CORPORATE TRIATHLON AT IRONMAN -- APRIL 2014

THE SWIMMERS ARE OFF ON THIS BEAUTIFUL PE MORNING. THE SEA IS WARM AND WE CAN ONLY PRAY FOR A DAY LIKE TODAY FOR THE MAIN IRONMAN EVENT ON SUNDAY.

ALLY IS IN JHB FOR A HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. HER SHE IS AT A PRE TOUR FUNCTION WITH THE MATRICS ON TOUR. EACH NEW GIRL MUST DO A PRESENTATION. ALLY IS PAIRED UP WITH ANJA THE GOALKEEPER.

CORPORATE IRONMAN AT HOBIE BEACH PORT ELIZABETH APRIL 2014

FRIDAY 4TH.
I bought a couple of tubes as the last time that I cycled was at the Herald Cycle earlier this year and I had given my Tube away to someone in need. I also took the wheel of the mountain bike which was giving me trouble each time I put in a new tube the valve section would end up punctured. I went to the Boardwalk to register. quick in and out of registration. Nicky and her friend Madri, were in Jeffreys for a function and came to visit us on their way home to the PE Airport. We had a short chat before they headed off home.

RACE BRIEFING. THIS IS A REAL FESTIVE AND PE COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2014
Up early -- the weather had not been good recently and I was half anticipating another day of rain and wind. Instead it was the most perfect day imaginable.
I had loaded my bike and packed all my stuff on Friday evening so after a wash and shave I was ready to leave.
The boys had stayed overnight and Barbara said that she would be at the beach a little later.
I drive to the Boardwalk and find my normal parking. Pack out the bike and my swim stuff. Walk to the transition and check through. I meet up with a chap who I had last seen at the River Mile Triathlon two years ago. He and I walked down to check the water. The temperature was perfect for a swim. Now I felt great as this is the only part that worries me. Race Briefing on the beach and then the Two Waves of Teams leave. Third is the individual men. I have met a whole lot of people on the beach. Viv Francis and his wife who often do the parkrun. Viv was one of the very oldest Ironmen in the early days and I ran the final loop of the run with him that year.
I meet up with Andrea Dyer and her friend Monique; Her Sister is Morgan who is at school with Ally and also friends with Jarryd. Andrea's mother is there and Ross Dyer. Natasha and Brett Holmes. Tommy Satchwell and Kevin Campbell. I see Lolo; Baron; Tracey; Michael; Kevin; Grumpy; Anneke -- All from the church. Allan and Elaine Verryne; Letitia; Tracey and Rolf; Steve Mc Donald; John Nelson; Samantha and Erin are in a team; John Nelson who is swiming for a team in the first wave and then jogs back to the swim to swim a second time for his own individual triathlon. Rob Elfick; Lisa and Michael who will be taking part in the main event on Sunday. Craig Wilson is also in the Ironman while Sharon joins me for the Baby event.

AND OFF THE SWIMMERS GO. THERE WERE FOUR WAVES OF SWIMMERS, STARTING WITH THE TWO SETS OF TEAMS; THEN THE MEN AND LASTLY THE LADIES.  MY OPINION IS THAT THE LADIES SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF BEFORE THE MEN.

There is this amazing Vibe of PE people just being outdoors and having fun.

The hooter goes off and our group of Men individuals takes off into the sea for a swim. The course looks really short. It hardly goes past the end of the pier and then across towards the pier and then back to shore. The only problem is the number of swimmers. It is a real bunfight getting out. Rounding the Buoy we are all mixed up. But the swim is short. I do not stop swimming once and press on to the shore.
As I run out and onto the beach, Natasha hands me my wallet with my Phone. I like to have it with me just in case I am find something worth taking photo's of. You just never know. John shouts his normal greeting of: "Uncle Peter"! Get on the bike and head out on the cycle route. I manage to climb onto some bunches. Indiviual Ladies are starting to pass me but I also cycle past a number of men so feel good about that. I jump onto a good little group on the way back. There are about Five of us and we alternate the lead. They are on Big Mountain Bikes and I am on my road bike. I battle to keep up on the slight ups and then take the lead on the straights and downs. I see a number of people that I know but it is not easy to shout greetings as we whizz past each other.

