SURFERS MARATHON 2012; REDHOUSE RIVER MILE 2012 AND OFF ROAD TRIATHLON AT SUNDAYS RIVER

REDHOUSE RIVER MILE 2012: ALLY AND NATALIE LINE UP TO REGISTER


SURFERS MARATHON 2012 IN EAST LONDON; REDHOUSE RIVER MILE 2912 OFF ROAD TRIATHLON AND SWIM AT SUNDAYS RIVER

Friday 17th Feb 2012 Charles and I go to watch Rugby at the Stadium. We arrive earlier than we needed to but the time passed quickly. We bought a couple of Draft beers and Hamburgers. We had to move up as the rain fell quite steadily at one time. We had a good group of spectators around us. The first half went quite well and ended 10 -3 to the Sharks. The second half was not nearly as easy as the Sharks ran in try after try. We managed one try to end the game around 37 to 13. A good evening out.


KINGS PLAY SHARKS WITH MANY SPRINGBOK PLAYERS INCLUDING PATRICK LAMBIE



I LOVE GOING TO RUGBY IN THIS STADIUM.

Saturday morning Tommy Satchwell fetches me. Travelling with us are Bob Stedman and Graham Nel. We are off to run the Surfers Marathon in East London. Tommy and I have done this before two years ago. Last year Ally had a Polo tournament at Selbourne over the same weekend and I used the opportunity to run the race. It will be Bob and Graham's first Surfers.

We take the costal road as the inland road is under construction. Stop in Port Alfred at the Wimpy and then drive through to EL where we meet up with a friend of Tommy who has collected our race numbers for us. Tommy then introduces us to Steve, an ex work colleague of his. This proves to be a really interesting morning as his wife gives us tea and they talk about the old days of their working on roads and some funny stories are swapped.


From here we drive to where the race finishes at Nahoon Beach. Grant Breedske is the resident Life Guard and he drives us throught to Kwelera Mouth. I was already in my running kit. The others get changed and ready for the run. We walk down to the start where we sit on the grass waiting for the start.



GRAHAM PUTS ON HIS RUNNING SHORTS


The gun goes off and as is always the case there is an immediate bottleneck and walking as runners somehow think that it is neccessary to avoid a slightly muddy patch, little knowing what they are still to encounter.

The first 6kays of this event are the toughest. We run along the pathway taking the High Road. The crowds split up and the bunching is less than it was earlier. But the terrain is the toughest that you will ever run. Small round rocks make it almost impossible to make any reasonable headway. The tide and the tail wind make the going a lot easier than it was in some of the previous runs that I have done. There is a lot of bamboo littering the beaches but this is not a problem as we kind of jog / jump over this. I saw a number of runners at the start with bare feet. They will not find this section easy.


TOMMY BUTTS IN AS HE GETS READY TO RUN, SWIM AND SLOSH AROUND ON THE SURFERS MARATHON.

The beaches are, as always, soft sand which plays havoc on any attempt to set up a steady stride. The flat rock sections are equally tough as the rocks are often slippery and certainly do not provide a smooth running surface. I found that in previous runs I was out of breath and feeling light headed. This afternoon I am feeling quite a bit stronger. I think that the fact that I had a Porrige and then a Wimpy breakfast makes a difference. But also the weather is in our favour. It is not as heavy or humid as we have experienced in previous years.

Finally we reach the Gonubie River. We have to cross a rocky and boulders section before we finally have that long awaited first swim of the day. The tide is rushing out. The pull on the river is strong. I move up a little and then have an amazing swim. The water is so refreshing and cool. Just what I have been waiting for. I have been running through the water on the beach so this swim does a bit of cleaning of my shoes.

Strangely enough the wet shoe does not worry me at all. Soon after running into Gonubie my shoes feel quite normal again. The first bit of the Tar Road run into Gonubie is now up a hill. It is quite a long hill and I am able to Vas Byt this section. Jog down towards the Gonubie hotel where I again see my faithful supporter and work Colleague; Abe Cilliers. He has a beer in hand and looks like he is enjoying his afternoon in the sun watching all these tired bodies making their way into his territory.


