BAVIAANSKLOOF TRAIL RUN
18 SEPTEMBER 2010
Gerald, Pat & Ronel Scheepers
Chris Gedye
Mike Webb
Andre
Shane Norris
Peter Marriot
Siegfried
Michelle & Listia
Marie & Hugh
Tony and Sandra Boardman
Roger and Cathy Trader
Evie and Darrell Raubenheimer
Scott Rollo
Fanz Struwig
Results: http://www.baviaansrun.za.net/looking-back/results.html
After completing the Addo Trail Run, Andrew Barton persuaded Gerald and Family to enter the Baviaanskloof Trail Run. And then Gerald told me about it and I too submitted my entry. Adrienne also entered but in the end was not able to run due to both Injury and Travel. Andrew also had to pull out due to injury. Entering this event is a whole procedure on its own. First you have to complete and entry form plus pay an entry deposit even though the race is already full. Only 100 entrants are allowed to participate. Then you go onto a waiting list and as people pull out you are moved up the list. This is how I came to be accepted into the event. Evie Raubenheimer is amazing the way she keeps us informed of activity surrounding this event. Once entered you can expect an email at least once a week giving updates on what to expect.
It turned out to be the Sheepers' and I who left from PE at around 14.15 on Friday afternoon. Pat had done the bookings for our accommodation. We drove non-stop to the Langkloof Road 100kays and then the whole Langkloof road to the T junction where we turned right to Uniondale. The Uniondale (Spook) poort was closed. We bypassed Uniondale and shortly thereafter came to the turnoff to Baviaanskloof.
One has to be aware of the turnoff as it would be easy to drive straight past it. As we approached the mountains we became fearful of the huge cliffs all around us. We wondered on which side we would be running. But both sides looked equally scarey. The Rock Formations are quite stunning in this valley. One can see how the rocks and mountains have been formed over millions of years. The forces of nature must have been so powerful to force the rock to curl and whorl in this way.
We had now driven 285kays. From here it was a further 115kays to the farm. A dirt road seems very long. Most of this section was quite good quality road surface but one can never trust a dirt road completely and so I drove a little slower than Gerald would have liked. We enjoyed the spectacular cliff sides and rock formations. There are a number of farmers and ranchers along this route. There are also Game Farms where all kinds of adventure activity is offered. Unfortunately we drove the last half hour in the dark and had to ask directions from a local farmer.
As we arrived we saw a braai in progress and were happy to meet up with Tony and Roger. They took us to the main house where Piet Kruger took our R220pp and then climbed into his bakkie. We followed him a short way further into the kloof before he stopped at the old School where we would bunk down for the night. I had left my backpack with my Pasta Pack at home so Pat kindly shared her meal with me. I had grabbed a few potatoes on my way out and we microwaved these to add a little bulk to the meal. Nobody went hungry. We were all pretty exhausted and there was no argument about switching off the lights.
We were in a School Hall type of room. There were four single beds and as far as I can make out everyone slept well. It was pitch dark with no external light nor any noise so we had a really sound night's sleep.
Saturday morning we were woken by an alarm at 05.00am. We had done most of the backpack preparations the previous evening. After a wash and some instant porridge we were ready to leave. From here it was around 10kays to the start of the run at Geelhoutbos camp site. We drove slowly to the gate to the reserve where the Ranger took down our vehicle details. And then we had a fairly careful drive to the turn off to the camp site. But just as we were approaching the turnoff we rounded a bend and almost fell into a huge donga in the road.
We crossed a weir which was flowing fairly strongly. There were big bakkies and 4X4's which could drive through easily but I was very cautious as I could not see how deep or how strongly the river was flowing. We got through without problems and reached to turn off. This last 3kays of road was really bad and we had to drive very slowly.
Fortunately we were still early and in no rush. I think that some of the big vehicles behind us may have been a little agitated or impatient but I was not going to rush. Finally we came to the camp site just as it was becoming light. We were shown to the parking area. We unpacked our camel packs and walked back to the registration area. Here we met with Darryl who checked to see that we had Cups and then registered with Evie.
