Heading up that mountain

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Bo

As I came out of a meeting last week, I turned to my manager and said, “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I just need you to know that.”

It’s a massive project I am working on and suddenly receiving a launch date deadline to work towards started to give me serious heart palpitations. (Okay, so maybe I exaggerate a bit. I usually get like this when I don’t have control over things.)

So while I lay in bed this morning battling a nagging cough, I was planning both the work week ahead in my head but also thinking about my next running challenge. Should I carry on running my usual 10km races until the New Year or should I take on a half marathon before December? And how the hell would I manage if I was stuck in bed unable to train?

Ironically, the two issues seemed quite similar. Project managing this launch feels like a mountain right now, pretty much like forcing myself to start training during Winter. I never train during the cold months, preferring to take the easy route and run at gym. I also don’t know how I would tackle it knowing what a mental challenge it will be for me.

But running is like that. You don’t know what to expect. All you need to do is put the training in and head for the race date. Yes, I may get sick along the way (like now with my cough that won’t go away). And yes, there will be days when I hurt and can’t go on. But there will be those days when I return from a run and feel absolutely great. It’s those baby steps leading up the race that I need to look out for.

I suppose it’s the same with my project. This time around, there is no easy route. I need to put in the hard work, tackle the challenges along the way, celebrate the small wins but head for that launch date. I can do this…

The high after the race

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Bo

It’s been just over a week since KK finished his very first Comrades marathon race. We’ve enjoyed many evenings of analyzing it, discussing the highs and lows, the plans for the up run next year and the sad story of the runner who died just as he finished his race. It’s also been quite relaxing not to have to get up at ungodly hours to run or to plan our weekends around a race calendar.

The most wonderful part for me was running the journey alongside KK as his supporter. The training, the eating plan and the gym sessions. Even completing numerous half marathons while I waited for him to run full ones. But the two highlights for me came as the sun rose and set on the 1st June.

As we dropped KK off on the morning at the start of the Comrades race in Pietermaritzburg, he could hardly talk. In the 17 years that I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so nervous. But the exhaustion & joy on his face when I finally found him on the field at Sahara Park after the race with his medal around his neck is a sight I’ll never forget. I was overcome with emotion and pride.

So people have asked me if I’ll be tackling the up run with him next year. Um… not a chance! The bug hasn’t bitten and I don’t think it ever will. The Comrades marathon is an enormous physical and emotional challenge which I’m so glad KK has conquered. But for now, I’m sticking to those half marathons thanks.

The goal of Comrades

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Bo

Most runners will be familiar with the question from ~~non-runners~~ people, “Are you running the Comrades Marathon?” It’s as if all runners just do, right? So when KK decided he was going to attempt to run his first Comrades this year, I didn’t think much of it. I mean, he runs twice a week and we usually enter half marathons on weekends. So how bad can it be? But as his training started, I soon realized there was a lot more to Comrades training than what most people think.

Mornings have been characterised by KK sneaking out of the bedroom at 4am to go and run (while I snuggle deeper under the duvet). The training has been relentless. A typical week involves running two hours on Tuesday, two hours on Thursdays, core training with a personal trainer on Mondays and Wednesdays, then 90 minutes on a Saturday followed by a marathon on Sundays. The next week, it starts again but this time with bursts of hill training and speed work.

His commitment to the training has impressed me the most and is where I have learned the biggest lesson. Firstly, he has a printed out & laminated training schedule of what distances to run and when lying next to his bed as well as in his drawer at work (thanks to his running partner DSM). He has followed each week religiously. By keeping the schedule in front of him at all times, his eyes are set clearly on the goal and he is doing what needs to be done to achieve that goal.

Secondly, when KK talks about the Comrades marathon, it’s always positive. His excitement oozes success. He discusses his race plan with confidence. I can see that in his mind, he envisages that finish line. He talks about the medal and going back next year. The vision of victory is there!

I think in life, most of us want to go out and do great things, conquer those mountains, be awesome. But it takes hard work, commitment and keeping your eye on the goal. Too many people drop off eating plans; quit hobbies, give up on their dreams because it’s just too hard and too much effort required.

But in actual fact, to achieve big goals in life takes big commitment and lots of dedication. More importantly it’s to believe you can do it! To believe you can win! In my eyes, KK’s already there. He’s my champ!

Don’t stop planning

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Bo

After enduring a week of extreme heat, we woke up to the most glorious, cool rain. It did not stop KK and his running partner DSM from heading out for their weekly run but I was not that brave and decided to wait it out.

After returning from their run, KK and DSM started discussing their Comrades training schedules. Having run since they were both at Varsity in the late 80’s, it’s the first time they’ve decided to give the “Big C” a try. Printouts lay on the table of various training schedules, Lindsay Parry, Don Oliver, Old Mutual, Modern Athlete… It’s quite surprising at how different they all are. Some demand daily runs, others allow for rest days (which really appeals to DSM).

As I sat pondering whether or not I should brave the rainy weather myself and go for a run, it did occur to me that with KK’s extra training, I’d possibly also get to do a lot more running myself this year, especially since there are a few road races earmarked in their draft training schedule.

This is great and I’m quite excited about it. Their dedication and commitment will definitely rub off on me and I’m looking forward to the build-up in the coming months.

When DSM left, KK surprised me by joining me on my run. I had planned the whole week to do a LSD as I have Johnson Crane half marathon coming up and have not yet run many long distances recently.

As we headed up to the 4km mark it started to rain. It was a sprint home and I must admit that I have never run so fast in my life trying to catch up to KK!

Just thinking about my LSD and even Comrades, I realised that as much as you plan, as much as you think things will go your way, anything can happen. But it shouldn’t stop you from just doing it. The outcome is still rewarding!