GRANT TOMMY GRAHAM AND BOB


The Gonubie run is around 6 kays of tar road. There are a couple of hills but nothing that deters us. I run past Chel Gassner and her friend Hiedi. They have run the Wild Coast run. This run starts at Port St Johns and for the next 6 days takes the athletes along the Wild Coast beaches and hills until they finally reach Kwelera and they end the 260kay event with the Surfers Marathon. Chel started at Hole in the Wall so avoided the first two days which is the longest and toughest. My running partner from the time I did this run -- Patrick -- joined them there. Patricks friend, Colleen, has moved to PE and has run with her cousin, Lyn for the past few weeks. Colleen is certainly no slouch herself when it comes to running.

I catch up to Graham and to Ian Ross and we run together off and on for the next section of the event. The support in Gonubie Village is amazing. The locals come out in their thousands to watch and support their friends running. Hose pipes and showers are abundant on the road. The seconding is far better than I remembered. Over the 18kays there are a total of 7 water points. So as long as you take water regularly you will not dehydrate.

We run out of Gonubie and down onto the beach again. This race is made up of three 6 kay sections. The first is the toughest with the soft sand, rocks and boulders, then there is the 6kays through Gonubie on Tar road. Here you have to put your head down as slog it out, The final six kays is from Gonubie to Nahoon. There are long flat sections of beach. Nothing as tough as the first six kays. But this section seems endless. I see a good couple of shoes being discarded. Amoung them is a pair of New Balance that look in better condition than my own running shoes. So I pick them up and carry them with me. A bit of a burden but I know that in just over half an hour I will be finished this event and that these shoes could, if they fit, be worn for many months ahead.



TOMMY AND GRAHAM GETTING READY TO RUN SURFERS MARATHON WITH BOB CHANGING IN THE CAR.


From the time that I came out of the Gonubie river I have run solidly. I am able to jog at a steady pace. Not fast but I notice that I am passing some of the runners who had passed me earlier. Bob is ahead of us. I know that he will be grinding it out relentlessly. He is a real hard core sticker when it comes to tough stuff. So I try my best to keep a steady jog going. Finally we reach the last swim of the day. The Nahoon river. Here the tide is really pushing out and we have to hang onto the rope to stop ourselves being washed out to sea.

The final 500 meters are run in the rain. This has the effect of making the sand a little firmer to run on. I am used to this section as a tough little end to the run. But today we are spoilt as the going is as easy as it will ever be.

Cross the finishing line. Claim the T-shirt which will be worn with pride over the next few days in East London. I try to find my group but cannot see any of them. It is cold and the wind makes it unpleasant standing there. So I walk to where I think that Grant will have parked the car in the Caravan Park. Here I find Graham and soon the rest of the group arive.



PETER TOMMY GRAHAM AND BOB


We drive slowly up and out of the parking area. Drop Grant off at his home and after a stop for Milkshakes at Friesland we are on our way back to PE. Stop in Port Alfred for a hamburger and refuel. Tommy drops us all at our homes where we are able to be in bed by around 9 or 10. I certainly make short work of a cup of tea before closing my eyes for the night.

Sunday morning.
I am up early for the Redhouse River Mile event. I load my bike and the rest of the kit. You have to think carefully for a triathlon. There are so many bits and pieces to think about. But I am soon ready and at around 7.30 fill up with petrol and drive out to Colchester at the Sundays River. I register for the Triathlon and push the bike to transition. I did this event last year and was shocked by the number of people who had flat tyres. We received an email reminding us to put Slime into our tyres. During the week I had done a bit of a double up on the slime. Adding a bit more just in case.



BRIAN SAUNDERS IS A STRONG SWIMMER AND IS NO SLOUCH ON THE MTB. HE TELLS ME THAT HE MAY BATTLE ON THE RUN. BUT HE IS STRONG AND KNOWS HOW TO RUN.

