~ musings and meanderings

  about all things trail ~

Rockhoppin’ Trail

about Linda Doke

Three decades (plus) of ultra-distance running began with a chunk of years on tar (incl 10 Comrades, 16 Two Oceans) and followed with more than 25 years of trail, racing through canyons, on beaches, deserts, islands, glaciers, salt flats, over mountains, escarpments and peaks. Nine years ago I began coaching, passing on the ultra-running lessons I’ve learned to help others seeking to reach beyond their comfort zones discover their full potential.

Snowrunning recce for SA’s first Skymarathon®

Snowrunning recce for SA’s first Skymarathon®

Saturday was play day on the Matroosberg for the recce run of South Africa’s first ever Skyrunning® event, the Matroosberg Trail Challenge. Nine of us braved the chilly weather and ice-clad puddles, and were rewarded with the most incredible views of snow-capped peaks...

Recipe for a cool adventure in Iceland

Recipe for a cool adventure in Iceland

Take 300 well-seasoned runners from +50 countries, equip them with packs weighing between 7 and 13kg, each containing -5ºC sleeping bags, sleeping mats, medical kit, mandatory gear, and enough freeze-dried food, powders, bars and gels to live off for one very hungry...

Iceland D-Day

Iceland D-Day

Well, after months of dreaming, planning and preparation, it’s finally here – Racing The Planet Iceland starts tomorrow. The finalising of the formal admin begins this morning with competitor briefing at 8am followed by check-in, where our kit will be (checked) and...

Venit, vidit, vicit HBTC 2013

Venit, vidit, vicit HBTC 2013

Stevie's finish sprint on Hout Bay beach For those of you who aren’t Latin boffs: she came, she (very briefly) saw, she conquered the Hout Bay Trail Challenge 2013 – in style and with a smile! That’s Stevie Kremer through and through – an incredibly talented trail...

Racing The Planet: Iceland – for Solomon’s Haven

Racing The Planet: Iceland – for Solomon’s Haven

Next up on my bucket list, the land of fire and ice: Iceland, for a 7-day, 250km self-sufficient stage race, starting in the highlands between Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajokull and Langjokull, from 4-10 August (click here for details). Apart from the challenge of...

Counting down to the World Ultra Trail Champs 2013

Counting down to the World Ultra Trail Champs 2013

Tick… tock… tick… tock… The clock is ticking…   There’re seven days and counting til the World Ultra Trail Champs 2013 in north Wales, where the SA team will be battling it out against 80 men and 60 women from 22 countries. While SA’s sports administrators...

Next up in SA skyrunning: SA’s first Skymarathon®

Next up in SA skyrunning: SA’s first Skymarathon®

Following the announcement of southern Africa's first Ultra Skymarathon®, the Lesotho Ultra Trail (LUT), the South African Skyrunning Association is excited to announce its next sanctioned event, the Matroosberg Trail Challenge - a Skymarathon®, 36km of pure...

Lesotho Wildrun 2013

Lesotho Wildrun 2013

  Lesotho (from the Wikipedia definition): the Kingdom of Lesotho is a landlocked country, completely surrounded by South Africa. About 40% of the population live by the international poverty line of US$1.25/day. Over 80% of the country lies above 1,800m and...

Two Oceans Trail Run – a trail running showcase

Two Oceans Trail Run – a trail running showcase

Cape Town’s weather often struts its stuff over Easter – a carefully planned strategy to dissuade tourists from wanting to move here permanently. Trail runners don’t mind rain, it’s the wind we’re not fond of. Admittedly, no runner is, but encountering strong gusts...

