- An organ transplant patient typically requires 40 units of blood, 30 units of platelets, 25 units of fresh frozen plasma and 20 units of cyroprecipitate.
- A bone marrow transplant patient typically requires 20 units of blood and 120 units of platelets.
- During heart surgery the patient will need 6 units of blood.
- A burn victim typically requires 20 units of platelets.
- Someone injured in a car accident may need 50 units, or more, of blood.
A place to put my epiphanies
[e·piph·a·ny - n. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.]
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Blood Donor Day, 12 June 2009
Good back-up service from Eiger Equipment and Cape Union Mart
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Triumph AR triumphs at Kinetic Urban Adventure
Prize giving was a suberb bonanza again; most participants at prize giving walked away with super prizes from the event's generous sponsors: vouchers from Kinetic's store, massages from Debbie Gerrand (ARer and physio working at Kinetic), trail shoes from Asics, shades from Numo, Nandos hampers, vouchers and blankets, Buffs, USN products, bike services and goodies from Morningside Cycles (based at the Sandton Biokinetic Centre) and also hair cuts and nail treatments from salons based at the Centre. Loads of loot that is really appreciated by category and lucky draw winners.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Orienteering at Pelindaba
Leaving #3 I thought it would be a nice idea to hit that nice 'road-not-on-the-map' to see where it went. But, I hit the trail and ran along it; forgetting that I needed to cross over one more bit to get the main 'road'. I realised this when I didn't find the new road after about 50-metres - Eureka! I was still on the path. This is the one thing... when you make a mistake you have to forget it and just keep going. Makes your mind go crazy. Anyway, I took off cross-country and crested the hill next to the bare rock (purple/lilac shading on the map; top of the hill) and went down the other side to hit the path.
Once across the river #6 was first on my hit-list. Nice clean section leading up to the fenced structure with the wall. Walked alonside the wall and towards the re-entrant (note the v-shaped contours and the small brown dots that indicate a dry ditch). Easy one.
From #6 to #7 was also nice. Straight across towards the saddle and along the rocked vegetated section to the control.
From #7 to #8 I took a sweet line contouring around the hill. The only tricky part with this is knowing when you've gone around enough. As I started dropping down I could see a big building, which I didn't see on the map. My saving grace was the tar road (indicated as a brown road on the map). I aligned myself to the road where it comes straight down the hill. Just before I got to the control (about 15m away) I saw Cobus (and two others; can't remember who!). They'd been searching for ages.
#8 to #9 was also straight forward. Again contouring is tricky so I contoured and descended at the same time. By the time the slope had flattened I could see that vegetated 'stripe', which I'd passed from #6 to #7. I took a quick bearing from here to where I wanted to go. I was slightly lower than the area where the control was located. I shot off in a straight line and as I neated I could see the vegetated clump (thicket) where the control would be. Nice one.
#9 to #10 was again fairly straight forward. I headed for the wall again and then towards the buildings and then across open ground to the road. Only tricky part here is not to overshoot - so I first used the shape of the road (slight kink) and then ran just off the road, keeping an eye on the dry riverbed behind the trees. The control is marked on those dotted brown lines. I can't think of the word for the feature... a bit of an erosion re-entrant thing. Hit the control and headed back across the river and up my path.
From #10 to #12
OK, across the river and on to the path, heading West. I could see the barerock (actually slate quarry excavations) mounds on my right (North of the path). The road turning off was evident and the control was in a pit (slate excavation) under a tree. Nice.
#11 to #12 I decided to just go cross-country again. Quite grassy but otherwise open. My aim was to hit the main North-South path, which I did. Then it was easy to just follow the path. The next tricky part is to decide where to turn off the path to hit the control. I was looking for any sign of an old fence. Done. I followed the fence for a bit, aiming for the control a few metres off the fence.
#12 to #16
From #12, back onto paths to #13. Trick here was when to leave the path. I took a bearing from the path, using the rocky vegetated feature to the East, just off the path. And, I headed off. I lost time on this control because I didn't go far enough at first. There were a few of us around here. I go to that first main boulder cluster in the light green. At this point I'd already dropped a bit of altitude and this is what confused me. I started heading back and then realised that I hadn't gone far enough. I turned around again and spotted the control about 50m ahead. How cool! I was in perfect alignment with the control; totally unintentional!
#13 to #14 was also fairly straightforward. I just whacked through the grass heading for the road. I came out on to the road with open ground ahead, not the green vegetation. Crossed the road and fence and started through the open grassy area. I could see the 'valley', with reeds, to my right. Still a distance away I could see the control. nice and easy. There were a few of us around here (Tim, Eugene and Tania). When I saw Tania I blurted, "Goodness gracious, don't tell meI've been out here for ages!". I knew that she would have started after me. She clarified that she'd started about 13-minutes after me. Oh dear! #3 and lots of walking had cost me a big chunk.
