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.

...In daylights, in sunsets In midnights, in cups of coffee...

What do you actually do for your birthday when you are thousands of miles away from normal? Well if you know me, I would imagine that you would guess a little run would work its way in there :) And of course you would be correct. I started out my 23rd year of birth with another early wake up, and hit the road I did. However, in a series of interesting events I 1. did not meet up with my intended running group 2. found some other lovely running guys 3. ended up running much further than expected... whoops. It was a fitting ending to my 22 years, running the 22 miles (37ks) to Fish Hoek and back via my favorite road, Chapman's Peak Drive. My new running friends even took care to buy me some food and drink at the half way point, what wonderful people.

After a good pass out and delicious PANCAKE breakfast I headed to the beach and strolled around for a bit (cutest thing, there was a sand castle competition going on!) before purchasing some things from the bead shop that I have had my eye on. Ice cream for the walk back and a little reading on the beach and I was ready for a nap. Chilled out some more before going to Trenchtown with a friend to meet up with others and listen to some awesome live music. In all, a great day... almost unexpectedly. Of course my coworkers knew it was my bday (thus the delicious chocolate cake pic! thanks guys!) but with the exception of one person, I did not interact with a single person on my bday that knew of its significance to me. It was actually kind of cool in a way. It also really made me think about what makes a birthday great. I did miss having friends and family to visit and reminisce with (although I did get a card the day before from my mom complete with loads of baby pics, one of which she posted as her profile pic, lovely :) it was interesting trying to find ways I could make it special myself.

My extended family is very close and always find a way to get together to celebrate everyones birthday, so it is kind of strange not to have that. I settled with, being in a breathtaking country, having the ocean and mountains both within reach, and the freedom to do exactly whatever I want with my day seemed a pretty good alternative to the traditional family bday (not to mention getting to wear running clothes or a bathing suit the majority of the day...this makes me extremely happy). Going to bed with incredibly sore legs, a slight sunburn, smelling of campfire and replaying the great music I just experienced made me a very thankful birthday girl. Not to mention that incredibly slow post means that cards and packages are going to be trickling in all month making the celebration last even longer :)