A New Name and a New Title

This is my first post in almost 3 years. The blog has had a bit of a makeover complete with new name and image. The Running Golfer has officially been retired. A New Title has come my way.

You see, I'm going to be a Dad. A Dad... I have to repeat it cos I still struggle to believe it. I never thought I would ever be able to call myself a Dad. God however decided to grant me that title after all these years. I am beyond happy and thankful.

We are 13 weeks pregnant today. 13 Gloriously amazing weeks. Oh and did I mention we are expecting twins? I get choked up just typing it. At this stage we THINK we know the sex of one of our little ones. The other one was very "uncooperative", to quote our doctor, during our 12 week scan. Probably takes after his / her Mom... :)

So the blog is going to have a bit of a change in direction. I hope to post a bit more and take you through my journey as a Dad to be. A journey I am so happy to be able to take.

So it's a New Year, a New Blog, a New Title. Here is what I wrote on Facebook and Instagram yesterday:

There will be no Resolutions this year, although if I'm honest I never really do those. This New Years Eve I am thankful. Thankful for Henry and Charlie who filled such a massive void after the loss of Elvis. I am thankful for a job that I love. I am thankful for wonderful friends and an amazing family, both near and far. But most of all I am thankful for the blessing God gave us in falling pregnant and for blessing us so abundantly and making it twins. Words cannot describe what I am feeling just thinking about it. Lastly, I am thankful for my amazing wife, who has been the one constant for me over the last 14 years. I am not making any resolutions for next year because what I have now is just perfect.

Till next time.

Francois

Like yesterday - 20 April 1992

Today marked the 20th anniversary of my Dad's passing. In some ways it feels like another lifetime but in others it feels like it happened this morning. 09:10 this morning marked exactly 20 years.

I remember the most arb things. I remember staying up that Sunday night to watch South Africa play their 1st test since readmission against the West Indies. I remember checking up on my Mom and Dad during the night. I remember sitting next to my Dad's bed, holding his hand. I remember the smells. I remember going to bed at 07:00 that morning. I remember the sudden call to get to the bedroom at 09:05. I remember my Mom, my Sister, Barbara the Hospice nurse, My Granddad and me in the bedroom. I remember my Dad opening his eyes and staring at the ceiling above us. I remember him stopping breathing and then suddenly taking another deep breath. I remember that being the last sound he ever made. I remember having Eric Clapton's "tears in heaven" in my head that whole morning. I remember going to Markhams to buy a nice jacket and pants to wear to the funeral. I remember my Mom climbing into the car after going to see my Dad at the funeral home and bawling her eyes out. I remember my friends around the grave. I remember...

I have had so many emotions about my Dad over the last 20 years. I never had the best relationship with him but I did cherish the last 3 months we had together. I concentrated on the bad times a lot and I feel really guilty about it. I wish we had the normal father son relationship but that was never meant to be. I never watched a rugby match with my Dad. My Mom did that with me. I never watched cricket with my Dad. My Mom did that with me. I never spoke about girls to my Dad. My Mom did that with me. It was never a normal Father Son relationship. My Mom did that with me.

I played many rugby and cricket matches at school. Do you know which one I remember? The ONE rugby match my Dad came to watch. An under 11 match, on a cold Saturday morning. Must have been in 1981. I remember seeing my Dad next to the field and playing terribly. Freezing literally and figuratively. I remember how I punted a certain golfer to win the Million Dollar back in the day and him winning. But I remember even more how my Dad came home from work that Sunday night and telling my Mom how I picked the winner on the Thursday already. I was in bed, not supposed to be awake. I'm glad I was. I remember becoming Headboy of my school but I remember even more clearly how my Dad told everybody who wanted to, or didn't want to listen, about it.

I'm slowly coming to terms with my Dad and me. I know he loved me. He was hard on me but he loved me. He fought his own demons every day of his life but he loved me. We never had money but we never lacked food, or a warm bed. He made sure we were looked after. He loved me.

Dad, after 20 years, I think I'm finally grown up enough to see how much you really loved me. I'm also grown up enough to see how much I've loved you all along.

