Well its Sunday afternoon, here in Finland, today its a special day called Laskiaisuununtai (don't judge me if my spelling is wrong!) .....Basically that means we go sledding and eat creamy donuts like things (or pancakes).....
Its over a week since we have been back, I've calculated that I wont be going home to SA for the run or dads 70th and settled back into the routine of life here and recovered from the jet lag...
To be honest i'm feeling a little bit blue...I have not exercised since the last lovely ski I had on Thursday. I have just not been feeling well or wanting to do anything and after getting my clothes on for my scheduled long run on Friday I realised that no way can I do this, I got back out of the running gear and crawled back into bed till it was time to get Noah....I do not do this often anymore, but when I do I realise I need to just back off, my body is battling.....I realise I am feeling pretty bummed about the whole not getting to SA for the run or dads 70th...It had kept me going through those months when it was so dark and hard here....I had a goal I was working towards and well...its just gone POOF....and I suppose I have to give it the credit for the effect it will have on me....Giving up things you ahve worked really hard towards does not happen without side effects on how one feels, I know this. However it still blows me away the effect it does have on ones enthusiasm for life if you had really been wanting it to happen....I should be used to it by now....but it still clearly gets to me :)
I also think the realisation that I was once again so far away from my folks and bro...well, like ive said one makes ones heart hard in order to cope with the distance, then you get to be together and when you initially part its all toughness and no tears....and then well....I suppose that little hole in your heart starts to hurt again....so yip.....I am happy to be home, back to the routine etc....but phew....maybe its also making me a little down/sad that I am not with them and not knowing when it will be next that I get to see them all....does it ever get easy??!! I am part of a tribe, I miss my tribe....even if they are loud, irritating, ditsy .... ;)
On top of all that I started the sending off of the job applications to the schools in Helsinki pretty much the day we arrived as the last dates for application were for this past Monday.....and I really don't want to miss them....Lets just say filling in job application forms in Finland in Finnish, when even my dear husband has not a clue what they are requesting for some of the sections can be a bit overwhelming......Anyways, Ive put in many and its been rather hard as I know I wont hear from too many of them as I do not meet the exact criteria (and i'm not a Finnish speaker)...and here the teachers are just soooooo well qualified and good...so yea, on a bit of a downer about that all...
So I basically as I realised a good few months ago, I really need to get out and exercise....i've just had too much time to ponder the issue called life (navel gaze!!).... feel sorry for myself and well lets just say I am a poopy pants :) So at present its all feeling very overwhelming and I want to just crawl into bed and hide out again.....I won't I promise but the feeling is strong to do just that....I've come to far to do that.
I have decided, one more day off of the streets and then tomorrow I WILL force myself out, even if its hard, I know it will help....all these things I have listed above...well they are honestly minor in the great scheme of things, all so very first world...I am still going to raise the money I aimed to for the kids....I will still run the half...I will see my family, just not at the time or possibly place that I wanted....and I will get a job, it may just not as glamorous as what I want or it may be even more exciting than I ever imagined it could be.....i'm just having to learn patience and humility in the process.....I'm an impatient type, I feel I've spent enough time learning life's lessons, I want my life to carry on now....and herein lies the problem ;)
All of this navel gazing and then reading a few articles on 'happiness' and how the role of exercise is in improving peoples mental health is being recognised...has led me back to thinking...., HOW can one get a person who does not want to exercise due to depression to infact move themselves, its so simple, yet its the hardest thing to do if you are in the position of being depressed.....I remember how I felt a few months ago when I started on this little (or should I say HUGE) journey...how I searched for ways in which I could force myself out as I realised it was something I needed to do, and for me it is intuitive that exercise helps...but how to do it when you just physically can't, your limbs are heavy, your mind is blank, you don't want to communicate so who wants to bloody move??!!....I feel like ive come a full circle, I proved I could do it to myself....I proved to myself that it helps, I now KNOW it helps...and I'm terrified of going back there, and I am aware it could happen again so very easily.
So in the darker mood that I have been in I have been thinking what a load of crap it is to have all this research out there yet not actually provide the ANSWER!! Or at least provide ways that can get people who are needing to move....realistic ways.....none of the answers I found were realistic...To know what you need to do, but to also not feel like you can do it really do not help a depressed person feel any better about their situation, in fact I found it all rather depressing and dire, surely if there was/is so much research about how it helps...surely someone has looked into suitable ways to help those who need to really get going...All the suggestions I read were a load of bollocks and I remember reading one particular one saying that you should offer yourself rewards, like going to a movie or something that you want to do and thinking, well doode lovely advice but what a load of shite, you clearly have never been here, who wants to go to a movie when you are depressed, moving from the bed is hard enough...so rather stick to the research coz your advice is feckign bollocks....That kind of thought process is for someone who is able to reason rationally with themselves...
So yea, i'm now on a mission to figure out realistic ways to help people who are depressed, not able to afford therapy or in a position to go to therapy, never mind able to pay personal trainers or people to motivate them......There has to be ways....so help me out please if you have some answers :)
For me, what got me going was spending a good few weeks watching running documentaries....I also loved watching those weight loss programs on TV, the one with the lovely couple Heidi and Chris Powell on....Now I know much of those are very 'American' and geared towards creating a great show, but well, the people they worked with are all so real and face such issues/pasts that they seem to overcome.....I of course googled the ones who really caught my attention....and well...the approach of the program is not only diet, but exercise....and always by the end of the year, the difference in so many of the peoples outlooks was amazing and their transformation inspirational...For me I have never experienced any of the tough stuff these peeps have in their lives....so I do not even have the obstacles to overcome that they did......the Running documentaries and the stories of these amazing people.....all very ordinary...or very much sports people, but with real lives and stories to tell...the guts and determination involved in training for a marathon....well anyways I found it inspirational to the point where I was able to look around and think....shit man bales you too can do this...you can....
Like I explained in my very first blog...The transformation out of the depression did not happen overnight for me, it took many months.....but what helped me carry on was all those stories of people I had watched on TV .... I was alive, my body was physically healthy, so much more than so many people whose lives I had watched being transformed or those who wanted to be around but no longer were, like my magnificent and brave cousin....
So yea, what helped me was sitting on my couch day after day searching for help...not finding anything but the inspiration and strength came through watching others do amazing things with their lives......people basically gave me the help/oomph I needed...No one was trying to tell me how I needed to do this, they were strangers who I just happened to come across and well, they inspired me :)
Ok here endeth this massive ramble and well....if you are still reading...you sure are brave :)
Tomorrow I will get out and move..........
Sunday, 7 February 2016
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Adjustments....
