About Bo

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

The radio on my desk to make me cry

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Bo

As I was plugging my new desk radio in at work, I realised that by arriving at work just after 7:30, when it’s still so quiet and none of my colleagues have arrived yet, I will be able to listen to the 94.7 Highveld Stereo Christmas Wish List which should start sometime in late November.

Nothing marks the beginning of the end of the year for me, more than hearing the wish list on 94.7. I can still remember a wish which touched my heart almost 11 years ago. I had just pulled into the parking lot of the company I was working for at the time and sat in the car listening to the wish before walking into the office (a habit I do still to this day). The story was of a man whose wife had died and he was left with all the medical bills as well as bringing up three young kids, all on his own. With limited funds, his wish was that he could spoil his boys at the movies on a Saturday afternoon.

His wish was granted and he landed up getting free movies for a year for the family. I was touched by his crying and humble gratefulness and bawled my eyes out. It’s been one of the wishes I have always remembered especially because something so small and simple could bring joy to this man and his boys.

Unfortunately, the wish list has changed quite a lot and become somewhat commercial. It has also lost the special touch of Jeremy and I don’t think Wackhead brings anything to it. Even the jingle has changed. But I still enjoy listening to it because it reminds me that there are hundreds of people out there who are struggling, who are desperate and who are in need of help. This in itself is for me the biggest lesson to take out of the wish list going into Christmas.

But for now, it’s so cool listening to the tunes silently humming on my desk all day…

A runner’s thoughts on a 40km bike ride…

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Bo

So I managed to complete my very first cycle road race last week! *whoop* Having survived my first puncture as well as being shoved into a starting pack of almost 2 000 cyclists, I walked away feeling pretty chuffed with myself.

40kms is not that far. It took me 2h18 mins to complete the route on my new bike, knobblies and all. But let me tell you, being new to the sport of cycling, a lot went through my mind during those 2 hours. Here are some of those thoughts…

When I run, I am able to switch off and allow my mind to go into a different space. Not with cycling. There is no chance to switch off as you manoeuvre through other riders, constantly keeping a watch for traffic passing you and always analysing which gear to go choose for the best ride. It is quite draining, both physically and mentally.

Running is quick and we are done by 10am. Not with cycling. Even though we had all completed our races by 12h30, we still only got home after 2pm. It’s a much longer day which requires much more of an investment in time.

I slip my shoes on, strap on my running watch and off I go. Oh boy, with cycling, there’s a million and one things to remember to carry with: puncture repair kits, spare tubes, tools. The all in one cycling outfit makes it very difficult to go for a quick toilet break before the race. My apologies to those who might have caught a glimpse of my white bum and belly as I had no option but to strip down in order to do the job right.

I cannot change a flat tyre to save my life but what I did find is that cyclists all stop to assist one another. If I happened to stop, a cyclist passing me would ask if I was okay. I liked that.

The same goes for accidents. Two accidents happened right in front of me on my race. All cyclists stopped and some got off their bikes to assist the fallen. This is something you don’t see very often with running. I’m ashamed to say that on the odd occasion that a runner has fallen, very few will stop and assist.

Most runners complain of running injuries and niggles. But ask cyclists and they come with war stories of broken collar bones and broken wrists from accidents. Especially those wearing cleats. Injuries are high and the injuries are serious.

The race was timed mat to mat. I will repeat that in case Two Oceans Half Marathon officials read this. Mat to mat!

One last point: There is something to be said for being ‘bum fit’. I must confess that by the time I got to the 36km mark, I kept jumping up off the saddle as if I was doing show jumping on a horse, just to relieve the pain that I felt in areas of my lower body I never knew existed! Ouch!

I am looking forward to my next race and will definitely apply suncream! Check out my legs. This was sore jong!

Taking a picture in my head

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Bo

The kennels where my dogs board when we go away happens to be on the same route of the Johnson Crane running race in Benoni. In fact, we run right passed the kennels as we head up to the 17 km mark of the half marathon.

So when I happened to be in the area recently dropping the girls off at the kennels, I pulled over, stopped the car and got out. There was nothing in sight. The hot sun beat down on the empty road, creating a mirage.

As the silence engulfed me, I was flooded with memories of previous Johnson Crane races. My very first half marathon was Johnson Crane. It was also where I hit the wall on that very road where I was standing. But the route where I managed to cut 20 minutes off my previous PB. I realised that out of all the races on the calendar, Johnson Crane is really close to my heart and one of my favourites.

As I stood looking down the road, I was unsure if it was the memories of the runs, or the light breeze that have me *goosies*, but I promised myself that in 2013 I would once again be back to challenge myself on that road, running that race.

The image of that long, lonely road is etched into my memory until then…

The burning platforms of my life

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Bo

If you’ve worked in a corporate environment, you’ve most probably come across the term “Burning Platform”. For those not familiar with its origin, the story goes like this:

It was change management guru, Daryl Conor, who was watching the news broadcast of the disaster when he realised that Andy’s account could be used as a metaphor which many people could relate to as a symbol for change commitment. Conor does not see it as a story of disaster but a tale of courage and tenacity that illustrates the commitment necessary to face the risk and uncertainty required when departing from the current state of affairs.

Lately this term has been stuck in my head as it feels as if I am the one standing at the edge of the oil rig platform. There are issues in my life which I have ignored for way too long. Issues that are making me miserable. There are things happening which are beyond my control. There are certain things which I know I have been careless with for way too long. My ~~world~~ oil rig is in a comfort zone of sorts but is going up in flames.

The stress, the unknown, the uncontrollable. It’s everything on top of one another. So yes, I am jumping.

I can’t just wait around for things to miraculously “be better”. I can’t expect problems to be sorted out on their own. I need to take ownership. I need to start doing something differently. I read somewhere: If you want something to work, work on it.

So, that’s what I’m doing…

Ref: http://www.reply-mc.com/2012/09/10/the-four-kinds-of-burning-platforms/