APRIL / MAY  2006

INDEX

CHAIRMAN’S CHIRP                   TRUSTEE TALK

PDAC AWARDS EVENING           MENS RUNNING

WALKERS                                  TRACK AND FIELD

THE CABBAGE PATCH RUN         RESULTS           

FIXTURES MAY - JUNE 2006        FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

BUSINESS CARD BOARD

CHAIRMAN’S CHIRP

Congratulations to all who participated in the Two Oceans 56 kms Marathon and 21 kms Half Marathon in Cape Town, which I hope you, came away realising your personal targets for the race. Well done to all of you.

Let’s not forget those who have their focus on June 16, Comrades Day. Entries close early May, do not forget or miss the deadline. I trust that your training is on schedule, that you are healthy and injury free and that you are still looking forward to the event. Hang in there if the mileage is getting you down, it will be worth it. Remember the club long run early May.

Early warning! Not so many months away (early September) is our hosting of the PDAC 10 / 21 Race, which is also doubling for the Masters Association Championship, and also the Men’s Time Trial League event (May 25^th). We will need your help and support at each of these meetings, so I make a special appeal to all our membership to assist us once again.

Lastly, our Ladies have to be mentioned in terms of their performances this year. They are competing so well with fantastic results. So let’s all support and encourage them to really make this their year of success upon success.

Cheers for now

Vince

Club members and friends, Hi! to you all,

First up, with respect to our recent Awards Evening, this took place recently at the Pine Dene Inn Hotel! Once again, many congratulations to all those members who were recognised for their 2005 achievements. The evening was truly memorable and served as a great credit to our club. Fantastic organisation and presentation by Dianne, to whom we extend our thanks for a job very well done!

Well 2006 is racing along, with the year now busy in all the various disciplines. On the road we have seen the marathons in full swing, action in the PDAC Club League Races and the Ladies and Men’s Time Trial Leagues. The Cross Country season is with us again. Track and Field Meetings and Masters Association events have taken place. It is great that our Club is participating across the board with our athletes, runners and walkers acquitting themselves very well!

I would like to see more and more of you at the Time Trial League and Cross Country League races this year. The worlds top athletes make these events part of their training regime (they will tell you 10 kms and X-C). Think about it to improve your overall times.

TRUSTEE TALK

It is sad that we say goodbye to Dianne at the end of April.  I would like to thank her for all her for her hard work and input into the club for the past year and wish her the best of luck with the extended business.

Our new secretary Faye, welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy your time at PDAC.

To all those athletes that received awards at the recent prize giving, Well done and keep up the good work.

We are also looking for sponsors for the monthly draw.  Please contribute!

Teresa Scott

TRUSTEE

PDAC AWARDS EVENING

At an award evening held at the PineDene Inn Hotel on 07 April 2006,

PDAC Annual trophies were presented to the following people:

Most Improved Senior Male                                          Welcome Mtshali
Most Improved Senior Female                                       Teneal Featherby.
Most Improved Veteran Female                                     Teresa Scott 
Charlie Steer Master Award                                          John Ngcobo 
P.D.A.C. Masters Award – Female                                 Irene Rattray 
Hunters Perseverance Trophy                                       Jandi Hallett 
Lithgow Ultra Marathon Trophy                                      Mncedisi Mkhize 
Plumbcare Captain’s Cup                                              Sheree Kirsten 
Best Performance/Fastest Times (Unique Estates Trophy)  Colleen Mccann 
Best Male Cross Country                                              Simon Russell
Xc Ladies Trophy                                                         Lise Muchna.
Walkers Trophy                                                           Gay Tilbury 
Best Senior Female – Track And Field                            Kim Surmon 
Best Performance Female                                             Lise Muchna 
Unicorn Trophy Best Performance                                 Mncedisi Mkhize 
Captains Cup                                                              Dougie Miles 
Sportsperson Of The Year                                             Vince Huxtable.

 

MENS RUNNING – APRIL/MAY 06

Congratulations to all Two Oceans finishers. With such great weather and scenery I hope you enjoyed the race even if you had a few aches and pains along the road.

