The idea: simply run straight out of the office up Signal Hill.
The honest truth: 30minute of oxygen debt before being treated to some spectacular views and a fierce descent.
Yes, it's true that signal hill is not a run for the faint hearted. All routes up the mountain involve some serious pitches regardless of how you attack them. Of course like anything in life, what goes up must come down, and boy does it go down. Yesterday we ran down what I now term "the bergie trails", 30% pitch down the side of the mountain on a barely visible trail through vynbos with the following view ahead of you. To attempt to describe it would do the experience injustice.
After a 5 minute scurry down the bergie trails we hit the familiar Pat's track which would take us back towards home, after running down the near vertical descent the contour path was a welcome sight, having no trouble keeping a run up even when the gradient kicked up a little. Across the contour and straight down the berg again on another non-very-clear path, we eventually hit the road which of course was a breeze even if it was a run down 15% and back along the tar to the office.
50mins & 7km pretty much, with 270m of elevation. This is definitely a run we are going to make a habit out of. I'm sure @trailrunnerza will send a tweet out for the next trot, because if you like burrying yourself into a stupor, you'll want to join us next time.
Additional information & images:
Images from Raoul's Flickr:
