PETER GIDDY.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

ACHILLES RELAY SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2014

WITH A BEAUTIFUL SEA VIEW BEHIND LINDSEY HIS FACE REFLECTS THE EFFORT THAT HE HAS PUT INTO RUNNING HIS LEG

ACHILLES RELAY SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2014

The annual Achilles Relay format is as follows:

While this relay is for Achilles Members, a few invitation teams also take part.
There are 6 members in a team
Each member runs a certain section of the run between 7 to 8.5km. The total distance is about 50km.
We meet at the Italian Club
Drive to the Greenbushes Hotel where the race starts
We start running at about 6am
The event is a Handicap event so the slower running teams will start off earlier.
The last team (the fastest team) leaves around 1H.10min after the slowest team.
We drive in One Car per team to reduce the chance of accidents.
The route takes us up the Old cape road towards st Albans; Turn right after about 5k and then then left at the Draaifontein road. We run along this road until the turn off to Seaview. Down to Maitlands River mouth. Up the infamous Maitlands Hill and then to Seaview village. And then back to the Italian club along the New Seaview Road. To make the run interesting there is a bit of a sting at the end with a climb up Melsetter and across to Bernard before finally heading back to the Italian club.

This morning we meet at the Italian Club at about 5.30am. We will be using Graham's car so there are 6 of us driving to the start. I get a lift with Afrika Mhlope. Afrika is a minister at a church in Kwazakhele. He is also a family man and writer. And a member of Achilles. Like me he will be running the first leg as he has to be at the Global Leadership Summit at the Harvest Christian Church. Afrika is the author of the book: "Christianity and the veneration of the dead" He examines the veneration of ancestors in South Africa from a Christian perspective. He also writes for the Gateway magazine.

I have, for the past three years, been first to start. I run for the Tigers team. This morning is the first time that it is not raining. In fact conditions are perfect as it is overcast and there is an east wind on my back. I am called to the start and start running immediately. I am determined to not let my team down so I run as fast as my slow legs will take me. I am feeling heavy with lactic acid and my lungs are heaving. I should have had a bit of a warm up run. I have run a few hundred meters when Graham; who is the driver today; calls me to stop and go back. I think that he is having me on and continue to run. He does a U turn and tells me that it was a false start. I drive back with him and then Percy starts the race again.

PETER RUNS THE FIRST LEG. I THINK THAT THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME TO RUN THIS LEG AS I MUST NOW TAKE MY PLACE RUNNING SOME OF THE HILLY SECTIONS. I AM NOT STRONG ON HILLS AND SO WILL HAVE TO DO SOME HILL TRAINING IN THE WEEKS BEFORE THE 2015 EVENT.

Again I run off as fast as I am able. This time I feel a bit better as I have had at least a short warm up. I know this section well; having run it on two previous occasions. It is a mainly flat section with a bit of a slow up hill pull. The chaps drive next to me for a bit but then push on to the turn off point. It is quite strange to run alone as I am so used to running with someone else.
My lungs are burning and my left foot Achilles heel is hurting but I am forced to press on. At the top of the hill you can see the Green Road sign for the turn off and I see the chaps waiting for me there. I turn to the left and try to work out my change over point. I can see some Wattle trees but I am mistaken -- still further on. Cross the rail line and then finally I see the chaps waiting for me. I run even harder for the final 500m and hand over to Robin Clark. He is substituting for Tom Darcy whose wife (Jean) is not well. Tom will remember this leg as being a toughie with some long and some steep hills.

I am given a few minutes to cool off and have a drink of water. Then we drive on to support Robin. We wait at the Draaifontein Road for Robin to come over the hill. He is running well and to his predicted time of 7min a kay. He has quite a tough section to run with a few hills thrown in. I am feeling a bit guilty that I should have been running a more hilly section.

ROBIN LOOKS EXCEPTIONALLY CHEERFUL

Robin hands over to Geoff Roberts who is in place of Bill Emslie who is injured. At this time we are feeling quite pleased with our team time. When we last ran the Achilles Relay in 2013 the ladies team had caught us around this stage of the run and today they were not in sight. As it turns out the ladies and the Body Concept invitation team would only pass the TIGERS on the 5th leg along the Seaview Road.

