~ 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.

my incredible SiL

my incredible SiL

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m not the only nutter in my family. There’re actually two of us. My sister-in-law, Marie, is a complete and utter, dyed in the wool, pedigreed Nutter of Note. There’s almost no running challenge that scares her, no distance that makes her...

Sky Run 2010

Sky Run 2010

One hundred and forty-eight trail runners touched the sky this weekend in the 13th running of the Sky Run. But two runners did more than that: Ian Don Wauchope and Tatum “Hobbit” Prins carved their names across the night sky by blitzing the race in true champion style...

Single Trouble and aiming for the Sky

Single Trouble and aiming for the Sky

Hello. Apologies for the October silence – let’s just say it was so good to be back in the beautiful Cape after six weeks away that the thought of tapping away at a keyboard featured fairly low on my list of things to do. I’ve been back nearly four weeks now, long...

still R&R’ing, but a BIG thanks

still R&R’ing, but a BIG thanks

After a couple of weeks of very welcome R&R in Italy, Germany and (still) the UK, it's time for one final Trans-Alpine post: a somewhat belated but very heartfelt thank-you to my sponsors. Salomon and Velocity Sports Lab, you're the greatest - without...

Running with The Machine

Running with The Machine

“Fatigue is inevitable. Managing fatigue is a skill that may take years to learn, but it’s what makes the difference between a good runner and a great runner, whatever your speed.” Lindsay Weight It’s a question I’ve often been asked – both in the preparation for and...

Trans-Alps, the final four days

Trans-Alps, the final four days

Apologies everyone, I really wanted to be able to update my blog regularly and give you daily updates throughout our race, but alas, connectivity was almost as challenging as each of the 8 stages so I had to let it slip. Now here I am, two days after Ryan and I...

TransAlpine Run – a gutsy day 4

Today was Day Four of the TransAlpine Run (43.9km, from Neukirchen, Austria to Prettau, Italy) and although 3km shorter than yesterday's stage, it took us just as long. It wasn't so much the profile that was to blame for that, although it was indeed tough (we climbed...

first report on TransAlps

Three days done & dusted of the TransAlpine Run for Team Salomon / Velocity Sports Lab. Five days to go..! 116km km in the bag, and just 189.6km to go!   (ok, it's far too early to be looking at how many km's to go - bite size chunks, bite size chunks...)...

counting down…

counting down…

Finally Ruhpolding's busying up - the town's a-buzz with trail runners, most sporting Salomon kit from head to toe. (These Europeans know the best brand!) And Team Salomon/Velocity Sports Lab has its very own fan club present: today the founder of GoTrail, James...

~ 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]