As we were registering we saw and greeted a number of people who we recognised. This kind of extreme event attracts a certain group of people. It was good to see Achilles being so well represented. Then numbers are limited to just 100 participants for Baviaanskloof. The last time I ran with Siegfried was on the Wild Coast. I remember one cold and rainy day when we were heading towards the Kei River. Siegfried produced a flask of hot soup which he shared with us. It was exactly what we needed on that day.
Each entrant was handed a bag with magazines, a whistle, a space blanket, a zooty Baviaans T-shirt a travel mug and a smart orange cap. The T-shirt given to us has images of the Buffalo, the Rhino and the Baboon on the back. The run is called “Run with legends” and it is these three ledgends who we will run with today. Baviaanskloof Honorary Conservators including Scott Rollo greeted us at the start and assisted throughout the day.
Darrell gave us a pre-race briefing and described the route. He took about a minute to describe what was going to be one of the toughest days of my life. He told us that a herd of buffalo had been spotted close to the camp. 07.00am.We started off running back along the road we had just driven. It was a loop which would pass the start area around 7kays later. We all had camel packs and enjoyed this section of the run. We could run at an easy pace and enjoy the early morning. It was not long before I was sweating as there was no breeze at all in this valley. As we passed the start area we began the climb.
I did not even attempt to jog up any of the hills but walking was tough enough. The ascent was very steep along an uneven jeep track where only a hardened 4X4 vehicle could attempt to drive. Up and Up we went. Perspiring heavily. The views here are awesome but the only way that the runner can really appreciate where we are is to stop and look around. In fact the best views are when you stop, turn around and look where you have come from. In this way you are able to see the vastness of the mountains and valleys.
The flora was amazing. On the top of these mountains the colours included reds, pinks, orange, purple, white and blue. There were pin cushion protea, everlastings, amazing cactus which I have never seen before and we even saw a lone Cycad at one point. We saw no animals except a few beetles and lizards. I saw a Rock Kestrel below me as it circled looking for prey. The amazing thing of being up on mountain tops like this is that you are able to look down on a bird like the Kestrel I saw. The spekboom thickets plus the thorn bushes provided interesting bundu bashing at times.
Pat and Gerald fell a little behind. Ronel had had a cold over the past number of weeks and she told me that she had not been able to run for around 6weeks. She coughed for most of the days run. I could see that Pat and Gerald would have a tough time making it to the watering station at the top of one of the mountains. As I climbed the mountain I was in wonder at the variety of Cactus and scrub. The mountain was so incredibly colourful that even though we were exhausted we still had time to appreciate where we were.
I had worn long shorts with pockets. I put a fruit bar and an energy bar in my pockets and would try to eat as much and as often as possible to maintain energy levels. Today my camel pack held a bladder with three liters of water, a long sleeve runners top, a cup, vaseline, toilet paper, a whistle, and some eats. The weather was particularly kind to us. Throughout the run we had cool overcast sky with occasional drizzle and from time to time there was a cool breeze. Ideal running conditions.
At one time I waited for the group to catch us. Marie and Hugh passed me, Michelle and Listia passed. But while waiting it was completely still. There was no breeze. I stood still and did not have the crunch of my shoes on the footpath. Listening to the silence I was overawed by my surrounding. The Baviaanskloof is a World Heritage Site and the section where we were running is not open to the general public so we are quite privileged to be allowed access to the area. I stood for a while listening to the sound of the cicadas and the occasional buzz of a fly. And then saw Ronel and Gerald as they made their way up the mountain. That would be the last time that I saw Gerald as he in turn waited for Pat.
We had to be at the checkpoint before 4.30hours. It did not seem likely that we would make it. We met up with Michelle and Listia. Michelle was not feeling her best and Istina pressed on to try to make the checkpoint. A man came loping past us. It appears that he had a breakdown in his Landrover and had arrived at the start 90minutes late. He had decided to skip the first 7kay loop and caught up with us.
Up and up we climbed. I was cramping on the back of my thighs. As we rounded a bend I saw the checkpoint and urger Ronel to run to try to make the 4.30hour cut off. As it turned out we made the checkpoint with just 2 minutes to spare. I had some banana and potato and filled my bladder. Today I would probably drink a total of 4 liters of water. Nothing was too much trouble for them and it was with difficulty that we pressed on into the wilderness.