So as I described in my very first post, life does not always do as I want and so I have had to alter some of my major life dreams....but I have found a peace at doing so and new ways to 'realise' my dreams...This run and raising money for the Anna Foundation was one way I could fulfill a desire of mine..... I got a sense of purpose back, it sort of helped me not feel quite so directionless shall we say....
Anyways, the adjustment of the latest dream is that I can not get to SA for the run. The cost of getting there is just honestly way too high. My bro and I have looked at all options, and for the time I will be out versus the cost well....I just can not justify spending that kind of money. I realise this is a first world issue..... However, I am truly gutted at the same time. I was so excited to be doing this, to be looking forward to running the route that this particular race goes along, its magnificent. Mostly though I feel like i'm letting everyone down....Before I gave up all hope of getting out there I checked and the money I have been sponsored so far still goes to the kids, and I can still carry on raising money. It just feels like i've let so many down regardless....for that I am sorry, but money is a real issue and its not something to be squandered to satisfy a little need I have, too many people have none......I need to respect that.
So upon re-evaluation, I WILL still carry on training for a half marathon, however it will be here in Oulu, I will attempt it on the same day as the Two Oceans is being run, Easter weekend Saturday 26th of March. The one thing though is if I do it here I need to be aware of the weather.... So if the weather forecast is not favorable I may have to move the day...usually by that time of year its good weather though. I will sort out a route here and I will organise a little support team to help me along the way. I will do it...just not where and how I thought I would, I wont get a medal or have a formal running number or anything as exciting as that, but I will run a half marathon....So regardless of location, I am still going to keep at it...for the kids, for my sanity and just because I want and need to.
Maybe I need to add a new twist to the run though, to add some spice to the fact that I will be running in my town...possibly do it topless??? (....as a woman I would need a running bra on at least!) There is a man who used to run through the winter here without a shirt on...he covered all other areas of his body, but ran without a top regardless of the temperature, he is a legend, I saw him once...total nutter, but possibly I need to look into the possibility of doing something to make it more of a challenge...I wont have the anticipated hills to conquer so mmmmm..... Or do I need to try set myself a time to do it in...2 h 20 mins??! ..it may get more of you to sponsor me ;) Plus like you know, I thrive on challenges....
So yea, that is the latest news. Please forgive me, it could/can not be helped....UNLESS between now and then I win the lottery....then who knows, I also believe in the never say never philosophy!
But now enough of that...onto the training part.....
Well i'm back in Oulu. The trip home was long and exhausting and for some reason the jet lag coming this way has been a lot harder on both of us. We are getting there though.....Maybe its because I am so old now..hehe....
Anyways, we have come back to glorious weather, not the dreaded temperatures that keep us indoors for days on end....I have done one run so far, but have managed to drag my skis out and been skiing....
Our local haunt and my favorite running place was visited first, it was windy on the day we went, but the light is so much better nowdays and it was a real treat...it seems paragliding(??!!) is now the thing to do....
I'm wondering if this would count as cross training???!! It certainly looked like fun...
However, for now I have decided I may as well take up skiing as my cross training. I am the slowest skier I know...I mean apparently skiing is meant to be faster/easier than running and that is why people do it....well lets say, I ski slower than I run and all the lovely old Finnish folk (and I mean the old ones, as in they have wrinkles and are possibly nearer 80 than 40) pass me along the way, I just smile and say 'Huomenta', as if its all perfectly natural that I look so professional but ski like a snail....I have now being doing it for years and clearly i'm still crap at it...I figure I will just go for it anyways. Its a novelty and apparently you use 80% of your muscles versus 60% for running....I think I may use about 95% when I ski...but cant be sure.....
As usual, my first ski was done with great enthusiasm, I made 8 kms in over an hour, I was all excited, felt good and got myself all keyed up about doing this local ski race on the 12th of March, its a 37 km route, I tried it a few years ago with a friend of mine (also Southern hemisphere born)....he finished it, me I managed to go till about 20 kms and then had to give up...my gloves had frozen and well...there were too many hills....I have to confess that at that stage of my skiing education I had not even realised that there was a way of stopping whilst skiing....I just assumed like with ice skating that one kept gliding until friction stopped you :) So needless to say, getting up the hills involved me taking off my skiis and walking up, and getting down was fine till I reached the bottom which inevitably involved me skiing into the snow piles along the base of the hill, taking my skiis off so I could stand and then putting them back on...so yea, I was not ready to do it...but I tried anyways...
Now I am more knowledgeable, I realise there is a proper way to stop and a way to slow yourself down as you hurtle down the hills....As well as a way to walk up the hills whilst keeping your skiis on too...I have not in anyway perfected the art, but I was thinking on this first day of my skiing that maybe between now and the 12th I can perfect the art and well...seen as its about 2 or 3 years since my first attempt at the tervahiito, I would be able to get a little further if I attempted it.....I'm also way more fitter than I was back then, so surely I could do it??!!
So yes, I spent that evening scouting out all sorts about the race itself....psyching myself up...etc etc...Shall we say I woke up the next morning, unable to move....I had forgotten just how much skiing wacks you, the 95% use of all muscles in my body really was felt and a few days later, i'm still feeling it :) So yip...my optimism is not quite so high at present...I figure I've about 4 weeks to ponder it ..but it would take me about 5 or 6 hours to do....It will be our last year in Oulu, and lets face it, imagine if I could do it....I'm stupid/arrogant enough to try, but the reality may kick in, I still cant stop properly, I cant walk up the hill like a duck either.....So for now i'm saying, just ski and get the benefits for the running, but deep down inside of me there is a little voice saying, 'Just try bales, just try...you can stop if its too much, there is always that....but if you don't try...you never know!'..
So watch this spot for details....This morning i'm trying to decide...run or ski..run or ski....easy or hard...easy or hard....I think I may ski....A long run is scheduled for Friday :)
So anyways, that is me for now...
You have a good rest of your week and I will go attempt to move my limbs....
Feel free to sponsor me...in fact PLEASE DO...think of the lovely kids you will be helping .....
Sponsor here....just follow the link and then click on the red Donate now! box...
Anyways, the adjustment of the latest dream is that I can not get to SA for the run. The cost of getting there is just honestly way too high. My bro and I have looked at all options, and for the time I will be out versus the cost well....I just can not justify spending that kind of money. I realise this is a first world issue..... However, I am truly gutted at the same time. I was so excited to be doing this, to be looking forward to running the route that this particular race goes along, its magnificent. Mostly though I feel like i'm letting everyone down....Before I gave up all hope of getting out there I checked and the money I have been sponsored so far still goes to the kids, and I can still carry on raising money. It just feels like i've let so many down regardless....for that I am sorry, but money is a real issue and its not something to be squandered to satisfy a little need I have, too many people have none......I need to respect that.