At the transition I see Charles' friend Martin and his son George who will be doing the event. Brian Saunders, Chris and Rob Elfick are there. Michelle is there. Sharon Wilson -- a braver woman I dont know. Sharon is a sure thing at these tough events. Headwig who was at the Bushmans ride last year. Rob Ermes as always. Dave Emslie. Sjani comes to wish us well. It is a great pity that she injures so easily as Sjani runs well when she is on the road. She will not be back with us until the middle of this year.



RONEL RUNS THE 5KAY TRAIL RUN WITH THE DAUGHTER OF A FRIEND

We start with a swim from the slipway in front of the main area. The swim is with the tide towards the sea and then turns back against the current. The tide is extremely low and we are able to kind of walk swim back to the slipway. Back on the grass and up to transition. Here I put on my tackies, helmet, gloves, remove the cap and goggles, pick up my camelback and get going. We ride a short distance along the side of the river and then up and over the bridge that runs over the N2. down the other side and then onto grassy and dirt tracks. There are literally thousands of thorns. Every now and then I run my hand over the front wheel to get rid of some of the thorns.

Along the road I see only three or four cyclists who have punctures. Most of us have slimed our tyres and tubes and have avoided punctures. The ride is fun, not too technical but also not boring. I pass Sharon. She swims well and so has a good lead on me to start off with. We ride together for a short while. Along the rail track. Through path ways and some rough terrain but finally back to the village and down tot he river. I am not brave enough to cycle down the steep grassy patch but am soon back in transition.


TRANSITION IS A BUSY AREA. BUT NOT WHEN I GET IN. MOST OF THE RUNNERS ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY OR FINISHED.


Rack the bike on the bales of hay. Remove the pack, helmet, gloves and start the slow jog along the river. Here I know that I can hold my own. Not fast. But just above a walk. We go back over the freeway bridge and back down to the cycle path that we have just been on. It is hot and humid. There is no breeze. The steam from the bush seems to attack us. Close and sweaty is how I describe it. I pass a number of the stronger cyclists. I am able to raise my pace just above a walk to a miserable shuffle otherwise known as a jog.

Back to the village. We are all so hot and tired now but make our way to the finish line. Ronel greets me. I am so glad to be finished this tough event. I pack up and push the bike to where Ronel and her group of friends are sitting. They go off to prize giving and I change and then wheel the bike back to the car. I keep just what I will need for the swim and then join Dave Emslie on the river side.


PETER FINISHES THE OFF ROAD TRIATHLON. IT IS A GOOD EVENT. ENOUGH TO WORK UP A SWEAT BUT NOT SO TOUGH THAT IT IS OUT OF MY LEAGUE.


Ally gets a lift with the Billsons and I meet up with her at registration. Once we have all our stuff: cap and wrist band and been body marked by Cheryl Kotze we move back to where I have left my stuff. Ally is feeling very nervous for this swim and this makes her nauseous. We agree that she has many years ahead to do this kind of thing and if she is not feeling up to it there is no reason for force the issue now.


REDHOUSE RIVER MILE: ALLY AND NATALIE LINE UP TO REGISTER


We watch the finish of the Girls event where Jessica Roux makes a debut win and then Ally agrees to carry our stuff back from the finish. Markus and MC Burri are there and take Ally up on this offer. This is just as well as there are so many Devil Thorns on the path that walking is really unpleasant for most of the swimmers. Ally is saving us a most painful walk.

I enter the start area just as the race briefing is taking place. What there is to brief on a swim I am not sure but soon afterwards we all take to the water and the race starts as soon as we are all behind the designated buoys. I have a good pair of goggles and detirmine to swim the whole way. The only time that I swim breast stroke is when I bump into another swimmer or when I look up to see where I am going. Otherwise I swim crawl the whole way. It is not easy to guage your distance when swimming. So just press on and make the best of the tide and tail wind.