Geoff starts with a downhill to Maitlands River. After the turn there are a few ups but then he reaches the bottom of this really nasty Maitlands Hill. It is about 2kay of unending up. As you run this hill you see the False Top a few times. Evil. We support Geoff as best we can but he has already run hard and having to end his leg with this hill hurts. Geoff had the hottest time: he had to run in the valley where there was no cooling breeze and to add to that the sun was at its hottest just at this time. Finally he makes it to the top of the long Maitlands hill and after a 500m down hill he hands the Baton to Lindsey.

IS THIS GEOFF GOING FOR AN AFTERNOON JOG? ACTUALLY THIS PIC WAS TAKEN AS GEOFF WARMED UP WHILE WAITING FOR ROBIN TO HAND OVER THE BATON

Lindsey has had a two month holiday in Africa and how he is back on the run with our team. His leg takes him down to the caravan resort and then along a long beachfront road towards the village of Seaview. It is a beautiful road to run but today Lindsey is not thinking of the ocean to his right, nor of the roar of the waves crashing on the rock, nor of the birds soaring above as they seek for fish below. Lindsey is focused on trying to maintain a pace of about 4.45min a kay. And he does this well up to the T junction at Spar in Seaview. Aydn has gone to the shop to buy a few cold drinks and gives Lindsey a bit of cooling down. At this stage he has about 4k to go and starts to battle to maintain the pace. The road has a gradual up hill pull. Lindsey runs as hard as he can and finally reaches the next hand over point. He is exhausted and takes a while to cool down.

GRAHAM GIVES A THUMBS UP EVEN THOUGH HE HAS STILL A WAY TO GO AND HAS TO WORK HARD FOR EVERY FORWARD STEP HE TAKES.

Graham takes over from Lindsey on the Seaview road. The Ladies Team is now starting to bear down on him. And just behind them is an invitational team with Chris van der Walt chasing down on Graham. Graham tries hard but the pressure is too intense and first Chris passes him and then, on the next hill, Lynette from the fast ladies team passes him as well. Graham does well to maintain the pace and makes his way up the hill to the final hand over. He is sweating heavily as Graham tends to do. He immediately makes his way to the bushes and then has himself a bath using the 5lit water bottle that he brought along for this purpose.

LINDSAY TRIES TO HAND OVER SOME WATER TO AYDN AT THE TOP OF HEARTBREAK BUT HE IS FOCUSED ON TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE PACE.

Aydn has the job of trying to maintain the position. But now the FAST teams start to climb up to the final hand over point. |Aydn has the Heartbreak hill to work chasing Christine Claassen who is in peak condition. In front of her is the invitation team who are too far ahead to catch. But it looks like Aydn is making good progress in chasing Christine. But then she reaches the top of Heartbreak and just behind Aydn is Paul Wolf who is a machine when it comes to running hills. He takes off his shirt and bears down on Aydn just as we reach Melsetter road. Now the racing snakes are starting to make our team look like we are walking. One by one they pass Aydn who works as hard as he can but cannot maintain the 3min a kay pace that these athletes are running at.

Amazingly the handicap system has worked and all 11 teams finish within minutes of each other. Chariots of Fire and Eye of the Tiger (how appropriate) bring the athletes in. It is a real race to the end and very festive and exciting. Bruce has brought his truck firstly with coffee and rusks but also with some cold beverages.

I have a busy day ahead and leave but I can imagine that the party will continue for some time.
Well done to the Organisers and to the supporters. An awesome event and lots of fun. Well done to all the athletes who took part. It is wonderful that we can run together -- fast and slower runners all competing at the same level. And a special congratulations to the Achilles Ladies Team who win the event for the second time.