So upon re-evaluation, I WILL still carry on training for a half marathon, however it will be here in Oulu, I will attempt it on the same day as the Two Oceans is being run, Easter weekend Saturday 26th of March. The one thing though is if I do it here I need to be aware of the weather.... So if the weather forecast is not favorable I may have to move the day...usually by that time of year its good weather though. I will sort out a route here and I will organise a little support team to help me along the way. I will do it...just not where and how I thought I would, I wont get a medal or have a formal running number or anything as exciting as that, but I will run a half marathon....So regardless of location, I am still going to keep at it...for the kids, for my sanity and just because I want and need to.
Maybe I need to add a new twist to the run though, to add some spice to the fact that I will be running in my town...possibly do it topless??? (....as a woman I would need a running bra on at least!) There is a man who used to run through the winter here without a shirt on...he covered all other areas of his body, but ran without a top regardless of the temperature, he is a legend, I saw him once...total nutter, but possibly I need to look into the possibility of doing something to make it more of a challenge...I wont have the anticipated hills to conquer so mmmmm..... Or do I need to try set myself a time to do it in...2 h 20 mins??! ..it may get more of you to sponsor me ;) Plus like you know, I thrive on challenges....
So yea, that is the latest news. Please forgive me, it could/can not be helped....UNLESS between now and then I win the lottery....then who knows, I also believe in the never say never philosophy!
But now enough of that...onto the training part.....
Well i'm back in Oulu. The trip home was long and exhausting and for some reason the jet lag coming this way has been a lot harder on both of us. We are getting there though.....Maybe its because I am so old now..hehe....
Anyways, we have come back to glorious weather, not the dreaded temperatures that keep us indoors for days on end....I have done one run so far, but have managed to drag my skis out and been skiing....
Our local haunt and my favorite running place was visited first, it was windy on the day we went, but the light is so much better nowdays and it was a real treat...it seems paragliding(??!!) is now the thing to do....
 |
| The original video does not seem to work, so here is a dodgy pic but those spots are the parachutes. |
However, for now I have decided I may as well take up skiing as my cross training. I am the slowest skier I know...I mean apparently skiing is meant to be faster/easier than running and that is why people do it....well lets say, I ski slower than I run and all the lovely old Finnish folk (and I mean the old ones, as in they have wrinkles and are possibly nearer 80 than 40) pass me along the way, I just smile and say 'Huomenta', as if its all perfectly natural that I look so professional but ski like a snail....I have now being doing it for years and clearly i'm still crap at it...I figure I will just go for it anyways. Its a novelty and apparently you use 80% of your muscles versus 60% for running....I think I may use about 95% when I ski...but cant be sure.....
Now I am more knowledgeable, I realise there is a proper way to stop and a way to slow yourself down as you hurtle down the hills....As well as a way to walk up the hills whilst keeping your skiis on too...I have not in anyway perfected the art, but I was thinking on this first day of my skiing that maybe between now and the 12th I can perfect the art and well...seen as its about 2 or 3 years since my first attempt at the tervahiito, I would be able to get a little further if I attempted it.....I'm also way more fitter than I was back then, so surely I could do it??!!
So yes, I spent that evening scouting out all sorts about the race itself....psyching myself up...etc etc...Shall we say I woke up the next morning, unable to move....I had forgotten just how much skiing wacks you, the 95% use of all muscles in my body really was felt and a few days later, i'm still feeling it :) So yip...my optimism is not quite so high at present...I figure I've about 4 weeks to ponder it ..but it would take me about 5 or 6 hours to do....It will be our last year in Oulu, and lets face it, imagine if I could do it....I'm stupid/arrogant enough to try, but the reality may kick in, I still cant stop properly, I cant walk up the hill like a duck either.....So for now i'm saying, just ski and get the benefits for the running, but deep down inside of me there is a little voice saying, 'Just try bales, just try...you can stop if its too much, there is always that....but if you don't try...you never know!'..
So watch this spot for details....This morning i'm trying to decide...run or ski..run or ski....easy or hard...easy or hard....I think I may ski....A long run is scheduled for Friday :)
 |
| This is the route along the forest behind my house.... I get to pop on my skis and go here.... While in non winter months I run here...how cool hey??!! |
So anyways, that is me for now...
You have a good rest of your week and I will go attempt to move my limbs....
Feel free to sponsor me...in fact PLEASE DO...think of the lovely kids you will be helping .....
Sponsor here....just follow the link and then click on the red Donate now! box...
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
Hi ho hi ho its off back home we go...
HOWEVER, going to my home in Finland means I leave my family once again, and that breaks my heart...This was such a last minute, unexpected surprise, but so very needed. Over time you kind of make your heart hard, you know this is how it is, you have to get on the plane and go....or let your loved ones go... I can't explain it, but you sort of have to toughen up...for me it means I will not cry, I will not show that I am sad when we part at the airport...I can't....because once I let a little of the pain of being separated through...well....On the other hand my brother has no issues with letting all the emotions flow.....He is a little more 'touchy feely' shall we say, I am the tough one ;)
So anyways, tomorrow mom and dad fly home and then on Thursday bright and early Noah and I leave...Its hard when your heart lies in so many places...but then again I suppose I am lucky as I have two places I call my home (My son pointed this fact out to me one trip back from SA when I was very distraught and had begun the crying.....So yea, I have two homes, I am lucky, people I love in both)...
 |
| If only it could be like this (and my other brother) more often!! I got to win the lottery... |
So I missed the 15K and i've not felt up to running since. The golden rule for exercising while sick / flu-ish is, if above the neck, you ok to go, but if there is anything in the chest, sit it out...So i've been sitting the past few days out. I feel loads better today (drugs helping possibly??!!) and now i'm hoping that I can get one more run in before I go....the weather today was amazingly summery again, so clearly the blizzard buzzed through and left as quickly, so one more run seems so possible again.........
So for now my bags are packed, sort of.....my heart is heavy and not so heavy....I look forward to getting back into a more regular routine back home...but gees I will miss taking exactly 3 minutes to get ready for my runs, having my brother make us all laugh with his silly antics and mostly being able to hop into the bed with mom and pops, have a morning coffee and chat ... man it has been wonderful......
This is how family should be more than it is not......but its better than never having it at all!!
 |
 |
Friday, 22 January 2016
Doubts
Well the euphoria of the half wore off and the realities of life return, along with the doubts and feelings of inadequacies about myself and life in general....Sometimes I just wish one could be on a buzz all the time, be confident and sure of oneself and yea...never feel like you are doing a hash job of it all....
