Bailey Schneider and I were talking about the Garmin range of sports GPS units on the afternoon drive today. As part of the entry process for the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge Highveld Stereo are giving away 20 Garmin Transitions packs, but only if you enter before 1 August 2010. You can enter by visiting the Cycle Challenge website. In that pack is the Garmin Edge 500 cycling GPS unit. I don’t train with that particular unit, I use the Garmin Forerunner 310XT which I absolutely love, but the functionality of the two units are very similar. If you love gadgets you will love training with a Garmin. Below are the details of the ride I did on Sunday afternoon. Take a few minutes and analyse the data to see what nifty little gadget it is: (by clicking on the view details button at the bottom)

Joburg Day 2009

I have been trying today to calculate how many Joburg Day’s I have been involved with. I think this one was my seventh. They all tend to blend into one to tell you the truth. Although, in saying that I think Joburg Day 2009 will always stand out for a few reasons. The first reason would have to be the weather. I’m not sure if it is selective memory on my part but I can’t recall another one where it rained. Everyone I have spoken to have said that the rain just added to the ambience and vibe of the day. The second reason it will stand out in my mind is because of the new venue. Riversands Farm in Fourways leant itself to creating a successful event. It was spacious and picturesque but most of all it was a nice change.

The line up was also great this year. New comers to 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s Joburg Day with Santam were idols Jason and Sasha Lee, Jesse Clegg as well as Cape Town based A-King who were definitely a crowd favourite. They performed alongside veterans of 94.7′s Joburg Day Prime Circle, Just Jinger and South African music legend Johnny Clegg. All in all I think a great day was had by everyone and I look forward to Joburg Day 2010.

I always think it’s important to put things out there that you want to happen or that you want to achieve in your life. It puts a bit of pressure on you that you can’t back down. I did it when I first started in radio; I remember writing an essay at varsity about where we wanted to be in 5 years. One of the things I wrote was that I was going to be on 94.7 Highveld Stereo. I put it out there and it happened.

I also did that with my first 94.7 Cycle Challenge. A friend was looking for someone to train and ride the race with. I remember telling him that I’d love to but I don’t have a bike. A week later he had organised me a bike. There was no chickening out of that one from then on. I went on air and said I’m riding, which forced me to do the training and I rode.

My brother sent me an email yesterday with a copy of his confirmation that he is entered to do the iron man in January. He’s put it out there, no backing down now.

I’ve got to let you know that I’m seriously nervous to even think about putting this out there. I grew up in a road running family; my dad has done countless road races over the years including eleven Comrades Marathons. My brother has done one, but I’m sure number two is on the cards next year. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do. It’s gnawed at the pit of my stomach for years. The 2010 Comrades Marathon is going to be something special. The organisers are attempting to break a world record for finishers of an ultra marathon. There is also a commemorative 2010 medal. It will be the last time the race finishes at Kingsmead. It is apparently the first time ever that there has been two down runs back to back. There is so much history being made in next years race that it hard to not want to be alongside the other 20 000 starters come 31 May 2009. So here goes, I’m putting it out there. I’m going to run comrades 2010.