This turns out to be one of my better swims as I am finished in around 25 minutes. We all bunch up at the finish but are soon past the finish line and walk up to the grassy area. Ally is waiting where we have our kit. We pack up and drive home. For me this has been a fun day and not nearly as tiring as I anticipated.

A fun weekend. I am not sure if I will do the Saturday and the Sunday events again next year. But time will tell.

FEBRUARY 2012

ATTEMPT AT THE WORLD RECORD FOR SWIMMING AT ONE TIME FOR POLIO RUN BY ROTARY



I HAD A STUNNING RIDE TODAY. I FELT NO PRESSURE TO RIDE FAST AND KEPT UP WITH THE GROUP AROUND US.



FEBRUARY 2012

BARBARA LEAVES FOR CANADA HOLIDAY
ALLY HAS WATERPOLO MATCH AT WOODRIDGE
HERALD CYCLE ON BEACH ROAD
NIPPERS TRAINING
WEDNESDAY WATERPOLO LEAGUE
BACK TO CELL GROUP
CHURCH COMMON FOCUS: FAN OR FOLLOWER?
MTB RIDE WITH ANDRE MULDER AT NORM HUDLIN
RUGBY AT NELSON MANDELA STADIUM WITH PETER MC EWAN AND KEVIN RHEEDER
NIPPERS AND EP WATERPOLO BRAAIS
RUGBY KINGS AND SHARKS
SURFERS MARATHON EAST LONDON
REDHOUSE RIVER MILE AND TRIATHLON
PEARSON U15 GIRLS BEAT ALLY'S OLD TEAM FROM COLLEGIATE AT WATER POLO
SHROVE TUESDAY -- PANCAKES AT CHURCH
BARBARA ARRIVES BACK FROM CANADA
WEDNESDAY EVENING POLO LEAGUE
ALLY LEAVES FOR POLO TOUR IN JHB PEARSON U15 TEAM PLAYING AT ST MARY'S
SATURDAY MORNING BEACH RUN
BARBARA ACCIDENT IN WILLIAM MOFFET
SWIM AT NEWTON PARK POOL FOR POLIO
ALLY RETURNS FROM JHB POLO TOUR
BIRTHDAY MONTH: GAIL, NICKY, JESSICA, DAWN AND BARBARA


Friday 3rd Feb
Barbara is due to leave for Cape Town, London and Calgary Canada. I drop her off at the airport where she checks her suitcase in and goes through the security. She has boarding passes for all three flights. A while later Barbara phones to say the plane is delayed due to thick cloud cover. As it turns out almost all the flights for the day are turned back and eventually after spending most of the day at the airport we stand in a queue and SAA books Barbara onto the same flights for the next day. Bararba packs all her stuff back into the car and we go home. I had entered for a MTB ride at Addo but three days of consecutive rain had made the track unpleasant. So a couple of us changed our registration to do the 40kay road race on Sunday.

Saturday morning
I am able to go for a run. It has been raining non stop for three days and rained through the night. But Ron and Elmarie are both committed to running and I collect them for a beach front run. We run along the promenade to Flat Rock. Stunning morning. No rain and a beautiful sunrise. We have our swim at Hobie beach. Lene drops Barbara off at the airport.

I drive out to Woodridge to watch Ally play Waterpolo against the strong Kingswood. Ally is exhausted after playing three chucka's. At the game this morning is Andre (Ally's Headmaster at Pearson; Craig whos is Woodridge Head; Charlene van Greunen - Kim is in the team as well; Trevor and Shereleen Vaughn (Kelsie) ; Alec and Michelle Riddle (Cameron); Andrew Jonas stays to watch Ally after Marion's games are over. He ran a 10kay in under 45 minutes this morning. Getting stronger each week.


ALLY HAS WATER POLO AT WOODRIDGE - PEARSON U15 WIN THE FIRST MATCH AGAINST WOODRIDGE EASILY 10 -1


THE SECOND MATCH OF THE DAY IS AGAINST A STRONG KINGSWOOD TEAM AND PEARSON FIGHTS FOR A DRAW THREE ALL.