No time to slack now for the Comrades runners. Our long run will be on 6^th May from Stokers at 5am for R50. The finish is at Collegians in Pietermaritzburg. The run is seconded and we will have lunch at Collegians afterwards – lunch not included in the R50. Please let me know or put your name down at the club if you are running so we can cater correctly. Don’t forget to get your comrades entry in before 8^th May.

For those who prefer the shorter distances why not give Cross Country a bash. There will be an event at Collegians on Sat 22nd April and one at Kings Park Soccer Fields on 3^rd June, details at http://www.pdac.co.za or ask June Watson.

The Saucony Time Trial League meets will be at Hillcrest Villagers on 11^th May and at our club on 25^th May starting 6pm. This is an opportunity for PDAC to perform as a club and I urge the membership to come out in their club colours and put in a speedy 8km time trial and who knows you may even walk away with a pair of shoes from the Durban Runner as the main lucky dip prize. There is no entry fee and generally a social is held after the run.

We have two more club league races in May – Pavillion 15km on 21^st May and Mondi Rotatrim Half on 28^th May. The Forest 10 is on the 4^th of June for those looking to run a pleasant 10km race through Forest Hills.

While struggling up the last incline of Two Oceans I remembered a comment from Norrie Williamson about breaking things down into “Chewable Chunks”. At the time that seemed like 50cm intervals but the bigger picture is all about setting achievable goals and following the staircase to the goal one step at a time.

I wish you the best with each step of the way through these next few months of our peak season and hope that you reach the top of the staircase better prepared than ever before.

Gregg (Abil)

FOR SALE  :  1 small Men’s Vest:  R75  :  Contact Club Secretary

WALKERS

Here we are with the 1^st quarter of 2006 a thing of the past – the start to this year’s fixture list was definitely more exciting – only 1 race on the beach front – most of the races have been out of town – and definitely a lot more undulating, but this has not deterred our walkers as they have fared very well, picking up position and category placings – I do believe some really enjoy the hills.

Congratulations to all who received recognition for their excellent achievements in 2005 at our awards evening which was held at Pinedene – a real great time was had by all.

Well done to Lesley Shipp (a new member) who completed her very first race at the Stella 10km – what a brave lady to start with such a hilly course – at least the next races can only get easier. It is great to have Kim H competing as a walker and doing very nicely – her times are improving with every race she does.  And to Gay well done on her PB at the Dick King 15km – 1.44.05 she was 2^nd vet and 4^th lady overall!! 

To all who travelled to Cape Town to do the Two Oceans hope you had a good race and achieved the times you wanted.

Charmaine Rowe is once again holding monthly training clinics – the next one will be at Kings Park on 6^th May at 9.00am – they are really very informative and one can only learn from her – diarise and do try and attend.

What a wonderful turn out we had at POBAC for the Highway Ladies Time Trials – thank you ladies – remember the next one is at Chiltern at 18.00hrs on 4 May 2006 – please bring a reflector belt as it now dark at 6.00pm.

Don’t forget the Club League Races – next Pavillion 7^th May – this course is very hilly.

Remember those shoes are made for………. Walking

Lyn

Tel: 031-7083784

Cell: 084 4172162

The PDAC WEBSITE address is: www.pdac.co.za Please send your contributions to  webmaster@pdac.co.za

TRACK and FIELD

Citius, Altius, Fortius.

On the local scene, not much to report.

This second letter comes at the conclusion of a not particularly successful 2005/2006 season. 

Although Kim finished in the top five positions in all her races, PDAC track squad had a disappointing season for various reasons. 

Anne Bloem, our newly appointed track captain, was incapacitated for the best part of six weeks with severe medial tibial stress syndrome, “shin splints”. 

Jean’s altercation with her muggers and the resultant broken wrist and two high school boys, Anwell and Sinaye just disappearing from the scene. 

However, all is not doom and gloom as I anticipate a good new season ahead.  Anne and Kim have begun serious off-season weight training and juniors, Paige Saunders, Courtney Rigby and Emma Stringer have confirmed their intent and will enrol as members in time for the start of the new season in August.

On 28^th and 29^th April, Port Elizabeth is hosting the S A Masters championships.  At the time of writing, Jean, our only entry from a club whose membership is predominantly over the age of 35, is unsure whether she will be able to make the trip.  The epitome of optimism, she insists I continue training her as if she will be competing.

