About Bo

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

The high after the race

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Bo

It’s been just over a week since KK finished his very first Comrades marathon race. We’ve enjoyed many evenings of analyzing it, discussing the highs and lows, the plans for the up run next year and the sad story of the runner who died just as he finished his race. It’s also been quite relaxing not to have to get up at ungodly hours to run or to plan our weekends around a race calendar.

The most wonderful part for me was running the journey alongside KK as his supporter. The training, the eating plan and the gym sessions. Even completing numerous half marathons while I waited for him to run full ones. But the two highlights for me came as the sun rose and set on the 1st June.

As we dropped KK off on the morning at the start of the Comrades race in Pietermaritzburg, he could hardly talk. In the 17 years that I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so nervous. But the exhaustion & joy on his face when I finally found him on the field at Sahara Park after the race with his medal around his neck is a sight I’ll never forget. I was overcome with emotion and pride.

So people have asked me if I’ll be tackling the up run with him next year. Um… not a chance! The bug hasn’t bitten and I don’t think it ever will. The Comrades marathon is an enormous physical and emotional challenge which I’m so glad KK has conquered. But for now, I’m sticking to those half marathons thanks.

The light at the end of the (rat) race

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Bo

After 6 months of hard training, you’d think that this week would be one of rest, relaxation and gearing the mind mentally to tackle 89kms of running. But instead, it’s been a very bad week where we’ve both been stressed out, niggly, irritated with one another and not resting at all. I’m shattered and feel as if I’m the one that has already run the race.

It started going downhill on Sunday morning when our geyser burst. Then it got worse when our home insurer did not provide the service we expected which left us with a leaking geyser until Wednesday. It’s not fun when a plumber arrives at 23h45 and tells you he can’t fix your geyser. *drip, drip, drip*

Then at work, I somehow damaged my laptop by sandwiching my pen in between the screen and keyboard leaving it bruised and broken. I’ve been given a loan laptop but all my ‘stuff’ is on the old one. Frustrating.

Our ADT alarm kept going off for no reason, even if someone is at home. A new battery was needed so I had to rush around trying to find one. It’s only when you’re looking for a particular shop in Sandton City that you notice just how many of the shops have moved around. And hardly anyone knows where the “Home Security Shop” is. (Next to Edgars)

Catching up on our favourite shows was a nightmare as our Apple TV would not work. We hardly ever have buffering but this week, we haven’t been that lucky.

I also found it difficult dealing with colleagues, the ones who hold on to information like their security blanket. It’s ironic that my role is one of collaboration but getting other people to actually share information with me has been a true challenge. *I’m now like, speak to the hand*

I’m tired. I’m weepy. I cannot wait to get away from it all. I need a break. Heading down to Durban is just what we need! From this moment on, I plan to switch off and focus entirely on the vision of seeing KK cross that finish line. Comrades, here we come!

Imagine you’re a ballerina…

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Bo

Last week I happened to attend my very first book opening which happened to be for one of my friends from primary school. As she sat reading a few chapters out to her captive audience, I was thrown back 30 years to the days I knew her in Primary School.

Casey B Dolan was in my eyes the strongest girl I knew. Full of confidence, over-flowing with life and just magnetic to be around. She feared nothing. She stood up for what she believed and was always looking for her next adventure.

She was in fact completely opposite to me. I was shy, nervous and insecure. I was terrified of speaking in crowds; I hid behind the other girls and would never voice my opinion. I felt safe around her. She made me laugh. She protected me. Being told at one of her birthday parties to imagine we were ballerinas all day has stuck in my head forever.

Our school trip to Cape Town when we were 10 years old. (We didn’t do selfies in those days, I was taking the picture).

The same trip where I sat on an ostrich. This photo was taken 3 seconds before the bird turned around and pecked me so hard I cried in front of all my school mates.

I lost contact with Casey after primary school. I had seen her pictures in magazines. I listened to her on 5FM. So reading her memoir “Appetite for peas” totally floored me. I had grown up believing that this strong, confident friend of mine had grown up where the world was her oyster. But for those who have read Casey’s book, you will know that behind the beautiful smile lies a very sad past where she writes a raw, open & honest account of her abusive relationships and struggles with family.

Our perceptions of people and what we imagine in our heads of what their lives to be like are sometimes so far from reality. All that glitters is not always gold.

Holding her new book, “When the bough breaks” in my hand and hearing of how she has just recently won the Best Actress award for her role in “Konfetti” at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Awards made me smile. This is her world. This is exactly where I expected to find my old friend. In the limelight she loves and where she can shower others with her massive smile, her catchy laughter and her love for the arts. Well done Casey!

“When the bough breaks” book launch at Annica’s.

The goal of Comrades

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Bo

Most runners will be familiar with the question from ~~non-runners~~ people, “Are you running the Comrades Marathon?” It’s as if all runners just do, right? So when KK decided he was going to attempt to run his first Comrades this year, I didn’t think much of it. I mean, he runs twice a week and we usually enter half marathons on weekends. So how bad can it be? But as his training started, I soon realized there was a lot more to Comrades training than what most people think.

Mornings have been characterised by KK sneaking out of the bedroom at 4am to go and run (while I snuggle deeper under the duvet). The training has been relentless. A typical week involves running two hours on Tuesday, two hours on Thursdays, core training with a personal trainer on Mondays and Wednesdays, then 90 minutes on a Saturday followed by a marathon on Sundays. The next week, it starts again but this time with bursts of hill training and speed work.

His commitment to the training has impressed me the most and is where I have learned the biggest lesson. Firstly, he has a printed out & laminated training schedule of what distances to run and when lying next to his bed as well as in his drawer at work (thanks to his running partner DSM). He has followed each week religiously. By keeping the schedule in front of him at all times, his eyes are set clearly on the goal and he is doing what needs to be done to achieve that goal.

Secondly, when KK talks about the Comrades marathon, it’s always positive. His excitement oozes success. He discusses his race plan with confidence. I can see that in his mind, he envisages that finish line. He talks about the medal and going back next year. The vision of victory is there!

I think in life, most of us want to go out and do great things, conquer those mountains, be awesome. But it takes hard work, commitment and keeping your eye on the goal. Too many people drop off eating plans; quit hobbies, give up on their dreams because it’s just too hard and too much effort required.

But in actual fact, to achieve big goals in life takes big commitment and lots of dedication. More importantly it’s to believe you can do it! To believe you can win! In my eyes, KK’s already there. He’s my champ!