PETER COMING OUT OF THE SWIM. WEARING A SUMMIES COACHING TOP.

Back to the transition and I put on my running shoes and head out towards Kings Beach. We run along the road heading out past McArthur Baths and around the car park. A water table is welcome as I had only taken a short sip of water on the bike. In fact this is really just one table too little. We should have had a table just as we exitted the transition. Andrea and her friend Monique pass me as they are on their way to the finish. I see Elaine Vereyne, Sharon Wilson and Anneke. I press on as hard as I can go. The final section I run with Justin who I met on the run. My time is around 1.30. I must look at the official results to see exactly the time. I look for Barbara but it is only when I phone her that we meet up. She missed me at the swim; the cycle and the run. Lene and the boys are there and are all keen to go home. I have to wait to be allowed to fetch the bike so I wander around. I need another coke so go back to the finish area and find someone to scrounge from.

Finally we collect our Bikes and I pack up for home. I had left one of our Wheels at the bike shop a collect it with a new tube. The rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing at home.

MONIQUE; KEEGAN COOKE; ANDREA

ANDREA AND PETER AT CORPORATE IRONMAN PE APRIL 2014

MONIQUE AND ANDREA.  BOTH FIRST TIME TRIATHLETES

STEVE AND PETER. WE SEEM TO MEET HERE EACH YEAR.

RACE BRIEFING. THIS IS A REAL FESTIVE AND PE COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

ANDREA AND MONIQUE FINISHING THEIR FIRST EVER TRIATHLON.AND WEARING MEDALS TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE FINISHERS.

ANDREA WAS AT UNIVERSITY WITH JAQUI AND MICHAEL ZIVOR. SHE NOW RUNS WITH THE MPRG IN THE MORNINGS. HER FAMILY ALSO GO TO WMC.

AND OFF THE SWIMMERS GO. THERE WERE FOUR WAVES OF SWIMMERS, STARTING WITH THE TWO SETS OF TEAMS; THEN THE MEN AND LASTLY THE LADIES.  MY OPINION IS THAT THE LADIES SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF BEFORE THE MEN.

REALLY! WET SUITES WERE NOT NECCESSARY ON THIS WARM MORNING AND THE SEA WAS AMAZING.

HAPPY PETER AND ANDREA. THIS IS A REALLY DOABLE EVENT WITH A SHORT SWIM, EASY 18K BIKE RIDE ON A FLAT COURSE ALONG THE MARINE DRIVE AND BACK AND THE RUN IS JUST 4K TO KINGS BEACH AND BACK.

PETER COMING OUT OF THE SWIM. WEARING A SUMMIES COACHING TOP.

ANDREA DYER FINISHING THE CORPORATE IRONMAN

SATURDAY AFTERNOON
While we are relaxing at home, Ally is still in JHB at a Hockey tournament at St Mary;s school. She left on Wednesday morning. Played her first games on Thursday. Was clobbered in the eye with a ball and then later in the day was hit on the finger. This caused her to have to go to Hospital and then to not play for the rest of the tournament. A bit upsetting for her. She tells us that Megan Derry is also there and also not able to play due to injury.
Barbara has swapped horses. Her previous horse has become wild and is just too big and strong. She now has this horse which is a lot more easy to handle.

BARBARA AND HER HORSE -- STELLA

TODAY BARBARA IS JUST GETTING THE HORSE USED TO BEING AROUND HER.

I check my results over the past two years. 2013 pos 266 of 390. 1:26. Swim 11min. Cycle 47 min nd run 27.
2012 pos 226 of 380. 1:25. Swim 9 min. Cycle 54. Min. And run 21 min.

INTO TRANSITION AFTER THE SWIM

PETER IS ON THE BIKE LOOKING QUITE DETERMINED.