Aydn is an amazing team captain who keeps record not only of our times this year but was also able to tell me, as I turned the corner off the Old Cape Road, that me time was better than last year. Aydn writes as follows:

Here are the team times:

Peter Giddy 7.2km @ 36.04
Robin Clarke 8.2km @ 58.36
Geoff Roberts 8.3km @ 45.08
Lindsey Pillay 8.2km @ 40.42
Graham Nell 8.3Km @ 49.52
Aydn Wilson 8.6km @ 42.02
Total team time 4H 32m 01s

Well done Guys I am proud of your efforts.
Thanks to Graham for the use of his car today.

Tom stay strong we are all thinking of you and Jean.

LINDSEY WORKS HARD ON THE SECTION BETWEEN THE T JUNCTION AT THE SEAVIEW SPAR AND HIS HAND OVER POINT.

WITH A BEAUTIFUL SEA VIEW BEHIND LINDSEY HIS FACE REFLECTS THE EFFORT THAT HE HAS PUT INTO RUNNING HIS LEG

ROBIN HAS RUN HIS HEART OUT AND NOW HAS A FEW HILLS TO GO AS HE TURNS INTO THE DRAAIFONTEIN ROAD.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT OUR CAPTAIN IS TELLING THE GROUP BUT IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS SAYING: "RIDING A BIKE IS MUCH EASIER THAN RUNNING". TODAY WE SAW MANY CYCLISTS AND RUNNERS TRAINING ON THIS BEAUTIFUL ROUTE.

GRAHAM GIVES A THUMBS UP EVEN THOUGH HE HAS STILL A WAY TO GO AND HAS TO WORK HARD FOR EVERY FORWARD STEP HE TAKES.

AYDN MAKING HIS WAY UP THE HEARTBREAK HILL

ROBIN LOOKS EXCEPTIONALLY CHEERFUL

LINDSAY TRIES TO HAND OVER SOME WATER TO AYDN AT THE TOP OF HEARTBREAK BUT HE IS FOCUSED ON TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE PACE.

AYDN TAKES OVER FROM GRAHAM PROUDLY WEARING HIS TIGERS SHIRT

WHILE GEOFF POUNDS HIS WAY UP THE MAITLANDS HILL WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY THE VIEWS ACROSS THE BAY ALL THE WAY TO JEFFREYS BAY

PAUL WORKED LIKE A MACHINE UP THE HEARTBREAK HILL. AYDN WAS IN FRONT RIGHT UP TO MELSETTER BUT THEN WHEN PAUL SAW HIM AHEAD THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL.

GRAHAM ALLOWED THE TEAM TO USE HIS CAR. GEOFF WAS CO DRIVER. LINDSEY MANAGED TO WORK HIS FEET INTO THE MIDDLE WHILE ROBIN AND IT FLANKED HIM.

AYDN WORKS HARD TO THE VERY LAST STEP. WELL DONE CAPTAIN.

GRAHAM IN THE FIRST HALF OF HIS LEG IS STRONG.

LINDSEY WORKING HARD TO MAINTAIN THE PACE HE STARTED AT

IS THIS GEOFF GOING FOR AN AFTERNOON JOG? ACTUALLY THIS PIC WAS TAKEN AS GEOFF WARMED UP WHILE WAITING FOR ROBIN TO HAND OVER THE BATON

THE SWEAT ON LINDSEY'S SHIRT TELLS THE STORY OF HOW HARD HE WAS WORKING.

AT THIS STAGE GEOFF WAS PUSHING TO KEEP TO HIS DECLARED TIME.

TIGERS TEAM OF GRAHAM; GEOFF; LINDSEY AND PETER; ROBIN AND AYDN ARE ON THE ROAD.

WHAT REALLY WORRIES ME ON DAYS LIKE THIS IS A MOTOR ACCIDENT WITH ACHILLEANS BEING CARELESS AND MOTORISTS BEING IMPATIENT.

TEAM ACHILLES

TEAM ACHILLES TWO

BRUCE SPONSORS THIS TEAM WITH COFFEE AND RUSKS

SPEEDY TEAM ACHILLES

SIZINZO AND HIS RACING SNAKES

INVITATION TEAM ONE

PAUL AS HE HEADS UP HEARTBREAK HILL

AYDN IS FINISHED HIS LEG AND IS PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED..