Rest in peace Dad. I love you and I miss you... 

Your son
Francois

Testing testing

Testing the new Blogger for Iphone. Don't let me down now. Yours sincerely, Apple Fanboy.

The Tri-Annual Check In

I'm not gonna promise to blog more. It won't happen. I have been really busy the last few months and it doesn't look like changing, so no empty promises.

I'm home alone at the moment. Hayley is away with Dale and Kerri. We bought an awesome weekend away through Wicount at Bushmans Hide, unfortunately I have been so busy at work that I had to cancel. So I'm the Macauley Culkin of Farrarmere until Tuesday.

I joked earlier that it's gonna be Summer Camp for the dogs and me for the next 2 days. It's not Summer Camp. I'm just sitting here sulking. This house is Hayley. With her not here, it just isn't the same.



I said on Twitter earlier that I'm the worst bachelor in the world and I am. I always have these big ideas about how much I'm gonna do and how much fun it's gonna be. It never works out like that. Never. I just sit and pine for my wife as soon as she's gone. Pathetic, I know.

The worst is that she's in an area with NO cellphone reception. Nothing, nada. So I can't even chat to her. It sucks.

So thank you for hearing me out. I know it's not fun listening to an emotional man on a Sunday night, just before Carte Blacnhe nogal. I apologise.

Please listen to My favourite song at the moment.. It is amazeballs.

It's me.

It has been way too long, I know. I have been busy with a lot of things, just not blogging.

I have spent a lot of this time on my favourite pastime, namely Instagram. Now Instagram is an Iphone app (also available on Ipad). You take photos, play around with different filters, styles etc and post it. You have friends and followers who can then like or comment on the photos. You do likewise. It is the most addictive app I have found since Twitter.

So I thought I'd post a few of my Instagram pics over the last few weeks. Hope you like "em... :)












I promise to visit more regularly...

My blessed life

It`s 21:25 on a Sunday night. I`m sitting in the study, listening to Pink`s "F***ng Perfect" on repeat and reading my wife`s blog.

I haven`t blogged in yonks. I just haven`t had much to say if I`m 100% honest. Life has been leading it`s inevitable course for the last 2 years. It`s been a pretty tough slog, with more downs than ups but we`ve been surviving and having a pretty good time doing just that.

We`ve rediscovered our friends. Since we came back to Joburg, just on 2 years ago, it`s been amazing spending time with our best friends. No matter how awesome Cape Town was, nothing could replace true friendship and I`m so blessed being back with my true friends. Friends and Family, nothing matters more. Nothing.

Hayley and I have also been on a big journey. Coming from a place where we could afford and do anything to not being able to do those same things, it`s been a hard road. A road I wouldn`t have been able to walk with anybody else. A road I`m thankful to have walked with my soulmate. We are and will always be best friends. I`m the luckiest guy in the world.

That brings me to the last 58 days. The last 58 days have been some of the most encouraging, reaffirming ones of my whole life. You see it happened on 7 January 2011. I was in Middelburg for business and I got a call from Hayley. She had told me about a house she had seen. It was for sale and she was totally in love with the place. I was on my way home and agreed to meet her to see the house. It meant nothing to me. I was still in the space where life was completely against me and nothing good was gonna happen. I met Hayley at the house and went through the motions. Even though I loved it, I was never gonna get excited. It was just too long a shot. The downside was just too big. I wasn`t gonna set myself up for that big a fall. AND there was an offer on it already.

Hayley was adamant that she loved the place. She called her folks and they agreed to come have a look with us on the Sunday. Hayley`s Dad also loved the place, much to my chagrin. I was counting on him having something negative to say! I was trying to convince myself that the house wasn`t for us, that the last 2 years had left it`s mark on everything.

Hayley however, refused to budge.

She convinced me to fill in the application form for the bond. She phoned my Private Banker in Somerset West and arranged EVERYTHING. I was a reluctant passenger. I did what she wanted but made in difficult.

On the Thursday we heard that the offer on the house had fallen through and I almost got excited. Almost.

