Article November 17, 2003 Issue

More than a footrace in Johannesburg

By Michael Noyce

I HUNG UP THE PHONE feeling full of confidence. My daughter, Laura, had persuaded me to run with her in a 10km race in Johannesburg in three months' time. No problem getting in shape by then, I thought. I'll start tomorrow.

As the days went by, however, I didn't actually get in shape. My job as a structural engineer in and around Durban kept me quite busy, along with all the other activities of my life—family, gardening, church. Anything to keep me from serious training for the race!

But the day arrived when I was scheduled to go up to Johannesburg to meet my daughter and get ready for the event. I wasn't too nervous about actually completing the race, despite my lack of preparation. My wife had agreed to walk the race, and I was confident I could handle at least that much exercise with no problems. Then, at the very last minute, my wife withdrew because she didn't think she was up to it. Now I was left with my daughter and her young friends, all of whom were extremely well prepared and ready to run.