Running - Metaphor for Life

Running is a metaphor for life. There are probably thousands of blogs over the world that has a post with this title.
I think it's a realization that every runner gets to at some point on their journey.

Being a recreational attendee of the Knysna Oysterfestival marathon aka I didn't run but a mini-break at the right time, got me to this place.

I woke up this morning feeling reverence. I'm not a follower of structured religion, no heathen either so I usually find meditation, yoga or a walk on the beach to extend that feeling.

This morning I went for a forest walk. It was wet and muddy and at first there were no sign posting. I just continued figured I'd end up somewhere, I don't need to know where. And here's where the first parallel to life comes in. This is all just a forest walk - we're not sure where it will end and I think we shouldn't know. Its messy and muddy but the sun is shining overhead, the air is fresh and the body is able. So there's always something to appreciate.

Then I happened upon a bush. Some people get a fork in the road. I get a bush. This is my story. Up and over, around it, under it. Anyway which way you have to just keep moving forward.

And then the signpost came. And it showed the direction and the duration. And sometimes we get constants and affirmations that confirms we are on the right track and we just have to trust it.

As I went along I thought what if I get lost. And the next thought was: you know which direction home is so you just have to get back in that general direction and you'll find your way. Isn't it just so when we get off track sometimes. You know where your guiding light and principles are and if you steer in that general direction, you'll be alright?

And on I continued, another branch and bush came across my way and I thought: Hmmmm this probably how the chicks in the fairly tales used to get lost. Trying to go around and obstacle and then totally lose their way. Again, I was careful, kept looking around me at little things as landmarks so that if it gets hazy I'd know where I was before.

There was a perfect spot where the sunbeams came through the trees and I thought: Wow, this must be what seeing the sun actually looks like. Warm beams shining through the shadows. Now for the fear of becoming romanticized here: I think those beams are the people we allow in our lives. This is totally a confirmation of how we only need to allow positive rays of sun into our lives. To keep us warm and toasty when there are scary shadows around. *too much, yeah, I think so too*

The path then continued into a flatter, leaf covered trail until I reached a pond type enclosure caused by the recent rain. So I turned back - didn't think my running shoes would survive that.

When I turned and looked on the way I came I realized I can totally run this. And because I was familiar with the terrain now, I did. I hopped, skipped and jumped. All the while clutching to my Blackberry with dear life, having tweeted my progress up until then.

I ran so comfortable, ducking and diving branches. It was the most natural thing. And I reached some of the milestones I covered before in double the time and with less effort than before. I suppose this is the lessons then we learn through our lives, putting each carefully in our survival pouch and then when we need them use them to traverse branches that come across the path, slippery bits wet from the rain and to propel us up difficult inclines.

I had a thought the other day, sometimes lessons don't come in experiences only. Sometimes they are blatant, right there to be seen and I think thats when you have to take it in, sit down and listen to what life has to teach you, instead of ignoring the obvious and waiting for life to teach you it in a way you might or might not like.

Anyway getting back to the trail. I then got to the bit that I careful walked down before and the nut job in me kicked in. I ran UP the hill. Up! It felt fantastic, my thighs were talking to me, in good way though! I felt strong and thought: Hey this gives me joy, I must follow this tread.

And here is another metaphor in our lives; daily small things provide us with joy, sometimes its expansive glamour and other times its little things. Like the mud on your legs after a trail stint like that. And we should follow it, it calms our hearts and ignites our spirits and it cushions the hard times. That little pocket of joy so made it worth the muddy shoes, wet socks and branch scrapes.

And that is how running is the perfect metaphor for life.

The Zen of my Able Body

“May is National Runner's month. (Note: Couldnt find any source to confirm this tho)

Do something good for you or the runner in your life" 
 

This I saw on a tweet earlier and it put into action a thought I’ve been having. Not an original thought, those are hard to come by with social media scattering thoughts and inklings around, almost every second.

It’s been two weeks since I walked the Two Oceans Half marathon (it took every ounce of energy not to hash tag that right there). Looking back I have to admit to myself, that even at my best training period I wasn’t near ready. So many things I learnt about the Zen of running since the start of this year. (I google everything - and found this)

First was that I don’t need company to run. My nerves built up so much that I forced myself to go out there on my own. I don’t know what I thought was scary about doing it alone – much I suppose like meeting new friends – the fear I’d make an ass of myself. After a while, seeing little improvements, rolling out of bed into my running clothes, that air punch after a great session – became something I was jealous about and wanted to keep for myself. So I gained the courage to train by myself.