From the checkpoint the route turns away from the Jeep Track and winds down some really difficult footpaths. I know that there are a whole group of runners who are able to run on terrain like this but I cannot include myself as one of them. Especially when being so totally exhausted as I was at this stage. I was so tired that I battled to keep up with Ronel's fast walking pace. She would break into a jog and I just could not bring myself to match her pace. High up here we would occasionally startle a Franklin as they noisily rushed away from us.
For around 90minutes we followed this trail in complete silence. Both of us focused on trying to get through this event. We had become tired of the day. 6 hours had passed. Our feet and legs were exhausted. Later on we both said how we had stubbed toes through the running shoes. I began to cramp in my feet whenever we were on a downhill. Each time we would round a bend we would see the coloured flags or the pathway stretching forever in front of us and would one more time become dismayed. The mountains stretch ahead for ever. Each time the runner rounds a bend there is more pathways with no end in sight. The lack of people or signs makes the run seem eternal.
The pathway seemed never ending. Ronel had a GPS on her wrist but this did not appear to tie in with the distances that Darrell had described. When we were at the checkpoint which Darrell had explained was at 27kays her GPS read 22kay. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that we do a loop at the start? At one time we came down a hill and saw a flag but could no see the next flag. The track ended and we walked to where we thought we would be able to see the next flag. There was no path and no flags to indicate which way to go. We reluctantly backtracked and after some searching found an alternative pathway which led to the next marker flag. Right now I was glad that I was not on my own. I would not have enjoyed wandering around looking for a pathway without some kind of backup. As it was, the stillness of the mountain tops was eerie at times.
Shortly after this the Two Sweepers; David and Peter caught up with us. They had been with Pat & Gerald up to the Checkpoint where they had left them. They had reached the checkpoint around 30 minutes after us. I think that one of the highlights for Pat and Gerald was the 4X4 drive back down the mountain. They spoke about how well the Tata held the road despite the uneven track. They were able once more to enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains that they had just climbed. Although they would not complete the whole distance, they certainly had had a really good day including this trip back.
Meanwhile Ronel, David Robertson, Peter Hattingh and I continued our journey down to the finish. David told us that there was a chance that we could make the 7hour cut off. We had thought this to be an impossibility as we had worked out that we had around an hour to go but David said that we could still make the last section in a half hour. I think that he Lied. Probably he was trying to get us to move faster than our snails pace.
I should have realised that David's motive was to hurry us along when Peter did not say a word. So Ronel and I tried picking up the pace. But as we started the steep descent there was no ways that I had the strength to move any faster than I was already walking. It was only as we reached some kind of flat area that I put on a bit of a jog. But here we had these really steep cliffs and kranses on our left and one small slip could have landed you in Never Never land. So I walked again. Finally we saw the cars and activity of the end below us.
But is was still quite a little distance to the finish where Pat was waiting. We jogged in to a tumultus welcome. I think that people cheered us as they were happy that the Prize Giving could now begin. We arrived at the finish around 30 minutes after the cut off time. We may have missed out on the Medal but the most important thing to us was to have completed the whole trail. Darrell and Evie handed us our cold drink: Frankies old style Cinnamon Flavoured Coke. It was delicious. They also gave us a gift that I had worried would only be awarded to people finishing within the 7 hours; the Spekboom Plant that had been promised to all finishers. Andre asked me if this was my first time to which I responded: “This was my last time”.
I was so tired that I flopped down on Franz Struwig's family blanket. I must have been really smelly as Franz jumped up and offered me his camp chair which I thankfully used. Darryl started the thank you's and then handed the winning man and lady their awards. Hylton Dunn had done this event in a time of 3.30. I commented; “This was an embarrassment as we still had an hour to reach the checkpoint when he was already finished the event”. SanMari Woith was first lady home for the second time. Both of them received a Spekboom Crown as well as the Bronze Rhino which they are entitled to keep for a year. Their take away prize was an imprint of a leopards paw. Interestingly a leopard had been seen on the trail that we ran only a few weeks prior to our event.