Ally had stayed over at the Vaughns as we thought that Barbara would be winging her way to Calgary. The match against the Kingswood team had been a really tough game for our girls. They had to work really hard for the three all draw. Ally played a strong game and was tired and hungry. I went back to Hobie Beach to register for the Bike ride and collect the numbers. Later that afternoon I spent preparing the road bike.

I realised that I had a problem as the front gear changer has a spring and the clip on the spring was broken. This must have happened a few weeks ago when I rode around the Marine Drive. Now I was stuck with having to ride with the toughest gear. I knew that there were not any serious hills and I would be able to cope with only one front gear.

Sunday morning:
Barbara is by now well on her way to Calgary. She had a stop over in London and then would take the last leg to Calgary where Dawn and Richard live.


CHARLES LOOKING READY FOR THE RIDE, HE WAS TO STRUGGLE WITH THE GEARS OF HIS MTB WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR STRENGTH AND TRACKS RATHER THAN SPEED ON THE ROAD.

I hitch up the Nippers Trailer and make my way to the Summerstrand Club. Here I park and off load the trailer and get ready for the bike ride. Gerald and Pat meet me there and we cycle to the start at Hobie Beach. We were due to meet Andre there as well but he had back luck as he had left his helmet at home and did not have time to go back for it. So he missed out on the ride. The 40kay riders left last at around 8am. I was with Pat, Gerald, Charles and Sharon Wilson. I met up with Avril Smith - Darryl was riding the 70kay event. As we left Tatiyana -- A Nippers Mom -- greeted me and we rode in a small group for a while. I see Craig and two girls supporting Sharon.


GERALD AND PAT SWAPPED THE MTB RIDE FOR THE 40KAY ROAD RACE. WE STARTED TOGETHER AND FINISHED WITHIN MINUTES OF EACH OTHER.

We ride up Walmer Boulevard. I am a little apprehensive not having easy front gears but my fears are unfounded as I make it up this short hill easily. We ride up to the Glendore Road turn off and past the Fire Station. What I do not know is that Tatiyana is a bit apprehensive of the speed bumps going down towards Schoenies adn we leave her behind. The ride has road closed for cyclists for most of the way. THis gives us a false sense of security as there are cars traveling in both directions and the drivers could easily become agitated with the groups taking up the whole road.

Charles and I stay together start to finish. We try to form bunches but seem to get separated and it is only Rob (NMMU educator) who we ride with almost the whole way. There is a bit of an east wind but for us 40kay'ers this does not affect our ride at all. Charles is on his MTB which is SO much slower than the road bikes and he has to work hard throughout. We have a wonderful easy ride. Pat, Gerald and Tatiyana (Nippers Mom)are just behind us and we all finish under two hours.


SHARON WILSON RODE FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH CLIP ON SHOES AND WAS NERVOUS. WE RODE TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST BIT UP TO GLENDORE BUT THEN WERE SEPARATED.

After the ride I cycle back to Summerstrand where I off load the trailer and have a stunning day training the U12's Nippers. The Wind is Easterly and brings up some big surf. We do a bit of water surfing and body boarding and some sprints and flags as well. Later John and I load up the trailer with old boards and the Fridge that does not work to send to auctioneers. And have some Gardening to do before I can finally get under the shower and have something to eat and drink.

I am so tired that I have an afternoon nap before going to the evening service. Hugh Glover is presenting the talk which is about being a Follower (committed) or a Fan (observer) of the Christian Faith. I meet up with Graham and Cheryl Botha and Narran in church. Andre is there and he explains how he missed the ride this morning. Charles is at church and he enjoyed the ride as much as I did. Fred and daughter Vanessa are there. Fred did the ride and had a puncture at the start of the ride and missed going off with the front bunches. John Nelson did the full 105kays and had a tough morning.