The last coupla weeks running up to the race day was hard. It was a hurdle to cross, an ego to sooth and wounds to lick. I grew up as a clumsy child, so my overprotective mother informed my school teache

rs not to put me in sport – and they never did. By the time I went to high school I never did anything besides ride my bike. But actual sports like run, netball etc was absolute foreign concepts. In fact I got trampled on all 3 times I ever played netball – so was pretty much afraid of it.

Until I joined Bootcamp in November 2008. And there even though I was the slowest camper I grew to absolutely love it. Being the slowest didn’t bother me at all – well in terms of comparing myself to others that is – we are all different and besides how am going to chirp our instructor if I’m sprinting ahead.

Anyway bootcamp blew alive a flame deep inside, an appreciation for my body, loving to see sweat beads develop, feeling muscle stiffness in places I didn’t know existed, the best is the warm bath after a wintry morning out on the pitch. It was all new, all fun…and then I didn’t want to be the slowest camper anymore….which is sort of explained in previous posts.

So this big race was an absolute new addition to my frame of reference. I started following experienced athletes/fellow newbie runners on twitter and soon I started feeling part of a community. In my environment I was still an anomaly; folks weren’t quite getting this running thing. Looking at me like I’m a lunatic when I share my morning run with them. My mother, bless her heart, kept trying to discourage me by saying: “Don’t push yourself so hard.” Pfffft. That made me almost defiantly determined.

Things were getting on nicely, I was doing 7km a day/twice a week, with long walks (13km) on a weekend. I had a plan, it was working. Until after a break from bootcamp, see previous post. I went back, figuring the interval and strength training will be the perfect addition to my regime and I tried to slot it into the schedule – in the back of my mind, I did acknowledge at some point: “hey, here are no rest days in this plan.”

So then to compensate meant I had to double up running and bootcamp on the same day. Looking back it was probably the stupidest thing I could have done. So on that fateful Friday morning, straight after camp we venture up Jonkershoek – parked the cars and did our thing. I ran and I ran, once or twice I felt that pressure in the knee, but it wasn’t an acute stabbing pain – just pressure, we turned and ran back, all in all of the 7km I ran 5km of it continuously. It was a day of achievements as just that morning I shaved 2 minutes off my bootcamp time trial. (Side note: the fact that I can now talk this timing gibberish is something to behold). And then just after Lanzerac was the downhill stretch into the residential area, which was made for flying down it and it’s what I proceeded to do – and that’s when my knee gave me not one, but two bitch slaps! Asking: “Who do you think you are pushing me beyond my limits?” Two stabbing pains and that was it, I limped to the car and I think I knew then…

I looked for a physio (mine left for New Zealand two weeks after treating me the first time – no I didn’t drive the woman to leave the country) because I wanted someone to tell me whether I should continue training and most importantly if I will hurt my knee irreparably if I do. Turns out physio’s don’t really do that, they kinda just give you the lowdown and then guilt you into taking it easy.

So the writing was on the wall, there was no more time, and I had to decide what I was going to do. The whole time I felt like a quitter. I embraced the disappointed as I have learnt to do in this old life, cried it out and then decided to find someone, preferably a novice to take my number. And then I woke up one morning before dawn and the ego said: To hell with it, we are doing this even if we walk. (Do not be disturbed by the ‘we’ talk – no schizo – just a coupla alter ego’s)

So I shook off the disappointment, started getting excited rooting for my homies real and virtual who were actually going to run. And that morning standing there in a sea of people with my friend, I felt on top of the world and ten feet tall. I was going to be the best little walker ever!

I had my tjunes and my spirit and I was not going to give up. (I’d hiked Drakensburg and Fish river canyon, so knew I can walk ±25km a day – only this didn’t have lunch and swim breaks). During the run up of the starting gun, the frenzy of nerves was almost tangible. Then we sang the National Anthem and pride swell up inside! My friend and I agreed when the gun goes, she’s going to keep walking with me and when it’s time for her to be off, we’ll *High 5* and see each other back at the finish.

