AR Club's orienteering relay victory

It is with great pride that I write this blog; to boast of AR Club's orienteering success. And I cheer not only for our sweeping victory at the Gauteng Orienteering Club relay event today, but of our overall success in this sport since we became an orienteering club just over 3-years ago.

I've been involved in the sport of orienteering for some years; I attended my first orienteering event in preparation for my first adventure race. This must have been in March/April 1999. I went to Wits University and being involved with Wits Sports Council I'd met Nicholas Mulder some years earlier. At that stage he was chair of Wits Orienteering Club (WITSOC). I was sports officer for Wits Underwater Club and later chair of Sports Council. As the navigator in our team, I thought it would be useful for us all to go out to an event to get some orienteering experience.

I remember little of that first event suffice to say that it was a colour-coded event and I think we did one of the longer courses because we were out there for a VERY long time. Grassy area with lots of bluegum trees... The most useful part of the entire event was when Nicholas came to find us and took us through the last few controls; that was the single most instructional session I've ever had because Nicholas managed to snap the map, terrain and vegetation into perspective.

In the subsequent months I attended random events, usually orienteering in a paired team with my friend Tracey Sanders (ex-Team BUGS, now living in the UK). We kept this up for a few years, attending odd events and thoroughly enjoying each one. The last big run we did together was the first Rogaine at Suikerbosrand (Aug 2003; we won ladies and were 3rd overall). Was it an 8hr event? I can't remember. Tracey immigrated a week or two later and I started orienteering on my own, taking the competitive aspect more seriously.

I'd been a member of Rand Orienteering Club (ROC) and by 2004 a good many more adventure racers were taking part regularly. We decided to affiliate AR Club to the South African Orienteering Federation. What this primarily meant was that our members could stay within AR Club and not have to join ROC or RACO to take part in Provincial, Club and National events, especially as a number were featuring in the top rankings.

For some reason I also recall a festive relay at St Stithians, but this was in late-2004 and I don't think we competed officially as AR Club; rather we were in teams for other clubs

We took part in our first serious club relay in Oct 2005 and scooped Mens and Ladies categories at Alberts Farm (winning ladies team photo; Sam, Michele & Lisa). Last year, in a lovely area South of Joburg, both teams lost their trophies... just. We were hoping for good runs this year.

Today's Gauteng Orienteering Clubs relay was hosted by the students of WITSOC on the Wits Campus, which most will tell you means that you'll be running either uphill or downhill.

The format of orienteering relays is as follows: Clubs submit 3-person teams. Each team member runs one of three course; short, medium and long. The long course is just under 4km, medium is about 3km and short is about 2.5km. The first runners from each team line up for a mass start. The catch here is that the teams run the courses in different orders and the course planners specifically order the teams such that the top teams will not start on the same courses. When the runner has completed their course, they hand-touch their team-mate, who then sets off. The team's final time is the accumulated time for the three runners. We sent three teams.

AR Club's 2007 Relay Teams

Men 1: Garry Morrison, Eugene Botha & Jeremy Green

Men 2: Tim Deane, Alex Kuhnast, Kobus van Zyl

Women: Lisa de Speville, Michele Botha, Cindy van Zyl

(Incase you're wondering where Nicholas' name is... he runs for ROC, as he has done since he was a wee tot)

(L-R) Kobus, Alex, Tim, Michele, Eugene, Garry, Jeremy. Cindy & Lisa in front.

The men took a clean sweep but the women's race was where all the action was. Cindy sprinted to the finish to wrap it up for our team only 9-seconds ahead of Tania (RACO)! Our second mens team placd 5th.

Aside from the team relay thing, our orienteerers are really doing well on the short and long course Provincial logs. Looking at the Top 10 of the 2006 short course log: Garry was 3rd, Jeremy placed 5th and Eugene placed 9th. Michele was 2nd lady and Lisa was 3rd.

On the colour-coded log Garry and Jeremy were 3rd and 4th. Michele was 2nd and Kirsty Green was 10th (Lisa didn't fulfill the race quota; I ended up way down).