Evie announced that us runners today would have a 24 hour window of opportunity to enter the 2011 event. Ronel: “That is one window that I will not be opening”!
After the awards we packed up and drove, slowly, again to Gerald's annoyance, to the School where we showered and loaded the car for the drive home. The 115kays to the tar road seemed to take for ever. We were not able to average a speed of much more than 40 - 50kph so this took us 2 hours. We passed Mike Webb. Mike has a BMW with “run flat” tyres. He has cut a tyre coming into the Baviaanskloof and would now have to drive all the way through to Willowmore to buy a new tyre as the car does not have a spare in the boot. I thought that we should be doing something to assist Mike but I had no idea what we could have done. Mike was now on his way to Willowmore where he would be cycling the Karoo to Coast on a mountain bike the next day.
We stopped at Uniondale to fill up with petrol. It was a surprise when Heidi Jansen greeted me from the car standing next to ours. They, like many others we saw today, were there for the MTB event; Karoo to Coast the following day. Christina Collet would also be cycling on Sunday. We stopped at a shop for something to eat and drink and then pressed on.
We left Uniondale at 18.00 and with around 270kays to drive I said that we would be home in three hours. I had a terrible experience earlier this year when, on the Langkloof Road, where a car had scraped the drivers side of my car as he drove in the opposite direction. (Hit & Run). My side mirror smashed though the window and we had to drive home in the rain with no window. This unpleasant experience made me weary of the road and I would slow down every time a vehicle approached us. Night driving is never pleasant but when it started to rain (and mist) it became even tougher. Pedestrians on the side of the road did not make things easier.
Finally we reached the N2 but at the same time we hit heavy mist. We had to crawl along every time the mist settled in. And with vehicles coming in the opposite direction seeming to have no regard for the conditions we had a really tough drive home that evening. But in the end we arrived safely and in the three hours. I dropped Gerald and made my way home where I had a cup of tea and promptly fell asleep.
This had been a good experience but I don't think that I will ever go back again.
The gift given to all finishers:
Spekboom
Portulacaria afra
The Spekboom is 10 times more effective per hectare at Carbon Fixing than any other plant on the planet. Spekboom is heavily browsed by game and stock and the leaves are edible, with a slightly acid taste. It is valuable as fodder during times of drought. The plant given to us is ready for planting. Just dig a fist sized hole and plant the whole package. (the spekboom came in a wrapping of damp Hessian).
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
SUMMERSTRAND NIPPERS PRIZE GIVING PARTY SEPTEMBER 2010
SUMMERSTRAND NIPPERS NEWSLETTER
Peter Giddy 082 550 3174
Saturday 11.09.2010
Prize Giving and Wild West Party
Prizes and Certificates were awarded to all Nippers including Micro Nippers.
A list of awardees is attached. All Nippers are reminded that the Trophies are Floating Trophies. Please have the trophy engraved and kept for the season ahead after which they must be returned to Shareen.
Costa Tripodis presented the Financial Report.
A copy of this report is available to Nippers on request.
In addition to the awards to the Nippers the following people received thanks and awards:
Andrew Jonas: the v d Watt Coach of the year trophy.
Hannes for sponsorships
Jacqui for Clothing
Eddie for meals
Caryn for Tuck Shop
Varrin for dedication and management of the teams
Terry Hepburn for “Being There”
Rob Mitchley for Level Tests
Deon for Media Liason
Lee for her work and dedication
We were fortunate at this function to have a group of Future Parents and Nippers:
Lynn and Jonathan Roche (Andrew)
Ursula and Dalen Davidson
Bruce and Jenni Gault (Beenzi)
Therese & Louise Mitchley provided us with an incredible spread for our supper. The youngsters had as many hamburgers as they could possibly enjoy in one evening plus a group of them took padkos home with them. And there was a Malva pudding with Ice Cream again with seconds for everyone. Thank you Therese.