I checked on my results (and some of the people I know in PE) and found the following
2011 -- I must have missed this year for some reason.
2012; overall time 1;25; swim 9.56; cycle 52 minl run 23 min. placed 226 of 382 finishers
2013: overall time 1;26; swim 11.52; cycle 47 min. run 27 min. placed 233 of 392 finishers
2014: overall time 1:14; swim 8:33; cycle 45min; run. 21min. Placed 136 of 399 finishers
Andrea Dyer; 266th; 1:25 -- swim 8.14; cycle 53 and run 22min
Monique Williams. 304th; 1:28
Kevin Campbell. 241st; 1.22
Paul Johnson.317th; 1.30
Ashleigh Johnson; 267th; 1.25
John Nelson 63rd; 1.08.54.
Jamie Riddle 2nd; 53.02
Tommy SATCHWELL -- must have been part of a team.
Brett Holmes 15th; 59.48
Keegan Cooke 6th; 56.29
Dale Watson 83rd; 1.10.13
Rob Elfick 149th; 1.16
Letitia Straus 173rd; 1.17
Viv Bullock 239th; 1.22
Ronel Botha; 249th; 1.23
Sharon Wilson; 283rd; 1.26
Steve McDonald; 97th' 1.11.
Denise Darlow; 225th; 1.21

the first person came in at 51min and the last in 2.37Min.

MARCH 2014; ALLY MISS PEARSONALITY; WATER POLO; TYGERVALLEY 21K WITH NICKY; NIPPERS TRAINING; ALLY LIFESAVING NATIONALS AT STRAND CAPE TOWN;

MARCH 2014

parkrun
minimal injuries
Nicky and family from CAPE TOWN
NICKY RUNS OUR SAT MORNING GROUP AND PARKRUN
ALLY HARD AT WORK AT MISS PEARSONALITY
LAST OF WATER POLO
ALLY FIRST TEAM HOCKEY... NEW UNIFORMS
CONTINUING WITH NEW CELL GROUP AT THE PERKS'
ALLY -- LIFEAVING NATIONALS AT STRAND CAPE TOWN
FRIDAY IN CAPE TOWN; RUN A 21K EVENT AT TYGERVALLEY WITH STEFAN; NICKY; ANNEKE AND REINARD.
TIGGER FISH RESTAURANT WITH NICKY AND STEFAN AFTER THE RUN ON FRIDAY

STEVE MC CARTHY; KELLY HOLMES; NICKY AND CATHY BIGGS.  NICKY WENT ON TO RUN THE PARKRUN SO DID 20KAY THIS MORNING.

Saturday 1st March. Nicky and I run the Beachfront route 15k. Steve McCarthy joins us. Steve is from Cape Town and is now keen to join the Parkrun Directors group. We need another person who is willing to assist as Catherine is just about to have a baby and Roz is going to be working in Tanzania for a while. Ally has Polo in the afternoon and I have to complete the results.
Sunday: Level tests first thing then Nippers coaching. Board and swim with the Non east Cape group of U14's.
This week is quite hectic with Cell on Monday and Wednesday at our house. Then only Barbie Perks arrives so we have our Cottage Pie for Wednesday and Thursday suppers.
Wednesday 5th we drive to Plett to visit Ena.
THursday 6th -- Target kloof run and then King for the day. One hour getting ready and luches; One hour run; 5 hours of driving and 5 hours of work is quite exhausting.

Friday 8th. Start with a Parkrun with Adrienne.
Saturday we run a 15k from Hobie with Adrienne; Annie; Liesl; Kely; Margie; Andrea and Suzanne. Some of us continue to Admiralty and back along the promenade. It is Catherine's Baby Shower at Adriennes house. A successful Pakrun.

PETROL IS NOW R700 FOR 50 LITERS. CRAZY. THIS IS THE WORST PRICE HIKE EVER.

ANDREA, KELLY, SUZANNE AND MARGIE JOIN ME FOR A LONGER RUN.

BERND AT OUR PARKRUN

CATHERINE HAS JUST A FEW WEEKS TO GO. FROM HERE THEY GO TO ADRIENNES HOUSE FOR A BABY SHOWER

GROUP SITS AND RELAXES AFTER THE RUN AND BEFORE THE PARKRUN. QUICK SWIM TO COOL OFF AND THEN AN HOUR OF WORK SETTING UP AND ORGANISING THE PARKRUN

ANDREA COMPLETED HER LONGEST DISTANCE EVER

This evening we enjoy a Braai with Wayne and Sonja, Boston and Sheri

Sunday Morning. Ally has Lifeguard Training. I have Nippers. It is raining and we cut the training short. I take a Malibu out. Good fun.