Looking at the current 2007 situation (SA Champs are still to go; this coming weekend)... We potentially have 4 runners in the mens short course Top 10 (Garry, Jeremy, Eugene and Kobus) and 5 runners in the women's short course Top 10 (Lisa, Michele, Cindy, Sam and Kirsty). On the colour-coded log we potentially have the same 4 guys in the Top 10 and the same 5 girls, plus Carine, looking for Top 10 ladies slots. Very exciting! (results are based on best of 5 or 6 out of the available events in a year)

I am very, very proud of all our club orienteerers. The ones I've mentioned are just the top ranked orienteers; there are a whole lot more who take part regularly. Some have not been orienteering for very long but they're really improving their orienteering skills and enjoying the challenge of more difficult courses.

To wrap up... adventure racers, orienteering is the BEST way to practise your navigation. There are about 2 events a month (I'm talking about Gauteng; alternative is PENOC in Cape Town) and they range from short course (max 4km) to colour-coded (from 3 to >9km, depending on event and terrain). Children around the age of 7 or 8 cope very well on their own. The events are fun, family-friendly and they're all local.

Good websites to visit are: http://www.roc.org.za/ and http://www.racorienteers.co.za/. Both sites host orienteering event calendars and information on the sport of orienteering. If you're in Cape Town, go to http://www.penoc.org.za/. I do hope we'll see you at an event in the very near future.

Our AR Club website is www.ar.co.za/arclub. We are hosting a short course event out at Derdepoort (North of PTA) on Sunday, 7 Oct and we have assisted students from the Health and Fitness Professionals Association with the organisation of a charity O event on Sunday 14 Oct. Both of these are excellent events for beginners and many AR Club orienteerers will be around to help you.

Our friend passes and will be dearly remembered

Two memorials were held this weekend to celebrate the life of our friend, Philip Swanepoel. Although I've posted your messages and "official" notices, I had not yet posted my own personal message in remembrance of a man who was loved and respected by so many for his kindness, sensitivity, warmth, friendship and zest for life, sports and the people around him.

I can't specifically remember when I first met Philip; it was probably in passing at the Old Mutual Hi-Tec 250km in the Drakensberg (end July 1999) and the Old Mutual Hi-Tec 500km held in the Cederberg (end September 1999). With both of these races I was right at the back and Philip was right at the front so I most certainly did not get to speak to him during the actual race.

Over the next few years I got to know Philip better and enjoyed seeing him at all kinds of events. Here and there we'd get a few minutes to talk, our conversations always cut short by the hustle and bustle of the activities. I cheered his move from Middleburg to Pretoria, a change that would take him from a job he no longer found rewarding and allow him easier access to races and training friends. We discussed his decision to get involved with the Adventure Zone store in Pretoria; a job that was definitely closer to his heart but which was not really his "calling".

When Philip mentioned his departure for Iraq, I wished him well, asking for his safe return when he'd achieved what he needed to. We tossed about the analogy of choosing a path that doesn't lead directly from your current location to your desired destination; but that if you keep sight of your objective the path will turn to lead to where you want to go. This is something we both understood; Philip was always supportive and encouraging as I moved through tv camera work to international event coverage and freelance writing, following a very meandering route.

It was a delight when, earlier this year, Philip came through to the canoe race AR Club hosted on the Klip river in January; I didn't know that he was in South Africa. Philip hadn't been paddling for a while so instead of racing he volunteered to be a marshal, spending the morning at Dog's Bridge to guide paddlers around this tricky obstacle. It was wonderful to hear from him that he would be coming home soon.

A few months ago Jan Heenop dropped me an email suggesting that if Philip was in South Africa, would I consider doing Eden Challenge as a pair with Philip. Truth be told, I'd never even considered racing with Philip before; an awesome athlete, Philip was far faster and stronger than I could ever hope to be. I think I responded to Jan saying that it sounds great; if Philip is here and not racing with a competitive team looking for a win.

Before McCain Adventure Addicts left for Scotland, 19 May '07, I'd asked each team member for a few thoughts on the race so that I could put together a media release. I spoke to Philip a day or so before their departure and said that I needed a few lines from him, which he could put in point-form and I'd put into sentences. Know what? He wrote a full-page letter to me; humble and also expressing his joy about racing overseas with the team and seeing his "AR hero Nathan Fa’avae, who is back from 'retirement' ".

Having only recently returned to racing Philip was also a bit apprehensive; "In a way I am kind of worried seeing that I have not raced this distance for over 2.5 years. And in that 2.5 years I have only done 2 adventure races. At least I believe that I have the experience and although my fitness is not what it could be I am definitely fit enough."

