Fleeting

Life is certainly that - fleeting! We were struck with some sad news this week. A group of Corpus Christi students were killed in a car accident. The driver was a young man we’d come to know very well, James Klessens (or Big Jim as I called him). He was one of Matt’s best mates through Yidarra Primary School and part of a warm, loving family.

 We spent a great deal of time with the Klessens through Little Athletics, Soccer and Cross Country running. I recall we had a fantastic holiday down at Forest Grove with them on my brother-in-law’s property at Birnam Wood.

 It must just seem so random, so indiscriminate that James is no longer with us. I recall him as someone who always got involved. He and Matt looked out for each other but through college, as often happens, they found other friends and interests. I remember James’ cheeks used to go bright red after exercise. He had an effervescent way about him and his enthusiasm for life was infectious. I remember James was so proud when his grandad rolled up to one of the soccer matches in his Harley Davidson - that was a moment.

His funeral is on this Monday and I don’t know another way to put this. It will just be so, so sad. The consolation is that he lived life fully and always found the good in people. Really, it just could have been any of the young 17yos including Matt involved in such an accident. The other young man, Brayden de la Nougerede, was once a good mate of Matt’s and I remember for a while we used to take him to school from Canning Vale.

How easy is it to sit back, even to offer up condolences to Trudy, Mike and Jess  (and Rob, Wendy and Cheraine) !!

To digress, my training has really been non-existent these last few weeks. I was registered but didn’t start for the C2S Half Marathon. My next four events are the York Gran Fondo cyclosportif on 14 Sept, the Rottnest Marathon (my first marathon) in mid-October, Anaconda in early November and the marathon as part of an Ironman Western Australia team in early December. A pretty full schedule. I’m back to Front Runner Coaching training this afternoon

 Reservoir

CHRISTO