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…
The Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge is happening tomorrow and I’m actually really looking forward to it. It’s been a long and stressful build up to this year’s race. We’ve managed to raise close on R250 000 for the PinkDrive, we have 200 cyclists riding in pink kit and I am extremely grateful to every who has contributed to make this initiative a success. Thank you. We didn’t raise the million rand I wanted to but if you don’t set lofty goals you will never get close to achieving anything big.
PinkDrive cycling kit for the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge 2010
On the race itself, I have been in two minds about whether to race it and go for a decent time or have a social ride and see what happens on the day. I am super chuffed to have my dad and brother riding in pink with the rest of us tomorrow. My bro is a bit of a racing snake (Did Ironman this year and is hectically fit) and I’ve managed to do a few races with him this year already. To be dead honest I am super psyched to be able to ride with my dad tomorrow. He is in his 60’s and is in pretty good shape. He has 11 Comrades Marathons under his belt but hung up his running shoes after his last one in 1995. I’ve decided to ride with my dad tomorrow as I have never done anything like this with my dad before. I was able to do a bit of a ride with Dad on Tuesday morning out in the cradle. I was able to spend a couple of hours out on the road with him and had an absolute blast. If you’re riding tomorrow I hope you have a safe and enjoyable ride.
My Dad out in the Cradle on Tuesday
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…
I’ve been asked some strange questions in my life. But this morning I got asked the strangest one yet. My son woke me and asked, “Dad, can I get a paintball gun so that we can get chickens?” I was still half asleep so I’m not sure if I had heard him correctly. I asked him to repeat himself and the exact same question came out of his mouth. Now the logical question I’m sure in response to that is “Why?”. Read more…