It was when I got to the end of Philip's letter that I thought about Eden Challenge and made a mental note to chat to him when he returned from Scotland.

Philip had signed off with, "All the best for your adventures Lisa. We must do some exciting adventure thing together some day."

The team returned in early June and days passed. On 26 June I received an invitation to compete in a 5-day ultra run in India in late-October; an opportunity to run and write and to visit a country I've never been to. I emailed Jan to say that if this is trip is confirmed then I will be out of the country during Eden. June ended and the days of July galloped past.

Philip's chopper went down on Saturday, 28 July 2007.

I never spoke to him.

Philip, dear friend, although we didn't train together, race together or even go out for a cup of coffee, you were special to me. During all of these years I so enjoyed seeing you at events, appreciated our conversations and admired your athleticism, courage and kindness. You will be well remembered by all who knew you, whether intimately or in passing, because of the impression you made on all of our lives.

Your untimely passing is also a reminder of how mortal we are; each day could be our last.

Friend, keep running, keep riding. In another place, at another time, I do hope we'll do some exciting adventure thing together some day.

Please don't litter... and go rechargeable

Littering is probably my Number 1 environmental irritation. I've been a loyal supporter of Zibi the Ostrich (of Zap-it-in-a-Zibi-Can fame) since I was a young child; in the mid-80's Zibi visited my primary school promoting the government's anti-litter campaign (they really should bring it back). I loathe litter. My activism actions include throwing a can back into a woman's car, lecturing a dude at a robot (this unfortunate litterbug was driving in the same direction as me) and, recently, rolling down my window to comment to a vile passenger who'd nonchalantly dropped his chip packet, "Excuse me, you dropped your packet"... I mumbled a few choice expletives under my breath to round off the sentence.

Why, why, why do people find it necessary to throw their rubbish on the ground? Cans, bottles, food wrappers, packets - it is unsightly filth; and that's to say nothing of the environmental impact.

On Wednesday I visited three primary schools in Thembisa to observe the Mr Price Heros activity programme that has been implemented in these (and other) schools. The activities and games are fantastic; but the litter on the playgrounds and around the school buildings is terrible. Even worse... the children are oblivious.

I made a suggestion to the Sportstec people (Sportstec trains coaches for placement in the schools; and they have written the activity programme for Mr Price): their coaches should make the children pick up the litter before they start the fun games and activities. The children's positive behaviour (picking up litter) is rewarded with a fun session. The coach can point out to the children how much better their grounds look (instill a sense of pride in their immediate environment) and the improved playground surface due to the absence of bare-foot wrecking obstacles (we even picked up a large glass shard!).

I can bet that within two weeks the litter on the playgrounds will be drastically reduced:

• if they have to pick it up, they'll throw less down (= more time to play)
• the children will encourage their friends not to litter; if they're in the next class they'll have to pick up what their friends have discarded.

Will this work? I don't know. But, an attempt must be made to change this filthy habit; not only in these schools but also around the country. I hope to get another invitation in the coming weeks to head out there again.

As for YOU... road running... water sachets... Arrggghhhh....

Have you ever been a marshal at a road race? Have you ever spent 2-hours walking up and down the road picking up water sachets? Have you had to retrieve water sachets from bushes and road-side drains? If you can carry a full (or half-full) sachet 2km from a water table you can carry the empty sachet for another kilometer to discard in the bins at the next water tables. And, if you see anyone throwing sachets way into the bushes, tell them off. This is far worse than just dropping the sachet on the road, where the people cleaning up can easily retrieve it. Running a road race is no excuse to turn into a litter-bug. This is unacceptable behaviour. I tuck my empty sachets into my running shorts. Easy. This goes for gel sachets too.

I have spoken to Runner's World Magazine and they're looking into a campaign. We'd like to encourage runners to use the bins provided around water tables and eventually aim to stop road runners from throwing sachets on the road between tables. The road will be long and hilly... many bad habits to modify.

You may have noticed the banner (it needs a redesign) I put up on AR.co.za in July? It says, "Littering is naughty. Be good. Be clean. Be green." <-- my own little slogan. I urge you to be good and to postively influence those around you.

