break | Keeping up with the Walkers…

I decided out of the blue to take a few days off work last week and the break couldn’t have come any sooner. I could feel that I needed a rest. My stress levels were high. I was tired and weepy. Everything and everyone was irritating me. So I did the best thing I could do: I spent a few days at my parents and then a few days in the bush with KK. It was bliss…

My folks are pretty laid back and my mom has always encouraged us kids to get as much sleep as possible (which I did) and to do absolutely nothing (which I did) when we have the time and opportunity. Three days of lying on the couch, snacking, drinking cups of tea and watching the telly really helps to de-stress a person. I also managed to get in a 5km run with my dad which was so awesome!

Returning home from my parents, KK and I spent a few days in Madikwe at Tuningi Safari Lodge. Again, time well-spent; sleeping late, game drives, massage treatments and eating way too much delicious ~~low-carb~~ meals.

A combination of long chats with my folks and quality time with KK was exactly what I needed. (and of course nothing soothes the soul more than watching lazy elephants at a water hole every day).

Even though I make sure I have a good balance between work and home, I’m the type of person that struggles to switch off. So I made a promise to do just that. I did not check any emails. I did not answer my phone when it rang. I also left the phone in the Tuningi room on most occasions. It’s amazing just how much thinking you do when you give your mind some space to do it.

I survived. I said goodbye to a lot of things that were taking up space in my head. I’m refreshed and ready to move on. Ready to tackle the downhill chase to the end of the year. Who’s with me?

The Comrades marathon always signals the “year end” of my running year. As winter arrives and with it, dark evenings and chilly mornings, my running mileage takes a dive as I slow down and find ~~excuses~~ reasons not to run. During this time of year, there are very few races on the race calendar, it’s a ghost town at time trial and you find a couple of brave runners venturing into trail running. (I’m considering that idea myself.)

As I look back and take stock of the races I’ve run in the year under review, I must admit that this year has been one of my favourites. I had minimal injuries compared to last year’s plantar fasciitis pain and even though I entered fewer races than previous years, the ones I did run stand out for me for different reasons.

I started 2013 with the Johnson Crane & Pick ‘n Pay half marathons – two of my favourite 21km races. It was after seeing the smiles of joy on runner’s faces at the finish line of the Johnson Crane that made me ask myself, “Who cares how long it takes me to run 21kms! I want to be as happy as these runners!” It set the tone for the rest of the year.

I absolutely loved the KFC Valentines night race. Loved! This was my very first race I ran years ago, so going back and running it again was just magical! I also returned to conquer the Deloitte half marathon! After coming dead last (I kid you not) in 2009 and vowing never to run it again, I did it!

A race I did expect to come last in (but didn’t) was the Springs Striders 15km race because there were so few runners participating. But it turned out to be so memorable especially running in the mist which was so eerily quiet and beautiful! Running at my pace had its advantages as I missed the Pick ‘n Pay shootout during the RAC 10km race!

But ironically, it wasn’t just these races that stood out for me. I must confess that I enjoyed my running mainly because of the shorter unplanned distances too. Getting home after work and heading out into the hot afternoon, watching the sun setting, chatting to my running partner (@terencetobin) was what made the difference for me.

I didn’t over-analyse every run like I normally do but just enjoyed each run for what it was. Just me. Out on the road. Running.