TEAM MEMBERS GIVE THEIR ALL ON THESE RUNS

AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN .... SO SCARY.

IT IS LONELY BEING ON THE RUN LIKE THIS -- GIVING YOUR ALL TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT CAUGHT AND TRYING TO CATCH THE RUNNER IN FRONT OF YOU.

HAND OVER THE BATON

In April this year AFRIKA MHLOPE presented two interesting talks at our church at Walmer Methodist.

He based his talk on an article he wrote for the Gateway Magazine:
The books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles in the Bible are named such because they chronicle the history of the kings of Israel. Each king’s reign was measured against the standard that was left by his predecessor. For instance King Solomon’s reign had to be contrasted against that of his much-loved and revered father, King David. Although it is not always possible to emulate a person’s personality and charisma it is however possible to follow his values.

2 Chronicles chapter 14 tells us of King Abijah who died and was succeeded by King Asa. Abijah was a God-fearing man and a warrior. Regarding King Asa his reign is summed up in this verse, “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2). In other words King Asa was not judged by factors outside of his control but by his own moral aptitude.

As South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy we are forced to reflect on its short democratic history. The period of 1994-1999 was when we were governed by the late president Nelson Mandela and most of us felt as if we were dreaming during this time. We were the darling of the world, a paragon of virtue and offered hope to the hopeless. Mandela made us famous and taught us to love each other.

1999-2009 we saw the entrance of a philosopher in former President Thabo Mbeki. Mr Mbeki was a realist and under his tenure the dream was tempered with the realization that we have to work hard in order to achieve greatness. He once delivered a State of the Nation address under the theme ‘Business Unusual’ to drive home the point that we still have a lot of work to do. His ‘I am an African’ speech showed us that being an African was not a curse.

He pioneered African Renaissance and made Africans believe that they can be equal with other citizens of the world. Mbeki sought to correct misconceptions about Africa and perhaps was overzealous in this regard. His distrust for the West is perhaps the reason why he dragged his feet in approving the use of life-prolonging ARV’s and many HIV positive people needlessly died as a result. He was a hands-on leader who often got accused of being a control freak.

President Thabo Mbeki never finished his term because he was recalled (to use the euphemistic term) under dubious circumstances. To this day we are yet to be made privy to the spy tapes that were instrumental in his dismissal from office. After Mbeki’s was ‘frog marched’ from office we saw a brief stint of Kgalema Motlanthe who was a caretaker president until the rightful heir took his place.

Now we are under the presidency of Jacob Zuma and he continues the narrative that is the history of a democratic South Africa. For me the dream has now turned into a nightmare. The leader of the UDM, Bantu Holomisa recently made the point that Jacob Zuma is embroiled in almost every scandal that has engulfed South Africa. Even ANC veterans like Trevor Manuel and Pallo Jordan are beginning to raise a caution about the country’s current course under Zuma.

When in 20 years time we read the history of South Africa we will read about Mandela and his connection to reconciliation, Mbeki and his belief in the potential of Africa, and Zuma and the many scandals that dogged him. Our history will not be read without mentioning the Arms Deal issue, Guptas, Marikana, Nkandla, and much aberration that characterises the presidency of Jacob Zuma. We look at this time in history to remind ourselves of when we lost our bearings.

We will have to remind ourselves that never again shall we allow ourselves to sink this low. Personally I am dejected and consider that God is our only hope now. This is despite the fact that even He is being denigrated in the desperation to garner votes. Under Zuma we have seen the spectre of blasphemy raised up and also superstition and many things that are uncharacteristic of a head of state.

Look Mandela and Mbeki had their own flaws just like the different kings who led the nation of Israel but today we are seeing the refusal to take personal responsibility for mishaps. President Zuma’s ready answer for anything is ‘I don’t know or it is not my fault.’ 2 Chronicles 13:22 says, “Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways, and his sayings are written in the annals of the prophet Iddo.” So are President Jacob Zuma’s.