I counted the days, its not PMS, so putting it down to the reduction of endorphines after pushing myself for the half and well....not having a job still and just the uncertainty of my families future, job wise and where we will live....(as in my little Finnish family...me, husband and son). I had sent some work queries off after Christmas and finally heard back from them, it was a 'Thanks but no thanks' option, it does not matter how much you try be brave, you cant help feel like a failure...the one was in a place I would really love to relocate too (Netherlands) and I suppose that had a real effect on feeling like no one is ever going to employ me again, i'm a crap teacher and all the feelings of insecurity that come from being unemployed for a long time I suppose....So yea...a few days of being slightly blue I suppose is the best way to describe how this week has been.
I now know, when these feelings strike, I NEED to put my shoes on and run....the benefits always override the negative emotions that start to crowd into my mind, I just was not able to do it this week as much as I needed to....What still throws me is the fact that I allow these feeling to even peep in, I know how they make me feel and I HATE it...but yea, negativity and self doubt are just such powerful emotions, they seem to always be hanging around here in the background ready to sign in and take over at the first sign of weakness!! And this week has been truly NUTS in the household...I wont go into details, but basically my parents discovered they had lost their passports...the boys have been wild, 4 emotional little boys in one house...and yea, the word manic few days describes the house this week :) With my folks and brothers having to do a rush trip to Washington Dc at very short notice and then nearly get wiped off the face of the earth due to black ice and 18 wheelers, making you think WTF do we all live so far apart.....So I was not able to run as there were not as many adults to man the fort so to say. I have managed to put in 2 runs, and they have done me good...I feel better today thank god, it could be to do withe the fact that the 3 travelers returned before the real blizzard set in with temporary passports in hand......
Its so funny as I suffer NO DOUBT that I can do the half in South Africa now...I trust my body, its so very strong and I really am blessed in that area...my legs are strong, i've developed the coolest lungs of steel...but man my mind is a difficult issue in my life :)
So yip...I suppose for now I just got to go with the flow...this morning / afternoon (in Finland), my husband is in the process of sorting out a job....so that is wonderful, for us it is a big relief...It means we will move in the summer to an area where I have more chance to find work.....and I will learn some Finnish in between now and then (I hope ;)...But I just have to acknowledge the power that 'life', uncertainty, chaos (and being a member of my family = a life that is never dull shall we say) has a major effect on how I feel at any given moment, seems so obvious to you I suppose...but to me, at the age of 41 I suppose you can say I am still figuring myself out...I wish I was one of those people who had it all sorted!! .....I will fight these feelings when they come as I don't want to end up back in the place I was a few months ago...but alas, for now it seems I have to be alert and ready for the crappy emotions as they seem to be lurking close to the surface!! I really hope I get a job soon and I start to get rid of this self doubt about myself being unemployable....I am a good teacher I know this, but well...who said that ones mind was always rational???
Sorry, that's not really about training, but its whats ruled my life instead of running....I have managed 2 runs this week, I have to confess I am amazed that I am moving so much faster than I ever anticipated....its awesome, and I seem to be pushing myself more and more, my strength just amazes me.....Possibly i'm doing this as I know once i'm back in the cold (its been -31 degrees C there lately....so I know I wont manage this kinda running there)...but its glorious.....Yesterday after a long boring morning I got out and really pushed myself and my goodness it felt lovely :)
I am going to run the Myrtle Beach Winter Run tomorrow, its only 15K and I will push myself and see how I can hold up...its usually after 15K that I start to conk out...so i'm interested to see how I do....the only thing is today the weather is foul, wind and pouring with rain...I got dressed to go for a run and then saw, rain....and I made the executive decision not to go..I can run in crappy weather back home, I have no choice, but here...I have a choice....so i'm waiting to see how the weather goes later today, hoping the rain stops...and tomorrow is predicted to be cold, but no rain.....so I will keep you posted...I wont go if its raining, I don't have a raincoat!! (That's my excuse anyways).... Apparently there is a blizzard further up the coast so I am happy to not be there....I have great faith tomorrow it wont rain.....
As for the sponsorship, if you have dared to wade through that trivia, its going sooooo good...So thank you to you all...I really would be sooooo happy if more of you sponsored me....think of those gorgeous kids and the foundation that is doing such a great job helping them out....PLUS the weak rand...we really can pump money into it :) Emotional manipulation over...
I counted the days, its not PMS, so putting it down to the reduction of endorphines after pushing myself for the half and well....not having a job still and just the uncertainty of my families future, job wise and where we will live....(as in my little Finnish family...me, husband and son). I had sent some work queries off after Christmas and finally heard back from them, it was a 'Thanks but no thanks' option, it does not matter how much you try be brave, you cant help feel like a failure...the one was in a place I would really love to relocate too (Netherlands) and I suppose that had a real effect on feeling like no one is ever going to employ me again, i'm a crap teacher and all the feelings of insecurity that come from being unemployed for a long time I suppose....So yea...a few days of being slightly blue I suppose is the best way to describe how this week has been.
I now know, when these feelings strike, I NEED to put my shoes on and run....the benefits always override the negative emotions that start to crowd into my mind, I just was not able to do it this week as much as I needed to....What still throws me is the fact that I allow these feeling to even peep in, I know how they make me feel and I HATE it...but yea, negativity and self doubt are just such powerful emotions, they seem to always be hanging around here in the background ready to sign in and take over at the first sign of weakness!! And this week has been truly NUTS in the household...I wont go into details, but basically my parents discovered they had lost their passports...the boys have been wild, 4 emotional little boys in one house...and yea, the word manic few days describes the house this week :) With my folks and brothers having to do a rush trip to Washington Dc at very short notice and then nearly get wiped off the face of the earth due to black ice and 18 wheelers, making you think WTF do we all live so far apart.....So I was not able to run as there were not as many adults to man the fort so to say. I have managed to put in 2 runs, and they have done me good...I feel better today thank god, it could be to do withe the fact that the 3 travelers returned before the real blizzard set in with temporary passports in hand......
Its so funny as I suffer NO DOUBT that I can do the half in South Africa now...I trust my body, its so very strong and I really am blessed in that area...my legs are strong, i've developed the coolest lungs of steel...but man my mind is a difficult issue in my life :)
So yip...I suppose for now I just got to go with the flow...this morning / afternoon (in Finland), my husband is in the process of sorting out a job....so that is wonderful, for us it is a big relief...It means we will move in the summer to an area where I have more chance to find work.....and I will learn some Finnish in between now and then (I hope ;)...But I just have to acknowledge the power that 'life', uncertainty, chaos (and being a member of my family = a life that is never dull shall we say) has a major effect on how I feel at any given moment, seems so obvious to you I suppose...but to me, at the age of 41 I suppose you can say I am still figuring myself out...I wish I was one of those people who had it all sorted!! .....I will fight these feelings when they come as I don't want to end up back in the place I was a few months ago...but alas, for now it seems I have to be alert and ready for the crappy emotions as they seem to be lurking close to the surface!! I really hope I get a job soon and I start to get rid of this self doubt about myself being unemployable....I am a good teacher I know this, but well...who said that ones mind was always rational???
