Archive for Motivation

Running, The Past Year and What Now?

October 23, 2008 Cands 2 comments

On Sunday I do the Grape Run – the first half marathon I ever did – exactly a year ago…

With this landmark coming up I’ve been thinking about the past year (I tried not to because it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long – but I failed) and what I’ve achieved.  It’s been a pretty hectic year for me career wise, emotionally and financially and to be honest I’m not sure I would have weathered it as well if I hadn’t had such a massive goal to work towards. 

Yes I complained about running monopolising my time, it was the cause of some pretty substantial physical pain and I managed to blame it for everything that didn’t go right in my life – but it is also responsible for my biggest accomplishment.

This is what I have learned over the past year:

  • I proved to myself by training, participating and finishing the Comrades Marathon – that I can do anything I put my mind to, which is empowering in so many ways.
  • Blogging has been my outlet for running frustrations and indirectly some of my emotional turmoil (which is for another type of blog all together) and has put me on a new career path I hadn’t even considered.
  • Fundraising is not only easy but immensely fulfilling and is something I’d like to carry on with into the future.
  • The ability to run and motivate others is infectious, and I seem to be good at it.
  • Not to take myself too seriously because it forms barriers against having to pee behind cars and bushes in a race – and not care if anyone is looking.

Moving Forward
I realize now that I’m not really the “Reluctant Runner” anymore – although I most certainly started out as one and some days still feel like that person, but I’m going to have to shift my focus a little where this blog is concerned. 

I’ll fill everyone in on my plan in the next week or so but for now I’m going for a run – coz I want to…

Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training , ,

Running , Canons and 76 year old men…

October 13, 2008 Cands No comments

On Sunday I did the Gun Run and decided to see how fast I could actually run 10km if I just pushed a little. I guess this is why normal people run time trials but in order to NOT have running take over my life and in trying to achieve some balance with my career and social life, not forgetting to leave some quality time for myself – I guess time trials didn’t even make my list of “To Do’s”…

A unique feature of this race is that the start is signified by the firing of a canon – at this point I’d like to say this race should NOT be run by people prone to fright or heart attacks since I almost jumped out of my skin, being unprepared for how a canon sounds from roughly 10 metres away.

Pushing hard from about the 5km mark I managed to come in at 51 minutes although I could feel I had pushed it and felt mildly nauseas when I was done, something which hasn’t happened to me since school Physed classes.

After the race I was chatting to an older gentleman who had also done the 10km run and who had come in at 46 minutes, he was 76 years old!! This reminded me of WHY I run and one of my motivations for having started on this journey which has resulted in me loving the sport and trying to persuade other people to start running too.

My next race is the Grape Run which is the first half marathon I ever did. I anticipate it being rather emotional but I’m excited to see how much I have improved in a year, on the same course.

Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training ,

Cape Town Marathon – Post Race Dissection

September 22, 2008 Cands One comment

6:30am on Sunday I found myself in a crowd of runners, getting my mind into gear to run 42.2km in the Cape Town Marathon.  Standing with my friends Nicola and Jess who were running their first marathon, I realized how far I have come since my first in February. 

I felt fabulous the whole way, except when a very angry looking marshal yelled at me for wearing my iPod – this put me in a bit of a rage, I’ve heard some talk about banning MP3’s and iPods from running races but if they are going to do that then they had better ban all the supplements and energy packs people consume on the way – all of which do the same thing as music by giving runners the energy and motivation to keep going , especially on longer races (I will be talking more about this when I get feedback on what the rules are in this regard).  Needless to say as soon as the marshal (with his red little face) was nowhere to be seen, I promptly put my iPod back on…

Bettering my time by almost 20 minutes, I came in at 4:12 – qualifying for next year’s Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans (should I choose to do them…).

I want to say thanks to my mom for meeting me along the way with potatoes and much appreciated support – also to my usual trusty seconds, Nicolene and Jeanene and the surprise appearances of Carla, Tammy, Amanda, Steve and Nathan – it means so much to me that so many people made the effort – thanks a mil guys!!

Oh and well done Nicola and Jess on finishing your first marathon – hope to see you guys on more in the future and to Anne who ran the last 4km with me, thanks for distracting me from the gigantic blister on my foot and aching legs – I hope I can return the favour one day!

Running on the Promenade

Running on the Promenade - 5km to go

Motivation, Reluctant runner , , ,

New Runners!!

September 14, 2008 Cands 3 comments

Last night one of my friends Erin (who also happens to be a trusty second) announced that she would like to do a half marathon (and she was sober).  The one she has decided to call her debut will be the Two Oceans Half of which I’m doing the 56km Ultra.  Erin’s dad is breaking out his running shoes and wants his daughter to accompany him, which sounds extremely familiar…

This is said to be one of the most beautiful races on the South African racing calendar and next year is the 40th year that the Two Oceans Marathon  will be held – so a great starting point for Erin.