AFRIKA MHLOPE
The talk that Afrika gave on the second evening was based on the following article

The general elections to be held on May 7, 2014 are probably the most contentious since the advent of democracy and there are divisions that are also beginning to show in the Church. These became evident after the release of the Public Protector’s report into security upgrades in the President’s private residence. There are sections of the Church who surprised many of us by maligning the Public Protector and accusing her of reversing the gains of democracy.

Politics are about the governance of the nation and as the Church we are called to disciple the nation. The question then is: can we effectively disciple the nation without paying attention to how it is governed? I do not think so. When we become silent on issues of governance the country ends up being misgoverned. We can participate in the governance of the nation and influence its trajectory through voting into public office those who will carry a righteous agenda into government.

As South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy we are told that we have much to be proud about but do we? In the last 18 years we have lost R650 billion through corruption and in fact our country has now become synonymous with corruption. Our murder rate is one of the highest in the world with 16 000 people killed every year. As if this is not enough we also kill those yet to be born because since the Termination of Pregnancy bill was passed in 1996 we have killed over a million unborn babies.

Lately we have seen blasphemy rising with politicians vainly using God’s name to gain votes. Superstition has also entered the fray with people being told that if they vote in a certain manner the dead will haunt them. Should Christians ignore these pronouncements and misdemeanours when they cast their votes? If we do not align our values with our vote do we have the right to complain about moral decline?
I believe voting gives us the opportunity to hold our public representatives accountable. If we do not hold them accountable then they rule with impunity. Voting for me is not about WHO but about WHAT a person votes for. Who governs is less important than what governs them. We cannot expect a party that is driving a humanistic agenda to act in a manner that honours God. Jesus said an evil tree produces an evil fruit.

The laws that have passed in South Africa in the last 20 years have clearly demonstrated that we are not governed with a Biblical worldview. We cannot change the legislation framework without changing the system that underpins that framework. We cannot just remain a voting fodder for corrupt leaders but we must stand up to them. We must be sensible instead of being sentimental when we enter the ballot box.
We must think about the future and not only the past. Ask yourself about the kind of a country you want to leave for your children and as well as whether or not your vote honours God. The light of SA
is becoming dark and as Christians we are complicit in this. We have enabled this through our passivity and by creating a dichotomy between what we profess and how we act. We have also contributed by allowing ourselves to be seduced into race-based politics.

Are we not hypocrites when we choose a person based on the colour of his skin instead of his values and principles? Why do we preach that in God’s eyes a person’s race does not matter and yet it is at the forefront of our minds? It is because we carry so much baggage and prejudice that I think we should ask God to guide us in these upcoming elections. He must be present with all of us in that voting booth.

Afrika Mhlope is a young pastor of a church in Kwazakhele in Port Elizabeth.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON OCTOBER 2014

MEIRINGSPOORT HALF MARATHON
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2014
As we run this event we cross the poort 21 times. Each crossing has a name and each name has a history. The following information is in the information center next to the waterfall in the Poort.