Sorry, that's not really about training, but its whats ruled my life instead of running....I have managed 2 runs this week, I have to confess I am amazed that I am moving so much faster than I ever anticipated....its awesome, and I seem to be pushing myself more and more, my strength just amazes me.....Possibly i'm doing this as I know once i'm back in the cold (its been -31 degrees C there lately....so I know I wont manage this kinda running there)...but its glorious.....Yesterday after a long boring morning I got out and really pushed myself and my goodness it felt lovely :)
I am going to run the Myrtle Beach Winter Run tomorrow, its only 15K and I will push myself and see how I can hold up...its usually after 15K that I start to conk out...so i'm interested to see how I do....the only thing is today the weather is foul, wind and pouring with rain...I got dressed to go for a run and then saw, rain....and I made the executive decision not to go..I can run in crappy weather back home, I have no choice, but here...I have a choice....so i'm waiting to see how the weather goes later today, hoping the rain stops...and tomorrow is predicted to be cold, but no rain.....so I will keep you posted...I wont go if its raining, I don't have a raincoat!! (That's my excuse anyways).... Apparently there is a blizzard further up the coast so I am happy to not be there....I have great faith tomorrow it wont rain.....
As for the sponsorship, if you have dared to wade through that trivia, its going sooooo good...So thank you to you all...I really would be sooooo happy if more of you sponsored me....think of those gorgeous kids and the foundation that is doing such a great job helping them out....PLUS the weak rand...we really can pump money into it :) Emotional manipulation over...
Sunday, 17 January 2016
New adventures!!
So yesterday I ran the Charleston half marathon...So very very cool...Especially looking back on it this morning, I had not planned or covered the distances I should have for a half but I figured why not, i'm not one to give up the possibility of awesome experiences...during the last few kms I really was not feeling quiet so positive or that I could actually do it...if you run you know what I mean....anyways I really don't want to get too far ahead of myself in my usual rambling blog :)
So before I get going...let me just first say that the SA Rand is SUPER DOOPER weak at the moment and its the PERFECT time to sponsor my little peeps in SA...10 euros would be nearly 180 Rands!! Just saying ...feel free to donate to the cause by clicking here , and there are only 68 days left too do so, so get in now before its too late...
So we drove from Myrte Beach to Charlestone in the most amazing rain i've seen in years....to arrive in a city that had roads that looked pretty much like on the Left...wow it was quite something and the funny thing was people just seemed to carry on as thought this was quite normal .. we managed to navigate through the watery roads and ge to our destination....very impressive I have to say.
We found the location for race number pick up...I got my number and we had a squizz around....Dad had a good chat to a good few peeps in the area, it was so cool to be there with my dad. A real unexpected treat.
We found out that there were going to be 5000 runners....for me, someone who has run in a few places, but all of them having much smaller runner populations, this was all rather exciting...Im usualy the last in or very very near the last runner.....back in the UAE as well as in Finland......i'm not complaining, but unless you are running with people surrounding you when it gets tougher towards the end its a lot harder and I did not have my groovy pink MP3 player with me for this one, so I knew I would not be pounding those last few kms alone....
So yea, very exciting....I realised then that this was going to be super exciting and hopefully I was not going to be the last in the race..but mostly was really hoping I was going to meet some new peeps...for me the comradeship is always the best....encouraging people, and people encouraging me.....its part of the spirit of running. It gives you faith in humanity and helps you remember the world is full of very courageous, strong and awesome peeps....and you are surrounded by them..
So on Saturday morning pops and I left bright and early for the start, were way too early, it was cold but I did manage to avoid the crowds for the portaloos.....OMG before a run you always need to pee...some peeps need to deliver their morning number 2s as well so it really can get a bit ugly shall we say ;)....and at this race lets just say the line was LOOOOONG...so I was glad for our early arrival...it also gave me time to hang with my pops, my hero who is full of lovely stories and experiences from his past running days....the downside was it gave me a lot of time to faff and worry that i was unsuitably dressed...was I going to be too hot...was I going to be too cold...I didn't have water with me, or my energy gels that I have been using these past few longer runs...would I be ok with just the water tables...what if they ran out....I get hot, I need a lot of water, will I cope running for over 2 hours in the sun...im ghostly white, my skin is not used to that much sun, i've no cap....bla bla bla....like i say faff....all things I really could do bugger all about!! So lets say I faffed ... but pops was a rock and totally believes in me and he left to go back to the hotel and I did the last half hour just amongst all the runners ;)
So just before 8am everyone starts to line up, I see some boards being held in the air with times on, so I make my way towards the 2h30 board as I recon, well I may as well try get it under 2h30 while im here....My last half I finished just over that time, so even if I have not trained for this I figure I can at least try...im a bit of an optimist and often can be rather over hopeful and enthusiastic...but really I just needed a spot in this mass of people to stand.... some peeps starts singing the star spangled banner over the microphone and slowly from the front moving backwards the crowd goes silent....most start standing with their hands over their hearts.....quite a moving experience standing amongst a group of people who are clearly proud of their country....for me living in one country but being born in another...or possibly without having one fixed place I call home, but two, I found it very emotional....I would love to have just one country I call home....it sounds strange, and I suppose in a way it is, but for me I find it hard....and to be amongst that crowd I was really moved...maybe just pre nerves and the fact that I was alone...not sure....but yea, very moving....
Then the movement forward began.....It was amazing, took us about 3 or 4 minutes to get to the starting line.....and we were off....navigating oneself through this mass of people.....it starts as a very slow movement and then you get to pick up your pace and by the first km you are actually starting o set your pace....
I know this is a crappy photo, but It really was magnificent, on the right was the sea(?) or a river....ahead you could just see this LOOONG stretched out line of runners.....all just toodling along....
The first part of the run was through the gorgeous part of charleston city, the historic area I think its called...surrounded by water, magnificent old houses and at various intervals people playing instruments and cheering us along.....I managed to set a good pace for myself, I was not tired, I seem to have benfitted from running in the cold...lungs of steel??!! But yip, I just felt like I was trotting along at a comfortable pace....then we started to move to an area of charleston that was not quite so 'gorgeous' but looked like it was a poorer area, the less wealthy area....but still lots of people out watching us run past their houses...being encouraging....