Monday Morning. Drive to East London and stay over at Mpotsheni. Walk up the hill with the dog. Supper and relax with Andrew and Debbie and the rest of their guests. A wonderful place to stay. Relaxing and quiet.

MPOTSHANE WHERE I LIKE TO STAY ON MY TRANSKEI TRIPS

THE DOG THAT WALKED WITH ME

Tuesday .... Mthatha. Work with Julia and stay at Ekaya. Horrible.

Caught a bit of a cold. Stupid. After being in the rain, did not put on a dry t shirt.

Ally had her Miss Pearsonality. She was voted Miss Congeniality. Most fun participant, by her peers. It was a good evening, the cast had huge fun. Ally's skit was one of the best. She also had a good video introduction.

Wednesday 19th. We leave for Cape Town for Lifesaving Nationals. Stay over with Cathy. Blake is such a big boy now over a year old. Does not take to strangers.
Thursday, we are at Strand. Our team looks good. Ally's tube rescue does well but is eliminated due to swimming around the buoy the wrong way. The ally comes 6th in flags. She is disappointed but we are happy for her that she beat around 25 other participants.
Drive to Nicky where we have a Braai with Lisa's family and the Stoney's.
I stay for the night as we are going to run a 21 on Friday. Barbara goes back to Cathy and will take Ally to Strand on Friday morning.

Friday 21.3.2014. I slept at Nicky's house. We are up early for the 21k event at Tygervalley. Reinard joins us. It will be his first ever 21. He has never run over 10k.
Nicky and I drive down and park at the Gym. Stefan and Reinard run to the start. We meet up with Anneke ... Nickys friend. There is a huge number of runners here this morning. With lots of tents and other logistics. Acually not neccessary but that is how they want to set the event up. The run starts 6.30. We run up Durban road and then make our way up and down a series of hills. At one stage I lose sight of Nicky as they go ahead. But I catch them and we run together for a bit. Stefan has gone off ahead while Reinard is now behind us. Nicky, Anneke and I run the whole distance more or less together. And work our way up the hills.
We get in together at around 2.08. Stefan ran 1.55 and Reinard runs a 2.35. We all feel good and after a shower and a bite to eat we head off to strand to meet Ally and Barbara at Lifesaving
Ally is running Individual beach sprints. She takes part in 3 heats. Working her way to the finals. In the final Ally runs her heart out and manages a 3rd place and the coveted Medal.
Stefan takes us for lunch at a private Micro Brewery. We have a delicious lunch with some home made beer.
Ally also swims and does Board rescue. It is a busy day and we are all exhausted when we get back to Cathy;s house.

SATURDAY MORNING GROUP.

NICKY; REINARD; ANNEKE AND STEFAN BEFORE THE TYGERVALLEY 21K

ANNEKE AND NICKY ON THE RUN

NICKY FINISHING STRONGLY; A PB OF 2.08 FOR 21K

AFTER THE RUN

NICKY AND DAD. OUR FIRST RUN TOGETHER FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

ALLY IS ON THE BEACH FOR LIFESAVING NATIONALS AND RUNS A 3RD PLACE FOR A BRONZE MEDAL.

TARA; ALLY AND NATALIE -- BOARD RELAY TEAM

ALLY; STEPHANIE AND ASHLEIGH -- SWIM TEAM

BRITANY; TARRYN; AMY AND ALLY -- BEACH RELAY SILVER MEDALISTS

ALLY ON THE PODIUM FOR A SILVER MEDAL AT STRAND LIFESAVING NATIONALS

BRITANY; ALLY; TARRYN AND AMY WIN A SILVER MEDAL FOR THE U17 BEACH RELAY TEAM EVENT.

ALLY AND NATALIE AT STRAND -- FLAGS -- ALLY WAS PLACED 6TH

ALLY AND TARA TAKE AMY OUT THE WATER AFTER CHRISTIE HAD DONE THE TUBE RESCUE. UNFORTUNATELY DISQUALIFIED DUE TO CHRISTIE SWIMING THE WRONG WAY AROUND THE CAN.

ALLY IN THE BEACH SPRINT INDIVIDUAL -- BRONZE MEDAL.

ALLY WALKS BACK FOR THREE HEATS BEFORE GETTING INTO THE FINAL FOR BEACH SPRINTS U17 INDIVIDUAL.