Monday: Rest Morning
Tuesday: Running in the morning but cut short as Ally was due to be at Waterpolo Practice. She was not feeling well so took a Duvet Day. Nippers Committee meeting to sort out communication and other organisational arrangements.
Wednesday: Great run with Pat full Park Drive & golf course route. Seem to be getting back into a level of fitmess. It helps if I dont have to travel. This week I was supposed to go to JHB but with Barbara being away I sent Nicky in my place. Wednesday evening: Ally plays Waterpolo at Collegiate. Short game. Ally plays a strong game and the Pearson team beat the opposition handsomely.


WEDNESDAY WATERPOLO LEAGUE AT COLLEGIATE.


ALLY PLAYS A STRONG GAME THIS EVENING FOR PEARSON u15A TEAM.

Thursday: Running through Target Kloof and up River Road. Jacqui and Susan join us and we have a really good run all the way up to 14th Ave. We run almost the whole way there and back through Target. Feeling good about running just at the moment. I meet up with Colleen who is married to Patrick from East London. I did most of the Wild Coast Trail run with Patrick many years ago. Small world that Colleen is a cousin of Lynne who runs in the morning group. Both of them are talented athletes. Seems like a lot of us are on a running high at present. Ben Charged ahead of us. Suzanne appeared unstoppable. Edelene and Lynne flew up Target Kloof. Pat and Adrienne are also running well. Susan and Jacqui maintaining a good steady pace. Tim is peaking.

Friday: Rest day. Nippers old boards to the auctioneers. Ally Valentines party at school. I spend the afternoon with Ally. Collect from School; take to Walmer Park; Walk up and down shops looking for outfit; find shorts and vest which seems to be what Ally is looking for; back home; back to office for brief visit; back home; leave to drop Ally off but forget tickets; back home; find Kim's house and drop Ally off; Chinese for supper; beer while waiting; fill up with petrol; Ally has forgotten her belt and Michael takes it to her; back home by 7pm for Chinese supper and sleep.

Saturday morning I go for my morning run. Ben, Pat and I do the Admiralty Route; Susan and Annie to the 2nd avenue. We have a great easy run and a swim thereafter.

Office and then Pearson for water Polo tournament against DSG. Ally is in the U15 team. They play their first game and draw against DSG. I watch this game with Trevor Vaughn who gives me some really good tips on Waterpolo techniques and the rules. Then go to Summerstrand to open for Masters Champs of Lifesaving. The Westerly his gusting at 40kph and makes the beach quite misterable. Back to Pearson where I am just in time to watch the second game against DSG which our team win 4-2. Ally is playing well and a pleasure to watch. Final game of the day is against the Pearson Second team which is a slow moving game. Our team is exhausted as they were all up until 1pm last night with the Valentines dance and they have been playing in this wind for over two hours. Ally is pulled out of the pool to cut her fingernails after a complaint. She jumps back into the pool and scores the final goal of the day. Well done girl.


LINING UP TO CONGRATULATE LOSING TEAM


ALLY PLAYED THREE GAMES THIS AFTERNOON: DSG DRAW; DSG; 4-2 WIN AND PEARSON SECOND TEAM 3-1 WIN



ALLY ABOUT TO PASS THE BALL


ALLY CUTTING HER NAILS AND THEN JUMPS BACK INTO THE WATER TO SCORE THE FINAL GOAL OF THE AFTERNOON


PEARSON U15 COACH MONIQUE


PEARSON DRAW IN THEIR FIRST MATCH AGAINST DSG


Ally and I go to buy some ice creams for Nippers Sunday Braai. Then to Pick & Pay for groceries and finally home for a sleep for Ally.