#14 to #15 was also pretty easy. The vegetation feature were quite clear, like those three green dots to the right (South-east) of my track. Just past these the main vegetated section to my left 'dented in'. And here there was an embankment - and the control.
#15 to #16: Back on to the road. An option could have been to go as the crow flies, but as I was itching from the grass and covered in blackjacks - and sporting scratches from the wag-n-bietjie bushes, I thought the path would prove faster and friendlier. So, up the path I went, following it to the junction and then crossing diagonally towards #16. Key feature is that black line, which seems to have been some kind of stone wall / embankment thing. I went along the bottom it so I didn't see it from the top. Control very visible and a few orienteers around here.
From #16 to the FINISH
There was an 'elephant track' from #16 through to #17. An elephant track is a clear 'path' made my many feet running through grass, flattening it. Thank goodness Tim was just in front of me because I got to 17 and thought it wasn't mine. I already had my eye on #18. Doh! I punched and headed for 18. The fence was definitely not all there; more so closer to #18, which was on the eastern side of a small corrugated iron water reservoir (I think that is what it is?).
Sunday, 3 May 2009
24h World Challenge
The IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) is partner to the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF); but where the IAAF deals mostly in fixed distance, like 100m to 100km and other track and field disciplines, IAU oversees the running of distance (50km, 100km, 160km and 1000km) and fixed time periods - 6hrs, 12hrs, 24hrs, 48 hrs and six days.
The course for this 24hr event was a 1.134km (they measure the route to the millimetre!) loop through Bergamo’s city centre. The course is described as being 'relatively flat' and run mainly on asphalt.
The race started on Saturday morning and finished this morning. The winner is Hendrik Olssen from Sweden; he ran a fraction over 257.045km in the 24 hours to beat second placed Ralf Weis (244.5km; Germany) by around 12.5km - quite a big margin. What is interesting is that 3rd place over all went to a female runner, Anne-Cecile Fontaine (France), for her run of 243.644km, less than one kilometre behind Weis. It's common knowledge that women tend to do better in longer races; this holds true yet again (the 2nd woman placed 8th overall).
As far as statistics go... Greek 'Running god', Yiannis Kouros*, still dominates with his distance of 290.221km, set in 1998 (at the age of 42). Women's winner, Fontaine, just missed setting a new World Record by 14 metres!. The current record is held by Germany's Sigrid Lomsky, who ran 243.657km in 1993 (at the age of 51).
* Yiannis Kouros holds every men's world record from 100 to 1,000 miles, from 200 to 1,600 km, and from 24hrs to 10 days.
I've run a 12hr circuit race (April 2006) and I'd definitely do another. But 24hrs running round and round... mmmm, maybe when I'm older. I find it quite incredible that these runners cover in excess of 200km (almost 300km for Yiannis!) in 24hrs. Awesome!
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Trail and mountain running - lots of options
As the calendar hasn't been in my hands, I've felt quite out of the loop and don't want to miss out on any events that I may like to do. So I'm doing some online research. Here are a number of events coming up this year - obviously these are biased towards my interests (distance & duration) - that may be of interest to you.
Mnweni Marathon, held in the Drakensberg, is on again this year. I'm under correction but this event, organised by mountain runner Bruce Arnett, must be in its sixth year? Possibly eighth? I've run it twice (the last two years) and can highly recommend this stunning mountain run. It takes you up Mnweni Pass and across the source of the Orange River. Race distance is put as 38km; but don't be misled. Both times I've done this race I have finished fairly well - and it has taken me 7h50 to cover the route. This race is in two weeks - Saturday, 16 May. Laura Forster is the administrative power-behind-the-throne. Drop her a note at laura@waterforafrica.com. As I type this, she is running the Addo 100km.
A staged running newcomer is the 3-day AfricanX Trailrun; organised by the same bunch that present the Xterra events. The race is held in the Kleinmond region of the Western Cape. It is a paired team event and you cover 25-35km per day. Cloverleaf format (same overnight spot every night; in Kleinmond) and fully supported. Race dates are 8-10 May. Entries closed end-April. Keep a close eye on the reports coming out post-race, because this may be an event you'd like to diarise for next year. The entry fee of R1800pp (R3600 per team) includes tented accommodation and meals. event website is www.stillwatersports.com
Freedom Challenge is sporting a very slick new website; only I'm battling to find the information on what is called the Dusi Trail Run on the website. Freedom Challenge started a good few years ago and the original event included Comrades Marathon. Participants then mountain biked from 'Maritzburg to Paarl on trails and dirt roads (the Freedom Trail). The event ended with the 2-day Berg River Canoe Race. This is the Extreme Triathlon version of Freedom Challenge. Some participants just do the ride.
Now there's an off-road run to replace Comrades. It is called the Dusi Trail Run and is listed at 88km. And it looks like you can just do the run - you don't have to do the whole Xtreme Triathlon thing. This is the first year that this run will be held; and the date is Friday, 12 June. The run starts in Durban and follows an 88km course up the valley of the Umgeni River and the smaller and wilder Umsimdusi River. The finish is in the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg. Wild and remote in many places. There is no entrance fee although runners may make a voluntary donation to the Freedom Challenge K4K trail development fund. This is a self-supported event and runners are allowed a support crew. Find the Freedom Challenge website at www.freedomchallenge.org.za.