The tables were decorated. Parafin Lamps added to the atmosphere. There were plants and indigenous decorations throughout the venue. Bales of straw were laid out to substitute for the black plastic chairs. These were covered with blankets and throws. The main table was covered with trophies and awards. Donald had created a certificate for all participating 2010 Nippers.
Shareen had a Medal made for each member of the team of U10 Nippers who had been placed NOWHERE at previous carnivals but who were placed 2nd overall at Nationals to Pirates by just 22points.
The team of people who had put the whole Wild West Party together included:
Liesl De Lange; Team leader
Caryn Hepburn
Jacqui Zeelie
Julee Dalgliesh
Riana Du Toit
Shareen vd Watt
Donald Mc Gillivray who produced and printed the Award Certificates.
Some Comments:
The whole atmosphere is so much better with the bales of hay and all of the decorations.
Does not look like our boring clubhouse this evening.
The people who put the evening on have “raised the bar”
Looks Stunning
Do you think that I can have a second helping of seconds?
The pudding is great. This is my third helping.
Well done to those who put this evening together. Well worth the R75pp.
I love the BULL.
This was one of the best ever Prize Giving evenings.
DATES TO DIARISE
After some discussion, at the WW Party, we decided to have the first Nippers Training session on Sunday 3rd October 2010. 11.00am to 13.00.
This will be for all Nippers and visitors are welcome as well.
Nippers must come in a bathing costume: Speedo type. You are not permitted to compete in Baggies or with shorts. If it is cold and you have a wet suite that is fine.
All Summerstrand Nippers must have a scull cap.
If you don't have a cap or if you have lost your cap the price is R30 each.
We then plan to have an OPEN day for Summerstrand Nippers on Sunday 10th October 2010. Quite significant as we will write the day: 10/10/10. It will be 100 years before you can do this again.
Nippers Nationals:
Strand in Cape Town: Thursday 7th April to Saturday 9th April 2011
Once we have the full Nippers Calendar we will advise parents.
Other events:
Gamtoos River Festival: 16th 7 17th October 2010
Sundays River festival: 8th & 9th February 2011
Redhouse River Mile: Sunday 27th February 2011
Ironman Port Elizabeth takes place on 9th & 10th April 2011
School Holidays:
Saturday 11th December 2010 to Tuesday 18th January 2011
Saturday 26th March 2011 to Sunday 10th April 2011
Easter Weekend: Friday 22nd April to Wednesday 27th April 2011
Saturday 25th June to Sunday 17th July 2011
Saturday 1st October to Sunday 9th October 2011
Saturday 10th December 2011 to Tuesday 17th January 2012
Peter
082 550 3174
Peter Giddy 082 550 3174
Saturday 11.09.2010
Prize Giving and Wild West Party
Prizes and Certificates were awarded to all Nippers including Micro Nippers.
A list of awardees is attached. All Nippers are reminded that the Trophies are Floating Trophies. Please have the trophy engraved and kept for the season ahead after which they must be returned to Shareen.
Costa Tripodis presented the Financial Report.
A copy of this report is available to Nippers on request.
In addition to the awards to the Nippers the following people received thanks and awards:
Andrew Jonas: the v d Watt Coach of the year trophy.
Hannes for sponsorships
Jacqui for Clothing
Eddie for meals
Caryn for Tuck Shop
Varrin for dedication and management of the teams
Terry Hepburn for “Being There”
Rob Mitchley for Level Tests
Deon for Media Liason
Lee for her work and dedication
We were fortunate at this function to have a group of Future Parents and Nippers:
Lynn and Jonathan Roche (Andrew)
Ursula and Dalen Davidson
Bruce and Jenni Gault (Beenzi)
Therese & Louise Mitchley provided us with an incredible spread for our supper. The youngsters had as many hamburgers as they could possibly enjoy in one evening plus a group of them took padkos home with them. And there was a Malva pudding with Ice Cream again with seconds for everyone. Thank you Therese.
The tables were decorated. Parafin Lamps added to the atmosphere. There were plants and indigenous decorations throughout the venue. Bales of straw were laid out to substitute for the black plastic chairs. These were covered with blankets and throws. The main table was covered with trophies and awards. Donald had created a certificate for all participating 2010 Nippers.
