The starter asked for all the internationals to raise our hands, which was pretty cool to see. Then they asked all the females to raise their hands...looking around I didn't see a single one....ahhhh! Guess not too many in the B group! Hearing the national anthem of South Africa at the start was a really special thing for me, and reminded me of how cool it was to just be here.

The race in general was awesome, and ridiculously tough. You kind of just need patience to settle into a rhythm and not freak out too much about how much longer you have to go. There is no, yes we only have 10ks left... its more like yes! we have made it 26ks, now... only 30ks and two huge climbs to go lol. Passed the halfway point in about 2:19, a good pace for the flatter, easier first half of the race. We started to climb Chapman's peak after that and started to start really feeling my legs when we hit the flats after a cruising downhill into Hout Bay, about the marathon mark. Made it there in about 3:38, so still on pace with what I was aiming for, but still had the more difficult of the two climbs to contend with. Constantia Nek on tired legs is one big struggle, but I had more pain coming down the other side. Hello sore feet. But music and great support along the way kept you going, along with the awesome treats they had for us runners to eat (potatoes around the 25k, ice cream and bananas at the top of chappies, and candy bars right before the summit of constantia, not to mention powerade and water sachets and coke all throughout the race). Seriously guys, these packets of water and powerade are AWESOME and so much better than cups (except when you accidentally squirt some up your nose). Digging in deep came when you hit the highway portion on the way to UCT, but the finish is so close you can taste it... and that feeling pushes you on. Coming into the stadium and seeing the finish was so rewarding, definitely something I won't be forgetting anytime soon. Left with a finish time of 5:02, not quite a sanisbury medal (sub five) but really can't be disappointed for finishing my first ultra, especially when I decided to do it about 3 weeks prior!

Other than a bruised toenail, some sore legs, a huge gash on my back from where sweat met my one and only seam of my shorts, and one gigantic blister, I am alive and well. Actually already started running again, and while the legs have lost a bit of their spark, they feel good and are ready for the next challenge :) Thanks everyone who sent up prayers and thoughts for me on race day, definitely appreciated them!