The Top Ten of 2012 Part 1

When I started thinking about what to write for this end of year post, there were so many things that popped into my head that it was hard for me to boil it down into a top ten list. After the debacle of a year that was 2010, 2011 was all about regaining stability and control. With that platform firmly at my feet, 2012 allowed me to flame into life with big moves, assurance, passion and extreme ambitions in true Year of the Dragon style! In short, it was a brilliant year.

2012 - the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.

The dragon is the most revered animal in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising power, strength, bravery, passion and confidence. No other zodiac sign could be compared to the status of the dragon. Many Chinese consider the Year of the Dragon to be the most auspicious year, and it's no surprise that this year has brought along a baby boom in China and many Chinese communities.

Now I'm not a horoscope follower, but how did the Year of the Dragon deliver fortune, success and a load of other great memories for me? Here's a countdown of my top ten of the year 2012.

10: Sport Relief 2012
It's surprising that having spent over four years in the UK and Europe, I've never actually heard of Sport Relief until this year. When looking into it a bit more, I was amazed at the amount of fundraising being done, just through uniting the sporting and entertainment communities, to help the less-fortunate in the UK and the world's poorest countries. Coming from New Zealand, a much smaller country which doesn't hold televised fundraising events on a national scale very often (the last ones were 2009, 1993 and 1991), I quickly became very enthusiastic about the idea, especially since it had a huge sporting focus.

The TV event raised a massive £50,447,197, which is the highest figure ever raised. It also contained a variety of funny skits and inspiring stories - I was particularly moved by comedian/writer, Frank Skinner, facing his fear of water by swimming a length of a pool, live. But for pure laughs, Miranda, Frank Lampard and the Brockmans did it for me. You can even watch these skits here!

Football's much harder than Netball!

Such fun!

9: Working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
It was one of the most hostile places I've ever been to. Absolutely nothing to do there in Riyadh, and a very challenging environment, both in climate and culture. But it was an experience and opportunity I'm glad to have, even though, after only two weeks, I couldn't be more happier returning back to more familiar and friendlier conditions.

A prayer mat kindly placed in my hotel room, obviously facing in the direction of Mecca.

Since there was absolutely nothing to do, the highlights were few and far between. But they included: being caught in a dangerous sandstorm on my very first day in Riyadh (and being rescued by a complete stranger who drove me back to the hotel), directing non-English speaking taxi drivers around the unfamiliar sprawling city of Riyadh, and having the laziest Friday ever (a non-working day in Arabic countries). It went something like this. Wake up at 9 a.m, run for three hours on the treadmill (in the middle of marathon training!), a big lunch, a power nap, sit in the sun for two hours by the hotel swimming pool, a relaxing massage, a delicious dinner, watching movies on the laptop, and finally sleep at midnight..... while my UK colleagues work through their Friday.

A view of Riyadh from the top of Kingdom Tower.

 Will I ever go back there? Hopefully, if I can help it, no!

8: The Diamond Jubilee
An extra day off work to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II - what more could I ask for? But seriously, I've never seen such enthusiasm, patriotism, unification and celebration by the public for the Queen and the monarchy, proving that she is still very popular throughout her reign. The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant (the greatest flotilla of ships on the Thames in 350 years) and the Jubilee concert, which I couldn't get tickets to, got me glued to the TV, and the street parties with their colourful bunting, in all the cities and towns of the UK, was nothing  like I've ever seen before.

Colourful street party.

It's interesting that the UK doesn't have a national day holiday, which people can celebrate or have the day off work. Additionally, the British, who traditionally call themselves the biggest moaners on the planet, were united and friendly as they celebrated this special holiday as if it was a national day, with outward proclamations that they were "proud to be British".

Bunting.

Contrast this with Waitangi Day, which is New Zealand's national day, but has often been the focus of protest by activists, and is often marred by controversy, threats, disrespect and violence. Of course, only a very small handful of New Zealanders get involved in this, but on Waitangi Day there are no mass parades, nor truly widespread celebrations. As the day is a public holiday, and happens during the New Zealand summer, most people take the opportunity to spend the day at the beach.

7: Meeting Team GB Olympic Medallists
I've met my share of famous individuals, but to meet members and medallists of Team GB, after the huge success of the London Olympics, has to rate as another major highlight of this year. Before the start of the Maidenhead Half Marathon, I met triple gold medallist, Paralympian Sophie Christiansen, who fired the start gun for the race. And at a fundraising event at the Reading Hockey Club over Halloween and Guy Fawkes season, members of the Great Britain women's hockey team were present, with their bronze medals!

With midfield maestro, Helen Richardson, and her bronze medal. It was actually quite heavy!

With the Wayne Rooney of GB Hockey, Alex Danson, also the top goal scorer in the London Olympics with 5 goals.

With Captain Kate Walsh, who had her jaw broken in the first group game, but missed only two group games to lead her team to a medal position.

They beat the New Zealand Black Sticks, my home team, for that bronze medal position, but afterwards all was forgiven after a chat, a drink and a donut. Kate Walsh was extremely friendly and down-to-earth, while Helen Richardson is my personal favourite. Thanks must go to Angela Liu and family for bringing me along!

6: The year of Reading (and Woodley) parkrun
I'm very privileged to be able to run at Reading parkrun. It's certainly had an eventful year with many indelible memories and a couple of poignant moments. And as a show of parkrun's increasing popularity, another parkrun close to home, Woodley parkrun, was born in September. The additional parkrun close to me is proving to be very handy with the Reading parkrun course currently indisposed due to recent floods.

Running Woodley parkrun's pilot run, where I placed 2nd, behind the parkrun show host, Danny Norman, who finished 3 minutes before me! Here, I'm chasing down Phil Nash.

Negotiating one rather large puddle at Woodley parkrun on Christmas Day.

Highlights include our 3rd birthday, the Diamond Jubilee styled parkrun, getting to hold the Olympic Torch (thanks to Wendy Shaw, who runs at Reading parkrun and was an Olympic Torchbearer), getting my 50 t-shirt, helping out behind the scenes in various volunteering roles, pacing my mate Cookie to a sub 24 minute parkrun time and meeting so many new people and like-minded runners.

Pleased as punch that I got the privilege to hold the Olympic Torch.

Dressed in British at the Jubilee parkrun. Wasn't able to run fast though.

Pacing Cookie to a sub 24 minute time on his 50th parkrun back in January. We got home in 23:59!

A couple of sad moments include the current suspension of Reading parkrun due to floods and the resulting surface erosion, and the tragic passing of fellow Reading parkrunner, Ged Clarke, who collapsed and died immediately after finishing the Reading Half Marathon. A tribute to Ged was done by one of his very close friends, who led an applause to commemorate his efforts in encouraging others to improve their own levels of fitness, and also helped promote charity fundraising efforts.  

Front page of the Reading Post dedicated to Ged Clarke.

To close, all of this would not be possible without the efforts of the event directors and volunteering team, who bring parkrun to everyone on every single Saturday morning, so a big THANK YOU to all of you.

Stay tuned for part 2 in tomorrow's post as I cover: taking up a new hobby, the Greatest Show on Earth and pulling off the great double qualification act!