Peter McEwan and I went to watch Rugby at the stadium. THe wind was still blowing strongly but the stadium is quite sheltered. We enjoyed a draft and hot dog.
Kevin Rheeders and Friend Alecia were there and joined us. THe Stormers beat the Kings quite handsomely but I am not sure that we fielded our best team. We held our own for most of the first half but seemed to lose traction in the second half



PETER MC EWAN AND I WATCH THE STORMERS BEAT THE KINGS


WE MEET UP WITH KEVIN RHEEDER AND FRIEND ALECIA AT RUGBY


BRYAN HABANA GETS YELLOW CARDED

Sunday morning Andre fetches me and we cycle the Norm Hudlin MTB track 15kay. There are a couple of new sections we try out. It is a good ride and we enjoy the early morning dew covered fields. Lex has taken a group out for a 100km ride. There is now just one section that I simply cannot manage without putting a foot down. There is this little pond with a short sharp up which still makes me put a foot down as I reach the top. We take an easy ride but enough to build up a sweat and to make us work. Sharon Holmes shares coffee with us after the ride.

I hitch up the trailer and Drop Ally off at Pearson for a two hour water polo training session. Then go to Nippers. The surf is big and we dont encourage the youngsters to go out too far. I collect Ally and drop her off at the Water Polo Braai and then go back to Summies where we too are having a Braai for the Nippers. It is a great success and everything is sold out.

This evening at church we continue with the theme; Fan or Follower where Hugh gives the talk.
The following week I stay in PE again. Barbara is still in Canada. I am able to Run on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday and Thursday Ally has Waterpolo at 6am and I cannot manage the run and dropping her off. Wednesday Ally has a WP league match against an inexperienced Alex U14 team. Ally seems completely out of sorts and does not play her best.


WEDNESDAY EVENING IS WATERPOLO LEAGUE GAMES. THIS WEEK ALLY PLAYS A WEAK ALEX SIDE AND ALLY SEEMS TO LOSE INTEREST.

I take boards in to Boardroom -- Dennis Ellis for repairs.

Cell group on Thursday evening is cancelled due to too many people out of town.


THE ACHILLES TEAM GOING TO SURFERS MARATHON 2012; PETER TOMMY GRAHAM AND BOB

Friday evening Charles and I go to watch Rugby at the stadium where Kings go down quite heavily to Sharks.
Saturday Morning Tommy fetches me for a drive to EL for Surfers Marathon.
Sunday 19th morning I drive to Colchester for the Redhouse Rive mile and triathlon.


TRANSITION AT THE REDHOUSE RIVER MILE OFF ROAD TRIATHLON



Monday 20th morning.
I force myself to get up and run. I know that I am not able to run on Tuesday as I must take Ally to Waterpolo early in the morning. I run with Ronel, Pat and Adrienne. We do the town run and up past Bob Stedman's house to the back of Collegiate and back to the car park. It is a hot sticky morning and we are all drenched at the end of the run.



ALLY RUSHES TO GET TO THIS IMPORTANT WATER POLO GAME AT THE COLLEGIATE POOL

Monday afternoon I collect Ally from school and after she has changed we to to Collegiate for a polo match against the strong Collegiate team that Ally used to play for. It is a blustery windy afternoon and neither team takes it easy. Both teams are playing for a bit of prestige as well as to win the game. Ally feels that if they can win this one they will go on tour to JHB with confidence. The game is never really in doubt.


Pearson score the first two goals. Collegiate retaliate with a goal and then another. But in the final chukka Pearson take the lead and then seal the game with a goal in the final minute. I am pleased for Ally as the last game she played on Wednesday was a lackluster affair for her. Today Ally played a hard but fun game.


AT HALF TIME PEARSON U`15 ARE TWO GOALS TO NIL AGAINST THE COLLEGIATE TEAM

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BARBARA ARRIVES BACK FROM CANADA
Wednesday evening Ally has a waterpolo game against a second team from Collegiate. It is a good match and Pearson have to work hard for the win. Ally plays well and makes some good moves.


ALLY IS IN THE PEARSON U15 WATERPOLO TEAM


WEDNESDAY EVENING LEAGUE WATERPOLO AT COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL. PEARSON U15 TEAM PLAYS WELL AND WINS.

Thursday morning the wind is pumping and I am the only slow group runner so I give it a miss. I arrive at the run to find that there is Tim and 10 ladies running, I am not prepared to try to keep up with them so I do my own short run.

