An engineer tells it like it is, even in running

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Bo

Running with KK is quite a stressful run. Not only do we not run at the same pace, but I am constantly feeling anxious, which is not how I should feel when I run.

Today I figured out why.

We had set out to run a nice, slow, relaxing Sunday run. KK planned to do 12kms while I settled for the 9km route. As we got to the split where he would run off to do the extended stretch, we stopped to catch our breath and for KK to give me a heads up on the route I was taking as I was not that familiar with it.

He said, “Right, you go up this road and you will encounter two hills. The first one is very steep, then the road dips, then you go up again for the next hill. I’m going straight so that I can get some water at the Caltex garage. I’ll catch up with you. K, go! And remember, two hills. First one up, then a dip, then another hill.” And off he ran.

I must admit… all I heard was hill, then another one. And repeat, one hill, followed by another one. By the time I started to run again, mentally it felt like there was a mountain ahead of me and I dreaded it.

The thing with KK is that as an engineer, it’s all about fact. No beating around the bush. In his mind, he was giving me an exact, detailed description of what lay ahead. He won’t sugar-coat it either. You know exactly what’s ahead of you.

When we did finally meet up again, I told him that perhaps next time he needs to kindly put more emphasis on the down hills ahead and help motivate me more in climbing those hills.

But as I was saying it, I could see the confused look on his face. Nope. He’s an engineer. It’s either black or white and in his mind, it’s the same with running. I guess that’s just how he conquers those up hills too – knowing exactly what’s ahead and planning for it.

I think next time we go for a run, I’m not going to ask what’s ahead. I know he’ll tell me!

A weekend to remember

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Bo

This weekend was one of the best I can remember in a long time and for no special reason other than I spent it with great people, doing the things I love to do.

Friday evening was spent having sundowners at Pirates Sports Club in Jo’Burg. It was the perfect end to a heavy week. Good laughs, awesome friends and the best burgers in town!

Saturday morning I attended a blogging workshop hosted by @TanyaKovarsky. Having gained some valuable tips and being able to share some of my fears with fellow bloggers has left me so inspired – all I want to do is blog!

(I did make a few changes to my blog on the weekend after the workshop. I hope you like them and would love your feedback.)

The rest of Saturday was spent shopping for Christmas presents. With a list in hand, we arrived at Sandton at 13h00 and left just after 19h30 with a car boot full of shopping bags. You seriously want to be on KK’s Christmas list. He does not hold back! Toys R Us love us!

I did manage to find the most adorable Christmas ornaments. Aren’t they just divine?!

(and they only cost me R50 each from that nicknack shop next to McDonalds in Sandton called Chefs ‘n Icers.)

I’ve placed them on my kitchen window sill to keep me company while I cook.

Sharing a pizza with KK at Andiamo in Fourways watching the people walk by doesn’t sound like much. But trust me, in my mind, it’s the perfect Saturday night date after a long day of shopping.

Try my favourite toppings next time you go: Haloumi, biltong, sundried tomatoes and avo. *drooling*

Sundays are our lazy day. We woke up. Had breakfast. Fell asleep again. Chillaxed around the house. Had a wonderful supper outside on the patio watching the sun set.

Happiness.

Making Christmas mine involves a bit of compromise and effort

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Bo

I dread this time of year. While everyone else around me is excited about the holidays and the countdown to Christmas, for me, it represents the time of year that KK and I argue the most.

The thing is that we’ve both come from very different upbringings where Christmas was celebrated very differently in our families.

His memories of Christmas involve presents around the tree, family photographs, gammon and fruit cake and opening up presents on Christmas eve.

However, I can’t remember my family ever having a Christmas tree. Presents were not a big deal (and some years never even wrapped). I also recall that the fact that my single mom could earn extra money for working overtime on these days meant we usually landed up spending the time at my granny.

Don’t get me wrong. It never bugged me. In fact, this is what I came to know as a fantastic Christmas! This was the norm.

So what’s the problem then? Why do we fight?

In a way, KK is reluctant to give up on his Christmas tradition. In his eyes, it is perfect. This is where the arguments start. I want something of my own. I want my own tradition. I want something uniquely ours. And yet with Christmas eve booked by his family and Christmas day spent split between my mom, stepdad and my dad, there isn’t really time for an ‘our’ Christmas.

I think it’s different when you have kids and you start creating your own traditions. But that’s not going to happen with us. So for the past couple of years, it’s always landed up being a big argument.

So this year, I decided that two things were needed. I needed to back down and accept that KK’s Christmas is important to him and I shouldn’t try change anything. The second realisation is that if I wanted something of my own, I needed to find it or create it.

And so I did..

We made Friday night a ‘romantic, Christmas tree putting up evening’. I booked us out for the evening (so that we didn’t accidentally make Friday night plans with friends), I bought some really yummy snacks on the way home including some wine. I made a delicious supper which we ate outside on the patio, watching the sun set. And then we set out decorating our home in Christmas decorations. Together. Just the two of us while my George Michael CD played in the background.

It was an evening where we celebrate the start of ‘our’ Christmas together and spent time decorating our beautiful home with the most stunning Christmas decorations.

What works is that no one can take this evening away from us. It is ours and is a special evening that we can look forward to every year from now on – building our own yearly tradition.

It takes both a compromise to find a solution and an effort in order to make something work. Sometimes it’s difficult to do, but the rewards are amazing!

Running as one

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Bo

I’m really jealous of KK. He has a dedicated running partner who not only runs his pace, but is also his best friend.

KK and DSM have been best friends since 1988. They both went to Wits together, studied engineering and have remained friends ever since. They’ve been each other’s best men, mentor and confident ever since I can remember. In fact, they still speak to each other when they drive home from work almost every day. They’ve supported each other through the good times as well as the bad.

They think alike. They do things the same way. But through it all, they are inseparable.

This is never more evident than when you observe their running.

You see, they have been running partners for many years. Not only do they train together but also run every race together.

They dedicate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays to their training. They support each other during races, physically and mentally.

When KK has a bad run, DSM will slow down the pace and get KK to the finish line. When DSM struggles up the hills, KK pushes him. They set the same goals. They run the same race. They run as one.

Running alone is difficult. Pushing yourself is tough. Ask me, I know.

Some races require that extra something and if you have someone who wants you to achieve as much as you want them to, you’re already half way to that finish line.

It’s like that in life too…

We all have our own races to run. But without support, some of us fail to cross that finish line.