Race Report : Dischem 5km

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I have now completed my 2nd race of 2012 and absolutely loved it.

On Thursday I collected my race number and temporary licence.  I was very confused as to why I needed a temporary licence for a 5km event as I was always under the impression it is only needed for 10km and longer.  After much Twitter debate, it was discovered that this event an officially timed road race and therefore temporary licences are required (thanks to @BigBradBrown, for the answer).

So this morning my alarm goes off at 3:55am (yes that is before the sun rises).  I get up, get clean, have something to eat and head out to pick up my running mate (@sheldondelport) for today’s event.

I was warned that there will be thousands of people, well 6000 people entered the 21km event and I wasn’t sure how many for 5km, so Sheldon and I arrived nice and early.  Already there was a traffic build up.  So I found a parking lot about 1.5km from the start and we walked to the stadium.  Was actually nice doing this as it was a good warm up.

The amount of people blew me away.  You see my previous too events probably had 1000 people at best, so with this being possibly 7000 I was very intrigued to see what will happen.  It was superbly organised, well manned with marshals and people to help you in the right direction etc.  My hat off to the organisers.

After the mandatory loo visit, we made our way to the start line. What an awesome vibe with super friendly people and everyone greeting each other.  I took this snap of the people behind us as we were about 4 row’s from the front of the pack for the 5km.  As you can see, hundreds of people and very overcast.  Being overcast and little cooler was fantastic as it made the run much easier for me.
My goal in this race and races going forward is to improve  on my finishing time, even if it is just by a minute or two.  So I shared this goal with Sheldon, who took it as a personal challenge and we charged ahead.

To my surprise and absolute glee, we finished the race in 42min and some change.  This shaved a whopping SIX MINUTES off the 5km race I did on the 2 Jan.  I was beaming!

With medal in hand, and having met a new a twitter friend (@biggestbossfan) as well as saying howzit to @Bronyw, it was time to head on home.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and will definitely do this race again next year, the only difference is next year will be the 21km :-)

 

Best Diet Plan for Runners

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A guy calls a company and orders their 5-day, 5kg weight loss program.

The next day, there’s a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company.

The sign reads, “If you can catch me, you can have me.”

Without a second thought, he takes off after her. A few miles later puffing and puffing, he finally gives up.

The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens.
On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 5kg as promised.

He calls the company and orders their 5-day/10kg program. The next day there’s a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning, beautiful, sexy woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, “If you catch me you can have me”.

Well, he’s out the door after her like a shot. This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck.

So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape.

Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 10kg as promised.

He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/25kg program.
“Are you sure?” asks the representative on the phone. “This is our most rigorous program.” “Absolutely, ” he replies, “I haven’t felt this good in years.”

The next day there’s a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads, “If I catch you, you are mine.”

He lost 33 kilos that week.

Battling with Compliments

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So this is not quiet a running post but something that I battle with.  Not only with running but all aspects of my life.  I find it hard to accept compliments.

Maybe you are one of those people.

I find all sorts of reasons why I am not worthy of receiving praise from others for what you have done or accomplished. So often I will down play it or even ignore it as I know that I am not anywhere near ready to receive such praise.

What I need to learn to do is when others compliment me, thank them sincerely and believe that they mean every word they say. Let their compliments affirm and build me up.

This is something for me to work on in 2012.

First Race for 2012

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This morning I did my first 5km event for 2012.  It was at the beautiful Pretoria Botanical Gardens at 7am.  Having drummed up some support from my twitter pals (twunners) and a few friends, I have decided this year will be the year I achieve many of my fitness and health goals.  So doing a race the day after new years I thought was a great idea.

From the time I arrived, everything was well organised and sign posted (except for the start).  The track was within the gardens, 2 x 2.5km loops.  As we started it took sometime for the pack to thin out a bit and for the runners to be allowed space through the hord of walkers.  I used my run/walk technique and was feeling good until the first of 2 massive uphills hit.  Hills are meant for walking, I was told  (hey Carol).

I finished the event according to me Suunto (click on the button below for more details) in 48m having done 5.5km.  Now I am not sure if my foot pod is over compensating or if the organisers miscalculated.  In any event, it was a great morning and start to the year.

What I learnt from this event is that I can do this, I now have a time to work on improving and that I have also booked two more races for January.  What seriously impressed me was the number of little ones walking with their parents and also an 80 year old walker that I could just not catch, no matter how hard I tried.  Wow that granny was FIT!!

My first 2012 medal is a reminder that I can and will be able to achieve my running goals, thanks to all for your support.

PTA Botanical Gardens Medal

How is your training?  What is your first race?