About Bo

Dog lover. Runner. Although very slowly. Keeping up with the stresses of running and life...

Running fit vs. Bum fit

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Bo

I haven’t been to a spinning class in over 18 months! Since I joined the Running Junkies and started training with a coach, gym kinda took second place and was reserved more for chilly winter days and afternoon thundershowers when I couldn’t run. So when KK asked if I wanted to join him for a spinning class while we were on our December leave, I thought hey, how hard could it be?

Planet Fitness in Fourways had just rolled out new spin bikes which was a blessing in disguise as I had forgotten how to set my bike up and blamed the fact that these ones were new *snort*. The class kicked into gear and off we went. For those that might not be aware or have perhaps forgotten (that’s me), if you haven’t been spinning for a while, your bum (and nether regions – apologies) take quite a pounding! By the end of the class and the following day I was quite sore!

KK recommended that if I wanted to join him for the back to back class two days later, that I should wear my cycling shorts. Why of course! Brilliant idea! Nope. The damage had already been done and after the first class, I was done. But I did enjoy it. A lot!

Running every day doesn’t necessarily mean that I am fit in other areas and I’ve been considering doing more cross-fit and strengthening exercises that will help my running going into 2016, spinning being one of the choices. My legs felt fabulous this week and I can definitely feel they got a good workout. Spinning, lunges, squats… I need to add these simple exercises into my running schedule somehow.

In the meantime, it’s been fun. And good to step back into the gym. Besides, by next week, the gym will be crowded with all the (other) New Year’s Resolutionites!

Caught between a rock and a lazy place

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Bo

As it got closer to December, I remembered promising myself that once the year started to wind down and become quieter that I’d have more time to run. I looked forward to all the free time once I was officially on leave to ‘hit the road running’ and put in so much more dedicated training. Pffft!

Well, three weeks into December and that hasn’t happened. As my brain went on leave so did my body! I have been so lazy! Clutched out! My body refuses to wake up early enough before it’s too hot to go running and then when I’m snoozing next to the pool later in the afternoon, I feel so guilty that I haven’t run. The next day, the same pattern repeats itself.

It’s not as if I can take a break either! Once January arrives, the race calendar kicks into high gear and the races start. Wits Kudus (15km) on the 10th, Dischem (21km) on the 17th, Bobbies half next and ending January off with Johnson Crane (21km). So December should be the ideal month to train, right?

Emma giving me a love when I get back from my run

Cooling my feet off in the pool

Hot & sweaty running kit

Okay, maybe sometime this week I’ll try head out for a long run. So far, if you’re tracking me on Strava, you’ll see that I’m currently only managing to attend regular track sessions and run a 7 or 8 km run here and there. It’s better than nothing I suppose. And hey, it’s holiday time!

*ahem* No more excuses! But maybe time for a nap…

25 questions for 2015

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Bo

I love lists and what better list than one listing 25 questions summarizing the year that was. Thank you @TanyaKovarsky for the idea!

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

I ran a 32km road race! The furthest I’ve ever run before has been 21kms.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I stopped reading work emails on my phone & decided that when I left work in the afternoon, to focus on my running, my hobbies and KK. I stuck to it. Best decision ever. I’m thinking of what to decide to do differently in 2016.

3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?

At home, in comfy clothes, sipping wine. Pretty much the same way as previous years.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5. What countries did you visit?

Tokyo (I’d go back tomorrow) & Hong Kong (My first & last visit)

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Less stress. More time to unwind and spend time on doing the things that make me happy.

7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Running Two Oceans half marathon with my dad was pretty cool!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I’ve mentioned my 32km race. Also achieving my 21km PB. And yes, managing a team at work in a very challenging environment.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Allowing work to turn me into a monster some days.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Several arthritis flare-ups and a niggly knee.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

An Apple watch.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Cups of coffee and tea at work.

13. What song will always remind you of 2015?

None that I can think of?

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?

More blogging. This is what my 2016 New Year’s Resolution will be.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Allow work stress to get the better of me.

16. What were your favourite TV shows?

Game of Thrones. Power Couple.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

18. What was the best book you read?

I confess that I did not get time to read a single book this year. How bad is that?

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?

None.

20. What was your favourite film of this year?

I saw so many movies but none springs to mind.

21. What did you do on your birthday?

It was a biggie: I turned 40 and spent the day celebrating with KK in Tokyo.

22. What kept you sane?

Knowing that I could escape everything and go for a run.

23. Who did you miss?

I thought about my Granny a lot. I longed to talk to her just one last time and keep imagining her answer to some of the things I’d tell her.

24. Who was the best new person you met?

I can’t believe I can’t answer this? I can’t think of anyone new that I met this year. Something to re-look in 2016.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015

Turning 40 years old was liberating. I suddenly stopped giving a fuck. And my running. Discipline and consistency matters. Like anything in life.

Celebrating Christmas traditions

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Bo

Nothing exposes the differences between you & your partner quite like Christmas. How you both were raised and the family traditions you celebrated as a child is often glaringly opposite to one another. This might be a generalization, but that’s what I discovered. Here’s just a few examples:

KK’s family celebrate together on Christmas Eve. My family get together on Christmas Day.
Presents with his family get opened on Christmas Eve too. We wait until the next morning when we wake up. (I’ve always asked KK when he thought Father Christmas arrived? During supper, he tells me.)
KK’s family make a huge kickass gammon. I had never really eaten much gammon until I met them. As a child, all I remember was my granny’s beef and gravy.
In my mom’s house on Christmas Day, there’s gammon, beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, you name it. She even tried the turduken one year but we agreed never to talk about it again.
Growing up, we never had a Christmas tree and I never noticed it until I met KK.
Buying Christmas presents is also very different. KK’s family buy according to gift lists and wrap presents adorned with ribbons and name tags. My family either never bought gifts, or gave one another functional presents like PJ’s or car polish. And often, these gifts were exchanged anytime during December. KK’s is horrified if gifts get opened before the 24^th.

Front entrance hall christmas table decorations What’s common to both families is going to church and celebrating the real reason of why Christmas matters.

Christmas decorations Annie and Christmas Emma and Father Christmas

Over the years, I’ve learnt that these family traditions are important. It’s not about changing one another or questioning why we do (or don’t do) the things we do, but rather recognizing how it brings families together and the wonderful memories everyone has.