Making new friends is the start of new adventures….

Silvermine XL was my first race of the season, so I was of course, really excited to get out there and enjoy a good race, this I achieved – I had a really fun race – but I also made a wonderful new friend which makes the day even more memorable!

On the start line, a bright and happy looking girl in Salomon gear bounded up to me and introduced herself. Her name is Sandra Koblmueller, she’s an Austrian X-terra athlete staying in Stellenbosch for a few months and decided to take part in Silvermine XL while she is here. I immediately liked her smiley disposition and clear love of the trails and mountains.

We had a really fun race. She pushed me and taught me a lot which I so appreciate! The first 10kms we were running together, one of us behind or in front, just enjoying a good pace and the beautiful scenery. After the first 10, Sandra took off on a technical descent and continued a strong pace. (After the event I told her she runs like Emelie Forsberg) Keeping her in my sight I ran well until one momentary lapse in concentration…. On of the not-so-technical-descents I passed a fellow runner and as I stepped back onto the track, my foot caught a rock and I took a bad tumble – hitting my knee, shoulder, hip and hands. It all happened so fast! I picked myself up but lost quite a bit of time gingerly getting back into a runnable pace. The last 10km were painful! I had to practice a lot of ‘mind over matter’, and tried not to think about my throbbing knee. Luckily the end was close and I was relieved to have the injuries seen to that afternoon.

The bashed knee has resulted in a week off training. Some swimming and core work should get me through the week and I’ll be good to go again in no time.

Sandra and I enjoyed a delicious lunch and relaxed afternoon together in Kalk Bay, and I’m so excited to go and visit her in Austria! It just shows what one race can do, you never know who you’re going to meet and what wonderful, like – minded people are out there to start adventures with.

Take each day at a time, you never know who or what is around the corner and what they are going to add to your life…

Thank you to Wildrunner for a well organised and beautiful event.

Silvermine XL was my first race of the season, so I was of course, really excited to get out there and enjoy a good race, this I achieved – I had a really fun race – but I also made a wonderful new friend which makes the day even more memorable!

On the start line, a bright and happy looking girl in Salomon gear bounded up to me and introduced herself. Her name is Sandra Koblmueller, she’s an Austrian X-terra athlete staying in Stellenbosch for a few months and decided to take part in Silvermine XL while she is here. I immediately liked her smiley disposition and clear love of the trails and mountains.

We had a really fun race. She pushed me and taught me a lot which I so appreciate! The first 10kms we were running together, one of us behind or in front, just enjoying a good pace and the beautiful scenery. After the first 10, Sandra took off on a technical descent and continued a strong pace. (After the event I told her she runs like Emelie Forsberg) Keeping her in my sight I ran well until one momentary lapse in concentration…. On of the not-so-technical-descents I passed a fellow runner and as I stepped back onto the track, my foot caught a rock and I took a bad tumble – hitting my knee, shoulder, hip and hands. It all happened so fast! I picked myself up but lost quite a bit of time gingerly getting back into a runnable pace. The last 10km were painful! I had to practice a lot of ‘mind over matter’, and tried not to think about my throbbing knee. Luckily the end was close and I was relieved to have the injuries seen to that afternoon.

The bashed knee has resulted in a week off training. Some swimming and core work should get me through the week and I’ll be good to go again in no time.

Sandra and I enjoyed a delicious lunch and relaxed afternoon together in Kalk Bay, and I’m so excited to go and visit her in Austria! It just shows what one race can do, you never know who you’re going to meet and what wonderful, like – minded people are out there to start adventures with.

Take each day at a time, you never know who or what is around the corner and what they are going to add to your life…

Thank you to Wildrunner for a well organised and beautiful event.