Sports Day and a surprise at lunch

We were told only a week before that the school was having its sports day (or days) last week Thursday and Friday. Not only that but we were on the teachers team number 5 and were to report to the canteen after classes that day to practice jump rope. Needless to say I was hopeless with my timing as was always the one ruining the rhythm with the group jump rope so it was decided I would be running. How far was still unknown.

We all know stretching is important

It wasn’t until our 2nd and last practice the day before that we found out the running option was in fact a 6 x 150m relay. Each runner having to run half way around the slightly smaller than regulation track. It isn’t too far but the nerves then started to kick in. I can handle losing in a 100m dash, but dropping the baton and disappointing 5 other team mates wouldn’t go down well. So we did a few practice hand off runs at jogging speed and that was it. See you tomorrow. Friday came and it was 41 degrees in the shade; the hottest day we’ve had this year.

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Looking back at 2010

Everyone does it, from Mtv to Skynews, The Sunday Times to The Tatler and I figure there must be something to it. If you’ve read all my lengthy blogs over the past year or you missed them, you’re in for a treat as I give you a snapshot review consisting entirely of pictures and captions. Enjoy!

January - I saw the Year in with friends watching fireworks on The Bund in Shanghai

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Revisiting the Great Wall Marathon 2010

You may remember my Beijing post a few months ago detailing my trip to China’s capital and my attempt at running the Great Wall Marathon so why am I revisiting it?

Well, since then, the official photograph I ordered arrived (see left), the official video was also delivered and I have managed to upload it for you (see end of post). However, the main reason is that a great  friend of mine who has just started an online trail running magazine asked if I would write-up my experience for his December issue. More on that later but first a word or two from my mate James Hallett.

As the editor of an up and coming South African online trail running magazine, one of our biggest challenges always seems to be finding good, well-balanced, quality reading material to capture our readership and grow the integrity of the publication. Rory and I go back as far ar 2005 when we met in the halls of an institution that probably shaped our way of thinking today. Since then, we have remained great friends and I think it’s most certainly safe to say that we have learned a lot from each other. And who wouldn’t learn a lot from this guy?!? He’s originally a Zimbo, his parents having left Zimbabwe when he was young, to pursue a life in South Africa, and his brother is a very unique and eccentric person in his own way, the author of Fly Fishing For Sharks -  A Memoir of Life with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

So this month in Go Trail. (December 2010 issue) we decided to feature Rory’s incredible journey to China and his ambition to complete the Great Wall Of China Half Marathon.

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Beijing – ready or not, here I come

Time seems to have flown between September last year just when I left South Africa and now. Prior to my leaving a friend of mine Zubayr said he was planning to run the Great Wall Half Marathon (looks pretty tough) in 2010 and that seeing I was going to be in China I should do it as well. That was all it took to spark my interest and I started investigating how to enter as soon as I got here. Back in February I sent off my entry form and necessary documents as proof  of my expat status in China (otherwise the only way to enter is via a tour package with a select few certified travel agents). Even with the expat entry it is still a pretty expensive entry fee at 1654 yuan (R1750) for just the race day although it does include transport out to the wall from Beijing.  So the time has come and the race day is this Saturday 15th May. I leave this evening on a 12 hour train ride. Have booked a soft sleeper, which in China probably doesn’t mean much but a 1 inch mattress is sure to be better than the other option – a plank of wood or hard sleeper.

I think it is more a case of whether I am ready or not as I will admit I haven’t done much training, if any at all. I am not going for a time and like to run for the social aspect. Plus this should be an amazing experience and afterwards not only will I have been to the Great Wall but I will have run a half marathon on it too.  So follow my Twitter feed (see right side of page) for live, up to the minute updates and pictures from Beijing and the Great Wall Marathon – May 15th 2010, China – 5,164 steps into history. (click here for more details)

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