I have just begun my sixth year training cross country at St Mary’s.  I am often asked how I keep this up.  When at 6:00 in the morning, 20 to 30 fresh faced, exuberant primary and senior-primary girls pitch up for training, I could not wish for a better life in my retirement.

After several years of trying to arouse an interest in athletics at schools in the Highway area, I thought a breakthrough had been made when Kloof High approached me with regard to coaching athletics.  Alas it may not happen as the focus is already on the 2010 soccer world cup and there is insufficient space for athletics, so I’m told. Did you ever?! I suggested PDAC at Lahee Park but then we could not provide the facilities because for some reason or other, the Parks and Recreation Department refuse to satisfactorily maintain the field.  If there is a member out there who has any clout in this regard, please assist.

Should anyone have weights stashed away in their garage at home and no longer in use, we are urgently in need of 2 x 15kg or 20kg plates.

Until next time.

Harold.

For further information on strength training,

phone 031 708 3589,

Mobile: 082 494 2618.

HEALTHY REMEDIES:

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!!
Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. Fish has omega oils, good for our immune system.

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!!!!
Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes. Onion packs can be placed on the chest to help the respiratory ailments and make you breathe better.

 

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!!!!
High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!!
The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!!!
Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple.
 
BREAST CANCER?  EAT WHEAT, BRAN AND CABBAGE
They help to maintain oestrogen at healthy levels.

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO!
Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.

COLDS? EAT GARLIC!
Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. It lowers cholesterol too.

DIARRHOEA? EAT APPLES!
Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are also good for this ailment)

 

HEADACHE? EAT FISH!
Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches.  So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain.

HAY FEVER? EAT YOGHURT!
Eat lots of yoghurt before pollen season.  Also eat honey from your area (local region) daily.

 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!!!
Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.

 

INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP?) HONEY!
Use honey as a tranquilliser and sedative.

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE VEGGIES!!!
A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables.

 

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS!
Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc.

TO PREVENT STROKE DRINK TEA!
Prevent build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. Also, Green Tea suppresses the appetite, keeps the pounds from invading and is great for the immune system)!

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE!!!
Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

UPSET STOMACH?  BANANAS - GINGER!!!!!
Bananas will settle an upset stomach. Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.

 

 The Cabbage Patch Run –Komga (with a click)

When asked to do an article about a trip away it is always difficult to know what to put in and what to leave out - obviously what goes on at these weekends stays at the weekend and a lot of what happened only means “ you had to be there”. I hope after reading this some other members of the club will get together and go out off town for a race .The hospitality from these small communities is legendary and all adds to if not make the weekend. This is how it started and unfolded:

“How about doing the Cabbage Patch Run It sounds good fun-15kms at Komga near East London. The race is on a Saturday afternoon and they shoot a cabbage to start it and you get a cabbage when you finish?” It was getting the cabbage at the finish that hooked us all!! The distance was only 15 kms so no problem there (boy was I to regret those thoughts about the distance). So 8 PDAC athletes signed on- 5 walkers namely Gay Tilbury (of Tilbury tours who organised the transport) Anne Erasmus (who did not get us lost) Colleen McCann (who became the mountain goat and organised the accommodation) Lynn (Sparky) Scott, Terry Scott and the runners (who during the course of the run became walkers) Yvonne Lurie and yours truly Lynda Palmer. The other member of the team was Nicky Bosman who had the misfortune of damaging her leg during Tai Bo and was on crutches but came anyhow for the ride and was official supporter.

As the race was in the afternoon we decided to explore the surrounding country on the Saturday morning but as this was a weekend all the locals appeared to have gone to East London except for Willem. He owned an indigenous garden and gave us a conducted tour of his indigenous flowers and trees. When we say indigenous we think of South African plants and trees but Willem had trees flowers etc from all over the world. Tea/Cool drinks and a poetry reading from Willem rounded off the morning. (Anyone interested on this subject talk to us it really was one of those times when you had to be there).

As we could pre enter by standing in line (as opposed to on line) we headed to the Show Grounds which proved to be a stand, a piece of grass and a few outbuildings. We were greeted with the type of welcome that one gets when you have been away from home for a few years – everyone was happy to see us and glad that we had come to run their race- we felt like celebrities!! No turning back now we have paid our money and our set to run/walk.

