Running fit vs. Bum fit

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Bo

I haven’t been to a spinning class in over 18 months! Since I joined the Running Junkies and started training with a coach, gym kinda took second place and was reserved more for chilly winter days and afternoon thundershowers when I couldn’t run. So when KK asked if I wanted to join him for a spinning class while we were on our December leave, I thought hey, how hard could it be?

Planet Fitness in Fourways had just rolled out new spin bikes which was a blessing in disguise as I had forgotten how to set my bike up and blamed the fact that these ones were new *snort*. The class kicked into gear and off we went. For those that might not be aware or have perhaps forgotten (that’s me), if you haven’t been spinning for a while, your bum (and nether regions – apologies) take quite a pounding! By the end of the class and the following day I was quite sore!

KK recommended that if I wanted to join him for the back to back class two days later, that I should wear my cycling shorts. Why of course! Brilliant idea! Nope. The damage had already been done and after the first class, I was done. But I did enjoy it. A lot!

Running every day doesn’t necessarily mean that I am fit in other areas and I’ve been considering doing more cross-fit and strengthening exercises that will help my running going into 2016, spinning being one of the choices. My legs felt fabulous this week and I can definitely feel they got a good workout. Spinning, lunges, squats… I need to add these simple exercises into my running schedule somehow.

In the meantime, it’s been fun. And good to step back into the gym. Besides, by next week, the gym will be crowded with all the (other) New Year’s Resolutionites!

What being a Junkie has taught me

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Bo

Last year August I signed up with a running coach. I secretly hoped that he would in some miraculous way make me a faster runner.

I remember that first afternoon track session well. A couple of runners gathered on the grass field, then we started with a 2.3km warm up (which almost killed me) followed by more warming up, and finally running around and around a grass track, ending off with another cool down on the same 2.3km warm up route (ok, this time I did die). After my first session, I remember asking the coach, “So this will make me fast, right?” I was so naive!

A year later, here’s what I’ve learnt about track training and coaching:

The pace I run does not define me as a runner. *repeat*
Even those running at 4 mins/km want to run faster. It’s a runner’s thing.
There’s a difference between a quality run and an easy run. You need to do both.
Nobody forces you to do anything. Progress is entirely in your hands.
Injuries happen.
When it comes to track, everyone is equal and gets treated the same way. Everyone does the same track session. Slow runner? Pffft, *suck it up Junkie*
I’ve made the most incredible friends with some of the most extraordinary people from all walks of life. At track, we find that common bond.
Track has taught me to put things into perspective. The lessons around consistency and discipline can be applied to all things in my life.

I guess the biggest thing I’ve gained is not just one coach, I’ve scored over 20 different coaches! Yes, so Dave is the main kahuna, but each person that I train with at track has made a difference to my running and taught me something in their own way.

It’s the odd word during the warm up about the best PB races; it’s the encouragement as each one of them laps me. It’s the tips offered about my running form & reminders not to slouch; it’s the books loaned to me; the caring Whatsapp messages, those that run that last lap with me and help me push my limits. It’s the LSD’s on Sunday, the jokes we share, the ones that look out for me at races and those who sacrifice their track session to pace me.

It’s been the most incredible year. I can truly say that track training with the Running Junkies has changed the way I think about running, changed the way I judge my pace and has made me understand what matters most about why I run. There’s so much more to love about running than my pace!

To be honest, not every long run is long

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Bo

I’ve been slacking. I’ve been slacking on my training schedule and on Sunday, I felt it. It hurt.

According to my training schedule from my Coach, my Sunday long runs need to be between 15kms and 18kms. But I’ve only been running a maximum of 10kms on Sundays. In my head, I’ve been telling myself that 10kms is still pretty good. I mean, it’s Winter and I’m out there, running, way more than I typically run during Winter. I was doing good, right?

There are a couple of half marathon races coming up in August so I decided to do a proper long run on Sunday. The plan was 15kms. Off I trekked with the Randburg Harriers Sunday running group, route map in hand, fresh legs, big smile. It went well until we hit the 13kms mark. Then it started to hurt. Big time!

Regardless of the weekday track sessions and Thursday 8km time trials, I knew in my head that I had not run that far in ages. And I felt it. I dawned on me that I had not been following my training schedule properly and that even though 10kms was a great distance, it wasn’t helping my goals of running my 21km races any faster. I was so not prepared for the distance.

My legs felt tired for the rest of the day (such an awesome feeling though) and I could feel the run had been some good training on my whole body. But no more short runs. I need to get back into it and be more disciplined. Spring is coming! Thank goodness too because things are so much easier in the Summer. Especially running.

Mid-year life appraisals

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Bo

Mid-year appraisals are under way at work. Amid all the stress and deadlines and noise, it affords you the opportunity to stop, to breathe and re-assess where you’re at with your goals and projects.

It’s a case of looking at what you committed to do, your progress, feedback from stakeholders and sometimes a re-negotiation of the goals and deadlines.

It’s a good idea to do a similar review of your personal life too which is what I’ve started to do. Here’s a brief assessment of two things which have stood out for me:

Home: Work life balance is nowadays easier for me to get right than KK. He has started working Saturdays and will bring work home to do almost every evening. I get it, I do. So what we’ve done is committed to having ‘date nights’ and spending quality Sundays together. Even if this means chilling at home and taking long naps after a braai on the couch. It’s ‘us’ time and a compromise. As long as we find the time to connect, that’s what matters.

Sunday braai’ing with KK and the girls

Running: Everyone knows that I hibernate during Winter and don’t run. But this year has been different. I’ve surprised myself with my discipline in getting to track during the week and forcing myself to wake up on Saturday and Sunday mornings to train. It’s been hard and I’ve hated some days! But so far, so good! You know that cheesy saying that Summer bikini bodies are formed in the Winter. This better ring true for running bodies!

Random pics snapped by Graham Block at the Sunday Harriers long runs – Thanks Sharon and Tamryn for the company!

It’s almost Spring and one of my good Twitter friends, Lucy, has posted a photograph of jasmine flowering in her garden in Knysna! I love jasmine. It signals a turn in the seasons for me. This gives me goosies! Things are always different when Summer arrives. They are! And so far, I’m on track with all my goals to deliver some great results!