International First Love Day…

Today is International First Love Day and I felt like I wanted to contribute…

When examining what qualifies someone or something as a “First Love” I was rather shocked to discover that running ticked all the boxes!

Love is about sacrifice – we all know about this when training for a specific race, I for one can’t even remember what my surfboard looks like or which way to put on my wetsuit, don’t even mention my friends (I have to write their names down to remember them).

You spend most of your time with those you love – don’t even get me started on how much time I spend running, thinking about running or planning a run.

First loves are like prized possessions – well we all know what I think about in times of crisis…

In all honesty though there are things about running which would qualify it as a first love, for me anyway.  These are the things I love about running:

• An early morning run through a beautiful place, when it’s quiet and nobody is around
• The feeling of crossing the finish line of all of my races
• Having people come up to me at a race and say ‘Hey, aren’t you the Reluctant Runner?”
• The fact that it serves as a platform for me to give back in some small way
• The knowledge that I can do anything I put my mind to

I keep saying that after this Comrades Marathon I’m going to be putting running on the back burner and taking up all those other things which I enjoy doing, but in the back of my mind I  wonder – will anything else be able to compare with that feeling of running across the finish line of the Ultimate Human Race…?

4 Comments / May 15th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Running, Training

Running Inspiration

Note: I have sorted out my PayPal issues, so donating is going to be as easy as pressing SEND

I also found what I’m going to be using as my inspiration for when I’m feeling dog tired and ready to keel over (other than all you folks who have donated).

I first heard about this father and son team from my friend Glen, check out the video, you won’t be disappointed!

Leave a Comment / May 13th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Running, Training

Running Medal Alternatives

On Sunday I did the Milkwood half marathon as my last long run before the Comrades.  I wanted to do this race in particular because instead of handing you a medal at the end, they hand you an indigenous tree…  Rather random I know, especially since I live in an apartment, but I’d far prefer getting something like this, which I can keep in my flat until it is too big, than a medal.

This post isn’t about the actual race because I did it last year and which I’d recommend anyone in the area adds to their running calendar, I wanted to write about this race because it has come to my attention that my little wooden box which I keep my medals in is becoming inconveniently full.

I’m not sure about any of you, but after every race when I get a medal, it gets photographed for a blog post and then unceremoniously thrown into a box in my cupboard – not really what you’d think one would do with something which is meant to be given for bragging rights…

I’ve always been interested in what people do with these useless pieces of metal, some people don’t take one, others throw them away before they even leave the event and some people do the same as me (minus the taking a photo for a blog post) – very few in fact do anything useful with theirs which has made me start thinking about possible alternatives.

I like the idea of a tree because it makes me feel all hippie and cancels out feeling bad for not recycling (AND a tree is also harder to kill than normal house plants).  I asked around at the race yesterday and some people said they’d prefer water bottles or even sachets of new products to try.

I certainly wouldn’t shed a tear at not getting a medal – ok ok some races you HAVE to get a medal like the Two Oceans, the Comrades and the bit international City races.  I’m interested to hear what you’d like to get instead of a medal!!

Running "Medal"

Leave a Comment / May 12th, 2009 / Comrades Marathon, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Running, Training

Get with the Program

Hey everyone, I’ve make a Facebook group to involve all my non-running friends in my effort to raise money – and for a little bit of motivation in the last 17 days, 14 hours and 22 minutes…

I’m also having trouble with PayPal, apparently as a South African account holder you can’t receive money into your account – not sure why but does anyone have any ideas how to get around that?

For those of you who aren’t already friends with me on FB - Check it out!!

Leave a Comment / May 6th, 2009 / Reluctant runner