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( Note that these letters may have been shortened due to space limitations.)
WINNING LETTER
PERFORMER VERSUS PARTICIPANT
There we were, the Cochran Family, being heralded as the greatest thing to happen to the Midmar Mile swim since sliced bread because we managed to enter four generations, ranging from 91 years old to 10, swimming in one event. But here’ s the rub: We are really quite dreadful swimmers!( And I am definitely better known as a runner with Boksburg Athletic Club.)
For the record, the winning Midmar times are round about 17 minutes, so this would probably translate in Comrades terms to sub-23 minutes being a silver medal, and sub-30 minutes being a Bill Rowan. I can’ t recall anybody in our family swimming anywhere near those times!( Ah, wait, I have a vague memory of nephew‘ Big Brad’ doing a 28-minute one year …) Then there is the Arbuckle Family … Mom, Dad and a whole bunch of beautiful swimming children who regularly win the Family Event, all swimming between 20 and 28 minutes!
Which brings me to the point: The joy and sense of achievement of simply participating can outweigh the importance of performing. Not that I am saying that there is anything wrong with performance – it will always be the ultimate drive of all events – but as our son Colin joked about the Arbuckles,“ Imagine being born into that family and just not being able to crack 30 minutes at Midmar. You would get a fatherly chat along the lines of,‘ Ah, son, we love you as much as all your siblings, but maybe this swimming thing is not for you.’”
The moral of the story is, do whatever blows your own skirt up, and repeat to yourself whist doing it,“ This is such fun!” The outcome of this philosophy is actually quite strange, in that you will likely find yourself trying harder to‘ perform’ at or near your own genetic limit anyway.
MORE MONEY FOR THE OLDIES
The ratio of excellence between veterans and masters against seniors indicates that the latter keep getting more money at the podium for a‘ no-show,’ as many records have not tumbled despite the emergence of professional clubs, but this has not been given the attention it deserves because running has been relegated to a social event where running 6 to 7 hours at Comrades is celebrity status.
I appeal to all race organisers, sponsors, people with authority and decision-making, and ASA at large, to show respect to veterans and masters by paying deservedly good prize monies for a change, especially since we are a category that truly give their all and have been passionate all these years. Just have a look at all the race flyers and you’ ll see we still pay the same entry fee, with the exception of grandmasters. Please reward good performance well. – Theo Rafiri, vai e-mail
The thinking has always been that the number of athletes in the older age groups tend to be smaller, hence less prize money is on offer, but there are still highly competitive, even world class athletes in these categories, and I agree they deserve more recognition for their efforts. – Ed.
So here’ s a tip for every training session: Ask yourself repeatedly,“ Am I having fun?” If you are able to answer yes, you will amaze yourself how your performance steadily improves. Don’ t worry too much about what the Garmin or Strava tell you, just have fun! – Neil Cochran, Boksburg
Thanks for the great letter, Neil. Had a good laugh at the way you compare your family to the Arbuckles, but at the same time, your advice to everybody is spot on – we need to enjoy what we do, or else we will quickly lose our love for it. – Ed.
APOLOGIES FOR THE MISTAKES …
My first 10km race on 19 August at the age of 52 was like a dream, but with a bit of embarrassment. I wear size 7 shoes, but I was wearing borrowed size 9 shoes, with my blue and white short trousers. Not ideal … Then I found myself standing in the toilet queue, until a lady asked me,“ What is this line for?” I said for the toilet, and she replied,“ But this is for ladies.” What a great embarrassment!
I ran 1:17 and out on the road I was happy to drink water and Coke, and I was dropping water sachets on the road throughout the race, often still with water inside. But after reading your magazine and seeing the ugly pictures of water sachets on the road, I was so embarrassed, again about the wrong decisions I took that day. – Endrew Matseke, Pretoria
We all make typical novice mistakes in our first few races, but now you’ re a more experienced runner and will get things right the next time you head to a race! – Ed.
Images: Jetline Action Photo, iStock & courtesy Trevlyn Palframan
8 ISSUE 99 OCTOBER 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za