The third day was another successful day at Strand. Ally took part in Board and Swim relays. Made it into the final of the Beach relay and her team was placed second overall. A Silver medal. We finally left Strand at about 7pm after dropping Ally off with her friends for the night. They had a bit of a party between various places and that seemed to go well with her and Tara from the reports in the car the next morning. Barbara and I made our way back to Cathy who had bought a storm of Sushi for supper. I was ravenous and really enjoyed the supper.
Sunday morning we drove back home == 9 hours which is standard form us. The stops and breaks are never rushed. We were home mid afternoon.

Sunday evening I had to fly to JHB for a Meeting. Back home Tuesday evening. I was able to do a short run on Wed and then the standard Thursday (Walmer) and Friday (Beachfront) runs. Saturday we did our Hobie beach - Up Walmer Boulevard, Airport, Strandfontein, Admiralty and Flat Rocks ending the run along the Promenade. Beautiful run.
Our Saturday 29.3.2014; morning Parkrun was most successful with Discovery (liesl Nienaber) bringing plates of Mini Muffins and Juice. There were over 400 runners today. This is a record for us. And a wonderful Vibe. I had to collect Ally for Lifeguard Duty. I did a long swim and Ally and I had a good paddle on Malibu Boards.

Saturday afternoon -- Rugby at Grey. Our tenant (Angie) moved out and the new tenant (Darren) moved in. This helps a bit with the cash flow. Darren joins ally and I at Rugby. There is a festival and so many games. This afternoon Grey plays Kearsney and win. 22/7. Not. An inspiring game but I love being at Grey on Saturday afternoons.

Sunday 30th, Nippers at Summies. A good and Busy morning. Lene and family join us For Lunch. This evening

DUNG BEETLE AT MPOTSHENI. THIS TIME THIS WAS THE ONLY LIVE CREATURE THAT I SAW APART FROM THE BIRDS.

MPOTSHENI LODGE. I LOVE TO VISIT THIS PLACE WHEN WORKING THE TRANSKEI

EARLY MORNING BEACH FRONT RUN. SWAM OUT TO THE YACHT AND HAD COFFEE FROM THE SAILOR -- WHILE SWIMMING!

ERNA AND ADRIENNE ADMIRE THE PE SUNRISE.

JASON LEADS HIS TEAM AT LIFESAVING NATIONALS STRAND -- CAPE TOWN. PLACED 5TH OVERALL.

OUR TEAM AT STRAND

ALLY IN THE MARCH PAST

SUMMERSTRAND MARCHES PROUDLY PAST THE OFFICIALS

NICKY; REINARD; ANNEKE AND STEFAN AT THE TYGERVALLEY 21K EVENT.

ALLY AND CAMERON SPRINT FOR THE FINISH

BARBARA; NICKY AND STEFAN. TREATED US TO THE TIGGER FISH RESTAURANT IN STRAND. A MINI BREWERY WITH GERMAN FOOD AND SNACKS.

ALLY AND NATALIE IN THE FLAGS EVENT .

ALLY IN MISS PEARSONALITY. THIS IS A GRADE 11 EVENT. ALLY WON THE MISS CONGENIALITY PRIZE WHICH IS AWARDED BY HER PEERS -- NO ACTUAL AWARD BUT THIS IS FOR MAKING THE EVENT THE MOST FUN IN THE BACK STAGE AND DURING REHERSALS

BLAKE ON AN OUTING

JACQUI AND TOM -- MARCH 2014

ISRAELI FAMILY ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS. THEY LOVE TO GO FOR WALKS IN PARKS.  MICHAEL; JACQUI; EMILY; ANNABELLE; TOM.

CATHERINE SWEETNAM -- BABY SHOWER JUST BEFORE BABY MAX WAS BORN; AT ADRIENNE'S HOUSE WITH ROSALIND; ANNIE; ADRIENNE; CATHERINE; PAULINE; BARBARA AND PAT. ALL PARKRUN SUPPORTERS.

JACQUI; TOM ON MICHAEL'S BACK (REMINDS ME OF MY OWN YOUNGER DAYS); ANNEBELLE AND EMILY ON MOUNT CARMEL.