About Bo

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

Knock off and run

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Bo

Geepers! I’m finding it such a struggle lately to get to gym or go for a run! When I drive home from work, I often see cyclists crossing the road on their cycling path across Delta Park down Barry Hertzog Road. I get so jealous and ask myself, “What time did they leave work to get dressed in cycling kit and get out on the road?” I think that’s the trick though. Finding time.

The reality is that there will always be busy days. It’s the norm for most people, right? Our days have become so busy. There will always be late afternoon meetings. There will always be so much work to do that I couldn’t possibly finish it all in one day. (It’s a blessing). But this is just how it is and it’s not going to change. So what can I do about it?

I’m definitely in a better state of mind if I manage to get to gym or get out on the road to run. It’s important that I make time. I admit that the only person stopping me is … me. I need to put my foot down and leave the office when I need to in order to find that balance. It’s in my hands. Just like those cyclist, I have to manage my time better.

A week ago, I returned to Randburg Harriers time trial after ‘my Winter hibernation’. I had not been for months and oddly enough had butterflies in my stomach when I arrived. I ran on my own, through the tree-lined streets, taking deep breaths and smelling the fresh Spring air. It was awesome! A new PB TT time too. I couldn’t stop talking about it for days how wonderful it was to be back at TT.

But to be honest, I think it was my body feeling so amazing because it was thanking me. My whole body inside and out was smiling!

(Images: Strava & Google)

Running through my weeks…

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Bo

1. Early morning race entries at Wits Kudus. 2. Delicate cupcakes baked by a colleague. 3. Annie & Emma acting like two lounge lizards. 4. Home-made cashews, almonds, sunflowers seeds, pumpkin seeds & goji berry snack. 5. Annuals finally flowering in my garden – Hello Spring! 6. The view of the Drakensberg mountains on a hike. 7. …followed by a beautiful Drakensberg sunset. 8. Bridal shower fun. 9. Baby meringues from Moemas.

12 year run

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Bo

When I met KK, I was not a runner. In fact I could think of nothing worse than to put myself through “that kind of torture”. I never even belonged to a gym. Yet when we met, we just clicked. I would often go with him to the road races, but always take a pillow with and snooze on the back seat of the car. It was bliss. It never seemed to bug either one of us that our weekends were so unmatched.

Just out of the blue, I decided that maybe I should give running a try. I hated it. Those first few kilometres were absolute hell and there were days when I questioned why I was actually trying it. But I hung in there. Starting with 4km runs around my neighbourhood, then a 10km and finally managing to do half marathons.

This weekend, KK and I celebrated our 12 year wedding anniversary. Time has flown by so quickly and I’m amazed at just how much we’ve both changed and also grown closer. I truly believe that the fact that I started running has meant we are able to share our time together more often.

I’m sometimes asked if the fact that we both run makes our relationship stronger. Yes and no. A part of me always thinks back to those early days and remembers that even though I never ran, I still supported KK and knew how much it meant to him. I was still there. And even though we might not run at the same pace today, the fact that I now also wake up at ungodly hours on a weekend to go run a race means a lot. To the both of us.

It shouldn’t really matter what each other decides to do in life, as long as we do it together.

Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Bo

A couple of months ago, I was frustrated when it appeared as if things at work were not going as I had planned. Fast forward to now and I find myself quite overwhelmed with all of the changes.

A new job, a new team to manage, new processes, new stakeholders, new colleagues, new projects, a new office… new everything! You must know that I am not the best when it comes to change so this implosion of my life has been incredibly stressful.

I must confess that some moments of my day are spent trying to stop myself from panicking. The other time is spent trying to clear out my mailbox!

Don’t get me wrong – I am loving it. I get home exhausted. I am learning something new each and every day and it feels as if at the end of each day, my brain is fried banana.

There are three things that keep me going:

It’s comforting to know that the team I left behind are friends and a safe place to go visit. They take my mind off things, they ground me in a way and remind me of who I am.
My new team are awesome. They have made it very easy for me to openly admit that I don’t quite understand what CTR or wireframe is.
My bosses (a few of them) make me believe that I can do this. That taking on this challenge is a piece of cake. They have all been so supportive and encouraging. I will not let them down.

But for the moment, I need to practice my breathing. I noticed today that when I stress, I stop breathing and hold my breath in. It’s as if I will be able to stop time… just for a second while I try to catch up.