Temptations

I've been receiving invitations from Ironman Korea. The latest features a picture of a blonde (Grace McClure from Australia, who is a sports' model) in a black bikini with this message:

GRACE McCLURE
I am now in the full swing of Ironman training now and can't wait to head over to Korea for the Ironman on August 28th. The 3.8k swim, 180km bike and 42km run will be held on the exotic island of Jeju, just south of the Korean peninsula. We will swim the mystical coastal waters of Jeju, ride through the centre of the island under the watchful glare of the dormant volcano, Mount Halla, and triumphantly cross the finish line in the festive background of the Jeju World Cup Stadium.....28th! (that’s the plan anyway!)

It all sounds rather romantic doesn't it ....although I'm pretty sure that will be the last thing on my mind on race day. As with my Ironman Australia experience, I plan to enjoy one big long day of adventure, to allow every thing that happens to be seen as a gift and to run without fear.
See you there
Grace McClure

For more information about Grace, please visit www.gracemcclure.com.au

Well, put that way it does sound quite romantic. In reality, I am hardly fit enough for triathlons a fifth the Ironman distance right now. Next week is the half Ironman at Cheolwon, and I'll have some idea of my readiness for anything ultra after that.

I am also tempted to buy and invest in gold at this point. I see global inflation (due to perpetually rising oil prices) going in a steady upward trend from November of this year. I'd like to have some money in gold before then. But keep an eye on the price of gold anyway. As oil rises, so will gold, as a hedge against the value of everything else falling.

It's a strange irony that the country that benefits most from the world's Peak Oil woes (and surrounding economic reverberations) will be South Africa, simply because we are a country whose economy is largely based on mineral wealth, in particular gold and diamonds.

Gold Rises as Crude Oil Rebounds, Boosting Inflation Concerns

July 15 (Bloomberg) -- Gold rose in New York, erasing earlier losses, as crude-oil prices rebounded, boosting the precious metal's appeal as a hedge against inflation.