Shareen had a Medal made for each member of the team of U10 Nippers who had been placed NOWHERE at previous carnivals but who were placed 2nd overall at Nationals to Pirates by just 22points.
The team of people who had put the whole Wild West Party together included:
Liesl De Lange; Team leader
Caryn Hepburn
Jacqui Zeelie
Julee Dalgliesh
Riana Du Toit
Shareen vd Watt
Donald Mc Gillivray who produced and printed the Award Certificates.
Some Comments:
The whole atmosphere is so much better with the bales of hay and all of the decorations.
Does not look like our boring clubhouse this evening.
The people who put the evening on have “raised the bar”
Looks Stunning
Do you think that I can have a second helping of seconds?
The pudding is great. This is my third helping.
Well done to those who put this evening together. Well worth the R75pp.
I love the BULL.
This was one of the best ever Prize Giving evenings.
DATES TO DIARISE
After some discussion, at the WW Party, we decided to have the first Nippers Training session on Sunday 3rd October 2010. 11.00am to 13.00.
This will be for all Nippers and visitors are welcome as well.
Nippers must come in a bathing costume: Speedo type. You are not permitted to compete in Baggies or with shorts. If it is cold and you have a wet suite that is fine.
All Summerstrand Nippers must have a scull cap.
If you don't have a cap or if you have lost your cap the price is R30 each.
We then plan to have an OPEN day for Summerstrand Nippers on Sunday 10th October 2010. Quite significant as we will write the day: 10/10/10. It will be 100 years before you can do this again.
Nippers Nationals:
Strand in Cape Town: Thursday 7th April to Saturday 9th April 2011
Once we have the full Nippers Calendar we will advise parents.
Other events:
Gamtoos River Festival: 16th 7 17th October 2010
Sundays River festival: 8th & 9th February 2011
Redhouse River Mile: Sunday 27th February 2011
Ironman Port Elizabeth takes place on 9th & 10th April 2011
School Holidays:
Saturday 11th December 2010 to Tuesday 18th January 2011
Saturday 26th March 2011 to Sunday 10th April 2011
Easter Weekend: Friday 22nd April to Wednesday 27th April 2011
Saturday 25th June to Sunday 17th July 2011
Saturday 1st October to Sunday 9th October 2011
Saturday 10th December 2011 to Tuesday 17th January 2012
Peter
082 550 3174
LONDT PARK 10 KAY RUN SEPTEMBER 2010
LONDT PARK 10KAY RUN
Saturday morning 11th September 2010
On Thursday 9th I attended the Achilles AGM. This meeting once again confirmed to me that Achilles Members are really special people with such different characters but, quality people, every one of them. I miss the interaction that I used to enjoy so much. However my life changed and I am no longer as active as I would like to be.
And then the following Saturday morning there is a League Event which I am inspired to run. It is the 10kay from Londt Park sport fields. Gerald Scheepers' family, and I will be running a trail in the Baviaanskloof next weekend so we decided to run a bit extra this morning as part of our preparation. Gerald tells me that he is tapering. But he has not run more than 8 or ten kays for some time now and can hardly be tapering. The past two weekends we ran the Moffet circuit but really slowly and at the end of each run I was quite exhausted.
This morning I was supposed to have done the Clarendon Park Spring Walk. When I had suggested that I may want to run the 10kay instead, Barbara reminded me that I run too many races and that I should support the family. Funny how people see things from different perspectives. Any Achillean, looking at the Participation list, would say that I hardly run any races. In the end the weather won the argument as it had rained the previous day and the walk had been postponed.
Gerald and I had arranged to meet at Londt Park at 06.00am. I drove there but when I phoned Gerald to confirm, Pat told me that he was running to the start. I stopped at the front gate and met up with Colin Mc Call. He too wanted a bit extra. I registered and Gerald arrived. He was waiting for Pat to drive to the start. Colin and I ran the route in reverse for around 7 or 8 kays. Llewellyn Clack had been electrocuted the previous day and we could not help ourselves but to talk about the fragility of our lives. Llewellyn had been a good friend to Achilles and to Runners in Port Elizabeth as a whole. Very sad for all of us but especially for his family. I had not known Llewellyn well as he was a much more talented runner than I am. But this did not stop him from always taking time to show a friendly greeting. I found Llewellyn to be a very encouraging man.