From De Rust:
1.Spookdrif: A supernatural light in the form of a ball of fire has been seen at this point.
2.Skansdrif: Stone Ramparts were built here to prevent flooding.
3.Damdrif: There was a very large water-hole here that was deceptive particularly to strangers who would often become bogged down in the mud.
4.Boesmansdrif: here there are deep clefts in the rock face where San people used to live.
5.Skelmkloof Drif: here there is a hidden ravine where water trickles into the Groot Rivier.
6.Aalwyndrif: Named after the beautiful aloes that over look this drift. Aloes are sought after for their medicinal uses.
7.Nooiensboomdrif: A Nooiensboom is a Cabbage Tree and two of these trees used to grow on either side of the road.
8.Stewelsdrif: A “stewel” is translated as a Boot. A wagoner of farmer Petrus Meiring lost his boots here and had to return home for a new pair. Here the name Dubbledrif can also be seen. This does not appear to be an official name of a drift as it does not appear on the list of Drifts in the information center.
9.Perskeboomdrif: so named from the peach trees that used to grow close to this Drift.
10.Sanddrif: Sandbanks would cause obstructions here. The first Concrete causeway was built here in 1948
11.Herrie se drif: first known as Nagas drif it later took on the name Herrie. C J Langenhoven (1873 – 1932) poet and afrikaans writer, is best known for composing the South African National Anthem: “Uit die Blou van onse hemel” which was later adapted to our present anthem incorporating Nkosi Siki Lele in 1995 when Nelson Mandela become president. Langenhoven carved out the name Herrie which was the name of his fictional Elephant in his book: “Sonde met die Bure”. This is one of the few cases of Graffiti becoming a National Heritage site. It was proclaimed in 1973 to celebrate the birth date of Langenhoven.
12.Witperdedrif: a Rabbi and his horses were washed away at this site. His remains were never found.
13.Ou Tol drif: named after the Old Toll house which has been gone for many years
14.Wadrif: Legend has it that a number of wagons were washed away here.
15.Witfonteindrif: there is a steam of crystal clear water that flows from kranses to the west of this crossing.
16.Uitspandrif: there is sufficient area for the wagoners to allow the oxen to turn and to graze in this area.
17.Waterfaldrif: so called after a nearby waterfall.
18.Ontploffingsdrif: a wagon loaded with explosives traveling along the Boer Road exploded close by here. The Anglo Boer war / South African war (1899 – 1902) saw the British Soldiers build a fort with wall so stone here.
19.Derdetoldrif: to the West of this crossing two more Toll Houses were built. The ruins of these houses can still be seen here.
20.Rooiuitspanningsdrif: here there was sufficient space for a number of ox wagons to outspan. The red comes from the red soil in the area.
21.Pereboom se drif. As you approach this drift you go through a horse shoe bend. A saffron pear tree grew here making this a popular place for wagons to outspan
22.Bloupunt drif: wagons would frequently become stuck in the loose gravel here. The name is derived from that of a nearby farm.
23.Wasgatdrif: Entering Meiringspoort from the North, travelers could fill their barrels and could wash off the Karoo dust in the first really deep pools in many miles.
24.Opmetingsdrif: in 1912 measurements were taken to decide upon building a dam in this possibly suitable position.
25.Laaste Drif: traveling from the South this would have been the last drift that you would cross.

Petrus Meiring owned the farm where De Rust is now situated. It was he who loved to explore and discovered the route through the Swartberg mountain range, we now refer to as Meirings Poort. He was the son of a Pastor Meiring who arrived in South Africa in 1743.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE MAKE THIS ANNUAL TREK IS TO ENJOY THE MAGNIFICENT ROCK FACES OF THE MEIRINGSPOORT

At this event I come across
From Achilles
Audrey; Gail and Merle
Rodney and Leslie
Shane
Craig Wilson
Allan Taylor
Christine Claassen
Dawn Black
Heidi and …. Jansen
Ian and Pat Thompson

From our running group:
Chris and Elmarie Botha
Gerald and Pat Scheepers
Liesl De Lange
Bev
Helen; Mike and Tania Smith.
Duncan and Natalie Stewart.
Adele vd Venter.
Mike and Debbie Dean.

Others
Dean Gow
Tracey and Rolf
Pauline, Ray and Roz Wilson
Grant Breedske
Guy and Sandy Cooke with their two athletic sons.
Peter and Margie Newton

Nicky and I had entered as soon as Entries were opened on line. I had, at the same time booked two chalets at Kleinplaas in Oudtshoorn. We have stayed here a number of times and find it to be suitable for our needs as the children can run around as they please and feel quite safe.

Barbara, Ally and I left Port Elizabeth at almost exactly the same time as Nicky on Friday Morning 10th. We stopped at Woolworths for some provisions and a Chai Tea each. We found the road leaving PE to be quite busy. We turned off from the N2 to the Langkloof road. This road is normally a lot quieter. We had left just before 10am and drove non stop to DeRust. We arrived around 13.30; Found parking behind the church hall and registered for Nicky and myself. I collected Julia’s Number and her blanket that she had ordered. Julia was in Plett staying with Patrick and his family who were on Holiday there. Ena has become ever stronger after a fall and being in hospital with a broken arm. Ena has been trying to recover for the past three or four months. Julia was trying to catch up with her research project on Eco Tourism in the Tsitsikamma area which she is working on for her PHD.

