I am not going to review every race I took part in – that would take far too long. I love racing! Ok, I don’t like racing as such – I like races. I like the spirit, the social aspect and the friends I have that race. I don’t go out to clubs, pubs or bars. I don’t even go out much to restaurants or coffee shops – I go to races. This is where I get my social fill. I meet up with good friends and acquaintances. I see my brother and sister and mom. I chat, I race and I go home. I love it! (I also feel less guilty leaving Mr OL to watch Little OL if I am “racing”)
I am not saying I am not competitive, I am although it might not seem that way. I don’t win, I usually don’t even place. In fact I have been known to be dead cold stone last! Yip, prize giving has been held and I have walked run across the line. But I do check my results, I watch my time and I have been trying to get faster this year (it’s worked). But that is not my main reason. I just like to take part.
However 2012 did not start well. My first big race was Ironman South Africa 70.3 in East London. I got sick 2 days before the race and decided not to do it. A DNS. It was disappointing, but not as much as most people (myself included) believed it would be. My goal for that race was to get back into training, and I did that. So whether I did the race or not I achieved my goal.

However, after the following 6 months I was feeling more than a little bit down hearted. I pulled out of the PE Herald cycle tour after 75 km with very bad cramps. It was my first cycle race. A DNF. Also, what was to be my first stand-alone marathon, Knysna Forest Marathon, was cancelled due to weather. (photo thanks to Mike Brewis)

I decided to withdraw a month before the Baviaans Trail run as I did not feel I would be ready.
Thankfully the smaller races went well, and I have enjoyed training. One of my favourites is definitly the Urban Run.

I have also rekindled my love for trail running. I did quite a few of the local trail runs, with quite a few of them being longer than 20km. I have also enjoyed the 10km road races I have entered and have seen my speed improve. Also my 21.1km time is almost on par with what it was before I had Little OL and I am happy with that.
I have entered a few triathlons which have been fun. The first one of the year was the Corporate Triathlon the day before Ironman South Africa. We had stunning weather – unfortunately for the Ironman competitors it had changed by the following morning.

Although I have not done as much open water swimming as I would have liked to have done I am happy with how it is going. The last event of 2012 was on 31st of December being the inaugural Mandiba Bay Mile swim from Humewood Beach to Kings Beach. The distance according to my Garmin was actually 1.94km and I completed it in 39 minutes – which came as a total surprise to me.

I just hope I can repeat that on the 20th January when I attempt to do Ironman South Africa 70.3 again. I could not have hoped to end 2012 of on a better note.
I would like to thank all the people that make such an effort to bring all these events to PE and surrounds, I for one greatly appreciate it.
Let’s hope that 2013 starts a lot better for me. I am positive it will and very excited for the 70.3 (although I probably should have been on my bike a bit more)