Now let me explain the race to you all –15kms – the first 800meters is on tar then you head off into the gravel farm roads – from here you travel in an upward direction into farm tracks a bit like cross country and 4 wheel drive country. You continue going up hills and up hills until you come to the downhill that is really uphill. According to local legend (I heard this at the start so was all ears) you take it easy for the first 9 kms then you can give it horns! Now as we all know legends are just that – no truth what so ever but sometimes we are all lulled into a sense that one may just be true! The only way you could give this one horns was if you were riding a very fast strong beast with the aforementioned horns.

At 8 kms you get to the Cabbage Patch Hill that is only about 2kms long and requires the lungs and legs of two people to keep going up and up and up. Now you are on your way down (well relatively speaking that is) and you are thinking of those horns when a few more little up hills going down confront you once more.

But before long (anyhow before dark) the end is in sight and you know that a cabbage awaits the victor! You hit the ploughed field at the end and think momentarily of sprinting to the line but sanity in the form of exhaustion prevails and you go down (yes it is actually on a slope) the finishing straight to the rapturous applause to the entire Komga community and thanks from the PA for coming all the way from KZN to run the race.  I must admit I did not collect my cabbage, as that was the last thing on my mind when I finished the race and was quite content with the T-shirt.

After seeing all PDAC athletes home safe and sound we “hijacked” a lift from two young local lads back to the B&B to get changed for the prize giving which was back at the show grounds. The place was humming when we got there and both Colleen who was 2nd 50 yr old home in the walk and myself who was 1^st 50yr old in the run were delighted to receive our prizes in front of such an appreciative crowd.  Anne continued the prize winning trend by getting a case of beer in the lucky draw.