Would you believe that I found a little mpeg online with the Zibi song? The video footage isn't part of the original '80's campaign, but it is neat anyway.

http://www.zoopy.com/video_1749_Zap_it_in_the_Zibi_can.html

The Zibi Song

When you've chomped your chips and your drink is done,
you've smoked your smoke and chewed your gum,
"Don't be the creep who mocks the streets!"
Zap it in a Zibi... Zap it in a Zibi... Zap it in a Zibi can.

When the game is through, when your team has won,
you've crushed your can, you've had your fun,
"What a disgrace to mess this place!"
Zap it in a Zibi...Zap it in a Zibi...Zap it in a Zibi can.

When you're on the road and you want a snack,
a drink, a pie or a sandwich pack,
"Don't be the punk who spreads the junk!"
Zap it in a Zibi...Zap it in a Zibi...Zap it in a Zibi can.

Hey, what happened?.

My second area of comment for this posting; batteries.

With AR we race through batteries for headlamps and bike lights. I not only resent dishing out dosh for something that I'll have to throw away; I have a fixed image in my mind of these things sitting in landfill for millenia, leaking acids and failing to degrade. Just awful.

Earlier this year I started using my wireless mouse for my laptop. It takes 2 x AAA batteries. And this mouse gobbles batteries. I did two battery changes and then went out looking for rechargeables. I bought 2 x Duracell rechargeable AAA's + charger (in a pack; charger also works for AA batteries and other brands) from Incredible Connection for R99.95.

The good news is that rechargeables are a much friendler price now than they used be; such that you've made up your money (and more) after two re-charges. And, the batteries can be recharged hundreds of times.

My next move is to buy more rechargeable batteries for my headlamps and bike lights. I'd like two sets of rechargeable batteries for my leadlamps, which I'll recharge before the races. I'll use them during the races with regular, unrechargeables on standby, incase they are needed. So, instead of going through 2-3 sets of throw-away batteries on a two day race, I may not go through any; recharging when I get back home.

This will not only save money (I feel that buying batteries over and over is equivalent to flushing cash down the drain) but will support my environmentally friendly inclinations. Try it too.

That's it for tonight. Nighty-night.

Mindworx and cunning running

Last week, I presented the sport of orienteering (www.orienteering.co.za) to 270 children, in 12 classes, aged 8-12 at a local school. This is a sport that I have participated in for many years and the presentation was part of a 4-day programme (called Mindworx), which the school hosts every 2-years. The children do all kinds of activities like t-shirt painting, candle making, obstacle courses, owl watching - a good combination of crafts, activities and animal awareness. I first got involved with this programme in 2005 when I was recruited via my mom's friend's daughter, whose children attend the school.

There were two elements from the week that stood out for me:

1. An overweight boy, in one of my first classes on Day 1, completed the course in second place... the teacher commented to me that he doesn't get involved in any sports.
2. Another teacher, who is involved with athletics coaching, was astounded to see the children running all over the school grounds, map in hand, looking for the controls. She mentioned that she can't get these children to run on the athletics track.

Why was I so successful in getting these energetic children to run? Orienteering is FUN and looking for controls distracts from the actual activity of running. It's a winner.

My attraction to presenting this activity at this primary school is not just the satisfaction of seeing these children enjoying a sport that I so enjoy; I love the letters. At the end of each day the children have to write letters to their favourie presenter from that day. Their letters and orienteering illustrations are fabulous and they'll keep me coming back every two years.

I did encourage the children to make contact if they want to continue with the sport and attend our regular events. Many were keen to have orienteering as their birthday party activity (I had no idea these birthday parties were so intensive! Parents evidently spend a bucket on all kinds of entertainment). The good news is that a mother phoned last week and last night, the dad of one of the boys called.

The father and son duo will be coming to the next O event. I have my eye on this young chap, Dylan. He is focused, competitive and he can run and map read; you can't ask for a better candidate. At the school the children have the advantage of knowing the grounds, so I expect that Dylan will find the event next weekend a little more challenging. I'm looking forward to meeting up with them and observing as they both discover this sport.

I am also quite envious of Dylan... I only got involved with orienteering 8-years ago at the age of 23. Dylan is 11 or 12. If only I'd discovered it then.... better late than never eh?

So, all in all this year's Mindworx programme was a rewarding experience and I hope to cultivate a new orienteerer or three.