And the gun went, and I self-noted: No matter how excited you get, do not run else these knees won’t reach 21.1km. So we kept walking and then she turned to me, I knew, we *High 5’d* and I let out a loud whistle and my friend was off – I was so proud of her that moment.

Soon she and well, pretty much the whole crowd was gone. And behind us the 56km was about to start, I walked and got comfortable, started warming up. After the 2km mark, there was bright lights and commotion and it was the front runners of the 56km making their way past. I stopped and took in the moment whistling and whooping! And when they were off, I turned down the road and the day began for me.

The 5km came so quick it was a ***** surprise, people were so friendly and cheering and it made me feel great. I walked and I walked, now and then I felt and niggle but remained conscious and pulled back a little at every niggle. When I reached 10km it was an even greater surprise cause I walked it 10 minutes faster that Spar Ladies Race. But I knew what was coming shortly after and I couldn’t not allow myself at any point to have any kind of doubt, or else I would not make it up that hill.

Yes, Southern Cross was looming (totally, just wanted to hash tag that too). I took the only Gu gel I had, a couple sweets and two water sachets, shuffled thru my iPod and got Pitbull’s – I know you want me. Put my ass into it, and made that hill my biatch – as we say in twitterworld.

Thank goodness, we drove it and walked it before so I knew how long it was, when the bend was and where the end was. And when I got to the top – yohhhhhh the quiet joy. Quiet – because there was no one else around me. I kept going, by now having had that boost of that little incline of achievement, my little short legs were going – I actually got into some kinda walk/jog stride….little did I know.

At 12.5 km I think, Calve1 said: Hold on a minute, we didn’t sign up for this. It pulled so stiff I was limping, my heart sank cause there was no way I could walk another 9km limping. I freaking almost cried…and this young guy ran over with a tube of Arnica. I took it and with my swollen hands and stiff back tried to bend down and massage it. And then he asked: “Would you like me to do it?” Ahhhh…he massaged that bloody tennis ball sized knot at least 80% out and I was on my way. Then 1km further Calve2 imitated what had just happened. This time I called a medic on the side of the road to massage it out. Without Arnica and dry hands, it was vrek sore but helped enough to keep going.

Then I reached 15km and suddenly there were lots of people and marshals and another walker lady. I heard one of the marshals ask: “Are these the last two?” Then a traffic car pulled in right behind us at our pace and escorted us pretty much the whole way until about 20km. Yes, I was with Josephine from Jozi and we were the very last 21km runner/walkers. See, being slowest camper all that time, this didn’t faze me or my ego at all. I came to do this for me, to cover the route so that next year when I’m ready I can be technical and strategic and kick proper ass.

There we were, walking, and people cheering and soon, the cheering became less about us, but more about the 56km leading athletes coming in. And here I think is where I’m certifiable, I stopped trying to make time (I mean, really) and was getting excited to see the proper runners come by. Oh man, and when they did we had the best seat in the house!!!! Again, I stopped and whistled and whooped! Some spectators on the side of the road thought this was hilarious and they cheered me even more. (Pity some folks couldn’t pronounce my long name – they looked at me puzzled and then shouted Josephine’s name).

I was in absolute awe seeing the speed and energy those guys still had after 56km. It was a truly inspirational time. Then I needed to focus, the last bit seemed to take longer than most of the distance already covered. Why is that? My feet started to burn, and it was unpleasant. I know exactly what blister forming burn feels like and I tried to just ignore the peaks of pain coming from my feet. Eventually we crossed the 500m to go mat. Gha! That time is registered on Two Oceans Results page.

It was the best day ever; I loved the spirit of the Cape Town crowd. I was inspired by the winners and also my athlete real and twitter buddies. And I don’t think I can have a life again where I’m not doing something be it swim, run, walk or yoga.

This brings me back then to the action, that was set in motion by the tweet above.

I’m going start my very own 100 day challenge. Everyday do something with my able and healthy body. The only rule is if I skip a day I must do 2 on the next day. My activities for starters will be walking, swimming, gym session and yoga.

Mermaid Classes

Its been almost a year since I posted. Running and the 'road to sexy' pretty much went off the rails after we got sick. But boot camp continued. With group commitment there is no point slacking off. Besides 'People Pleaser Alter Ego' will be on a guilt trip.....forever!