MAY

DATE

NAME OF RACE

DISTANCE

CONTACT

HOSTING CLUB

TIME

START VENUE

R

W

01-May

Indian Ocean Marathon

42.2km - pre entry

42km run/walk

21km run/walk

10km

Barry Currin - Cell 0824800925

Fax 032 9461120 F35+F139

jal4@telkomsa.net

Dolphin Coast Striders

6am

7am

Ballito

Kings Park Athletics Stadium

Y

Y

07-May

Pavillion 15km Challenge

15km run/walk

Club House on Tuesday 17h00 to

21h00 - 031 2665252

westville@eastcoast.co.za

Westville Athletic Club

6am

Pavillion Shopping Centre Westville

Y

Y

14-May

Starling Plumbers 

32km run/walk

10km run/walk

Desmond Sydney (W) 031 5691561

(H) 032 9415464 Fax 031 5691564

Cell 083 6353969

starling@ispace.co.za

Woodview Athletic Club

6am

Kings Park

Y

Y

21-May

RBM 32km run 10km walk

32km run

10km walk

Pat Curran (W) 035 9013768

Fax 035 9013752 Cell 072 7722045

pat.curran@rbm.co.za

Canon RBAC

6am

Bayhall Richards Bay

Y

N

N

Y

21-May

Engen Half Marathon &

Walk

21.1km run/walk

Penny Shangase (W) 031 4603103

Fax 031 4688797 Cell 083 6422001

penny.shangase@engenoil.com

Peru Naidoo (W) 031 4603299

Fax 031 4603977 Cell 083 6422020

Engen Athletic Club

6am

Engen Recreation Club

Y

Y

27-May

Eskom Gijimas 21.1km

21km run/walk

Sarah Botha (W) 033 8457764

(H) 033 3863484 Fax 033 8457760

Cell 082 8767199  melanie@scottfin.com

Eskom Gijimas KZN

6.30 am

Camperdown Police Station

Y

Y

28-May

Mondi Rotatrim Savages

21km Challenge

21km run/walk

10km run/walk

Melanie Walsh (W) 031 5636036

Fax 031 5636036 Cell 083 6284236

mwsav@mweb.co.za

Savages Athletic Club

6am

Kings Park

Y

Y

JUNE

DATE

NAME OF RACE

DISTANCE

CONTACT

HOSTING CLUB

TIME

START VENUE

R

W

04-Jun

2 Cana Forest

10km run/walk

Lionel Richards - 031 303 1223 T/F

Cell - 082 4124921

Forest Hill AC

7am

Forest Hill Sports Club 

Y

Y

11-Jun

The Big 5 Freight 15km

Challenge

15km run/walk

Kay Naidoo (H) 031 5052478

Fax 031 4654585 Cell 083 3441560

Phoenix Striders AC

pre-entry

7am

Kings Park

Y

Y

16-Jun

Comrades Marathon

app 87km run

Cheryl Winn (W) 033 8978650

(H) 031 7644381 Fax 033 8978660

Cell 082 7790824  cheryl@comrades.com

Comrades Marathon

Association

Pre-Entry

5.30 am

Durban City Hall

Y

N

25-Jun

Ladies Spar 10km

10km run/walk

Durban

Y

Y

TO EXERCISE OR NOT TO EXERCISE

1.       It is well documented that for every mile that you jog, you add 1 minute to your life.  This enables you, at the age of 85, to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at R15,000 per month!!!

2.       I don't exercise at all. If I were meant to touch my toes, they would have been put further up on our body.

3.       The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

4.       The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

So Long … Farewell …

So this is my final newsletter L   

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at PDAC and have learnt loads!  

Of course I still don’t have any intentions of running Comrades or even doing the Spar 10km again!!! However now that I know a teeny little bit more than I did a year ago, I am impressed at all of you!

I initially took on the job at PDAC because I had moved to Durban from Johannesburg and found that I was really missing people contact as I work from home.  PDAC was just what I needed to get me out the house.

The reason I have had to resign is that I have now found my own businesses are keeping me so busy that I just don’t have time to spend on PDAC work. 

For those of you that did not know what I do, I have the following interests:

1.     I am a car rental broker where I take bookings from overseas tourists for car hire in South Africa.  I then refer these bookings to a couple of companies here and earn a referral commission.  I only deal with rentals that are for at least 2 weeks.  I have also recently been appointed the “lady on the ground” for a Canadian Tour operator and will co-ordinate all his vehicle hire for his tours in South Africa.

2.     My gemstone jewellery is selling well at a couple of shops and I also receive orders online for the jewellery which I then post to the person, obviously after receiving payment!!

3.     I have a couple of webpages that I update for clients.  However I do not want more webpage designing business as it is quite time consuming.

4.     Finally, I have my MLM business that is starting to bring in decent money and my earnings increase every month! J When I joined the business, I put my mom above me and we recently brought my dad into the business below me.  As a family, we are working on the “one-a-month” plan where we will be earning R30,000.00 per month within a year.  So far we are ahead of schedule J.  The website for this business is www.makemoney.co.za Please feel free to visit!!!  We also hold presentation evenings in Westville so phone me at 031 765 7216 or 082 855 2279 to book your seat.

I would like to thank everyone at PDAC who made me feel welcome and answered my silly questions!!!  It has been a pleasure knowing all of you.  I wish you all success on the road and track!

Very best regards

Dianne

As the name implies Trolley & Shelf that’s exactly what we do!!

ü   Trolleys

ü   Anything with a wheel (almost) from Supermarket to tea trolleys to heavy Industrial trolley.

ü   Also pallet Trucks 2 ton – 2,5 ton

ü   Shopping baskets

ü   Shelving & Racking

ü   For storing or displaying of most products. Light and heavy duty

ü   Supermarket or Industrial.

If in doubt  -- give us a shout!    Call Mark Deeble

Tel/Fax:  031 705 5672  Mobile: 082 888 2165.  Email: tshelf@icon.co.za

Plumbcare

For all your plumbing requirements.

Call Steve and Lise Muchna

031 701 4038

Contact Lyn Scott

084 803 5125

HAROLD SWANSON  Expert Coach

·   Basic to specific.

·   Beginners to provincial athletes.

·   Assessments and predictive testing.

·   Speed Development.

·  Functional Strength training for runners.
Mobile: 082 494 2618  Phone: 031 708 3589

www.diannesweb.com/coach

031   202 6510

Gordon Battersby

Mobile:  082 855 2279,    Phone: 031 765 7216,   email: dianne@diannesweb.com