So on that same Thursday our application was submitted. A long shot. On the Friday, I just got home and got a call from Hayley. She said the status on the internet read "application approved". I didn`t believe her and went to check for myself. It did say that. I was in tears. I never thought it would happen. Especially not in 2 days. I phoned my personal banker and she phoned the call centre. Both said the same thing.

"Congratulations".

We could not believe it. We were beyond excited. That little statement meant that our lives were ours again. A house of our own after 2 years of renting. Things we lived for were going to be ours again.

We signed for it the next week. We got the keys on the 25th of January 2011. Started painting and laying wooden floors the very same week. We have done so much during the last few weeks, it`s been amazing.

It is bound to be registered tomorrow, 59 days after that 1st viewing. We have had the keys for 41 days. We have transformed it into OUR home. Elvis and Phoebe love it here. We spend time next to the pool, playing ball in the garden, braaing, laughing and joking. It`s ours. It`s not just a house, it`s confirmation that we have our lives back. A life we lost and have craved for almost 3 years.

I owe it all to my wonderful wife. She is the most amazing person I have ever met. I owe her so much, I`ll never be able to repay her love and kindness. Thank you my Sweetie for making another shot at complete happiness possible. I love you more than life itself.....



The most amazing post script to our journey happened on the weekend. We got copies of the original plans for our house and they are dated 25 January 1961. 50 Years to the day when Hayley and I got the keys to our new home.

Meant to be?

I think so....

Christmas, the way it should be...

Firstly, hello, my name is Francois and I have been neglecting my blog. I know it`s been a while but life seems to have gotten in the way of blogging.

I have made a decision though to give a bit more attention to my blog. It used to be such a big part of my life, a part I really loved and enjoyed. So I promise to make more of an effort from now on.

The reason for this post is to send you to my gorgeous wife`s blog. It is looking amazing at the moment and this post should make you fall in love too.

So, until the next time (which will be in soon, promise).

Man Cold

For all you ladies who doubt the seriousness of this affliction, watch this video, then go apologize to your husband / boyfriend / brother / son... And then make him soup.

Mouse Trap

Anniversary

A quick one! I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary to my gorgeous Sweetie! It`s been 9 years since we tied the knot. NINE YEARS! I have truly been blessed with the most awesome wife anybody could wish for. She makes me happy every single day of my life (except maybe for a day or 2 sometime during the month) and she is without a doubt, the best thing that has ever happened to me.

So, happy anniversary Gorgeous! I love you with all my heart....

Update

This isn`t a proper post, just some random thoughts thrown together.

Firstly, here`s the pic of me finishing the Two Oceans. I know I`ve probably killed the subject already but who cares, I`m terribly proud of it!


I have actually done another 21km after the Two Oceans. It was the Slow Mag Half Marathon, hosted by Benoni Northerns. The start was literally 1km from our place and I walked there! Pretty convenient, no? The race wasn`t too bad and I ended up doing my Personal Best (or PB as we refer to it in the trade) of 2:06:15. Fantastic.


The other news on this side is that we have finally found season 1 of Dexter. I missed the first few episodes on tv and didn`t want to get into it halfway. So we haven`t watched ONE episode. That`s until yesterday. I found seasons 1-3 in a MR Video, not too far from us. So yesterday Hayley and I settled in and watched the first 3 episodes (it would`ve been 6 but some idiot got to Season 1 Disk 2 before I could). It is AWESOME! So excited that we can finally watch it. I reckon it`s gonna become our Sunday ritual. Oh that and Hayley`s world famous chicken curry. Oh and a good bottle of wine.


We are besotted by Gordon Ramsay and especially his show Kitchen Nightmares. We PVR every single episode and never miss one. A lot of people dislike Gordon but damnit the man is good at what he does and let`s be honest, not many people can drop the F-Bomb like Gordon can. The show makes for great tv and Gordon is most certainly no shrinking violet, fights galore! Seeing as Channel 180 screens an episode every weeknight at 20:30, we are very, very happy campers.


