Yeah so I survived. And I can’t wait to do it again! Pictures tell the tale… it was amazing. Monique and I ran together and finished in about 3:35 as expected – but it did not feel that long. Not as even close to as long as a 2hr road run feels. Ok, we weren’t running all the time – you can’t run the whole way with a trail run. And It was cold and raining, and we were FROZEN afterwards but what a totally rocking experience.

It was so scenic. Started with amazing mountain views. Then a stretch of single track running on the foresty ledge of the mountain. Then through some mud…at this point I was still trying to avoid puddles. Later enjoyed slip and sliding while trying to keep my balance in the mud. Then we crossed a few rivers, first mid calf deep then knee high. Thereafter avoiding puddles was insignificant. Then we ran through a marshy area with long grass. Under a fallen tree. Over another river and then over some more fallen trees. Finally we ran in an area that used to be a dam, but with our recent drought it was more sandy and baron. At that point the wind picked up and bitterly blew sand on us. I was so grateful for the buff Jason gave me to cover my cheeks and mouth. Fingers frozen. Then through one last stream to the finish line. It was a friggin amazing, completely awesome experience.

To end a great morning, we were joined by some more Femilyum and had lunch in Franschoek after the run. With the Bastille Festival buzz going on it was really cool. People walking around with red and blue berets and the colours of the French flag painted on their faces. French flags were liberally used to decorate restaurants, buildings and even street stalls. The “gees” was pretty amazing in the town.  A seriously competitive alternative to Knysna 🙂 Viva Le Bleu 🇫🇷 Another fun thing to do that I hence forth will highly recommend for anyone who hasn’t been to the Bastille Festival in Franschoek before.

And so now the next adventure, I’m off to a cave in Gothenburg to go find Batman…..ok maybe not, because I’ve already found Ironman in Cape Town. But definitely to Stockholm and Umeå to get me a Viking ship!

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The answer is: Finding a video made of one of my Boeties! About two weeks ago I was elated when I came across a video clip someone had made of me. Today on Linked In I came across this gem….

https://institutional.satrix.co.za/understanding-factor-mix-and-pure-alpha/

Proud as punch…indeed I absolutely am. #ProudSister

Although, I dunno what he is talking about uh. He is smarter than I am. But it doesn’t matter, I’m still the most proud sister in the world!

Yeah I did. Just 21% for the Quality Management Systems (QMS) test. The first test we, the quality students had when I started my part time studies in Quality.

Today, I lecture stats on the Quality programme… and based on statistics, with that test mark, the probability of me making a sustainable career in quality is bleak hey. True story. Really. If I was betting I would not have put any money on myself.

And in addition to lecturing,  I’ m doing (with difficulty) a doctorate in Quality Management. Yet (shock horror), I have just admitted, for my very first test on quality management systems I only got 21%. And that is absolutely true. Although I studied, I really spent hours and hours studying for that test – it just didn’t “click” at the time.

Anyway, there’s a bit of a long story between “then” and “now”. (All I can say is Thank you Shaun – I owe you, for my career. We all have that friend…. that special friend, that on one random day says something to us and then all Suddenly  – it all makes sense. It clicks. That is Shaun to me.)  I did not give up. I decided I wanted a career in Quality, and I put in the effort. I worked. And I worked, and worked and I worked some more. And now, I have what I dreamed of.

The point I am making with this web log (i.e.. blog) is don’t give up. DON’T damnit. Do not give up; DO NOT GIVE UP.

21% does not mean that is all you are capable of. It is maybe, as in my case, precisely what you need to get to push yourself. It’s what I needed to get. Getting such a bad mark is what prompted me to go out and get Berocca and rethink my approach. And I did. And now I see, feel and I am so grateful that I did.

I am grateful for the desolation I felt. The rejection it seemed to me, that I experienced in every cell of my being. Despite feeling “useless” then, I still decided, by hook or by crook, “useful” is what I was intended to be.

If you get 21%…don’t fret. You got this! It’s part of the plan. But… Just Do the necessary.