Triumph!

Yesterday, the impossible became possible. With help from my incredibly supportive team, I had a fabulous run in the world's most beautiful ultramarathon, the Two Oceans Ultra, from Cape Town south to the Indian Ocean, across the Cape peninsula and along the stunning Chapman's Peak road carved out of a cliff high above the Atlantic Ocean, then back high over Constantia Nek and through a fragrant forest back into Cape Town. The course is scenically stunning and good fortune provided us with an unusually cool day, with early rain, winds gusting to 55 kilometres an hour to cool us further, tremendous enthusiastic crowds to urge us on and an atmosphere of plentiful hope and courage. 

We had all spent months preparing for the rigours of a long distance race and on the day we had no trouble completing the challenge. My wildest dream had been to complete the 56 kilometres in just under 6 hours in order to win a bronze medal. As we came in together, we couldn't believe the clock with our gun time of 5:44:44. We know that if you apply yourself to the training, the event becomes possible. There is only one way to prepare, by doing the necessary work. Shortcuts for athletes inevitably lead to disaster. However, this particular feat is especially important, coming at a time of struggle and angst in my life. The race is balm to my soul.

And now we have time and inclination to celebrate. Tomorrow we head out along the world famous Garden Route, lush, forested, full of gorgeous beaches and friendly villages. Thence my sister and I head for Kruger Park and some serious game viewing, followed by a few magical days in the tropical paradise of Mozambique's east coast. 

If you wish to make a gift to my lifesaving team, please visit https://www.lghfoundation.com/projects/nigel-deacons-two-oceans-gratitude-support-oncology-at-lgh/

Because I am travelling, I have not been able keep up with the thank yous to those beautiful people who have contributed so generously to my fund raising but I will catch up as soon as I reach home. You have all warmed my heart and will warm the hearts of others.

Soon enough, I will return to the reality of cancer treatment. This has been medicine for the soul of a different but very effective sort. Peace and love from the Mother City.

Africa

What special joy to be back in Africa! Africa is the most beautiful of continents, for certain the original Garden of Eden! We are all from here and it is a perfect homecoming.

I was greeted by unseasonal and very heavy rain on St. Patrick's Day as I arrived bleary eyed from the long trip. The rain made everyone happy, quite the opposite from our Western world! There has been serious drought here and rain equates with life and new beginnings. It is essential to the cultivation of food crops. Out of season rain is an extraordinary gift.

My son is in the air today and should arrive tomorrow. He will be so excited to be back in the continent where he grew up. Marcus is also in the air and will arrive in Africa tomorrow for the first time ever! Peter is already in Kruger Park enjoying wildlife that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. He has not been in Africa before either. Thank you Africa for being the only continent, apart from unpopulated Antarctica, not to kill all its animals as settlement occurs. It was the first settled continent, making this achievement even more remarkable. There must be environmentalists all over the continent!

Saturday is Race Day! The excitement builds! My sister, who arrived from New Zealand yesterday,  and I head for beautiful Cape Town on Thursday. This will be a very challenging course, with two serious mountains in the second half of the course. How will it feel to summon up the energy to get up and over and down to the finish line after 56 kilometres? I must not think too much about it yet. I run the risk of burning up my energy in worrying about it! It will be a fabulous day!

My race number is 50337.

RACE DAY TRACKING: Follow the progress of friends and family on Race Day, and view your finish time and results, by downloading the RaceTec app from iTunes or Google Play.

If you wish to make a gift to my lifesaving team, please visit https://www.lghfoundation.com/projects/nigel-deacons-two-oceans-gratitude-support-oncology-at-lgh/

Giving thanks

 Yesterday I received infusion 3 of 4. The final infusion will wait until I return from Africa. So, provided I get a good call from my oncologist about my CT scan last Friday, the coast is clear! I can set out on a huge adventure next Tuesday!  Two Oceans, here I come!  My son will run with me. My New Zealand sister will cheer me along! Two very good friends will also run with me. I am busy making lots of new friends too!

 I am so grateful to the Lion's Gate Clinic for treating me when the BC Cancer Agency could not. At the clinic, I am always impressed by the compassion and care that patients enjoy. This is indeed a place of healing. To celebrate my good luck in being able to attempt an ultramarathon while in the midst of treatment, and to reward this outstanding clinic for their culture of solace and mercy, I am inviting my friends to make a donation to the Lion's Gate Foundation to be used by the oncology section to improve care of patients. You will all know friends or family who have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. It changes everything. Things are never the same. Lion's Gate is dedicated to making it better. Give if you can and want to. Just click below.  As always, I have no expectations. Peace and love, Nigel


  https://www.lghfoundation.com/projects/nigel-deacons-two-oceans-gratitude-support-oncology-at-lgh/

The team just heading out in darkness for the 35 mile run on the weekend!