Otherwise things are ok here. Winter is closing in very quickly but we`re ok with that. Give me some red wine, a couch, a blanket and some good tv & this boytjie is happy.

Friday 30 April will be the 7th anniversary of my Mom`s passing. Even after all these years the 30th April still gets to me. When the calender turns to April, I already look towards the 30th with dread. I know it`s just a day but it`s THE day. THE day where I lost my Mom, my best friend for so long. The one person who made my childhood so much easier than it should have been. I suppose it also gives me time to reflect on my Mom and how fortunate I was to have her.

She really was an Angel even before she became one 7 years ago.


Here is a post I did for my Mom a while ago.

So, until next time, fare-the-well my friends.

This is RG, signing out (till next time that is).

The 2 Oceans - What a day

Wow! That`s all I can say. What an absolutely amazing day 3 April 2010 turned out to be.

It started early, pretty much at 21:30 on the 2nd of April. I went to bed at that time and then lay awake for most of the night. I just could not sleep. The excitement was way too much for me to be able to close an eye. All I could think of was the race. I had done 3 half marathons before this one. All of them went reasonably well, with the exception of the last one where my knee had me hobbling for the last 10 km`s. It was a toughie and I think was the main reason why I had almost 2 years before attempting another one. But this was the big one, the biggest race I had ever entered. More than 11, 000 runners.

So I lay awake, going through every part of the race in my head. The start, the tough climb along Southern Cross Drive, going past Kirstenbosch and finally entering the stadium. I had absolutely no idea how it would go. I knew I had trained well and that I was in good condition but race day is race day and you never know.

With all that running through my head, I got up before my alarm went off at 03:15. I took a quick shower and got dressed in my brand new Adidas running shorts, shirt and cap. Then I taped my toes and feet (and nipples but that`s another subject for another time), put on my shoes and was ready to go.

So at 03:50 the 3 runners Clive, (my Father-in-Law), Mark (my Brother-in-Law) and myself plus our 1 supporter Kyle (my nephew) hit the road and headed off to UCT. By the time we got there it was a hive of activity already. So many people up and about at 04:30! We walked past the finish on the way to the start and I remember not looking at it. I forced myself to look the other way. I`m not sure why I did it, I suppose I wanted to see the finish for the first time when I came around that corner on the field. It was like the promised land, that`s how special that little piece of earth was to me.

We headed to the start, which is roughly 2km from the finish. There were thousands of people already. They were singing and dancing, laughing and talking. It was an incredible atmosphere. Black, white, coloured, indian, none of that mattered. We were all South Africans. I was so nervous. I went for a bathroom break but had such bad stage fright that I gave up (after what felt like 10 minutes mind you!). My Father-in-Law was with me at the start. He`s always so good at calming things down and he certainly did this for me. The time went by so slowly, it was crazy. Then with a few minutes to go, we sang the anthem. A true goose bump moment. With about a minute to go, they played 'I gotta feeling' by The Blackeyed Peas. Everybody just went bananas! It was so cool. Not my favourite song but there, in that moment, it was awesome!



Then the gun went and the race started. Well, race is a bit of an exaggeration cos it probably took 2 minutes to get to the start. It was so slow. All I wanted to do was run but it was a very congested walk in the beginning. Slowly but surely the runners started spreading out and finally I could get into the race.

The race itself went really well. I ran all the way, not stopping once. Even ran all the way up Southern Cross Drive, which is one helluva climb. I felt strong all the way and just kept going. What a great feeling to know that all the hard work paid off big time. I was so chuffed. The crowds were amazing and cheered us all the way.



The most memorable moment came towards the end just before Kirstenbosch. I came around a bend and looked to my left and there, in the early morning sun was Table Mountain, looking absolutely magnificent. I had a moment there. I felt so blessed. Life was good.



