With just one month to go until the start of the 2021 K-Way Maxirace Cape Winelands presented by Banhoek Chilli Oil, trail running super couple, Landie and Christiaan Greyling shared their training tips to help runners get the most out of their race!
“With all 4 of the route options runners can look forward to traversing the most beautiful single tracks in and around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch,” says Landie and Christiaan.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- The 75km route is a unique route, and since most of the climbing is done in the first 24km, you have to be very cautious with your pacing, as the race only really starts at 30km!
- The 45km route is a runnable route with stunning views, so make sure you enjoy them. The aid stations along this route are well spaced out to ensure you get in enough nutrition and hydration throughout the race.
- If this is your first trail run, you’d need to pace yourself into the run, and after 3km, your true potential will tell you whether you can keep up the pace.
- For those doing the longer distance, be sure to incorporate a few back-to-back long runs leading up to your race. A back-to-back run is a long run, like 30km for example, followed by another long run (20km) the following day, to teach your body to cope with running on tired legs.
- Do your longer runs with friends or groups, and involve your family where you can to keep the motivation alive.
- It’s very important to stay healthy and strong. Eat and sleep well, foam roll or go for regular massages, cross train, strengthen your core, go to the Biokineticist and work on your mobility exercises.
- Taper before your race. Tapering does not mean no running – it simply means less mileage and less intensity. Begin your taper two weeks before race day by reducing your mileage to 60% of what you’ve been doing. With one week left, reduce that by half. Two days before the race, have a rest day, then use the day before race day to go for a short, quick jog to wake the legs.
- Nutrition, including hydration can be the make or break of your race, so make sure you get it right.
If you’re doing the 40k and 75k, make sure that you:
- Eat from the first hour, don’t wait until you are hungry!
- Start with solid foods, gels work better in the last 25% of the race, when you need that extra little kick of caffeine and sugar.
- Hydrate well, as it can be very hot in October. Especially with electrolytes and/or carbs drinks. Don’t simply drink water, it will only further dilute your system.
- If you’re doing the 20k route, a couple of gels and water (with electrolytes) should do the trick
- Most important, train with all the nutrition (and know what will be available at the aid stations) that you plan to use on race day, so that your body can get used to it. Use them on long runs, and in the same conditions you expect for your race – some foods react differently in different temperatures.
- Unexpected things can happen – be flexible about your fuelling and have a back-up plan in place if things go wrong.
- Carefully test your kit and gear before race day. Wear it on a few long runs in good time before the event to test its comfort, thermal qualities or where it might chafe you.
- Choose what works for you, rather than simply opting for the latest craze.
- Train with all your gear beforehand to get comfortable with it.
- On race morning, double-check that you have all the gear required, and know exactly where to find it in your pack.
- Look after your body during the race – blisters, chafing, sunburn, hydration, heat and cold are examples of factors you’ll need to self-manage.
The K-Way Maxirace Cape Winelands presented by Banhoek Chilli Oil takes place on October 2 and 3 2021 in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. A few entries for each of the distances are still available at http://maxirace.co.za/.
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Picture/s: Supplied