The unexpected

"Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me" Carl Sandburg

I ran a race over the weekend but oh my a lot was going on for me pre-event, I nearly didn't make it to the race too. The race started, I was the last to take off (technical glitch with my running app) eventually I started running. Now every runner will tell you that after taking off, in due course you get to that group of people with whom your pace is in-tandem and so I found myself at the third spot (unexpected). I was confident and content that I would finish off third. The two guys in-front of me were running side by side (same pace) and they became my "pace makers" (runners mambo jambo), they had a good average pace and rhythm to it, hence my contentment. Then another "unexpected" happened at about 4 km, one of my pace maker's injury kicked in, which was unfortunate and so I pushed and was at second place, still very content and the lead guy even upped his pace.

One thing I have to let you know if you have never been in a long distance run, which every runner will attest to is that, "on that route, we are all family, there is a general consensus that we are all in this together, as you pass others you motivate them, as others pass you, you cheer them on, there is a certain level of camaraderie, a brotherhood, a socialist movement if I may say". The medals we get at the end are regarded as a token/reminder to those who finish, no wonder everyone gets one "funds permitting" - I digress.

At about 5.5 km the lead pace maker started to look back at me quite constantly, twice he waved his hand indicating a dire need for me to come help and run side by side, now just like a driver, when you see the 100 speed sign you just don't shoot to 100, its a process, some cars will get there quicker than others.

Now I had to push, the guy was averaging about 4 mins 50secs/km and I was seating at about 5mins 01sec/km then. They are just 11secs to shed off but that's a tall order however, I pushed and eventually caught up. He explained how he needed support, like any runner would have done, I matched his pace in solidarity and that meant I was now in joint first (another unexpected). I got renewed energy proving that "if you want to go far, walk alone, but if you want to go further, walk with someone".

We finished off the race in joint first, striding through the roads, stamping the gravel and tarmac like elephants charging in the savanna grasslands of Africa to the amusement of onlookers, policemen blocking traffic for the lead runners, it felt good and we finished off strong.

Now, I forgot to mention this was a charity run so there were no medals but somehow the organizers managed to get prize donations which they hadn't told us and to my suprise (unexpected again) only learnt of it at the finish line.

I had only seen the food hampers at the prize giving area and was already planning how I was going to distribute those, seeing as I am a bachelor (I don't need much) but another unexpected happened, first prize was a clothing gift voucher courtesy of Truworths (a local clothing store).

It was a great run and like many of the races I have taken part in, there is always something to be learned. As you start off this week be positive, be hopeful, expect the unexpected and embrace it.....happy new week!