The finish was awesome. Coming into the stadium and seeing all the people was such a rush. Everybody cheering and clapping and creating such a buzz. I came around the last bend and saw the finish. This time I took it in and ran the last 100 or so meters just staring at it. When I took up running 2 years ago, on the 1st of April, it was because of the 2 Oceans. I had been to the Expo with my Father-in-Law and Brother-in-Law and so wanted to be part of it. That next week I started running. Now, I had finished and was holding my very own 2 Oceans Half Marathon Medal. The clock read 2:15:30. I had done it.



That was not the end of it though! After the race I got to meet Old Friends. I had met Michelle and Charlene on Twitter and they had become really good friends. Hayley and I had grown very fond of them and we had shared many, many laughs during the last few months. They had become a really big part of our lives. Well, they also did the half marathon and we met up afterwards at Forries for well deserved beers! It was awesome. They were just as I had expected them to be and truth be told, even better! We also met up with Ann, another good Twitter friend and her sister Chantelle. It was so cool meeting these friends in real life.



So, as you can see, it was an amazing day all round. A day I want to re-live over and over again just this time I would love Hayley to be there too. That would have been the perfect day.

The 2 Oceans

I know, I`m spoiling you (both my readers) by posting twice in a week but hey, I aim to please. Time has really been in short supply and the motivation to post has seriously been lacking too. I started a Posterous blog, which is basically blogging for lazy people, of which I apparently am one.
That site can be found at Running Golfers Posterous and is just a silly little sideline if I`m honest.

In any case, the reason for this post is to give you some feedback on my running. Yes, I am still running although I must say I haven`t taken it too seriously for the last year or so. In fact, I only got serious again in December, when I entered the 2 Oceans half marathon. The biggest race I have ever entered and I am beyond excited.

So it was the usual thing. I had to get fit and lose weight. Sounds like a replica of 2 years ago. Well, truth be told it has gone reasonably well. I lost the weight I needed too (9 kg`s AGAIN!!!) and have upped my fitness considerably. I have put in more miles during the last 7 weeks than I did during the 10 weeks leading up to my 1st half marathon. I am reasonably comfortable in the knowledge that I should be able to finish in a fairly decent time. I`d be happy with anything between 2:10:00 and 2:30:00.

I`m flying out to Cape Town tomorrow morning and then flying back on Sunday morning. The only sad thing is that Hayley can`t join me. That would really have been the icing on the cake. She has to work unfortunately. Her whole family is there and my Father-in-Law will pick me up at the airport tomorrow morning and we`ll head straight to the 2 Oceans Expo to register and collect our numbers etc. I cannot wait! I intend to spend some money there, that`s for sure!



So, that`s my story. I am really, really excited about the opportunity to run such an awesome race in the most beautiful place on earth. Such a blessing.

South Africa - A dream unfulfilled

It`s been a tough few weeks in South Africa. We've had the usual Julius Malema tirades about nothing and everything, Jacob Zuma and his wives, Jacob Zuma and his kids, Premiers and their unpaid traffic fines, calls for lifestyle audits on Government Officials, Julius Malema singing "kill the boer, kill the farmer", some of the worst hate speech on his Facebook fan page, Government tenders being awarded to government ministers, the tax bill footed by the tax payers to sustain Jacob Zuma`s wives and 20 kids, protests due to non-delivery of vital services to poor communities, protests by school children outside a courthouse, etc etc etc. Sadly, it`s a very, very long list.

If we are honest with ourselves, it`s probably the worst it`s been since 1994, when the dream of the New South Africa was signed and sealed by all it`s citizens. Back then the nation was so excited for the dream to finally become a reality, it had been way too long in the making. The buzz of the New South Africa was tangible. 1995 followed and the Rugby World Cup was hosted here. A nation building exercise of the highest quality. Springbok supporters followed the progress of the team but a nation celebrated the winning of the cup. A cup that was presented by a true icon, wearing Francois Pienaar`s number 6 jersey. Nelson Mandela stood on the podium and heard a full Ellispark chant "Nelson, Nelson, Nelson". I still get goosebumps just thinking about it. Afterwards, we saw black and white dancing in the streets together, celebrating the victory by the Springboks.