We drove through to Oudtshoorn and booked into Kleinplaas. Nicky arrived shortly after us. I had to do some work and then bought some provisions for the next two days. I had paid the accommodation off over the past 6 months and so had nothing left to pay when we arrived. This evening I made a Braai of Chicken and Boerewors; Coleslaw; Mushrooms and potato. Everyone ate well and was in bed early.

Saturday morning: Up at 4.30; breakfast of Future Life and a banana and we left just after 5am. Nicky and I drove through to DeRust in her new Kia. We had to put some petrol and still arrived in DeRust in good time to find parking close to the Start Area. We walked to where the trucks were leaving and Nicky spotted a Bus. We quickly jogged to it to find Two Open spaces. What a bonus! I was wearing just my running vest while Nicky had brought her tracksuite top in case it became really cold. This morning the temperature was about 13 Degrees and really not that cold.
The bus took us to the start area where Nicky and I both met up with some of our friends. Running is really a social activity. People love to greet other runners and renew old friendships with this common Interest. We had some tea and made our way to the start. I like to stand as close to the start line as possible as this gives you a time advantage in a crowded event like this one. Even though we were right on the line, a number of real athletes pushed in front of us as trucks and cars had right of passage on this main road.
The gun starts us off at 7am. We run 1;5km out towards Prince Albert and then turn back towards DeRust. It all seems like downhill. We go out fairly fast but there are already a hundred runners in front of us as we turn. I enjoy this as we are able to see who is ahead and who is still to catch us. Nicky has not been able to do any real training over the past month as they have been moving and had no stability. Nicky also has no running partners or people with whom she can train.

DEEP IN THE POORT YOU RUN RIGHT NEXT TO AND EVEN UNDER THE ROCKS

RIVER CROSSINGS GIVE THIS EVENT A SPECIAL FEEL

We keep a steady pace; averaging around five and a half minutes a kay. Nicky runs with Bev for a while. Liesl goes ahead. I just have fun chatting to people and running at my own pace. I meet up with Dawn Black (Errol Black’s daughter) who is now also an Achillean. I run for a while with Warren Collier who is suffering with an injured calf muscle. We get to the 10k to go in just over one hour. I am aware that if you want to run under two hours for this event you should have completed 11kays in under an hour. Nicky is running well but struggling as we pass the 7kays to go mark. I think that she measures her slowest kay to be 15th or 16th km out. We catch Liesl who is tired and walking through a watering station. I urge her to stay with us. Nicky continues to run with almost no walking.

With about 3km to go Nicky begins to tire noticeably. It is here that she has to force herself to not walk. We see Barbara and Nicky’s children on the side of the road. They are all excited to see their Mom on the run. We hand Nicky’s tracksuit top to them. With just under two kays to go

I chase them off to allow us to focus on the task at hand. It has become uphill and we need to work hard to maintain the pace. We have been running solidly for two hours and this takes its toll on the legs.
The final uphill to the finish has changed from previous years and there is no loop up and down. It is now a straight up to the finish at the back of the hall. We manage to run the whole way up and into the finish where we wait for Barbara, Ally and children to find us. I go to the car where I collect my clean clothes. I have a really good hot shower to clean some of the sweat off.

We all gather in the big tent where we treat ourselves to cold beverages and jaffels. And then we take a drive to the Information area and waterfall in the Poort. I forgot to wear a cossie and so we watch others enjoying a cold swim. They tell us that the water is colder than cold. It is a 60meter waterfall that tumbles down into the three pools below.
After this we make our way back to Kleinplaas where we spend the rest of the afternoon resting and relaxing. I take Ally for a driving lesson on the wide grassy area next to the bungalow. This is only her second lesson that I am giving her. Trying to get the clutch and gears coordination going.

This evening I again make a braai of sausage; boerrie Rolls and chicken with little else bar a coleslaw to add to the menu. But it seems sufficient for everyone and we are again in bed early this evening. It has been a beautiful evening as it often is in Oudtshoorn where we are able to sit outside with a cold beverage and have a supper together under the stars.

