A few days rest

Posted on 06/05/2012 by Terence

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

Posted on 16/04/2012 by Terence

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!

Keep Calm #RunSoweto10km

Posted on 27/03/2012 by Terence

Some of you may know Tanya, her twitter bio says “Ex mag hag, now writer, editor, blogger and social media slag. Imperfect mom of Max, Comrades runner. Devotee of Glee, Apples, Hello Kitty, Converse and Essie”.

Tanya has recently launched a fantastic project, which I think was inspired by the Run Jozi event, for most was their first ever run. On the 4 November, there will be a 10km run through Soweto, called the Soweto City Marathon. So whether you are you a beginner runner? A runner wannabe? An experienced athlete who wants to guide some newbies on their first 10km? Then join Keep Calm and Run’s #RunSoweto10km.

What you will get if you sign up here:

Lots of support and motivation to train
Your name listed on this site as a committed participant
Training walks and runs
High fives all the way for your progress
Hero status
Training programmes from the internet

What you won’t get:

Expert advice (we’re not coaches, just really nice people who also started from scratch, and who know how fulfilling and amazing it is to get that first medal)
Demotivating talk or lectures

How to get in on the action

Twitter: @TanyaKovarsky or @LexieParker

Email at keepcalmrun@gmail.com

Run Jozi Run Free – Such an experience

Posted on 22/03/2012 by Terence

Yesterday, 21 March 2012, was Human Rights Day in South Africa. Yesterday, 21 March 2012, was the first ever Nike Run Jozi event and I was there.

The build up to this event started a few weeks ago when Nike announced via social media that it would be having a special run through the streets of Jozi. What an amazing idea, concept and exprience were my thoughts and the day the entries opened, I paid and signed up.

Last week I collected my special edition Nike Tee and race pack and it started to feel more real then ever. So the day finally arrives, 21 March, Human Rights Day, night run through the streets of downtown Johannesburg.

I arrived at the park ‘n ride facilities around 3pm and was shown the way to the awaiting buses. Upon arriving in Jozi, the heavens opened and everyone scrambled for some shelter. What I found amazing at this point is that Nike and their race organisers had thought of everything and we were quickly handed ponchos. This really impressed me. Every little detail was thought of.

So being there so early, and the rain putting a slight damper on things, I made my way to some shelter. Here I bumped into Rob, the first of many friends that are running the race with me. We had a lekker chat and a few minutes later, Tanya arrives sporting her poncho followed a few minutes later by Oren. The rain had subsided and street entertainment started. The vibe was great, music booming and everyone dancing in the streets!

Whilst roaming the streets, we decided to chill inside a building as the race was only due to start at 7pm and it was just on 5pm. Having seen a few others drinking what looked like take away coffee, we went for a stroll around Jozi and bumped into Francois. We all managed to track down a McDonalds and enjoyed some hot chocolate.

Just before 7pm, we all made our way down to the start line which went on for a good few hundred metres as the streets filled with 10 000 runners taking back the streets of Johannesburg. The race started with an awesome fireworks display and off we went.

It was amazing running over the Nelson Mandela bridge and entering the streets of Braamfontein making our way through to Jeppe Police Station, into Hillbrow, and past Ellis Park, Doornfontein and looping back to the finish line. Check out the route.

Running with Tanya and Oren was really nice and motivational. We had a blast and all the residents came out of their high rise flats and were cheering us on. It was such an awesome event and was so special to be the first group to partake.

A special thanks to my friends who ran with me, the strangers who ran with me, the residents of Jozi who cheered us on, the marshals and Metro/SAPS who kept us safe and the organisers.

I took back the streets, I ran Jozi!

Its My Birthday

Posted on 11/03/2012 by Terence

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.

Goal: My first half marathon

Posted on 01/03/2012 by Terence

I can now proudly announce the race that I will be doing as my first half marathon.

This has been a race that I have heard so much about and I absolutely love that part of the country.

Today I entered the Knysna Forest Half Marathon before 6am. I was told entries sell out quickly and they only taking 6800 entries. As of about 10:30 this morning, a tweet was posted that over 2500 entries already received.

I have about 4 months of training ahead of me to ensure that I am ready for the big day, 14 July 2012.

The image above is the route profile. To watch a video by the race organisers click here.

My fantastic parents in law who live in Sedgefield, which is about 30 minutes drive from Knysna, have agreed to me boarding with them for the few days that I am down.
Lucky guy I am

Brad from Run/Walk for Life in Bryanston is helping me stick to a training program that will ensure that I am ready. It is so awesome to have someone like Brad helping me achieve this big milestone.

Many twunners (runners on twitter) will be doing this race, so a tweetup should happen and I will also be running it with my virtual (twitter and bbm) running partner.

Are you running this event? Which was your first half marathon? How did you train for it? Any suggestions/guidance for me?

Race Report: McCarthy Toyota 10km

Posted on 04/02/2012 by Terence

Today I did my first ever 10km road race

The best part of this achievement is that I did it with a great friend that I met last year. She was in the January 2011 Runners World magazine and inspired me to acheive my goals through running. This fantastic person is Madelyn.

There was a good mix of hills and flats and we had so much fun. I am testing out a new running gadget, a Garmin 310xt and the data this produces in amazing. Check it out here.

The immense support that I am getting from my facebook, twitter and other running friends keeps me going and is absolutely awesome. Thank you to each and every one of you. The words of encouragement are more valuable to me than you can imagine.

Race Report : Dischem 5km

Posted on 15/01/2012 by Terence

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

First Race for 2012

Posted on 02/01/2012 by Terence

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?