Then the slog began....it was around 13 or so kilometers, I knew I was more than halfway and if I carried on at this pace I would do a decent time...but I think between the heat and just not having anyone to chat to and needing something 'sugary' for a boost I started the part of the run where you start to think you are an idiot for doing this stupid run, the doubts about your sanity start to set in and you just feel like you are a fool for trying and I suppose I would call it the 'doubting depressing phase'....
So in order to overcome this mental battle I decided to try chat to someone....make a mate shall we say, so I spot a fellow lady looking about my age, my sort of pace and well no earphones to compete with :) So anyways, to cut a long story short, here I am, a South African- slightly Finnish kinda peeps, running a random race in Charleston in the USA and the lady I pick up to chat to turns out to be a South African - American lady who grew up in my part of SA, her father (and herself) have run comrades a few time....and well just had an upbringing that really is so close to mine.....Mind blowing really if you think about it!! What are the odds.....Life is strange, and amazing, I suppose you just got to be open and it will keep surprising you :)
So thanks to my surprise meeting I met someone who encouraged me through those few very hard last few kms, by 16k I really could feel the pain of not having covered the longer distance training, my right hip was starting to hurt and my mind was very weak...My new friend stayed with me but there was a point where I really had to walk, I HATE walking as its really hard to get going again and I was so near the end...but my body was angry with me...I needed liquid, I needed a boost....a water table was not too far away and I stopped filled myself up with masses of gatorade, and water...and then started running again but really really slowly...some huge burps later, no farts, at least ;) I kinda got my mojo back ..I was tired, but I could hear the noise of the end....it was through what I think is called the old navy base (?) and the route was gorgeous again...makes it easier to run when the surroundings are gorgeous...it was gorgeous.....
I basically made it to the end, I picked up and ran really fast as the official time when I hit the 13 mile mark was 2h 29 or so and I realized I was not going to make it in the 2h30...I really wanted to give it my best...my watch was saying I still had a minute or 2 before 2h30, so I put foot and ran like a bloody Ussain Bolt (hahaha whatever)...I crossed the finishing line and the official clock said it was about 2h30 and a few seconds....I was not as dissapointed as I thought I was going to be to be dead honest...shit I mean come on, here I had signed up for the race a few days before, I have not run in the sun for months and well....I fecking did it in a time better than i've done in the previous 2 halves!!! I think I can do the Two Oceans....the hills are still terrifying, but I will make sure I do some hill related stuff when I get home!!
I asked someone to take a pic of me at the end, I was then to catch a shuffle back to the start and my pops was picking me up....The end was pretty cool, so many people, so much vibe..I couldn't find my new friend, but I figured I would find a way to get hold of her, there is always Facebook if all else fails :) and she had a name that was easily recognisable....
So I got my badge, I stood and drank a ton more of gatorade, went and collected my bag from the tent, popped into the showers and caught the shuttle back to the start where I was met by my pops and nephew.....
The shuttle turned out to be a good old american school bus, one that i've seen in the movies for years.....so yet another cool memory :)
We went to fetch my mom from the childrens' museum as she had been assigned my child for the morning...she looked harassed and exhausted, but no complaints!!!!!!!!
I am so lucky to have such a brilliant supportive family, I know that it was not a bundle of fun for them, but I do know that they allowed me to do it, supported me and never once complained, pops fetching carrying, driving around on the wrong side of the road in a big strange city at all hours of the morning, watching obnoxious kids....mom dealing with two obnoxious kids and standing around for many hours in a smelly museum/school gym hall etc etc, Both of them sleeping in a small uncomfortable hotel room listening to my really bad snoring, and all duties performed on very little sleep....just so I could run a race....I am grateful...I wont bother mentioning all my brother (the one with the badger on his face) did to allow this to happen but I do love him dearly and appreciate him too.....
Family that is like mine, well they are hard to find and I am so lucky that I have them....as crazy and loud and nutty as we all are :)
So before I get going...let me just first say that the SA Rand is SUPER DOOPER weak at the moment and its the PERFECT time to sponsor my little peeps in SA...10 euros would be nearly 180 Rands!! Just saying ...feel free to donate to the cause by clicking here , and there are only 68 days left too do so, so get in now before its too late...
We found the location for race number pick up...I got my number and we had a squizz around....Dad had a good chat to a good few peeps in the area, it was so cool to be there with my dad. A real unexpected treat.
So yea, very exciting....I realised then that this was going to be super exciting and hopefully I was not going to be the last in the race..but mostly was really hoping I was going to meet some new peeps...for me the comradeship is always the best....encouraging people, and people encouraging me.....its part of the spirit of running. It gives you faith in humanity and helps you remember the world is full of very courageous, strong and awesome peeps....and you are surrounded by them..
So on Saturday morning pops and I left bright and early for the start, were way too early, it was cold but I did manage to avoid the crowds for the portaloos.....OMG before a run you always need to pee...some peeps need to deliver their morning number 2s as well so it really can get a bit ugly shall we say ;)....and at this race lets just say the line was LOOOOONG...so I was glad for our early arrival...it also gave me time to hang with my pops, my hero who is full of lovely stories and experiences from his past running days....the downside was it gave me a lot of time to faff and worry that i was unsuitably dressed...was I going to be too hot...was I going to be too cold...I didn't have water with me, or my energy gels that I have been using these past few longer runs...would I be ok with just the water tables...what if they ran out....I get hot, I need a lot of water, will I cope running for over 2 hours in the sun...im ghostly white, my skin is not used to that much sun, i've no cap....bla bla bla....like i say faff....all things I really could do bugger all about!! So lets say I faffed ... but pops was a rock and totally believes in me and he left to go back to the hotel and I did the last half hour just amongst all the runners ;)
 |
| My hero and inspiration |
So just before 8am everyone starts to line up, I see some boards being held in the air with times on, so I make my way towards the 2h30 board as I recon, well I may as well try get it under 2h30 while im here....My last half I finished just over that time, so even if I have not trained for this I figure I can at least try...im a bit of an optimist and often can be rather over hopeful and enthusiastic...but really I just needed a spot in this mass of people to stand.... some peeps starts singing the star spangled banner over the microphone and slowly from the front moving backwards the crowd goes silent....most start standing with their hands over their hearts.....quite a moving experience standing amongst a group of people who are clearly proud of their country....for me living in one country but being born in another...or possibly without having one fixed place I call home, but two, I found it very emotional....I would love to have just one country I call home....it sounds strange, and I suppose in a way it is, but for me I find it hard....and to be amongst that crowd I was really moved...maybe just pre nerves and the fact that I was alone...not sure....but yea, very moving....Then the movement forward began.....It was amazing, took us about 3 or 4 minutes to get to the starting line.....and we were off....navigating oneself through this mass of people.....it starts as a very slow movement and then you get to pick up your pace and by the first km you are actually starting o set your pace....