The African Cup of Nations victory followed the next year. This time, white supporters embraced Bafana Bafana as their own and a nation celebrated as one once again. Neil Tovey was the Francois Pienaar this time but Nelson Mandela was once again there. The catalyst for all that was good. South Africans united and it felt right, it felt like the dream was real.

Fast forward now to current day South Africa. It`s been 14 years since the day that we won the Africa Cup of Nations. A lot has happened in that time but having said that, nothing has also happened in that time. I always think of the way people drive as an indicator of the bigger picture within a country. Next time you drive somewhere, see how many drivers use indicators or come to a complete stop at a Stop sign. See how many drivers cross solid white lines, drive in the emergency lanes, cut people off, disregard the speed limits etc. Once again, the list if very, very long. One could almost say that it`s a free for all. No rules or laws and it`s survival of the fittest (or fastest).

Now look at government. We have ministers enriching themselves, cheating, stealing and lying. Our president was in the news recently for not submitting his financial affairs, once he became head of state. This is required by law. Thabo Mbeki did it, as did Nelson Mandela. Mr Zuma then went and got legal opinion on how to circumvent this little conundrum. Something to hide maybe?
I listened to John Robbie on 702 this morning. He was interviewing the Premier of Gauteng, Mrs Nomvula Mokonyane. She has R 17, 000 in outstanding fines and 2 outstanding warrants of arrest. Surely she would see the errors of her ways? Nope, she took issue with the reporter who broke the case. That was her defence. John then asked her if she would be willing to have a lifestyle audit done on her. She was furious and could not believe that John could even fathom asking her such a thing. "Why must I have such a thing done? Why don`t you have one done?". Ummm, one small difference, John Robbie isn`t paid by the citizens of the province to make sure that they are being looked after.
We hear Julius Malema ranting and raving his little head off every single day. He spends more time in the Equality Court than at home I`m sure. Yet, we have not heard Mr Zuma tell Julius to watch his mouth. Isn`t that what a leader is supposed to do?

Before you say I`m just a normal conservative white guy, keep this in mind. Jenny Crwys Williams had a show towards the end of last year, where she invited people to call in and say what their biggest positive was of 2009. I phoned in and said that Jacob Zuma was the biggest positive for me. My point was that he had taken over amidst doom and gloom from a big portion of the population and had made work of crime and a lot of other issues. Unfortunately it looks like I might have been wrong in my assumptions.

So looking at the way people are ignoring the laws of the road and the way government and the ministers therein are ignoring the laws of the land, it is quite obvious why a comparison can be drawn between bad driving and a bad country.

Where does that leave us as a country? Does the Rainbow Nation have a future or is the dream gonna remain just that, a dream.

Look, I`m just a normal guy living his life and trying to make ends meet. All I can do is influence the people I come in contact with be it by my behaviour or my attitude. I cannot change the minds of guys like Julius Malema or Jacob Zuma but I can try to change the people around me, even if it`s just by driving properly. So, this is what I pledge to do:

• I will always use my indicators.
  
• I will always obey the speed limit.
  
• I will always yield when it is my duty to.
  
• I will always obey solid white lines and emergency lanes.
  
• I will always say thank you if somebody lets my into the flow of traffic.
• I will be kind to everybody around me, even if they don`t deserve it.
• I will not read another story on Julius Malema or listen to him on the news.
• I will be positive about my country, even when it is almost impossible to do so.

Silly and mostly mundane things you might say and they probably are but it`s a start.

Will I be able to do all this? I hope so. Most of it I do as a matter of course, like indicating and obeying the speed limit. I am however gonna try to change MY little world which surrounds me and the things I do have control over. I`ll leave the bad news for other people.

I have faith in this country and I know we can make it work. All I want to see is the dream of the Rainbow Nation, realised. A tough task no doubt but definitely possible.

Need you now - Lady Antebellum

I know it`s been a while so I thought I`d pop in and share my favourite song of the moment. I adore this band. I`m not the biggest country fan but these guys are AWESOME.

Enjoy everybody!