Sunday morning;
We clean up and leave around 8am. We take the road back to De Rust; Uniondale and then meet up on the Langkloof. This is, for me, always a real South African Experience as you pass villages and towns with real South African names; Avontuur; Misgund; Louterwater; Krakeel; Harlem; Joubertina and Kareedouw. The road is quiet and we are soon home.

OUR HIKING GROUP FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH. TSITSIKAMMA TRAIL FROM KEURBOS TO HEUNINGBOS

MY GRANDSON; BLAKE, IS TRAINING FOR FUTURE MEIRINGSPOORT EVENTS

WE MAKE OUR WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE GROUP OF RUNNERS. THIS ALLOWS US TO HAVE A FAIRLY FREE START. IF YOU ARE AT THE BACK OF THE RUNNERS YOU FIND YOURSELF BEING BOXED IN WHEN THERE IS A LARGE ENTRY TO A RUN LIKE THIS ONE.

DEAN GOW AND ACHILLEANS -- RODNEY, LESLEY, AUDREY AND GAIL

HARTENBOS GIRLS WANTED THEIR PICTURE TAKEN. NEW FASHION OF BLACK BAGS MAKES THEM QUITE UNIQUE

WAITING AT THE START WITH A CUP OF TEA WITH NICKY; LIESL AND BEV

NICKY IN THE BUS ON OUR WAY TO THE START OF MEIRINGSPOORT

HELEN IS IN THE FRONT OF THE GROUP OF RUNNERS

NICKY HAS TAKEN OFF HER TRACKSUIT TOP AND IS RUNNING WELL

NICKY AND BEV AT ABOUT 7K.

WARREN COLLIER HAS HAD A SERIOUS CALF INJURY AND HAS HAD TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH HIS PACE THIS MORNING

BACK IN CAPE TOWN -- BLAKE IS STARTING TO TRAIN FOR IRON MAN

CATHY AND SAUL'S FRONT YARD WITH THE NEW SWIMMING POOL

THE JOY OF BEING ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THIS MAGNIFICENT EVENT.

HARTENBOS GIRL ON THE RUN

ONE OF THE CROSSINGS OF THE RIVER. WE CROSS THE RIVER 21TIMES FROM THE START OF THE EVENT TO THE END.

PAT AND ELMARIE. BOTH HAD GOOD RUNS THIS MORNING

AFTER THE RUN THE MPRG GROUP OF FRIENDS

JACQUI IS IN ISRAEL AND HAS DEVELOPED THIS AMAZING TALENT

NICKY HAS MOVED INTO A COTTAGE ON A FARM. BRAAING ON A SUNDAY

HAPPY TO BE FINISHED THE EVENT AT DERUST KERKSAAL

PAT AND HER GROUP AT THE START OF MEIRINGSPOORT

WE START TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE MORNING SUN AS WE EXIT THE POORT. BUT THEN WE IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO WARM UP. WE HAVE HAD THE BREEZE BEHIND US FOR THE WHOLE RUN AND HAVE HAD A HUGE ADVANTAGE WITH THE BREEZE AND THE SLIGHT DOWN HILL.

ALLY HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE A PREFECT IN 2015 AND WAS INDUCTED AT AN IMPORTANT CEREMONY AT SCHOOL\

AFTER THE RUN WE VISIT THE WATERFALL AND INFORMATION CENTER

NICKY IS LOOKING QUITE CHIRPY AT THIS EARLY STAGE OF THE EVENT\

ALLY RECEIVES A CERTIFICATE WHICH GIVES HER SOME OF THE \"CODE OF CONDUCT" EXPECTATIONS OF A PREFECT

\NICKY IS QUITE DISTINCT AND BRIGHT IN THIS SHIRT.\

LATER IN THE EVENING ALLY SITS WITH NICKY'S FOUR CHILDREN AND WATCHES A VIDEO. MIA IS ASLEEP; CHRISTIAN IS TURNING 12 SHORTLY; AARON AND ZARA WATCH INTENTLY