I know this is a crappy photo, but It really was magnificent, on the right was the sea(?) or a river....ahead you could just see this LOOONG stretched out line of runners.....all just toodling along....
The first part of the run was through the gorgeous part of charleston city, the historic area I think its called...surrounded by water, magnificent old houses and at various intervals people playing instruments and cheering us along.....I managed to set a good pace for myself, I was not tired, I seem to have benfitted from running in the cold...lungs of steel??!! But yip, I just felt like I was trotting along at a comfortable pace....then we started to move to an area of charleston that was not quite so 'gorgeous' but looked like it was a poorer area, the less wealthy area....but still lots of people out watching us run past their houses...being encouraging....
Then the slog began....it was around 13 or so kilometers, I knew I was more than halfway and if I carried on at this pace I would do a decent time...but I think between the heat and just not having anyone to chat to and needing something 'sugary' for a boost I started the part of the run where you start to think you are an idiot for doing this stupid run, the doubts about your sanity start to set in and you just feel like you are a fool for trying and I suppose I would call it the 'doubting depressing phase'....
So in order to overcome this mental battle I decided to try chat to someone....make a mate shall we say, so I spot a fellow lady looking about my age, my sort of pace and well no earphones to compete with :) So anyways, to cut a long story short, here I am, a South African- slightly Finnish kinda peeps, running a random race in Charleston in the USA and the lady I pick up to chat to turns out to be a South African - American lady who grew up in my part of SA, her father (and herself) have run comrades a few time....and well just had an upbringing that really is so close to mine.....Mind blowing really if you think about it!! What are the odds.....Life is strange, and amazing, I suppose you just got to be open and it will keep surprising you :)
So thanks to my surprise meeting I met someone who encouraged me through those few very hard last few kms, by 16k I really could feel the pain of not having covered the longer distance training, my right hip was starting to hurt and my mind was very weak...My new friend stayed with me but there was a point where I really had to walk, I HATE walking as its really hard to get going again and I was so near the end...but my body was angry with me...I needed liquid, I needed a boost....a water table was not too far away and I stopped filled myself up with masses of gatorade, and water...and then started running again but really really slowly...some huge burps later, no farts, at least ;) I kinda got my mojo back ..I was tired, but I could hear the noise of the end....it was through what I think is called the old navy base (?) and the route was gorgeous again...makes it easier to run when the surroundings are gorgeous...it was gorgeous.....
I basically made it to the end, I picked up and ran really fast as the official time when I hit the 13 mile mark was 2h 29 or so and I realized I was not going to make it in the 2h30...I really wanted to give it my best...my watch was saying I still had a minute or 2 before 2h30, so I put foot and ran like a bloody Ussain Bolt (hahaha whatever)...I crossed the finishing line and the official clock said it was about 2h30 and a few seconds....I was not as dissapointed as I thought I was going to be to be dead honest...shit I mean come on, here I had signed up for the race a few days before, I have not run in the sun for months and well....I fecking did it in a time better than i've done in the previous 2 halves!!! I think I can do the Two Oceans....the hills are still terrifying, but I will make sure I do some hill related stuff when I get home!!
So I got my badge, I stood and drank a ton more of gatorade, went and collected my bag from the tent, popped into the showers and caught the shuttle back to the start where I was met by my pops and nephew.....
The shuttle turned out to be a good old american school bus, one that i've seen in the movies for years.....so yet another cool memory :)We went to fetch my mom from the childrens' museum as she had been assigned my child for the morning...she looked harassed and exhausted, but no complaints!!!!!!!!
I am so lucky to have such a brilliant supportive family, I know that it was not a bundle of fun for them, but I do know that they allowed me to do it, supported me and never once complained, pops fetching carrying, driving around on the wrong side of the road in a big strange city at all hours of the morning, watching obnoxious kids....mom dealing with two obnoxious kids and standing around for many hours in a smelly museum/school gym hall etc etc, Both of them sleeping in a small uncomfortable hotel room listening to my really bad snoring, and all duties performed on very little sleep....just so I could run a race....I am grateful...I wont bother mentioning all my brother (the one with the badger on his face) did to allow this to happen but I do love him dearly and appreciate him too.....
Family that is like mine, well they are hard to find and I am so lucky that I have them....as crazy and loud and nutty as we all are :)
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Barefoot running.....
So we are here in Carolina...the trip here was a bloody nightmare, but somehow we made it through in one piece!!
I still have no idea how we made it, from start to finish the trip was full of travelling nightmares...from not having organised the 'visa' for my son and for a heart stopping few moments thinking I would have to cancel the trip.... sitting in the public toilet at Helsinki airport while my son delivered the largest poo I think he has done in MONTHS, desperately trying to convince him there was NO NEED to remove all his clothing while he did so (a habit we can not seem to get him to break...)...to sitting in a plane for over 2 hours while they manually started the plane, it was too cold and the engines would not start... this all before we had left Finland!! The 2 hours we had in our layover at JFK was used up in the wait on the runway in Helsinki. I had wanted to do this trip relaxed and calm....however, this delay resulted in a MAD, and I lie not, MAD dash, through JFK...Border control...luggage pick up .....luggage drop off...security...5km run to gate...board plane.....All while waving an orange 'SPEEDY TRANSIT' ticket in my hands....I think my son and I managed to make it through the airport in record time to be honest... during the last part of the dash I managed to perfect the art of barefoot running......well, barefoot running with socks on...My son was just a bloody legend is all I can say.
Yes, I ran from one end of JFK, a rather large airport to say the least, with my shoes in my hands laptop in my arm...my backpack on my back, my sons backpack in one hand and then my 'see through bag' full with my liquids (suppositories!!) exposed for all the world to see in the other hand ... Im not even quite sure how or where I held my shoes, but I seemed to have them when we found our seats..so they were in the mix there somewhere!! I have NO idea how we did it, from landing to plane take off we had 30 minutes..but WE DID IT :) We slipped through the boarding gate and were the last on the flight, but we did not miss the next flight and got here in almost one piece ....