~ explore a world of trails ~

Testimonials

[divi8_testimonial_carousel_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” divi8_testimonial_rating_color=”#EDF000″ divi8_testimonial_effect_slideshadow=”on” divi8_testimonial_effect_slidestretch=”2″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ border_radii_item_border=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” content_font_size=”14px” divi8_testimonial_sliderperview_desktop=”4″ divi8_testimonial_content_position=”layout3″ background_color=”#000000″ content_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” position_text_color=”gcid-secondary-color” position_font_size=”15px” border_color_all_position_border=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-secondary-color%22:%91%22position_text_color%22%93}” divi8_testimonial_autoplay_loop=”off” divi8_testimonial_centered_slides=”off” divi8_testimonial_sliderspeed=”300″ divi8_testimonial_nav_mousewheel=”off” divi8_testimonial_pagi_size=”16″][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Jessie Waldman ” position=”ultrarunner and mom” rating=”5″ description=”I have learned so much about the nuts & bolts of good training from Linda. To name a few: the power of consistency; the value of the steady, gradual build; what proper strength training looks like & how to recover from races properly. Linda uses her expert knowledge to tailor your training so it’s right for you. She will help you to navigate all the trials & tribulations in your training journey to get you to the finish line in record time.” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”Jessie” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jessie.jpg”][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Garth Willis ” position=”ultrarunner” rating=”5″ description=”As a runner in my 50s, running is as much about having fun as it is about being an outlet for my competitive juices. Linda’s program has put fun into my training. I’ve loved the variety and even enjoyed being pushed to my limits. It’s great to have someone to tell you when to toughen up and get the session done, or when to ease off and avoid running yourself into injury. She managed me back from an ACL operation, courtesy of a reckless motorbiker, and I have enjoyed many road and trail adventures thanks to Linda’s guidance. Most importantly, I’ve loved the training in between those adventures. I’ve also enjoyed being part of the Rockhoppin’ Trail community and being inspired by all the adventures that the other trail junkies get up to.” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”Garth” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Garth.jpg”][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Melanie Swanepoel ” position=”ultrarunner” rating=”5″ description=”Training with Linda is like having someone in your corner who believes in you, inspires you and yes, encourages you to go for those crazy goals. She is a font of knowledge when it comes to all things trail running and she designs my programme specifically for me. She encourages and inspires me to do better, tackle crazy adventures, and supports me in difficult times. It makes such a big difference to have someone to be accountable to, someone who cares, and who knows the “how-to’s”. Linda has taught me to trust in the process and trust my ability.” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”melanie” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/melanie.jpg”][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Dave Rebe ” position=”ultrarunner” rating=”5″ description=”Linda has helped me achieve far more in my running than I ever imagined. Her deep knowledge, real experience, genuine care, full support and flexible approach make her an incredible coach. I may not be at the front of the field, but thanks to her, I’m definitely much further up for my age than I’d ever be on my own.” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”dave” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/dave.jpg”][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Lucille Bowman ” position=”ultrarunner and mom” rating=”5″ description=”I started as a beginner on the trails. Now I’m an ultra-distance runner. Linda’s personalised coaching, steady advice and her ability to adapt to my needs as a mom of three helped me achieve more than I had ever dreamed possible.” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”Lucille” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Lucille.jpg”][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Max Miller ” position=”ultrarunner” rating=”5″ description=”Training with Linda has been a game-changer for me! Her approach is incredibly flexible and highly personalised; every session is tailored to my goals, abilities, and most importantly my commitments outside of running. If life changes, Linda makes sure my program changes too.
She is extremely intuitive; I feel supported while she challenges me beyond my comfort zone. She has guided me through 4 years’ worth of epic trail running adventures and podiums. She even made sure I bagged a Comrades Silver in my brief lapse of judgement when needed to try the road scene. Linda helps keeps my passion for running fuelled. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to get the most out of their running!
” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ title_text=”Max” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Max.jpg”][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” name=”Dani Coetzee” position=”multiple 100 miler and 200 miler finisher” rating=”5″ description=”Working with Linda has been an absolute game-changer. She truly cares about you as an individual, builds training that fits your real life, and shows up with consistency you can rely on. The results speak for themselves – I’ve achieved all the goals I dreamed of and more.” title_text=”dani” img=”https://rockhoppingtrail.run/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/dani.jpg” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_item_lite][/divi8_testimonial_carousel_lite]