Posts Tagged ‘Stellenbosch’

Gavin Noble. Irish triathlete. Joker. Poet.

Gavin Noble

pic design by Nikola

I met Gavin Noble early this year in Stellenbosch, South Africa. We were both on training camps. I just started training and Gavin – one of Ireland’s Olympic triathlon hopefuls – was already lean and mean.

It is comical how wildly our training styles varied:

Gav swam 6km group swims at 5.15 am. I floated 30-40 mins on my own when the sun sat high.

Gavin sometimes ran 3 times a day,  I sometimes ran 3 days in a row.

Gav wears pink tights in public, (in summer) I wore pink speedos in the 80s.

But despite our wildly different training approaches, we got on like a house on fire. Seems like a special South African / Irish thing. I have grown to love the Irish through our mutual friend Bobby Behan from whom I learnt a vast array of Irish sayings in a more or less Irish accent. “Fierce nice guy like you know.”

Well, Gav is quite a character too. He is also a team mate. Not in the usual sense. Blogging team mates.  Check it out here: TriathlonTeam.org

triathlon team logo

Gavin’s blogging is quite something. He is also really passionate about suffering and quotes. Which he manages to blend together nicely. Here are a few from his site: GavinNoble.com

Gavin Noble logo

“When I’m training, I need four things, a room, a bed, and maybe two blankets, for when it gets cold”

I always loved to watch distance running. I am one of those people who think the sight of an athlete in full flow is a beautiful thing. I love ‘the chat’ about the old days – when 5 of your neighbours could run sub 30minutes for a 10k – back when ‘men were made of iron and ships were made of wood  !’

This is my favourite Gavin blog:

Motivation for the Week: Chase the Mammoth

10,000 BC

If you run without sacrifice, congratulations you just jogged.

Running hurts. It always has. Wolley Mammoths didnt just roll over on a plate and serve themselves up to Prehistoric Man with a portion of gravy chips (loveabitofgravychipsme) and a cola. They had to be caught – and supposidly catching a Wolley Mammoth was a bitch !

Guess what ?

Read the rest of this post on Gavin’s site

More Black and White Photography

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The Cheetah sculpture collection in Stellenbosch by Dylan Lewis really has my imagination going. There are 23 Dylan Lewis animal sculptures in Stellenbosch, and you literally bump into one on every street corner. As I ride my cruiser bike around town I cant stop taking pictures…

Wish I had a real digital camera, my SLR is outdated & I dont have time to stand around in the dark room printing B&W test strips for hours anymore.

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My last week in heaven

It is my last week on the farm, (before moving to Stellenbosch for serious training) so I’m trying to make the most of the special things I will have to forgo during the racing season.

After my 1h30 long run at 1900m altitude on Sunday, I took the long way home. Via the 2006 Toyota 400 Rally route. (I ride my dirt bike to and from my weekly high altitude long run)

Highveld

The Caveman has landed! The Highveld is stunning this time of the year. We have had a lot of rain, and small fountains are springing up everywhere.

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Who is Conrad?

Conrad Stoltz

They call me “the Caveman.” I am: 6ft 3, weigh 85kg, 33 or 34 (?) years old. Professional triathlete for the past 16 years. I am an African. (Gets me funny looks in America)

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Cavegirl on the way!!!

Cavegirl on the way!!!
Liezel and I are happy to announce our baby girl on the way! We are 23 weeks in, #PrincessHotstuff is fit and trim, and for me, time is not moving fast enough!  Due date 15-5-15. Suuuuper excited prix viagra en pharmacie! With these genes, she’ll be shooting hoops while wheelie-ing at the age of 3. […]
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Being the Caveman is hard work- have been busy…

Being the Caveman is hard work- have been busy…
As you all know, its easy to overindulge and pack on the pounds during the festive season, so Cross Training is a key ingredient to keeping the Caveman fit and flexable. Gotta keep on top of skills training too. Breakfast sure wasnt pretty. But its all part of the food chain… Like I said, being […]
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Caveman wins in mountain region of Scanno at XTERRA Italy

Caveman wins in mountain region of Scanno at XTERRA Italy
XTERRA Italy has the most amazing course! Parts through the old mountain town of Scanno. To the tune of "eye of the tiger" (thanks DJ Jack!) Caveman wins XTERRA Italy by 4 minutes. XTERRA Italy made is debut in the idyllic mountain town of Scanno, in the province of Abruzzo. In terms of the culture […]
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Caveman’s specialized equipment choices in quest for 7th World title

Caveman’s specialized equipment choices in quest for 7th World title
#aeroiseverything #soisfattyres #dittohorsepower ITU Cross Triathlon Worlds 2013 Long version Cross Tri Worlds Highlights. (Short version- 2.40) Racing through the dunes, stairs and sidewalks of Holland proved a fertile ground for innovative equipment choices.  From the video you can get a feel for the course- but the real test was the long sections of deep, […]
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a Caveman car for a Caveman situation…

a Caveman car for a Caveman situation…
Caveman’s Stellenbosch Kelfords Ford Fietsta Ambiente 1.4 [Open letter to friend and owner of Kelfords Ford and Mazda in Somerset West, South Africa] Dear Tristan, Thank you very much for the use of your wonderful little Ford Fiesta. We love the fuel economy, (5.9L per 100km) the nippy handling, the voice activated, hands free phone […]
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Cheers to a remarkable 2012

Cheers to a remarkable 2012
18 races, 1 World Title (ITU Cross Tri), my 10th XTERRA USA Series title, 10 victories, 16 podiums and many many special memories. My sporting highlight was winning my 2nd ITU Cross Triathlon World Title in Pelham Alabama, USA. a Personal highlight was sharing the entire year and all the remarkable experiences with my gorgeous […]
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