Run outside and play
Greetings from Cape Town, where Spring is in the air.
I have been negligent about writing anything for the last several weeks, so
you have missed our trip to the U.S., my Mom’s birthday party, our three
weeks at the Beaverkill (just great for all concerned), a quick trip to London,
an Irish wedding, a long flight home, and re-immersion into our
South African lives (in progress). Whew!
Not enough time to recount it all in excruciating detail. Just a short
post on two achievements by India and Tallulah.
The “Run Outside” part of this post’s title is in honor of India completing
the Hout Bay Trail Challenge two weeks ago. HBTC is generally considered
the toughest trail run in the country: about 36 kilometers (the route changes
year to year) and about 7,000 feet of climbing, all on narrow dirt and sand
tracks.
India started in the dark at 7am (she sent an SMS at 6:45 reading, “I am cold and
lonely and a little bit scared. I hope someone adopts me.”). She staggered across
the finish line at 3pm, completely shattered. To make the “Challenge” more of a
challenge, the organizers added 6 kilometers and another 400-500 meters of
climbing to last year’s route. The winning time was about 60 minutes slower than
last year’s winning time.
India is super tough, but she ended up exhausted and with huge respect for the HBTC.
The “Play” part of the post title is for Tallulah’s participation in the St. Cyprian’s School
140th Anniversary play this week.
About 400 girls were on stage for the finale, but Tallulah shined like a very happy little star.
She has been singing all of the numbers, and dancing around the house for weeks.
Watching with pride - sports, concerts, plays, ballet - is one of the greatest things about being a parent.