About Bo

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

#TeamGarwood shows what Iron Man is all about

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Bo

I woke up on Sunday morning knowing full well that it was the Half Iron Man taking place in East London. Not only was my personal trainer taking part but also quite a few of my twitter friends. But it was this tweet that caught my attention as I scanned my time line for updates:

I’ve seen the many inspirational videos on YouTube of other triathletes who had done similar things in the USA. But this was different. It was the first time I had seen something like this done by a South African. I was then alerted to their website and came across their video:

(Their inspiring story is here: http://www.teamgarwood.co.za/)

Throughout the day, @cheviot_publish kept everyone up to date with her tweets of @teamgarwood’s progress. The 1.9km swim, the 90km cycle and the 21.1km run. Here are some of her photos she took as she spotted them:

Too often, I waste time moaning about my running. I’m too slow, I’m too heavy, my feet hurt. Even on this particular morning, I had decided to sleep in because it was drizzling and I didn’t feel like running in the rain. But then I watch what Kevin is doing with his son Nicholas and there are no words to describe how inspiring their story is.

Well done on your finish guys! For me, that’s what Iron Man is all about!

(ps: Congrats to the other Iron Man medal holders @pamiejane, @Scott_Tait, @Beanker, @TP1011, @KateKearney, and of course, my trainer, Janique!)

Keeping up with the (dog) walkers

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Bo

With full time jobs, gym sessions twice a week with a personal trainer, running training and weekly races, I really feel guilty that I don’t get time to walk my dogs more often. So when we were on leave in December, KK and I managed to take the girls down to their favourite park.

It’s a great park which is always full of dogs chasing balls and going crazy…

The view is spectacular and watching the sun start to set is beautiful…

Annie and Emma, ready to go…

Emma is always nervous and as soon as we sit down, she’ll sit on my lap…

Other dogs trying to make friends, but my girls always wary…

The best photo of the day… with their dad! xxx

Everyone needs to start somewhere

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Bo

I’ll be honest, I don’t particularly enjoy the Dischem 21.1km running race. I find it quite challenging. In 2010, running down A.G. De Witt Drive hurt like hell and I almost ~~died~~ injured myself. So every year, I commit to at least doing the 5km Rehidrat Dash (don’t you just love that word – Dash!)

At the starting line of the race this year, I looked around and was amazed to see such an eclectic mix of so many different people. The serious runners fiddling on their running watches trying to locate satellite, the ‘fun run’ gang who kept promising each other that they’d stick together and not go too fast, the moms with prams already feeding kids with sticky snacks, and the walkers with headphones and backpacks full of …stuff (I never know what they’ve got in there).

In that huge crowd of what must have been over 2 000 runners and walkers, the ages ranged from as young as 5 years old to over 85 years. It reminded me that running is truly a sport for everyone. To say you’re a runner doesn’t necessarily mean you do the Comrades every year. Often, running means just putting on your running shoes and getting out there, enjoying yourself with other runners, regardless of the distance. Everyone can do it!

And so having completed my third Dischem Rehidrat Dash, my 2013 race year has officially kicked off…

Surrounding myself with greatness in 2013

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Bo

I did not start 2013 off with a bag of New Year’s resolutions like I always do. I decided that this year, there’s only one thing which I will focus on: It’s to ensure I surround myself with positive people, those that want to see me succeed and those that encourage me to reach my goals.

Let me tell you a quick story…

In 2010, I did not make the Two Oceans 3 hour half marathon cut off time. I missed it by 6 minutes. I can still remember the route clearly and the sections where I struggled most and desperately needed that extra push. But instead, I was surrounded by “supporters” who let me down. You see, running at my pace of 8mins/km, I’m typically at the back of the pack surrounded by the backmarkers and walkers. It’s not usually a big crowd but stragglers who are huffing and puffing. On this particular day, as I was running along, desperate to make up time, I passed many people standing along side the route who did not realise that whatever they said was heard by every runner passing them.

“These guys will never make it, they are too far behind.”
“Oh no, look at these so-called runners. Why bother if you can’t run at a decent pace?”
Shouts of “Stop walking, run. This is a running race, not a walk!”

I let it all get to me and it was very difficult to push myself being surrounded by these negative statements. I allowed myself to believe what they said, and I gave up. By the time I reached University Drive and KK came running down to meet me, I did not have enough energy to give it that extra push and try beat the clock. I just cried. I did not make it. No medal. DNF.

When I look back now, I realised that it was my own fault. The lesson for me is that I should not have listened to them. I should’ve believed in myself and pushed myself. I should’ve drowned them out with the supporters that were cheering me on, wanting me to have a good race. But in life, how easy is to allow the naysayers to break your spirit. How often do we listen to people who are negative and do not believe in us? We allow them to plant those seeds of self-doubt. We end up not believing in ourselves.

So in 2013, at work, at home and especially during the races, I will seek out those ‘supporters’ who cheer me on. The ones who believe in me and get me to that finish line so that I reach my goals! Here’s to a fantastic 2013!