Countdown to NYC Marathon

Day 1 of 292…training starts today. 01/14/2010

So, the ball has been set in motion and its 292 days to go until I’ll join the throng of expectant runners on the start line for the 41st running of the famous New York City Marathon.

It seems an age away and yet I have a knawing excitement at the prospect.

You might ask how it was that I came to be involved with the JAG Sports and Education Foundation.  I’ve been one of those spectators who had often looked up at the corporate hospitality suites at the homes of both of the Western Cape’s major sporting codes’ and seen the JAG signage and had wondered what they were about.  Certainly neither JAG nor the JAG Foundation conjured up the images of corporate South Africa associated with their neighbouring suites.  It was, ironically, only after having secured a ticket to the JAG suite for an international cricket game (by virtue of a well-connected family member) that I began to pay more than a passing interest to the Foundation.  Cursory research revealed that high profile athletes such as Elana Meyer, and Robbie Fleck had become associated with JAG playing roles heading up developmental efforts in the sports that they, as participants, recently excelled at.

It took only a glance at the Foundation’s website to realise in their vision, mission and objectives they have managed to encapsulate what so many of us in South Africa wish for: an uplifted motivated society; a sense of pride amongst the poorest of our people; the instillation of hope and belief and a sense that the fulfillment of potential is something attainable.

You only have to meet Greg James, the Foundation’s founder and self-confessed sports nut, and see the twinkle in his eye to realise his passion for sport and a desire to give those who need it most, a realistic chance at success in life.  Interacting with people like Greg, made me realise that to make a difference one needs to take action and start “doing”.  Sometimes its only in the “doing” that one works out what is going to ultimately make the difference and what may be wasted effort, but ultimately until you take a project off the drawing board and start “doing” the lives of the intended beneficiaries are not going to be impacted in any way.

I subscribe to the Goals of the JAG Foundation and embarking on this campaign I hope to raise as much money as possible to support their initiatives.  In addition to the fundraising aspect I am joining up with their JAG Runners programme which aims to train up coaches and, using its intensive fitness and training programme, to motivate and train children ranging from primary through to high school to participate in running events such as cross country running, fun runs and track events.

I’ll be participating in the New York City Marathon on 7 November 2010 under the JAG Sport and Education banner, and looking to leverage my participation in that event with initiatives to raise funds and raise the profile of this fantastic cause.  You can follow my progress on this website as I chronicle my preparation for the event.  I hope to share my training experiences, mistakes and ultimately progress with you and I prepare for the New York City Marathon via my participation in this years’ Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon earlier in the year.

Your feedback is welcome.