Bygones. We are back. Just as I was getting into it I hurt my knee, we did a 11km stint and on the walk home something gave out. I have never been that disappointed about a physical injury. Hardcore me, even cried a few times, almost losing all my street cred.


For the first time I sought professional help (no, not that kind.....yet), and went to see a physiotherapist. Just so that I could know whats what. Me. Virgo. Hate to Wonder.


Nothing was torn or broken and with some rest, ice, strapping and exercises I can run again. I think it needed to happen, we were not building up our running (again, same thing happened last year) and also I probably needed a little mental test of how badly I want to do this. This being : Two Oceans Half Marathon.

Yes, on that fateful day last November I ventured online and entered. A part of me still thinks I'm a little nuts!

I've been training steadily, running short distances, swimming and doing mermaid classes. Yah, that's right...Mermaid Classes. Okay Okay, its the cool name I've given to Water Aerobics with the Purple Rinse Squad. Its been such a godsend to stay active when I could barely walk to my car without a 23 year old calling me: Tannie.

Today, there is exactly 2 months left aka 8 weeks in which I need to transform into a long distance runner. So it is without ceremony or pomp and a fair amount of nerves that we are going out first 5km race this evening (as in 2 hours from now).  Breath!

I really don't know why the nerves, I ran 5km twice last week and again on Sunday past...my head is playing tricks on me. Breath!

Sexy on hold...

Its been a week....a very not ayoba week! Because Im sick I cant go to bootcamp or go running!!

I thought maybe tomorrow I might go walk with Njabs, but after sweating like a little piglet on a quick run to the mall this morning, I guess that aint happening now.

So tonight I had a Viralchoice fizzy, medlemon and Cinnamon oil (One day flu cure). Before bed I'll have an anti-histamine and hope by morning some miracle will have occured!

Taking it up...

I never updated the end of last week, not for lack of commitment but rather distractions of the male kind. ;)

So on  Thursday last week we did our first beach run and kept about the same pace. The weather was absolutely stunning, compared whats going on outside right now...miraculous even.

Friday was a rest day, the calve or whatever it is still acting up. We planned our training and decided on races to do in the next few months. So we have a goal.

This morning was the start of camp again. Eish! I swear the weather turned to test me...whats up with that!?

In the midst of it all we had a GI Jane movie skit, that bit out in the rain on the parade ground. Very very cool! It wasnt a walk in the park though, you'd think its week 1 and we start all over again but the body I have discovered is a sneaky piece of equipment...mind of its own....duh!

So, in an hour we are on the road again. Its the first time we are now adding it to the boodcamp regime, will probably be knackered the next week or so but as history has shown the energy level does eventually adjust.

Not sure if I've had enough water today, think I'll gulp some, an hour should be enough.

Whooop whooop!

Life lessons and running

So today I learnt that there are life lessons to be learned from running.

We had a great session, warmed up nicely and then had such a strong run. Last night, before I fell asleep I had that 'meeting' with myself about today's run, cause yesterday was kinda hard and I was scared I'd lose the will or drive. So, I tapped into the aspirations I've had, I acknowledged the gratitude for a healthy and able body.

During the day I made sure I ate enough, protein and shake mostly and took my multivitamin. And PLENTY of water! As I wasnt having those cramps of yesterday again!

And we did so well. Njabu paced us nicely and slowly we are starting to see the rhythm.

So the lesson observed, even if you have one bad day, whats to say tomorrow wont be fantastic!

The sun will shine again!

Touch stone

Yesterday I started running. It was warm summers day, and my running buddy and I took to the road towards Jonkershoek. We kept going for an hour, afterwards keen to know how far we went, we drove back up. And it was a surprising 5.5km! We were so chuffed and in awe of ourselves.


So today we were at it again, we did 8km. It wasnt planned so, but we felt good and the views in Jonkershoek were amazing so we kept going.


I had aches and pains, mere little bodily irritations although my spirit was strong and I wasnt tired.


Its unfortunate that it gets dark so quickly now. Come summer its going to be great.


So two new challenges have been highlighted. We are doing a 5km race in a month and we are going all the way to Jonkershoek reserve in the next few weeks on a Saturday morning. Whoop whoop!


I am barely in the swing of things and my She-ro, Ironlady suggest I do Two Oceans with her next year. Nothing like making a commitment to someone else to get you in the game.