As Colin and I completed our warm up run and as we got back to the start area I met up with Malcolm Figg and Dean. A good number of people were doing a warm up run which is essential for a fast 10kay. Colin and I changed into our running vests and lined up for the start. There were a good number of Achilleans, Crusaders, Charlo, Transnet and various club members at the start. I put my running backpack on. I had filled it with 3 liters of water and so was carrying an extra around 4kilograms this morning.
The back pack was part of my Baviaanskloof training. But, as I ran this morning, I had so many chirps such as: What is in there: A chess set? Sandwiches for lunch in case you don't make to back to the start in time for lunch? Practicing for when you pick up weight?
We started off reasonably slowly and from the back of the field. Selwyn Solomons, Ernie Verral, Gerald Scheepers, Gerald Hoxley, Robin and other more mature runners inspire me to continue with running. Robin and I ran side by side for the first few kays. We saw Ron Field ahead of us and there is nothing quite like an Achillean in front of you to make you work a little harder. We caught up with him, said: “Good Morning Ron” to which he replied: “Grunt”. I saw Gerald H in front of us. I pressed on while Robin was a little more polite. Also he sees people with a 70 or 75 vest and those are his targets. I passed Gerald H and again greeted with a friendly chirp and received the second “Grunt” of the morning.
We passed the half way mark and trundled up and down the hills. This course is really quite challenging with short sections of flat but mainly up and down through the suburb of Sunridge Park. We passed the church where we had said good bye to Carel B. With around 3kays to go I was beginning to tire. But had determined to run the whole way without a walk. So I pressed on and chatted to as many people as possible.
I find that many of the runners today (especially the younger set) have earphones and I find this to be completely off putting and anti social. Being a person of conversation myself I find it hard to accept that a person would rather listen to music than my scintillating conversation. So I am now learning to accept that my cheery greeting can easily go unanswered. I have come to terms with the fact that it is not my body odour nor my repetitive stories of my grandchildren that cause people to refuse to respond to me.
So we come to the final kay and I maintain the pace. We enter the field and do that horrible lap around the field which organisers love to set as an extra bit for the runner. As I run around I see a whole lot of people in the center: Malcolm and Dean shout hello's. I wonder if they had done the 5kay or how else they were there so long before me? Maybe its more my slow pace than their fast running?
So we arrive under the finish banner and I am told (for the umpteenth time) that my V is no longer valid and that I need a number to show my age. But the fact is that I am nowhere in an age category so have never bothered to change. Also I wear the same vest that I ran in over 25 years ago and would have had to purchase one of these Age Category Numbers every five years. The chap next to me says that we have run in 57 minutes which makes me quite happy as 6 minutes a kay is quite fast enough for me. Colin is right behind me. Ernie Verral is right behind me. He is around 20 years older than I am. Ernie is a really talented man when it comes to running.
I am able to spend a few minutes chatting to Achilleans: Liz, Kathy, Lindsay, Ron, Robin, Gail, before having to leave as I was on duty at work this morning. I felt good about the run this morning. I should now be ready for next week's event.
Peter
12.09.2010
Saturday morning 11th September 2010
On Thursday 9th I attended the Achilles AGM. This meeting once again confirmed to me that Achilles Members are really special people with such different characters but, quality people, every one of them. I miss the interaction that I used to enjoy so much. However my life changed and I am no longer as active as I would like to be.
And then the following Saturday morning there is a League Event which I am inspired to run. It is the 10kay from Londt Park sport fields. Gerald Scheepers' family, and I will be running a trail in the Baviaanskloof next weekend so we decided to run a bit extra this morning as part of our preparation. Gerald tells me that he is tapering. But he has not run more than 8 or ten kays for some time now and can hardly be tapering. The past two weekends we ran the Moffet circuit but really slowly and at the end of each run I was quite exhausted.
