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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The 2011 Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix (with video)

and my first ever attendance of a Grand Prix after following it on TV for more than 10 years.

The layout of the Shanghai F1 Circuit Photo: carreracupasia.com

The Shanghai F1 Circuit was inspired by the Chinese character “上” (shang), the first character in the name Shanghai.

Last year I thought about going but didn’t get around to arranging leave early enough as then I had to work on weekends and had already put in leave for my attempt of the Great Wall Marathon. This year however, working a regular Monday to Friday week it was on; although getting tickets wasn’t all that easy.

I even went to the track 2 weeks before the race and was just given a phone number to call. I couldn’t buy tickets there but could reserve them over the phone and they would send them to me if I was in Shanghai, which I wouldn’t be 24 hours later. Eventually managed to get them via a local tourism website and not wanting to fight for a good spot on the grass went for next grade up in Grandstands B5-8 but you couldn’t choose your seat, it was just luck of the draw.

3D seating plan for the Shanghai F1 Grand Prix (Photo:smartshanghai.com)

Thankfully the Metro Line 10 was open for both days (which it wasn’t in 2010) so getting to and from the circuit was easy enough. The plan was to get out to the circuit for qualifying which we did and as we walked from the Metro station towards the circuit we could hear the whine of a F1 engine being revved and I started to get really excited. The queues weren’t to bad as we made our way into the track area and up to our seats which turned out to have a great view. We looked straight down the start/finish straight, could see the pit lane and the team garages, we were also high up enough to see most of the track and so could track cars as they sped around the rest of the circuit. Check it out…

The view of the Shanghai F1 Circuit from my grandstand seat

As I sat there, looking down on the track I couldn’t believe I was actually about to see a F1 car in person, witness a qualifying session live and hear the sounds so many commentators have referred to for myself. It was

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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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