So this is my 3rd time to Cape Town, and each time love it more and more. Have to say though that it was only the 1st time when I truly went around. Two Oceans like last time was an incredible whirlwind and ... just so busy! I guess that happens when you're with a group of 15+ (really).
I flew in Thursday afternoon and didn't even sit down, quickly changed, cleaned up a bit, and then went off to Savoy Cabbage, a friend's recommendation in Cape Town. Yum, a healthy organic place. Also along were Rajesh, Sujeet, Aida and Ekhman. Super dinner and we had a lovely time and was a nice race prep talking about running and... more running (hehe, my fave topic!).
Had an ahhhhhhhhhhh-mazing night's sleep as the night before was not and the beds are sooooo soooo comfy! Met the group for breakfast, and then off we went for the International Fun Run, a 5.6km shake-out to welcome international runners. Super fun as it is waaaaaay casual and easy and we stop ever 1km or so to take pics... took us like an hour to do this, hahahhaha. and yes, there are a TON of pics from these short km!!!
My fave friend Kathryn! She moved from Dubai back to UK last year and we've been planning this reunion at Two Oceans for ages! Sooo awesome to see her!!!
Met some fellow Americans!
Aida and I, her and Eckman having a reunion as well, they came from Singapore (also left Dubai last year from here to Singapore).
Then rushed back to hotel to meet running friend Tim and roommie Nikki to go to Expo where I conveniently had to buy another chip because TOTALLY forgot to bring mine from last year (d'oh!). Was a bit manic in there and overwhelming, so didn't have quite the pow wow i did last time and just bought racefood and future life, both of which they have in Dubai, but 5x cheaper (rand is sooo low now!). Nikki works with this famous coach, coach Parry, and we happened to meet with him, super humble guy, but you can see the wealth of experience and knowledge, and only later was it that I kept hearing what a staple he is to the Comrades marathon. Now feel honored to have met him!!
Then it was go go to meet these other friends for a late lunch, "Cape Malay" food, babootie, which was yum! And in this cool neighborhood called Bo-Kaap (or Malay Quarter) with these awesome colored houses. So nice!!!
Hi Eckman! This is what happens when you're small, you get volunteered to go into the boot!
Hardly got back and then it was race prep kit time, which always takes time to make sure all is set and ready to go race day. Then, still didn't even sit down to relax when off I went to the Waterfront to meet up with lovely Kathryn and Maria for dinner. We had a nice low key Italian dinner and bypassed the mayhem of yet another big o group chaotic dinner.
And we were back at the room at like 8pm, yes!!! A bit more of kit prep then early bed!
Race Day!! Full report in previous blog!!
After run, had the BEST shower ever and cleaned up, then it was luggage prep time... one bag going to Botswana with me and one bag going to nice friend that was carrying it back to Dubai (too nice!). Then... didn't even finish this sorting when was beckoned to meet some runners to celebrate,
Then up again to pack, then down again to meet the rest of the group to celebrate over dinner and drinks at great restaurant Beluga. It was super fun to share our experiences of the day, have some drinks and laughs, and... celebrate!!
Had to then do my rounds of non-Dubai runners that used to be part of the running group, Kathryn, A&E, as I like to call them, and then the super friend that was carrying back a small suitcase with my running stuff as not needed for Botswana. Wrapped up at just about 11am to then wake up at 4:30am and then off I was to the airport to go to Joburg to meet my friend Christina, then safari time. Phew!
As can be seen, quite hectic and busy! So sorry about the details, wrote it all down as makes me smile as ALL are nice memories. Per flights and waiting and transit time, was able to digest the run and everything and write this out to post it later, so it's all fresh! What whirlwind of weekend! Had a super time, yes, the run was great, but so awesome to chill out and hang with my fellow runner friends, local and international!!! Not sure if i will do this run again, i know I said that before, but really don't think can top this run! You never know, all I can say is, we'll see!!!
Next up, Botswana!!!
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