This morning I was supposed to have done the Clarendon Park Spring Walk. When I had suggested that I may want to run the 10kay instead, Barbara reminded me that I run too many races and that I should support the family. Funny how people see things from different perspectives. Any Achillean, looking at the Participation list, would say that I hardly run any races. In the end the weather won the argument as it had rained the previous day and the walk had been postponed.
Gerald and I had arranged to meet at Londt Park at 06.00am. I drove there but when I phoned Gerald to confirm, Pat told me that he was running to the start. I stopped at the front gate and met up with Colin Mc Call. He too wanted a bit extra. I registered and Gerald arrived. He was waiting for Pat to drive to the start. Colin and I ran the route in reverse for around 7 or 8 kays. Llewellyn Clack had been electrocuted the previous day and we could not help ourselves but to talk about the fragility of our lives. Llewellyn had been a good friend to Achilles and to Runners in Port Elizabeth as a whole. Very sad for all of us but especially for his family. I had not known Llewellyn well as he was a much more talented runner than I am. But this did not stop him from always taking time to show a friendly greeting. I found Llewellyn to be a very encouraging man.
As Colin and I completed our warm up run and as we got back to the start area I met up with Malcolm Figg and Dean. A good number of people were doing a warm up run which is essential for a fast 10kay. Colin and I changed into our running vests and lined up for the start. There were a good number of Achilleans, Crusaders, Charlo, Transnet and various club members at the start. I put my running backpack on. I had filled it with 3 liters of water and so was carrying an extra around 4kilograms this morning.
The back pack was part of my Baviaanskloof training. But, as I ran this morning, I had so many chirps such as: What is in there: A chess set? Sandwiches for lunch in case you don't make to back to the start in time for lunch? Practicing for when you pick up weight?
We started off reasonably slowly and from the back of the field. Selwyn Solomons, Ernie Verral, Gerald Scheepers, Gerald Hoxley, Robin and other more mature runners inspire me to continue with running. Robin and I ran side by side for the first few kays. We saw Ron Field ahead of us and there is nothing quite like an Achillean in front of you to make you work a little harder. We caught up with him, said: “Good Morning Ron” to which he replied: “Grunt”. I saw Gerald H in front of us. I pressed on while Robin was a little more polite. Also he sees people with a 70 or 75 vest and those are his targets. I passed Gerald H and again greeted with a friendly chirp and received the second “Grunt” of the morning.
We passed the half way mark and trundled up and down the hills. This course is really quite challenging with short sections of flat but mainly up and down through the suburb of Sunridge Park. We passed the church where we had said good bye to Carel B. With around 3kays to go I was beginning to tire. But had determined to run the whole way without a walk. So I pressed on and chatted to as many people as possible.
I find that many of the runners today (especially the younger set) have earphones and I find this to be completely off putting and anti social. Being a person of conversation myself I find it hard to accept that a person would rather listen to music than my scintillating conversation. So I am now learning to accept that my cheery greeting can easily go unanswered. I have come to terms with the fact that it is not my body odour nor my repetitive stories of my grandchildren that cause people to refuse to respond to me.
So we come to the final kay and I maintain the pace. We enter the field and do that horrible lap around the field which organisers love to set as an extra bit for the runner. As I run around I see a whole lot of people in the center: Malcolm and Dean shout hello's. I wonder if they had done the 5kay or how else they were there so long before me? Maybe its more my slow pace than their fast running?
So we arrive under the finish banner and I am told (for the umpteenth time) that my V is no longer valid and that I need a number to show my age. But the fact is that I am nowhere in an age category so have never bothered to change. Also I wear the same vest that I ran in over 25 years ago and would have had to purchase one of these Age Category Numbers every five years. The chap next to me says that we have run in 57 minutes which makes me quite happy as 6 minutes a kay is quite fast enough for me. Colin is right behind me. Ernie Verral is right behind me. He is around 20 years older than I am. Ernie is a really talented man when it comes to running.
I am able to spend a few minutes chatting to Achilleans: Liz, Kathy, Lindsay, Ron, Robin, Gail, before having to leave as I was on duty at work this morning. I felt good about the run this morning. I should now be ready for next week's event.
Peter
12.09.2010
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