Book: The Unpublished David Ogilvy - His secrets of management, creativity, and success- from private papers and public fulminations

 

Initially I was a bit disappointed that it was not more autobiographical and it jumped from different time periods.

 

However it is great to read and learn from David Ogilvy and how he did things. So many wonderful lessons and the way he did things. He had a wonderful sense of humour. His different lists of various things are shared as well as his sales process that he wrote down when he was an Arga salesman. This is one of those books that I will definitely read again.

 

Recommendable: 9/10

 

 



Race: Tokai Manor Run, 16kms

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Uhm, a 16km run the day after Christmas is madness! With that said, it's actually brilliant to run off the Christmas indulgence. The route has changed due to the fires earlier in the year. It was a looped race of 8kms each. Some of it was the reverse of the Pollsmoor race. I think Bella would really enjoy the green belt area. Race started at 06:30, had no takers of the IY runners to join us. Met up with Graham, Derick, Karen and Heinrich at the race.

 

There was a bit of a bottle neck onto the green belt soon after the start. Oh my goodness, I was tempted to stop after the first 8kms, so difficult to continue especially seeing the end so close. To keep things interesting, Graham and I kept pushing to catch up with people just in front of us.

 

I was totally pooped by the end. Walked A LOT! Had really hoped for time of 01:41 - unfortunately, quite soon into the race, I realised that this would not be realistic etc. Needed the loo unfortunately no loos along the way. There were tables with shooters along the way, and also saw a guy dressed in a brown gorilla suite - a lot of fun!

 

Time: 01:57:something. All participants received a great little hand towel.  

 

Book: The Secret, Rhonda Byrne

Absolutely everything and anything is possible with the right mental attitude and putting it out there to the universe. I really enjoy this book and the reminder to focus on the positive and to live in the now. It touches on all aspects of life, health, wealth and relationships. What you put out there is what you attract. 

Highly recommend that everyone reads this book. 10/10

Race: Sundowner 10kms Waterfront

 

I won't lie, I was in no mood to run this race, especially after last year's bun fight at the start.

 

Instead of driving through, I decided to take the MyCiti bus. Therese had said that I could get a lift back to Hout Bay with her. When I topped up my MyCiti bus card, the lady at the Spar said that I needed to get off at Sea Point and change busses, which would take me directly through to the Waterfront. This I did, only to find out that the information was not correct. So had to hop onto the next bus (after already hopping off). Was running late, did not have the biggest lunch and was getting rather moody about the whole scenario.

 

Anyway, long story short, made it on time and managed to start relatively close to the front with Therese. Saw David Green and Linda. Started off quite well. Was very hot. Tried staying with the 60 minute bus.

 

As we passed along the promenade I was looking at my watch to check my speed, I 'bliksemed' over a bollard, grabbed onto the poor soul next to me, didn't bale, did however graze both legs.

 

Lost my speed and motivation - I know it's all in the mind!

Finished at 01:05:20 not too bad, seeing that I walked a lot. Two minutes faster than last year, so not too upset.

 

Had a delicious ice-cream afterwards (toffee) with Michele, Therese, Steve and Moses.

Race: Energizer Night Race, 3 kms Blouberg

What a beautiful evening. I won't lie, I was quite tired after the 15kms AVBOB run in the morning, however, I wanted to support Michael ([dot]GOOD), and also wanted to run it as I did the Energizer night race in Chicago last year. 

It was quite windy. Michele joined me. There was an option of two distances, three and eight kms. Initially I thought that I would walk the 3kms, alas, peer pressure of everyone running did encourage me to run too. Michele did the full distance.

Quite pricey (R90) compared to other races, with that said, everyone received a buff, three glow sticks, a fun medal made from beverage cans and a coke afterwards. 

All in all a fun evening.

Race: AVBOB 15kms, Table View

Seriously can't believe it's already a year since meeting up and running this race with Graham.

Today started off WET! The race starts super early, 06:00, so had to leave Hout Bay at 04:45. Martin and Matthews drove with me. 

I ran with the sub 01:30 bus for just over four kms. Couldn't keep up. Did push myself each km. Did 00:29 on the dot at five kms and 01:00:42 at the ten km mark. (I think that maaay be my fastest ten to date). 

Drenched by the time I reached the end. 

Super happy with my time 01:34 last year it was 01:43. 

The watermelon was sublime. Opted for the glass again.

Martin came third in his category! Happy for him so Moses and I waited for prize giving with him. There were some great lucky draw prizes. Martin won chocolate. 

Race: Correctional Services (Pollsmoor), 10km

It's crazy to think that it is that time of year again for all the year-end races and the training programs starting for the Bay2Bay.

Last year when we did the Pollsmoor run, it was just Therese, Michele and myself that ran it. It was incredibly windy and I remember we were very early so found shelter from the wind behind one of the walls.This year, Moses, Martin, Anda and Linda joined the three of us. The weather was incredibly pleasant, a gorgeous summer evening. 

I met Jane during the race last year, and I was so happy to see her again. 

Started quite a bit to the front this time. At some point the sub-60 bus ran past and I did my utmost to keep up with him, alas, I could not. With that I think I wasted quite a bit of energy and was pooped! The soles of my feet also started burning at the 6km mark - I am so going to be visiting the Sweat Shop in the next couple of days, tired of having sore feet. 

Jane caught up to me and we finished together. Our time: 01:04:26, not great at all, with that said, it is three minutes faster than last year, so am happy about that. 

The race organisers' medals did not arrive in time, but they made a plan and all the runners received a peak cap, there were a lot of colours to choose from. Must admit that a cap is much more practical than a medal. 

Race: Cape Town International Airport 10km

 

06 December 2015 - Feels like I've not raced / run for ages. I had asked earlier in the week whether anyone was keen to join me, and after getting no feedback, I saw it as an opportunity to have a lie in on Sunday morning. Then last night at the year-end function and awards evening, Moses from the running club asked me whether I was still planning to run today. So it was a good opportunity to not have too late an evening (although I did only get home at 22:30), and it was good to not head to the race alone.

 

This is the second year ACSA hosted the race. The weather was quite weird, misty and grey on this side of the mountain, clear skies on the other side and grey-ish again towards the airport. It got quite hot during the race.

 

Very flat race. Also a bit smelly as you run along places such as Intewaste, but it is what it is. Did the first 5kms in 27 minutes so was chuffed with that, however something hot-wired in my mind and I could just not keep up the speed.

 

Time: 01:02:56 - not the sub 60 yet, however seeing that I have not run for quite some time, I'm quite happy with the result.