CC Comrades Corner - Paul Norman's 56Miles4Marrow Campaign

Hi there,

As you may or may not know I am running Comrades again this year, but this year I have decided to run for a cause. I will be raising funds for THE SUNFLOWER FUND in their MILES-4-MARROW challenge. Please could I ask for your support and donation towards this very worthy cause. No amount is too big or too small and your contribution and support is highly appreciated.

Thank you and look out for me on the road on 2nd June.

Bank Account Name:  The Sunflower Fund

Bank: ABSA Bank

Account No.: 4051834719

Branch: Tokai

Branch Code: 632005

Reference: KZNM4M34(name of individual/ company)

ITS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE THE REFERENCE NUMBER KZNM4M34 FOLLOWED BY YOUR NAME SO THAT YOUR DONATION CAN BE LINKED TO ME AND THE CORRECT CAMPAIGN.

A donation invoice can be issued for company donations. Please let me know if you require one.

Regards,

Paul Norman

Race Report - Loskop 2013

LOSKOP 2013 – THE SURVIVOR SERIES – CAPTAINS REPORT

It was with great uncertainty that the participants in this year’s LOSKOP MARATHON travelled to Loskop on Friday, having been warned by the weather reports that we could expect rain on Saturday, we still did not know what to expect. We don’t exactly do “wet weather training” so when the heavens opened around midnight we knew we were in for a long wet day.

I’m sure Loskop is the earliest wake up of any of the races we do, 3am the alarms went off and we staggered out our tents in the rain to get prepared for a day of Survival out in the cold wet rain. With great handfuls of Vaseline smeared into all possible areas that could even possibly chafe we made our way to the start.

The first 10km or so looked promising with bright sky in the distance, but any hopes of the day clearing were dashed when it slowly got darker and gloomier and the rain started to fall. From then it wasn’t a case of for how long it would rain, but rather how hard, wet & cold it would be and how hard the wind would blow. I truly asked myself what makes right minded people voluntarily run 50km in the rain and snow (well it felt like snow OK !!!) And apparently the 21km wasn’t any easier as they had deep muddy ruts and rivers to negotiate.

But as always the LOSKOP runs were very well organised and spare a thought for the marshals and water point volunteers who got up just as early and then stood in the rain and cheered us on, without helpers like that these races would not be possible ( so we must all help at our races too )

It was great to finish at Loskop Dam and head towards our NEDBANK gazebo and get a nice hot boerie roll and beer from “Boss” Steve & “I want to stay!” Janine and other club helpers, you guys were saviour’s thank you.

Fortunately for those brave campers who stayed the rain stopped in the late afternoon, slowly people crawled out from their tents and gathered around the fires we had going, then the second part of SURVIVOR LOSKOP 2013 started as we had a well-deserved kuier around the fire, with music and braai going on we all had a great time, most pushed through till around 10pm and the “beverages” had run out.

Sunday saw us pack up and head home with another great run behind us, runs like this can only make one stronger. Well done to all who were brave enough and compete in the LOSKOP 2013 SURVIVOR RUNS !!!

Captain Paul

Coral & Sandy

Paul and Elsa

All Loskop runners: please note important info.

Hi as discussed, here is the Loskop entry form, very important for all the Loskop runners to read the Race & General info to know where to collect their numbers, the entry vouchers inside their Goodie bag and road closure times etc...

Cheers,

Paul Norman

CC Comrades Corner - 56Miles4Marrow

Hi all,

I decided earlier this year that I would like to give something back during Comrades 2013 and not just have my run be about me. With so many charities out there and so many causes to run for I wasnt sure who or what to run for. So I looked closer to home and found the 56 MILES 4 MARROW campaign, which is run by The Sunflower Fund who raise funds for people diagnosed with Leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders.

I mentioned "closer to home" as my daughters step brother (my ex-wifes son) passed away from Leukaemia at 3 years old, he was like a real brother to my kids and they miss him alot. So they are excited to get involved with the fund raising and they also become part of my Comrades Marathon.

If you would like more info please check the flyer or visit their website http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za/  and if you would like support me then please stay tuned as my fund raising flyer should be ready soon and I will keep you posted.

Stay safe, stay fit, stay sharp.

Paul Norman

Easter weekend long runs - change of schedule.

Please note that changes have been made to the Easter Weekend schedule:

WhenFriday, Mar 29, 2013

WhereLVCC CLUB HOUSE 5:00

DescriptionLVCC - back of Enos Nelsville - Ilanga petrol station - Belladonna - West End - Enos - LVCC 20km

WhenSaturday, Mar 30, 2013

WhereVirgin Active

DescriptionVIRGIN GYM 5:00 - to Sasol garage outside White River and return back to Gym +- 30km

WhenMonday, Apr 1, 2013

WhereHalls Gateway

DescriptionHalls Gateway 6:00 - across to Mataffin & through to Sterkspruit road out & back +- 30km

Also im not here this weekend but have spoken to Marie-Louise & Juan and they will be organising the runs between them so any questions can be asked to them as well.

Thanks & regards,

Paul Norman

Race Report - Old Mutual Om Die Dam Ultra

What a great sport we have chosen to do, another excuse to get away for the weekend and get some great training and complete another Ultra Marathon, an accomplishment many of us take for granted, but in reality no matter what time you finish in it is an accomplishment to be proud of, so well done to all who conquered OM DIE DAM 2013 .

After an awesome lighting storm we witnessed while having supper on Friday evening, we wondered what weather was in store for us on Saturday. We woke to a nice cool overcast morning with lightning in the distance and the threat of rain, ( of course it was going to rain as I for once put lots of sunblock on ! ) Meeting fellow club mates at the start of a race is always a special part of the race. Elsa, Vanessa, Riaan, Lala, Ntokosa, Gladys & I ( Paul ) were all preparing for the 50km while Marie-Louise & Wimpie looked much more relaxed as they prepared for the 21km.

The gun went & we were off, besides Comrades I have never seen so many runners at a race before, the first 8km was quite slow as there were so many runners and you couldn’t get past them, slowly the runners thinned out and we could get our pace going. Elsa & I became the pace setters for the sub 5 Hour Bus, not wanting to run in the pack we kept just in front of the “Bus driver” and eventually he kept chatting to us about the pace and how we must keep it steady. That was fun while it lasted and we kept either in or in front of the bus up until the famous Saartjiesnek, then Elsa, Vanessa & I showed the others we came from Nelspruit where we train with hills and we cruised up Saartjiesnek at a great pace and left the bus behind. On the way to the finish we overtook a second Sub 5 hour bus and we finished strong. Elsa, Vanessa, Lala & I all getting in under 5 Hours.

Riaan is also a special case ( more like mental to me ) been extremely busy at work he has been travelling the world and hadn’t run for two to three weeks, then he pitches up at the start of the 50km and says he is aiming for a gentle 5h30, he finished in a comfy 5h28. Well done Riaan, one day I hope to be as experienced as you.

Well done to all who ran and kept the Nedbank LVCC flag flying.

To make the most of the weekend away, after the race I did the tourist thing and went up the cable car to the top of Magaliesberg and had awesome views of the dam and country side.

If I don’t see you through the window, I will see you on the road. 

Cheers,

Paul

Front: Paul
Back: Hartbeespoort Dam

Venessa, Elsa, Lala & Paul

Hartbeespoort Dam

Words & images: Paul Norman