Adventure racer Garth Flores is again presenting his Outeniqua Traverse, a mountain run that débuted last year. Race distance is 38km and it will be held on Monday, 10 August 2009 (this day is a public holiday). Garth says, "The terrain consists of some steep climbs and descents. Your legs will burn. Take it easy on the climbs otherwise you might burn out with over 20 km to go!". As an indication, winning time last year was 5h39. The race starts and ends near George, W. Cape and the entry fee is R250pp. Race website is outeniquatraverse.blogspot.com
Baviaanskloof Trail Run is a new addition to the trail scene and it will be held on Saturday, 12 September. It is organised the Evie and Darrell Rauenheimer of long-standing Rhodes Trail Run fame. this 1-day race covers 50km of 'extremely harsh, rugged and unforgiving terrain'. The race starts and finishes at Geelhoutbos on the western side of the Baviaanskloof and runners must be self-suffient. The event website is www.baviaansrun.za.net.
Magnetic South's The Otter is talk of the town. Although this trail run is part of their multiday Southern Storm event, it is a stand-alone trail run. The pure appeal is that participants get to run the entire 5-day Otter Trail hiking route over 2-days! The Southern Storm is a 6 day individual or team relay duathlon (full service) featuring trail running and mountain biking (alternating days) and includes The Otter as day two. Race date for The Otter is Sunday, 20 September. Day 1 is an 8km prologue. Day 2 is where the fun begins. The route starts at Storms River and ends at Natures Valley, a total distance of 45km. There's a fun poll on the event website (www.magneticsouth.net) where people are asked to vote as to whether they think the 45km route can be run in under 5hrs. I don't know the route at all; but I've taken a flyer at voting 'no'. 31% of the respondants agree with me. Entry fee is R1800 and it includes tented accommodation (2 nights), meals before and after the race and munchie tables during the race.
Dave Gassner is the organiser of the 2-day Amatola 100km Trail Run (aka BIG Baffer). Nicholas Mulder is the current course record holder (he set a new record last year). I've never run Amatola but have heard only good things about it. The event is set for 17 & 18 October 2009 - 50km each day. There's also a 35km option on the 18th if you don't want to run the 100km.
Dave is also the organiser of the Wildcoast Ultra, a 270k, 6 day, staged run along the Wild Coast from Port St Johns to East London. The event was started in 2005 and Dave put it together for a small group of people. This year the race was opened to public entry. This race is scheduled for 8-13 February 2010. Dave's new no-fuss website for his events (Baffer and Wildcoast Ultra) is www.davestrailrunning.co.za.
And, of course, there's Skyrun (100km, 2 days) at the end of November. The 28th & 29th to be precise. Always a great event to do. Contact Adrian directly at saffyav@icon.co.za
So, these are the events that have my attention. I haven't committed to run any of them, having come off the Namibia Trail Run (5-day, end Feb) and Midnight HellRun (80km, mid-March). So that's why I'm surfing the web - looking for fun and games for later this year. If you know of any other events that fit into this category of multiday / ultradistance / mountain trail runs, add a comment with event information below.
Adventure sports publications/blogs
Another superb publication to check out is Wend Magazine. This US magazine was launched a bit over two years ago. They bring out 5 issues a year. Although they have a print edition, the magazine is also available in a digital version. You can preview the digital version (with page-turning sound effects too!) and subscribe to it. It's only $5 for a 1-year digital subscription or $10 for a two year digital subscription. The Wend Blog often has some really great postings and videos of adventurous activities.
Another publication I almost forgot about is Adventure World Magazine. The magazine was launched in 2008. They recently eleased their first issue for 2009. This is an electronic publication and annual subscriptions are $9.99 (6 issues per year). You can preview the current issue online. There are also interesting adventure sport postings on the website. This current issue has an image from Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in its cover; and a feature on the race inside. Bull of Africa 2008 featured in one of last year's issues.
And while I'm on about good adventure sport reading material, check out The Adventure Blog. It's the best way to keep up with adventurous activities around the World. Kraig Becker runs this blog; and he is a wonderful supporter of our activities here in South Africa. I get a the postings on email daily (see the subscribe box - no charge - on the blog).
If there are any related blogs that you follow, let me know about them.
Parkour on a bike
Anyway, this video of trials rider Danny MacAskill has been doing the rounds. It is very much like 'parkour on a bike'. Danny's riding is spectacular. This an amazing demonstration of balance and control and it ranks as the most beautiful bike riding that I've ever seen (yes, even better than the dude on that forest trick riding route - Banff Mountain Film Festival movie a year or two ago). This video of Danny was filmed over a period of a few months, in and around Edinburgh.
Watch it on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o (published online 19 April '09)