This evening Ally leaves for Jhb with the school waterpolo team. Ally stays over at the father of one of team members. The games go as follows: Win 10 - 0. Lose second game 3-4; third game they win 5-1 and then the following day they play their fourth game and win 3-2 against a long time rival Clarendon Park from East London. The Pearson team then wins a game 10 - 2 which takes them into the semi final.


THE PEARSON U15 WATER POLO TEAM 2012 OFF TO ST MARYS IN JOHANNESBURG FOR A TOURNAMENT


THE TEAM HAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF FUN AS THEY READY TO BOARD FOR JHB TOURNAMENT



MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

Saturday morning we have our Beach Front run. This morning sees; Gerald and Susan going for a walk. Adrian and Annie start a bit earlier. Ben and Tim charge off into the horizon while Pat, Ronel, Adrienne and I bring up the rear. We go all the way around to Admiralty. IT is one of those stunning PE mornings. Sunshine and dew glistening on the grass. We are all feeling strong and after the run we enjoy a swim. This is what makes me say that I will never leave the coast.
Alec Riddle goes for a training run and cycle with a friend and his son. Cameron is in Jhb with Ally.
We see a school of dolphins and Alec remarks that no matter how many times he sees them it is a treat and a wonderment every time.

This morning I go to the office and ask that the VW polo which is to be allocated to a staff member is taken for a wash. Unfortunately Barbara has an accident and the car is badly damaged.


BC 37 VX GP VOLKSWAGEN POLO



CRUNCH


OOOPS


Saturday afternoon: there is a swim for Polio world attemt to get as many swimmers into the pool as possible as a fund raiser. Pat, Ronel, Adrienne (who is officiating) and I take the plunge. Newton Park swimming pool is the venue. Pay R20 and swim two lengths and this qualifies you as a participant.


ATTEMPT AT THE WORLD RECORD FOR SWIMMING AT ONE TIME FOR POLIO RUN BY ROTARY: ADRIENNE IS THE OFFICIATOR AND GETS THIS LITTLE GROUP OF PETER; RONEL AND PAT TO SWIM

Sunday 26th morning.
Ally is in Jhb for the water polo trounament. They Pearson team is into the Semi finals but lose the next two matches to come fourth overall. She had a bad night on Saturday evening feeling sick (maybe a bit of food poisoning) however managed to swim on Sunday morning.



ANDRE AND I WERE FIRST OUT THIS MORNING AND HAD TO CLEAR THE SPIDERWEBS FROM THE PATHWAY

Andre picks me up for a MTB ride at Norm Hudlin. we are first on the track at about 6am. So the two of us take turns in clearing a front pathway from the spider webs. Once or twice each of us feels the crawly feeling of the web and spider wrapping itself around us. As we reach the pond I take a wrong line and hit a root which makes me end up over the handlebars. This is a bit off putting and I am not really confident from there on. When we come back over the ramp I push rather than ride. I think that Andre wanted to go a bit further but I did not feel up to a longer cycle.








THERE ARE MERRELL SIGNS ALONG THE TRAIL. ANDRE RAMPS DOWN THE LITTLE INCLINE AND IF YOU HAVE SOME IMAGINATION AND LOOK VERY CLOSELY YOU WILL SEE THE BUCK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE SEEN IT ON THE FARM.



A bit later I am at Nippers training. We have a good session and team selection for East Cape next week. I have had 6 of the Nippers Boards repaired and we load up the trailer with the craft for our East Cape competition in Plett the following weekend.

Ally arrives back from JHB at 6.30pm. The Pearson U15 team was placed 4th overall out of a competition of 13 schools / teams. THey lost the final two matches of the semi finals. They came home on a high but tired and missed out on school the following day.

Monday 27th: Barbara Birthday. Lene has made Barbara a carry all pack for travelling cosmetics. We dont do anything special. Barabra is still feeling the effects of the accident with a bit of whiplash. This week I go to East London where there is firstly a heat wave and then thunder storms.