~ 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.

Time for some soul running

Time for some soul running

It’s a fact: running too much on the black stuff melts the grey stuff.(Ok, maybe it’s still in the process of being proven, and the studies aren’t even slightly scientific, but hey, ask any trail runner – they’ll assure you they’re a lot brighter than the tar...

moving to the TAR-k side

moving to the TAR-k side

The silly season can do strange things to the brain... The brain then asks strange requests of the body…  and then spends the next however-many-months begging the body to co-operate, hold together, and hang in there whilst request is executed. There’s usually a...

Sky Run 2011, the long story

Sky Run 2011, the long story

Unfinished business isn't healthy. It's heavy baggage to drag around, and if left unattended, it can cause blisters on your psyche and eat into your soul. There're only two ways of dealing with unfinished business: you either come to terms with the job not done and...

T minus 1 and counting down…

T minus 1 and counting down…

Just one more sleep til we touch the Sky. Not that most people's pre-race night involves much sleep - it's more like toss and turn. If the image above isn't enough to get the butterflies a'fluttering, the adrenalin pumping and the stomach churning, add to it 100km of...

can you feel it?

can you feel it?

Every runner comes across them – the Run Naysayers: usually couch potatoes with an insatiable curiosity about what it is that makes us “need” to run. They’re filled with suspicion, determined to uncover some sort of deep-seated psychological disturbance we’re hiding,...

Table Mountain Challenge 2011

Table Mountain Challenge 2011

Saturday 17th September – sunny, 23 deg, not a breath of wind: a perfect day for running around, up and over the most picturesque mountain in Africa. What’s more, a designer day to showcase Cape Town to visiting world class international trail runners as the most...

Get ready for a Salomon showdown in September

Get ready for a Salomon showdown in September

Exciting news hot off the trail running press: some of the world’s most successful trail runners will be coming to South Africa in September. Kilian Jornet and Anna Frost will join South African Salomon team mates Ryan Sandes, Cas Van Aardenne, Linda Doke...

tick… tock… tick… tock…

tick… tock… tick… tock…

...  BONG! That’s 2 016 hours of stress fracture rehab in the bag, 12 weeks of no-running done and dusted. Today I went for my first proper run in three months – a very gentle but steady and continuous 10 whole kays, and I’m happy to report I can officially...

Squeezing life’s lemons

Squeezing life’s lemons

(supposedly royalty-free clipart...) What’s that one about what we’re supposed to do when life throws us a lemon? Something about adding a bucketload of sugar and turning it into a sickly sweet fizzy drink...    uuugh, sounds pretty icky to me. I reckon...

~ 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]