Russian Miner Interview

I won! (Part deux)

Ok, you have to go watch this video! It`s on Bob Skinstad`s site and this is where he announces me as the winner. Not just that, he says the kindest things about little 'ol me. I`m so chuffed!

Not often you get to hear cool things being said about you, by your hero. Life is good this Friday morning!

I`ll post a photo of my Bob Skinstad Springbokjersey and of me IN my Bob Skinstad Springbok Jersey very soon. Will pick it up today and get photos done as soon as my better half is back home.

Vanilla Ice Castle Lite tv ad

Great new tv ad for Castle Lite featuring Vanilla Ice.

I won!

I am probably the most unlucky person on earth when it comes to competitions. I have never won anything. I do enter them but I never win, not even a chocolate.

That is until this weekend. Bob Skinstad, my all time rugby hero, runs a competition whereby you have to guess the exact score in order to win a rugby jersey. This competition has been running the whole year and I don`t think anybody has won it. It`s quite difficult. I mean guessing the EXACT score in a rugby match is virtually impossible.

So on Friday Bob announced that the winner of the #Guessthescore competition will win one of HIS Bok jerseys. Worth a shot I thought, so I emailed my score to him. I backed the Bulls to win the Currie Cup Final 36-24.

On Saturday we went to Riaan and Sally`s place and watched the game there. I supported the Cheetahs throughout the game but with about 20 minutes to go and the score 33-24, I kinda got the feeling that I might be in with a shout of winning Bob`s jersey. The Bulls then got a penalty with 14 minutes to go and Morne Steyn duly kicked it over. The score was 36-24 BUT there was still 13 minutes to play! I couldn`t watch anymore, so I walked around the garden popping in every now and again to check the score. Well, the final whistle went and the score was 36-24!

Bob confirmed that I was the winner on Twitter a while later and sent me a message asking me for my contact details. I literally couldn`t sleep on Saturday night! I woke up at 02:00 and couldn`t stop thinking about the prize I had won!

To put it into perspective, I have always been the biggest Bob Skinstad fan. To this day he remains my favourite rugby player of all time. My mate Andre Pretorius got him to sign a World Cup 7`s ticket for me, when they played in Argentina and it read 'Faffie, you rock!'. That is still one of my favourite possessions. Andre also arranged a game of golf with Bob when he signed for the Cats. We played at Blue Valley and it was one of the best days of my life.

So, to win a Springbok jersey, worn by my hero, is the biggest treat imaginable. I am beyond excited! AND, I finally won something!

Here`s a link to Bob`s blog, where he announced me as the winner!

61 days

61 days, that`s how long it`s been since my last post. It`s not that I haven`t had much to say, it`s just that I haven`t had the urge to say anything.

Things are going ok on this side. Been working really hard but so not enjoying my job at the moment. At least there are things happening with regards something else and I am really praying that it`ll be a reality soon. I`m basically biding my time until I can finally do something I feel really passionate about again, which most certainly is not the case now.

So, this blog is called The Running Golfer, right? Well, I haven`t been the best runner since we moved back to Joburg. My golf is getting back to where it was and I feel pretty confident with a putter in the hand. The running has however taken a bit of a back seat over the last 6 or so months.

The real problem with that is that I have picked up 10 kg`s over the last 6 months. It sucks and I feel disgusting. It`s incredible how the body just lets go if you don`t look after it. My clothes are "toight like a toiger". Let`s leave it at that.

I got back on the road about a month ago. I try to run 3 or 4 times a week but it`s not always possible. I can`t go run after dark like I did in our estate in Somerset West, it`s just too dangerous. So I can only go on days where I get home early-(ish). I started off doing a minimum of 4 km`s and I had to walk at least once or twice on every run.

The last week I have seen a rapid improvement. I can now run a very comfortable 5 km and it feels great. My pace is increasing and my times are dropping. Heart rate is also getting used to the altitude.

So, at least I am starting to shed the pounds, which is great. Hayley and I have decided to go on a bit of a health kick until December. We wanna look good on the beach you see!

In any case, I know it`s a pretty boring post after 61 days of being incognito but at least it`s something, right?