Easter Break - Port Elizabeth

 Typically, when we decide to go on a quick, short, holiday break, the heavens will open and it will start raining. No difference this weekend.

We flew down to Port Elizabeth for the Easter break. Just to get away, and for the wife and mother in law to visit family. 

Arriving in PE, it was raining, so we got into the car and drove around, looking for something out of the ordinary. We came across the Grass Roof restaurant which has, wait for it, a grass roof. Nice food, good service. Would recommend.

In-between the bouts of rain, the sun did sometimes show it's face. The plus side of terrible weather is that the beaches are all but deserted.

We did the obligatory visit to the PE Aquarium where Enzo got to handle a Python. The face says it all...

 Nariko was absolutely fascinated by the Penguins, and I am sure that, if she could, she would bring one with her back home. I wonder if it would enjoy the pool?

With the mother-in-law visiting her brother, we headed out to Jeffreys Bay, because you always have to go for lunch at the Kitchen Windows. This is our favorite restaurant in the area. Absolutely love it.

I can definitely recommend this one. http://www.kitchenwindows.co.za/

The view from our table at Kitchen Windows

Enzo spotted a super tube in Jeffreys, and there was no stopping him. Cold on no.

The rain let up for the last day or so, and although not too toasty, it did turn into more holiday weather. So off we went. Ice cream on the beach and some fun in the waves.

While we were on the beach an photographer came past and asked if he could take a photo of Enzo and Nariko for the local paper. We said yes, no problem. Not thinking much of it. When we got back Narina's uncle sent this picture across. You know you enjoyed your holiday when it makes the papers.

The Boys are Back in Town!! - Inland Championchips at Zwartkops Raceway

 

This weekend was the inland championships at Zwartkops. Enzo and myself had to go. Engines, after all. The weather was all brilliant and beautiful and it was good to just take some time off after training, working and the general grind.

Enzo also used the time to hone his photography skills 😁

There is also a track at Zwartkops where you can part with your money, and partake in some quad bike adventures, going round and round a track. If it was not for that track, I am not entirely sure that I would ever get Enzo there... 

But herewith some of the action. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Modern Athlete Irene Ultra

 

Keeping up with the training and the promise to do the Two Oceans (which I am struggling to get an entry for, by the way). I have yesterday donned my threads and partook in my first Half Marathon. 

All in all, I can honestly say that it went better than expected. There is an uphill climb (I think Olievenhoud Avenue) about 13km into the race. It is, in the greater scheme of things, not a huge or long uphill, but I really struggled with that one. But once I reached the top there, the I was pretty sure I could finish it.

Did not break any records, but I am suitably chuffed with my 2:20:55 time. 

Evening out with Enzo

Enzo is a petrolhead.

I like that he is. It makes more than one of us in the house, and also gives me sufficient reason to do things that petrolheads do. Like go to ovel track races. Because.

This past weekend Enzo and myself went to Mahem Raceway in Pretoria and watched some Oval Track Racing. It was fun. We will go again.

As an added bonus, one of his classmates drives in the junior category, so Enzo was in the pits chatting away with his mate, and I did not see him for long stretches.

Enzo watching his classmate race

Two Races in Four Days

 

I am rather pleased with myself. 

On the 12th of Feb I did my first proper trail run. The Hedianga Beast. And although it was only 10km, it was a proper slog. I really suffered. My 10km times are in the 1 hour 5 minute range, but for this one it ended up being 1 hour, 35 minutes and 52 seconds.

The heat did not help. And the trail is not a soft, meandering trail. This is proper trail running. Will I be back. HELL YES!! I think I'm in love.

And then, 4days later, on the 15th Feb, I did the 10km Spar Lantern Race in Irene. Now I have to admit that I was still sore and stiff from The Beast. It was also ridiculously busy, which made the first kilometer or so more of a walk than a run, but eventually it all came together.

I would love to say that the race was easy and no problem, but I was still recovering from The Beast. It was difficult.

But that said, I did finish in 1:03:31, which to my mind is a job well done. Oh, and I have also joined Team Vitality, because temporary licenses do get expensive very fast ;-)