Running ‘Om die Dam’

There’s nothing better than using the excuse of running to go away for a long weekend and that’s exactly what we did to go run the ‘Om die Dam’ race this passed weekend.

It’s one of my favourite races on the race calendar – run from the Hartebeespoort Highschool it is well-organised, with quite challenging routes and there’s a fantastic vibe at the start of the race. Yes, I’m talking about the sound of the fish eagle that gets played followed by chariots of fire.

This year, I decided to run the 10km. I started with KK and the gang of other 21.1km runners but we split at the 4km mark. What followed was a relentless 4km uphill stretch which forced many runners to walk. Ironically, I got stuck with a Walker from Irene Running Club. I gave mini bursts of running but when I stopped to walk, she would catch up to me and pass me. I’d sprint off again, passing her, but knew that at the next walk break, she’d catch me. So she did and laughed saying, “Kom meisie kind! Moenie laat ek jou stop nie!” When it got to the last 500m, I was shagged and she beat me.

Thank-goodness the weather was cool for the run but it turned into a scorcher of a weekend which was great! If we thought Winter had arrived, we were wrong and we spent the the rest of Saturday and Sunday re-charging our tired legs at the Caribbean Beach Resort near Harties.

It was an awesome weekend of going for lazy walks, long afternoon snoozes, snacking on sinful food, braaing while the sun set and just chillaxing…

I love my weekends, especially because of…

Friday night pasta…

We don’t eat a lot of take-out. For us, Friday nights are pasta night in our house. It’s the one night of the week where I make a kick-ass pasta dish, loaded with cheese. Yum!

Saturday morning breakfast in bed…

KK wakes up quite early on Saturday mornings. If we aren’t off to run a race, he will make breakfast which we usually eat in bed watching something we’ve PVR’ed on TV. Even if it’s just a bowl of Milo cereal, or muesli and a hot cup of tea. It’s perfect! The best part is falling asleep again and waking up later.

Saturday movie night…

If we have no other plans, KK and I usually go to movies. We take it in turns to pick the movie and always buy x2 small popcorns and a water. After the movie, we go for supper. It’s our special “date night” and never grows old.

Sunday afternoon naps…

I absolutely love napping on a Sunday afternoon. It’s even better if there’s a typical Jozi thunderstorm and the room gets all dark and cosy.

Spending time with my dogs…

Annie and Emma follow me wherever I go. They absolutely adore me. It’s also the only time I get to really snuggle them and let them cuddle with me when I nap. I like to spend extra time talking to them and brushing them. They love it!

Feeding the birds in my garden…

There’s nothing more beautiful than the sound of birds in the garden. I have two bird feeders and it attracts so many birds to my garden. All weekend, there is the sound of weavers and grey louries in the trees. It’s magnificent!

Early morning races…

Running races have become a part of my life. It’s what we do. I once told a friend that I was thinking of quitting the running and she said, “You can’t. It’s such a big part of what you and KK do on your weekends. It’s what your friends do on weekends. Quitting is not an option.” She’s right. It’s a big part of our lives and our weekends. Yes, so the 4am wake up and driving to races in the dark always feels like hell, but crossing those finish lines and eating pancakes under a tree after a race while we all review how the race went is .. well, it’s pretty awesome.

Every runner needs to rest

When KK and I were invited by our close friends to spend a long weekend with them and some others at a holiday camp called Lindani in the Waterberg, we jumped at the opportunity. We never really take any long weekend breaks and decided it might be a good idea to take advantage of the December 16th long weekend.

With a car boot packed full of food, drinks and cozzies, off we went…

Lindani is a 3800ha game farm in the Waterberg 275kms north of Johannesburg situated on the Palala and Melk rivers. It has eight secluded houses and lodges, each with its own pool. We hired out Motseng, which is 4 lodges, sleeping 18 people.

Our days comprised of nothing else but eating, sleeping, laughing and relaxing…

LINDANI MOTSENG LODGE

 DOWN AT THE RIVER…

SUNDOWNERS…

GOOD FRIENDS…

We had all intentions of running and even took our running kit with us. But the running shoes stood at the door and the Energades on ice. We were just too relaxed to run. I guess every runner needs that once in a while…

A weekend to remember

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.