~ 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.

The Secret of Salt Mountain

The Secret of Salt Mountain

The secret is not yet out, so SSSSHHHHH! Sometime during 2021, a multi-day trail running event will be staged in the heart of the Soutpansberg, a UNESCO biosphere reserve internationally protected for its wildlife and its unique biological and cultural diversity. This is a sneaky spoiler to whet your appetite…

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

There is a disturbing affliction stalking competitive sport these days. It’s insidious in its strength, slowly, silently and steadily eating its way into the very marrow of those who love sport the most. It affects men and women of all ages and of any level in their sport. Most have never even heard of it, and the most worrying of all is that the medical fraternity is still on a steep learning curve with it.

Let’s talk. Period.

Let’s talk. Period.

For healthy women, periods are a fact of life. Yet we feel awkward talking openly about them. We’re different from men, and we should celebrate those differences. And most importantly, we need to normalise talk about menstruation. So, let’s get talking!

Good sleep = good running

Good sleep = good running

Sleep… it’s that beautiful sensory reset button that can fix just about anything and bring us to a whole new day. Regarded by the Dalai Lama as “the best meditation”, sleep has long been recognised as vital to our very being. Even the Irish of olde, learned folk as...

Lockdown apple health muffins

Lockdown apple health muffins

Lockdown, the perfect reason for baking all sorts of scrumptious delights...   in between trotting countless circuits of your lounge / kitchen / garden / driveway, if you are that way inclined. These apple muffins are a variation of a recipe my brother shared with me...

13 Peaks Challenge (solo) FKT

13 Peaks Challenge (solo) FKT

Don’t we trail junkies all love a challenge! If a new route incorporates a combination of peaks to be bagged in a specific order within a time limit, trailsters are hungry to leap to the challenge. And if it involves nasty curveballs like altitude, technical...

Vučko Trail 2019

Vučko Trail 2019

The dramatic drop-offs along the knife-sharp ridgeline of the mountain Visočica made the mountain feel higher than its +1850m Just over two decades ago, the destination of Bosnia was not on any tourist’s bucket list of travel destinations. The only people queueing to...

~ 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]