Keeping up with wonderful women

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Bo

I am incredibly blessed to have a group of amazing women in my life. Women who make me sit back and marvel at their lives, things that they do and how they make it look so easy, so simple and so wonderful.

I’m talking about those that are single mothers. How you find the energy to work a full, stressful day in the office and still go home to work a further 12 hour shift and raise the most beautiful, curious and active children is beyond me.

I’m also talking about the beautiful women who make time to ensure their nails are always manicured, their feet are soft and smooth and their legs are shaven. If you pop up at their homes unexpectedly, they look glamorous, even in house clothes.

The women in my life who are the most talented bakers and chefs… women who know flapjack recipes out of their heads. The ones who make a lasagne from scratch when they get home from a busy day at the office, those that bake blue smurf cupcakes for nephews and even some who know the importance of brown onion soup for roast potatoes.

Many of these amazing women are so positive, even through adversity. There are ‘angels’ doing some inspiring work with their families and friends within their church and charities. It’s a real honour to know them and that they expect nothing in return.

When I think of the women in my life, I am also referring to the gym bunnies. The runners. The ones who eat healthily and who are always looking after their bodies. They are always up for a challenge and who are fearless.

I love the women in my life who make me laugh. The catch up suppers where we can share a vegetarian platter of meze but order meatballs and calamari on the side. The women who will sit and listen to hours of me analysing my running victories and failures and never grow tired of me moaning.

I smile as I think about the ones that I’ve known for more than half my life. The ones who’ve stood by me through high school, my 20’s and now into my 30’s. But also those I’ve met only recently and who know me so well.

There are those I go to for advise, some who fill my laughter tank, others who have wonderful adventures to share. Some are good for hugs. Others who never hold back when I need a stern lecture and to set me back on course when I need it most.

But most of all, all of these amazing women in my life are precious and remind me constantly to be grateful to have them there, everyday. Thank-you!

*Dedicated to my mom, sister and all the girlfriends in my life who I love & adore!

Observations from my morning run

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Bo

A while back I decided to stop obsessing over my pace when I ran but instead appreciate my surroundings and listen to my body. On my run this morning, I did just that…

I ran the Robin – Logan – Curzon route. 10kms. Difficulty rating = 3. Time: 1:32mins. Fastest km: 7:12mins/km. Confession: I walked a lot.

5 OBSERVATIONS:

1. When I stopped mumbling to myself, I was overwhelmed by the beautiful sounds of birds all along the way. I really must make an effort to visit the Norscot Koppies and Kingfisher Nature Reserve in Douglasdale sometime.

2. I witnessed a naughty little Jack Russel chasing a family of kieviets. His days are numbered.

3. I passed a total of 17 runners! Apparently this is the last LSD weekend before Comrades runners start tapering down.

4. The rottweiler in Moray street wants me for Sunday lunch. I will not attempt to make friends with him again.

5. Heading out for my run after 8am is way too late! I was roasting by the time I got home. I struggle to run when I’m hot. I can’t lie in on a Sunday morning and go run. I need to decide which one I’d rather do.

The best part was showering and jumping back in to bed with a cup of tea… Total bliss!

What happened in the week of April 11th?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Bo

I was born during the month of April. The 11^th of April to be exact. A couple of years ago, I noticed that ‘things’ happened on or around my birthday. Things that I would later in life remember about my birthday week. These are some that I remember most…

The assassination of Chris Hani – 10^th April 1993: I was at the Rand Easter Show with friends the day before my birthday. Two of my friends were soldiers on a break from the army and were called to come back to service that day when the shocking news of Chris Hani’s assassination broke. The next day, my birthday was spent indoors listening to the news.

Hansie Cronje lied – 11^th April 2000: On this day, Hansie Cronje was sacked as SA’s national cricket captain after confessing that he had not been “entirely honest” about match fixing. Hansie was my hero and my heart was broken! Watching him during the King Commission was even more difficult. I have never really enjoyed cricket since then and was saddened by his death two years later.

Ellis Park Stadium disaster – 11^th April 2001: KK and I had just returned home from a birthday supper and I happened to switch on the TV. What I saw was ghastly as dead bodies were being laid out on the grass of the Ellis Park Stadium after a local soccer match between Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. 43 supporters were crushed to death that day.

But it hasn’t always been bad memories….

My first Two Oceans Half Marathon – 11^th April 2009: Such a special memory that is carved in my heart! The organizers made me feel extra special by surprising me with a Puma rucksack when I collected my race pack as well as printing my name in the Two Oceans magazine. But what made this race even more memorable is that after a break of 20 years, my dad ran the race too! I was so proud!

Can you remember anything special or memorable that happened on your birthday?

The topic runners DON’T talk about

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Bo

If there’s one thing runners like to do, it’s talk about running. Our PB’s, our running kits, our races, even our niggles and pains. But there’s one topic we never talk about: Portaloos! The ironic thing is that I’m sure we all have our horror stories to tell…

Here are my top 3 portaloo experiences I’m trying to forget:

1. Two Oceans 2011. We had parked the car and I spotted a lonely portaloo standing near to where we had parked. Bonus! I would not need to queue! There wasn’t much light as it was still chilly and dark and I ran in first. The smell hit me. It was putrid! I could hardly breathe. But in my haste, I was already seated and had to get the ‘job’ done. It was only after we had finished the race and made our way back to the car that I saw that the portaloo that I had used was in fact not one for the race but one used by builders on site. In the daylight, I realised just how filthy it was. It looked as if it had stood there for weeks. *no words*

2. Om-Die-Dam 2011. At the 18km mark of the half marathon, I desperately needed the loo so I hopped in to one of the portaloos at the water point. After finishing up, I could not open the door. It was wedged closed and the lock would not open. I pushed and pulled, starting to get quite frantic. I was eventually able to pull it open, but it cut my finger which started to bleed. Without thinking, I put my finger in my mouth to soothe and suck it only to realise a split second later that my hand was most probably full of disgusting germs and I was doomed to get sick. I remember busting out crying.

3. Remax 2012. Sitting on the loo, I thought I’d send a quick early morning tweet to wish my fellow runners good luck with their races (this is not the time to judge me!). I had forgotten to lock the door and a runner pulled the door open, saw me, but then walked off, not closing the door. Here I sat, fully exposed, on the loo, pants down, with my phone in my hand in full view of the queue of runners. I had to then gracefully, stand up, and lean forward to grab the door to close it. I wanted to die. I think a part of me did…

It’s funny that after chatting to marathon runner @tanyakovarsky, I realised that I’m not alone in hating portaloos. In fact, after running x9 Comrades races and recently becoming a Two Oceans 56km blue number, she still hates them and has even shared some of her tips of avoiding the dreaded portaloos with me which I plan to use on my future runs.

Tip number one: Don’t use the portaloo unless it’s a matter of life or death!