New elements on my blog

Shortly I will be adding two new elements to my blog. One will be a predictions list which will feature predictions for upcoming sports events or happenings. This will be updated quite frequently. Not that these predictions will mean anything to anyone... but hey its for fun.
The second will be a list of my favourite wines to drink. These wines will be affordable wines to drink and not the upmarket or expensive wines and definitely nothing to do with Platters or anybody else for that matter.

Tour the outskirts...

This weekend was terrific, nothing too hectic, quite relaxing in fact.

Saturday we took a drive to The Royale Eatery in Cape Town. Mmm what a burger, we will have to go back there again. This was followed by a short walk around Long Street. Some interesting little places, lots of coffee shops and clothing outlets.

Sunday we took a drive out Hillcrest for breakfast. What breathtaking views. With time on our side, we decided to take a long drive home via Franschoek and Grabouw. We passed through some reserve before hitting Grabouw, the views are totally out of this world. It made me realise how beautiful our country is. Coming home on the N2 back to Somerset West you come over Sir Lowry's Pass past the Steenbras Dam. As you crest the Pass the whole of False Bay opens up and you have awesome views of Somerset West, the Strand, Gordans bay, the back of Table Mountain and a whole lot more. If you want to treat yourself I suggest you give this drive a go.

We Survived

So we made it to the Cape... some of us in better shape than others. Thank goodness Devon sat next to a kind, understanding lady on the plane. Adam was fine on the plane, no problem what so ever. The weather is not the greatest, but hey it is winter in the Cape, what more do you expect. At least we are on holiday!

We took a drive out to Simons Town this morning, it is always a awesome drive along the coastline. The weather improved for 5 minutes, which was great.

I'm off to put up my feet and relax... and drink some wine with my Broer later.

Watch out Cape Town here we come...

We're off to Cape Town tomorrow. I would like to apologise to everyone who is catching the same flight as us tomorrow. Devon can't stop talking from the moment he wakes up until when he goes to bed and finally falls asleep on a normal day. Nevermind a day when he gets to fly to go and visit HIS Hayley and Faf. We're taking Adam, our three month old, on his first flight... so heaven alone only knows what to expect. Kyle, our eldest son will have to help field some of Devon's many questions, and actions. My better half will be clutching her seat from the time she boards the plane till the time she disembarks, counting and questioning EACH AND EVERY air pocket or bump on route.

The fun doesn't end there... we have had to arrange for special transport to and from the airport as a normal average family car would not suffice. It would not take all the luggage that comes with us, nevermind passengers and the sweet and treasure bag that is needed to bribe Devon to keep quiet and still. Good luck to Simon the driver!

All that aside, I am looking forward to spending time with my family, not thinking about work. I'm also looking forward to spending time with Devon's Hayley and Faf as he is. I hope Cape Town and Somerset West in particular have enjoyed the quiet before the STORM that is about to hit tomorrow...

Motivation, motivation, motivation....

So I managed another 5k today, and the best part was I made it the whole way without a walk. Yee Ha!!! This is a step in the right direction. Marching on forward to those goals. The new orthotics weren't too bad at all. So I ran a couple of seconds slower than I did on Monday, but without a walk and i felt comfortable the whole way. That means a lot.

I'm really feeling motivated about my running. I got my entry into the Sterling Light Skukuza Half Marathon today, which is taking place at the beginning of August. It is not the first time I've run this race, but what an awesome race it is. For those who have no idea about the run, it's a run that takes place in the Kruger Park with some of the kilometers being covered outside of the Skukuza main camp. A really amazing experience... What makes it better is that my Dad and I take my two older boys (Kyle and Devon) camping for the weekend of the run. To see the excitement on their faces is really worth it on its own. Last year Tim, a good friend of mine, and his wife Gill and daughter Ciara spent the weekend with us. What a way to spend a weekend..... I look forward to doing it again.

I'll keep on running and keep tracking the progress. If anyone reads this, keep on tracking my experiences with me. Till next time.

My Return to Running

The first 5k back

It was a beautiful winters afternoon on the highveld... not too cold just that slight chill in the air, but not crisp. Short sleeves or not was the first decision that had to be made. Once that was over it was down to lacing up my new shoes and strapping on the heart rate monitor...hopefully the heart rate monitor would be able to cope with the paces it was about to be put through.

The tarmac stretched out before me, that familiar sight I'd almost forgot. After a stretch of my own it was time to put the clocks in motion, get the legs moving and hope for the best.
The first k felt good, I was cruising along with ease. That didn't last long though...

I looked down at my heart rate to see the little heart was beating on the wrong side of the indicator ideal, but that was not going to stop me, I had done this before, and besides it was only 5k's. I hung in till the 3k mark and then broke out and walked. They say you have to build in walks into your training, so now was a good time to start. It wasn't for long though, you never know who might drive past and see me walking. Wouldn't want that now! Would we?

I got back into motion again, it was only 2k's to reach that first goal. Home was in sight before i could blink a thousand times. the finishing line in sight. I had made it. 5k's in 26min 49sec. I went inside and head straight for a glass of Coke!!!!!!

It may not sound like it, but I enjoyed every minute of being out there again.

So tomorrow I'll pick up the orthotics and give it a bash again on Wednesday. Till then....

A New Start...

So my running carreer was put to rest for a while after I picked up an injury, but after consulting the Doc and some rest my shoes and I are ready to give it another bash.

I'm feeling somewhat motivated after my Dad has gone to run the Rio Marathon and my Broer ran his first half marathon on Saturday. His excitment of finishing and achieving a goal, and seeing his Blik (medal), has spurred me on to get cracking and set my own goals. Well, first it's back to basics..... putting on those beloved shoes and working on running a 5k. I've put together a training programme that will hopefully get me ready for the Tough One 32k at the end of November. If that all works out the hard work will start mid December and will be put to the test on the 24th May 2009 when Comrades comes around.

So little time and so much to do... I better get going and get that first 5k under the belt!

My World...

Welcome to my world.

I have been married to my wife for the past 6 years (almost) and have three wonderful children, Kyle, Devon and Adam. Each of them fill my life with something very special.
Being in education I enjoy the holidays the most as this is the time I get to spend with my family...if only we didn't have to work at all.

I must have the weirdest, funniest most loving and suppotive family in the world.... but hey i guess we all think that.
I am a Tottenham Hotpurs fan and have to put up the rest of the family (and I mean the rest of them-all of them) being Man Utd supporters/fans. Nothing like supporting the under dog. hey but what would life be without a challenge. When it comes to rugby once again I support the underdog (The Lions) while rest support W.P or the Sharks. Thank the pope we do not have any Bulls fans in the house.

I have a number of good friends, that often get together to support the Bokke or any occassion if I have to be honest. None of them are shy of a beer or two.

My Brother and Sister in lawlive in Somerset West, A good place to be near the heart of the countries finest winefarms... we'll be down to see them shortly.

Family, friends, sport! That is what life is about.