What an amazing day! I am humbled by what has happened and extremely grateful for all the kind words and encouragement at the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge yesterday.
On the start line of the 2010 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge
As far as the results go, it wasn’t the quickest race I’ve ridden this year but I didn’t set out to go fast. I wanted to experience the ride and this amazing city we live in. I took a whole bunch of Read more…
I’ve been putting my initiative for the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge together over the last couple of months. (Click here if you are a cyclist and you would like to get all the details of the Pink Drive Cycle Challenge Initiative) and it is rolling out quite successfully.
I do need your help though. You may or may not know that I lost my mom to breast cancer in May this year. Two weeks later I took on the Comrades Marathon in her memory as well as in support or in memory of a whole bunch of people affected by this dreadful disease as part of my 89 Memories 1 Race Initiative
I’m at it again but this time I will be riding the 94.7km for anyone suffering from cancer or who has lost the battle. Each kilometre will be for someone. If you would like to support this initiative all you need to do is sms the words ‘race 1′ and the message ‘in support of *insert your loved ones name here* or in memory of *insert your loved ones name here* to 42030. The sms will cost you R30 and in doing so I will ride one of the 94.7 kilometres for your loved one. Read more…
I’ve been working on a charity initiative for the 2010 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge. Once again we are trying to raise some money for the Pink Drive. If you would like to know more, visit the Pink Drive Cycle Challenge website.
Pink Drive Cycle Challenge Charity Initiative
It has been two and a bit weeks since Comrades 2010 and although my work schedule has been pretty crazy I’ve had some time to digest the events that unfolded on the road to Durban on 30 May 2010. You may or may not know what happened but in a nutshell I missed the cut off at 60km (29km to go) and was pulled off the road. No excuses, I just wasn’t good enough on the day but will be back in 2011 fitter, leaner and stronger to finish off what I started.
In the meantime though its time to set a few new goals for the rest of this year and the first bit of 2011. I have been saying in the build up to Comrades this year that once it was done I would be keen to give a triathlon a bash. I still feel that way but obviously the long term goal is Comrades 2011.
So here is what I’ve come up with as goals between now and 16 June 2011:
1. Complete a couple of the Energade triathlons which start in October.
2. Run the Soweto marathon in November.
3. Ride the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in November (and at the same time try and raise R1 000 000 for the PinkDrive)
4. Complete the half iron man in East London in January
5. Run the Johnson Crane Marathon.
6. Swim the Midmar Mile in February.
7. Run the Vaal Marathon in March
8. Run the Two Oceans and/or Loskop Ultra’s in April
9. Complete the Comrades Marathon in June 2011.
Some of this list may change between now and then but at least it’s out there. I’ve learnt that unless a goal is out there you’re never going to achieve it!
You may or may not know my mom passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in the early hours of Sunday morning, the 16th of May 2010. I have received hundreds of messages of support from family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers. I am trying to reply to each and every one of them but if I haven’t been able to get to yours yet my apologies. My Mom was an amazing woman who was loved by many.
My dearest Mom,
Even though I knew the end was coming it is still a huge shock to know you’re no longer with us. You were the best mom anyone could ask for. You were ever the peacemaker and diplomat and always put your family’s needs ahead of your own.
I like to think that my great taste in music eventually rubbed off on you but to be honest I have great taste in music because of you. I will always be grateful for that.
I’m going to miss not sharing all our news. You were always the first person I would call whenever something happened in our lives, good or bad. You never judged me when things went wrong and always celebrated like the good news was your own. You were my sounding board and cheerleader. I am so lucky to know how proud you were of me. I know this because at any opportunity you’d tell complete strangers what all three of your kids had achieved.
Often I would just call to read you something funny because I loved to hear you laugh. You had the best sense of humour. I am going to miss your laugh so much.
You were so accepting and I’m so grateful of the relationship you had with Christine. I know you loved her like one of your own kids. Ethan and Gracie adored you to. We are all going to miss you terribly.
You played the hand you were dealt with such strength and dignity. I don’t think any of us knew how much pain you were actually in. You accepted your fate with such grace. I am relieved your suffering is over but am going to miss you so much.
I love you Mom.
2010 Comrades Marathon - The Ultimate Human Race
The 2010 Comrades Marathon is happening on Sun 30 May 2010. Just writing that makes me nervous. But the truth of it is that as a novice I don’t think you think you will ever be ready. You may or may not know the reasons why I am running this year’s race. My mom is losing the battle to breast cancer as I write this and I wanted to do something to make a difference to people fighting this horrible disease and also for the families of those who have lost a loved one to it. Breast cancer does not have to be terminal and if it is picked up early it is in most cases curable. I have decided to support the Pink Drive and to raise money for breast cancer awareness. I think they do a fabulous job. I’m not going to go into to much detail as to what they do but if you want to check them out go to http://www.pinkdrive.co.za
Running Comrades as part of the Comrades Marathon Associations celebrity challenge provides a great platform to raise money for the Pink Drive. We have set up an sms line that if you sms the word ‘run’ to 4 222 0 you will donate R30 to the Pink Drive. The other fundraising initiative we are running is the 89 Memories – One race initiative. The Comrades Marathon is 89km and run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban and this year I will be running each kilometre for someone that is either fighting the battle against breast cancer or in memory of someone who has lost the battle to breast cancer.
That is where I need you come in. I need your help. Read more…
