A few days rest

So it has been about 10 days since I last ran.  If you remember my previous post, my Achilles gave me some trouble after my last race on the 27 April.  My two good twitter buddies, Dory and Lu, highly recommended I take a few days off to recover so as to prevent serious damage.  What could I do but listen.

Instead of sitting on my ass, like I would have done previously, I got a good core workout program from Steve.  This includes sit ups, push ups, crunches, left and right planks and other exercises that have really helped me start strengthening my core.

Not mine but getting there

What I have also been busy with this week is obtaining a new diet program from Alex and supplements from www.purestore.co.za.  I have also decided to improve my financial planning qualification and am registering for the next level course which should keep me busy for the next 18 months.  It would seem that I am going to need to learn how to juggle a lot of activities over the next few months but I look forward to the challenge and most importantly all your continued support.

 

Tough Times

Yesterday I took part in another awesome trail run organised by WildTrail.

I completely tanked :-(

It was exactly two weeks since I did the Impi Challenge.  I spent a few days taking some much-needed recovery after the battering my body took.  So I had only run twice since then.  Probably not a good thing but anyway.

So I lined up with the other 10km runners to tackle the undulating route awaiting us. Around 3km into the run my nemesis paid me a visit.  I have been battling with a niggle/injury for a few weeks and after half a dozen physio treatments, stretches and exercises I am still not winning.  This time the little bastard of an injury was so painful around 4km that I had to walk and bailed on the 10km route.  I joined the 6km pack and finished the last two kays walking. I was and still am GUTTED!

During this walking time, I reflected and I realised that I have come along in the last few months from a fitness and health prospective and that I still have along way to go. I got very frustrated with myself.  “Come on, you can’t even finish a 10km trail run” is what I said to myself and then I quickly remembered Impi Challenge, the handful of road races and trail races that I have finished.  My sessions at Run/Walk for Life and how much healthier I look and feel having lost around 10kg’s and dozens of centimetres.

On the drive back from Cullinan, I was bbm’ing my coach, mentor and the man who inspired me to change my lifestyle from fat to fit (I wasn’t the driver, I was the passenger).  He assured me that I am on track and will accomplish the goals that I have set out for myself and that I must chill.  My body needs time to adjust from over 26 years of being lazy and not doing any exercise.  I have accomplished a lot since October 2011 and although there is still more to do, I will get there.

My problem is that I want things to happen almost immediately.  No! I don’t mean I want instant gratification but after about 6 months of training, I was expecting to be at a certain level.  So I went back to my notes that I had written down from when I started in October 2011 and where I want to be in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months etc.  The surprise was great, I am on track (slightly ahead actually) and I should just be proud of myself.  That is a strange feeling, proud of myself…..

There is around 90 days to my goal, 90 days to train, 90 days to ensure that both phyiscally and mentally I am ready to achieve what I had set as my first half marathon.

The support I have had from you guys, readers of my blog, friends on Facebook, pals on Twitter and tjom’s on BBM has kept me going and kept me inspired.  Hearing about your races, your triumphs, your battles and your stories is what I drives me and motivates me each and everyday.

To end off this post, I am using an image that was shared with me by a new friend.  She is going through a tremendously tough time at the moment but still stays positive and her fighting spirit inspires me each and everyday!

Its My Birthday

Today is my birthday!  Geez do they come around quickly ;-)

I had an absolute blast this morning, a few close friends and family (from as far as Sedgefield) joined me at the JHB Zoo to do a 5km fun run (walk) followed by a yummy breakfast and finished off with amazing red velvet cupcakes (made by Jeanne-Marie).

Today I got to meet some new Twitter buddies, Flash and Rox :-)  What a special treat it is to meet fellow runners who I have chatted to many times online, shared stories with and learned from, to finally meet in person and on my birthday :-)

Some of my other friends couldn’t make it as they were doing Half Ironman, ReMax 5km and The Argus but were all there in spirit and it was great.  I also managed to shave almost 3 minutes off my last 5km time as I was running with two great school friends and the conversation was just flowing.  Thanks Darren and Oren - you dudes rock!

Our group amateur photographer, Amande, took some snaps which you can check here on Facebook.

My lovely wife, spoilt me with great gifts and a lekker lunch and chilled afternoon.

Today was a great day, with messages from all over the world, making me feel super special from those that care.  I missed not having some people with me today and they know who they are.

Birthday time for me is one of reflection.  I look back on the past 365 days and see what I have achieved, what I failed at, where I am in my life.  The past year has been an amazing journey.  I finished my financial planning qualification (graduation ceremony this week), started getting fit and actually sticking to my training and meal plans as well as growing my financial planning practice in leaps and bounds (which has exceeded my expectations and those of management :-) ).  This past year there were family challenges which still need to be resolved but my marriage is stronger than ever and my love for my wife grows everyday.  New friendships have developed with people who motivate me, push me and help me to achieve more, grow more and learn more.  Over the past year I have decided that those that add value to my life deserve my energy, those that are negative or say “It can’t be done” – I have neglected.  This has been extremely challenging for me but is getting easier with time.  If you think this sounds harsh, there is over 20 years of history you will need to understand before judging me.  The last year has been brilliant and can not wait for the next one.

As a gift to myself, I bought an awesome pair of Asics trail shoes.  Can not wait for my next trail to test them out. What you think?

Wondering what I will do next year…..

As a final note, save next Sunday (18 March) in your diaries as I will be interviewed live on SAfm (104 to 107 FM) at about 16:20.  Kinda nervous and excited at the same time.

Battling with Compliments

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.