I am thrilled that she has decided to do this and I have decided to take on the job of main motivator – which is one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place.  I’ll keep everyone in the loop as to how Erin is doing, we have 5 months to whip her into half marathon running shape and the prospect of wielding the whip is mildly exciting for me…

Anyone else interested in joining Erin on her little adventure into the running world let me know – I promise to be kind ;)

Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training , , ,

Favourite Medal!!

September 7, 2008 Cands No comments
This morning I dragged myself out of bed just after 5am with very ominous looking weather outside, to meet my friend Kyle and head over to Noordhoek for the 17km Satori Camel Run, a brand new race on the WP calendar.

Having serious second thoughts about heading out in the blustering wind and then having to deal with Kyle being a bit of a baby about the cold (ok he wasn’t the only one complaining), we headed over to the start at the Noordhoek sports field.

Waiting for the gun I was tapped on the shoulder and asked if I was the Reluctant Runner. This took me by surprise considering I only have one picture of myself on my entire blog. It seems my article (and blog post) in the Fishhoek newsletter about the 4 Hills for Lindsay comrades training run (after which I also mention camels – although of a different kind) was actually read and noted, and to be absolutely honest, I felt almost famous…

As for the race, it is magnificent with some off-road parts through the paddocks, on the beach and through the vineyards. I do have to note that there are 2 very nasty hills which actually cannot be run up, no matter how loud my music was it just wouldn’t motivate my legs to keep the pace, which I didn’t feel too bad about since I most definitely wasn’t the only one walking!!

I must also say that this race was extremely well organized even down to the little signs just before the water points, announcing that there was a water point coming up and of course the coconut covered date balls waiting at the end had me so excited I almost forgot to get my medal – which is probably one of my favourite to date (besides my Comrades one)…

I’d definitely put this race on my calendar for next year!!Satori Camel Run Medal

Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training , , ,

Running Suppliments

August 13, 2008 Cands 2 comments

Last night after my run I was informed that I was getting too skinny.  This is a normal thing, it seems, when I step up the training I lose a few kilo’s until I manage to balance my eating and training out again.
 
Now for those of you who don’t know me, I am pretty small already so losing more weight makes me look like a pre-pubescent boy…

Another tell tale sign that it is time to crack out the cooked meals twice a day is  the fact that my neck seems to get all skinny making my head look too big for my body (my friends hold nothing back).
When I was training for the Comrades Marathon, I just put it down to being normal for the distances that I was covering and that since running was a temporary thing for me at that stage, I didn’t really bother too much about all the disappearing weight.

I am however a little more concerned about it now, since running has become a more permanent feature and my health is very important to me.

Logistically eating the amount of food to balance out the training would require me spending a lot more time in front of the stove (sub-optimal), and I just can’t physically put that much food into my stomach.

So, meal replacements (along with what I am currently eating) seem like the way forward.  To be honest I’ve never tried any of these supplements before, having only ever taken Protein when I was delving into the vegetarian world.

I have been recommended a few brands and am keen to try a few others out, but I’m opening this to all of you – any ideas as to what I should take or what works for you would be greatly appreciated!!

Motivation, Training , , , ,

Reluctant Runner has a New Challenge…

August 6, 2008 Cands One comment

Quick Note:

Ok everyone, so I’m still trying to find the balance with my new job, running, blogging and the other things that make my life worth living – so bare with me (and the infrequent posts) until I have the balance back!!

So I have a new challenge!! 

The Cape Town Marathon (42.2km) is on Sunday, September 21st.   Plus I have an added twist to motivate me (don’t worry I won’t be asking for money again – this time:)

Going back to the very beginning of my running career – all the way back to a year ago when I decided I might kind of like to run an ultra marathon - one of the first people I voiced my kind-of wish to, was my friend Andre who basically laughed in my face (to be fair he wasn’t the only one) although he did try to mask it with a bit of a snort and a raised eyebrow (again to be fair, he was one of the supportive SMS senders and contributors, but I can tell you that first response is what initially spurred me to get on the road).

Now, Andre is also running the Cape Town Marathon and although I will never compete with him on time (his last marathon was done in 3:30, just a whole HOUR faster than my best marathon time), he has decided to share his Google training calendar with me, which I can use to log my training on – along with his, so we can kind of compare who is doing what and how often.

Why is this motivating for me??

Well I think if I had someone to compare my training with, I might actually be more motivated to train a little harder because let’s face it, my training programme for the Comrades went something like this:
“Do I feel like running today?”
“No”
“Ok, well if I walk really fast from my car to my apartment – which counts right?”

Which is NOT the best tactic when training for an 89km race!!!??

So, in the weeks to come I will be logging my efforts next to Andre’s (he already has his training programme all worked out – and he is the type of person who will stick to it too) which will hopefully spur me into pushing myself a little, plus it would be fun doing this with someone who was there from the start…

I wonder if I should set a finish time now, or wait to see how much training I’ve done…?

Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training , , , , , , , ,

Thank-you’s

July 28, 2008 Cands One comment

Finally, I have wound up all the donations and the total made for Reach For Recovery from my running the 89km of the Comrades Marathon was just around R6 200!

For my first time fund raising attempt I didn’t have any expectations, so I’m really happy about the generosity everyone displayed in helping motivate me!

Now, this may read like a bit of a Grammy Awards winning speech (but let’s face it, this is probably the closest I’m going to get to one of those) – but I do need to thank a few people who had an impact on my life since I had decided to run this race.

I think to begin with it would be fair to thank the Van Kets Family for letting me run in memory of Gemma, this is my tribute to someone I didn’t know for very long but whose strength and courage made an indelible mark on my life.

My running partners over the months (I had to keep changing when they got sick of me) Jo, Mary & Shaun, Nicola & Shaun, Jess, Jacques and James – thanks guys you made this process a lot less lonely than it could have been.

Michael Heath for being my morning running partner and comic relief on 4 Hills for Lindsay!

Cobus, thanks again for the ride when I bailed on the West Coast Marathon and then for all the encouragement, I think besides filling the role as nutritionist, head-coach might have also come into play…

Mom thanks for being my role model in all of this – you are a machine!

Dad you are really the best possible example of what being a great father is about – giving up your Father’s Day to stand on the side of the road holding out potatoes and chicken legs, which I still managed to complain about.

Thank-you especially to Nicolene and Erin for being there for most of my big runs, as the greatest seconds ever!

To both mom and dad for financing my trip and for buying my first pair of running shoes, less than a year ago.

To Andy at igiveada.mn for providing such an awesome platform for donations, you will be used on my next fund raising endeavour for sure!

Thank-you, Thank-you to everyone who donated money I am flattered by the response and convinced that I must have some of the most generous friends a crazy running girl could ever have.

I have to make mention of the team at Cruise iQ and Ocean 7 who put up with my tired rattyness at work.  It was also a blessing that the job I had allowed me enough head-space, energy and time to set up this blog and to run every day.

Thank you to everyone who sms’d me before, during and after the race.  I even had a call from Australia just minutes before we were due to leave for the start!

Thanks for all the encouragement Umhlathuze AC, my running club!

Thanks to SABC for putting me on TV for 3 seconds – I feel almost famous!!

This was the most amazing journey! It is surprising how strong you actually are, and until you put yourself to the test I don’t think you really know what you are capable of.  The human mind is stronger than what I had ever imagined, my mind – which hopefully spells great things for the future!

Thanks again everyone, I am truly grateful!

Fund Raising, Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training

Forest running…

July 20, 2008 Cands No comments

Last weekend was the Knysna half marathon.  I had been looking forward to this race since I booked for it in April already (the party vibe is awesome so many people do this run).  Last year I was at the race but since I wasn’t a runner at that stage, I only managed the 5km – this year I planned on running with my friend Mary who was running her first 21km.

I had been warned about how cold it would be at the start, which is in the Knysna forest.  Cold didn’t really cut it – FREEZING seems more appropriate!!!  I lost the feeling in my baby toes, something I haven’t felt since I worked in an American ski resort in New Hampshire where minus 30 was considered warm…

It was great running in a race again, it had been a month since the Comrades and I was a little worried that I would have lost some of my fitness – turns out I hadn’t – half way came so fast it had me laughing out loud!

Mary did a great time (I don’t think I’m the best partner to run with if its your first time – I’m not very understanding it seems), coming in at 2:20 which is great for a first time!

As I said in my previous post, I’m in the process of finalizing the last few donations and then I’ll give everyone the update…

Motivation, Reluctant runner, Training , ,

Still here…

July 5, 2008 Cands No comments

Hi everyone, I’ve been agonizing the whole week about not being able to get to a computer to do some blogging,and so finally with the yoga class cancelled (without my knowledge of course), I find myself at a computer this early on a Sunday morning…

I started a new job on Tuesday and so in trying to prove that I’m an asset and totally indispensable, I’ve refrained from doing any personal internet stuff at work, VERY unlike my last job where I practically spent half my day occupying myself (and my brain) with maintaining my blog.

Anway, that aside my new laptop arrives next week so I will be leap-rogging myself into the 21st century with home internet, which means I can keep up to date with everything online – YAY for my technological progress!!!

I’m running the Knysna Half Marathon next weekend, so I’ve been trying to keep the training up at the gym (its been rainy here in Cape Town the past week).  This race is always a highlight on any runners calander and last year I went as a spectator, THIS year I’ll be taking part which I am very excited about.

I am also gathering in the last donations and compiling my “Thank-you” list so keep an eye out for that!!!  Till then…

Motivation, Training , , ,
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