I have to say I do not enjoy flying, and I really am not happy to run through major airports like a hooligan ...but sometimes you just got to work on your running style...and I did and I got to say, I prefer running with shoes ;)
So yea, we are here, its NOT as warm as my mom has said....but we do have glorious sunshine for many hours each day and for that I am most grateful! So far I have done 3 runs, the first 2 rocked...the one today was not so good...but such is the nature of running ... and last night I did get stuck into the chocolates...there could be a link .. hehe
Anyways, I have registered for the Charleston half marathon this coming Saturday....I'm very excited....I had not seen it when I was looking for runs before I came out here...We will go there on Friday, apparently its a lovely city...we will stay in the historic quarter...which I have no idea about but will be able to expand on it more after the weekend...The run is early Saturday morning...I've not done the distance training, but i'm just thinking even if I take 3 hours, what a thrill...I have run marathons in the UAE, Jordan, Finland...now I will do one in the USA and then soon after this the big one in SA .. how very exciting!! We used to joke about doing runs on different continents many years ago...and somehow I seem to be doing it, even if its not been somewhat unplanned..... Funny how you really just cant predict life and what you will end up doing....But yip, very excited about running this race and well getting to run in the sun, and enjoy the vibe as I run through a lovely historic location....Maybe I will make some new friends too!!
Anyways, I do hope to write more but for the moment life here with my family is NUTS...imagine 4 little boys between the ages of 5 and 10....4 wild little guys....a very loud Uncle John...a very loud Hayley and an exhausted Granny and Oupa...so lets just say when the kids crash...I seem to too .. but I have to say I wouldn't change this opportunity for anything.......The half marathon is a real cherry on the top!!! I SO love being close to my parents and brother, being able to run a half marathon in a t-shirt and shorts make it even more perfect....
Here is a pic of the little peeps who are more than a handful....nothing is simple when you got 4 of them around ... the energy used up daily is excessive!! I so wish I had half the energy in my bones than they do.
ONLY 72 days left...CLICK HERE...and sponsor me please ;)
I still have no idea how we made it, from start to finish the trip was full of travelling nightmares...from not having organised the 'visa' for my son and for a heart stopping few moments thinking I would have to cancel the trip.... sitting in the public toilet at Helsinki airport while my son delivered the largest poo I think he has done in MONTHS, desperately trying to convince him there was NO NEED to remove all his clothing while he did so (a habit we can not seem to get him to break...)...to sitting in a plane for over 2 hours while they manually started the plane, it was too cold and the engines would not start... this all before we had left Finland!! The 2 hours we had in our layover at JFK was used up in the wait on the runway in Helsinki. I had wanted to do this trip relaxed and calm....however, this delay resulted in a MAD, and I lie not, MAD dash, through JFK...Border control...luggage pick up .....luggage drop off...security...5km run to gate...board plane.....All while waving an orange 'SPEEDY TRANSIT' ticket in my hands....I think my son and I managed to make it through the airport in record time to be honest... during the last part of the dash I managed to perfect the art of barefoot running......well, barefoot running with socks on...My son was just a bloody legend is all I can say.
Yes, I ran from one end of JFK, a rather large airport to say the least, with my shoes in my hands laptop in my arm...my backpack on my back, my sons backpack in one hand and then my 'see through bag' full with my liquids (suppositories!!) exposed for all the world to see in the other hand ... Im not even quite sure how or where I held my shoes, but I seemed to have them when we found our seats..so they were in the mix there somewhere!! I have NO idea how we did it, from landing to plane take off we had 30 minutes..but WE DID IT :) We slipped through the boarding gate and were the last on the flight, but we did not miss the next flight and got here in almost one piece ....
I have to say I do not enjoy flying, and I really am not happy to run through major airports like a hooligan ...but sometimes you just got to work on your running style...and I did and I got to say, I prefer running with shoes ;)
So yea, we are here, its NOT as warm as my mom has said....but we do have glorious sunshine for many hours each day and for that I am most grateful! So far I have done 3 runs, the first 2 rocked...the one today was not so good...but such is the nature of running ... and last night I did get stuck into the chocolates...there could be a link .. hehe
 |
| Note: the GLORIOUS clear skies..... |
Anyways, I do hope to write more but for the moment life here with my family is NUTS...imagine 4 little boys between the ages of 5 and 10....4 wild little guys....a very loud Uncle John...a very loud Hayley and an exhausted Granny and Oupa...so lets just say when the kids crash...I seem to too .. but I have to say I wouldn't change this opportunity for anything.......The half marathon is a real cherry on the top!!! I SO love being close to my parents and brother, being able to run a half marathon in a t-shirt and shorts make it even more perfect....
Here is a pic of the little peeps who are more than a handful....nothing is simple when you got 4 of them around ... the energy used up daily is excessive!! I so wish I had half the energy in my bones than they do.
 |
| My son wakes up and wants to go outside IMMEDIATELY, this trampoline is heaven I have my cross training sorted......Double bouncing 4 very excited little guys for hours on end. |
 |
| What can I say, but this makes my heart warm!! |
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
Almost time....
Donating time left 80 days only......
Phew, so its Tuesday and we leave on Thursday dark and early :) So so so exciting....
As I said before I decided after the longer run on New Years Day that I was not going to run again untill I was in Carolina...it turns out I actually would have liked to have run but I ended up falling down some stairs while visit a special friend and I feel it was nature telling me to just rest and chill....You can prepare as much as you want...try to take all precautions to avoid slipping on the bloody ice and banging yourself up....(even go so low as to wear your cycling helmet!!)...and then all it takes is a pair of woolly socks, a lovely atmosphere where you are all relaxed and showing off and next thing you know, you are very grateful for your sizable butt cheek cushioning!!!!!!
Thank goodness it was more of a shock than anything else, but I decided until i'm safely at the next destination...I will simply rest up :) Evidence provided by our trusty friend the internet also states that muscles heal and recover much better with more rest than not...so consider this me repairing my muscles and NOT me avoiding the cold :)
I have to report that we have not been totally idle here in the village of Oulu....As I said the weather has drastically cooled down and the past few days we have been ice skating on the 'local' rink behind our house and then more excitingly on the 'Bothnian Bay' (the sea here)...which gives me a thrill every time I go (I've been doing it now for about 8 or 9 years and i'm still like a kid when go get to walk on it!)...I like to boast that I have walked on the sea...I like to make all and sundry think i'm so totally totally brave, and I am ;)....but sadly I have friends who like to fill the world in on the fact that the sea I walk on is knee deep and at no stage am I really in any great danger...BUT STILL!! Its cool....This year is the first time i've gotten to ice skate on it....and well...GLORIOUS and so so special, I have to say I feel so totally privileged really. Its amazing how one awesome afternoon can make up for all the hard months of darkness where you feel so caged in and depressed...I mean how many of you have gotten to walk on a frozen sea never mind skate!...I have to admit it makes me feel lucky....
So I feel we have been active, but how active one can get in -16 degrees is a bit iffy....
So besides pottering around and playing with ice, i've been getting ready for the trip....I have to admit i'm now quite scared as I have never traveled anywhere besides SA with my son on my own....and this time its to the big scary USA......This anxiety before travelling is new to me and I am finding it quite disconcerting...she who is all brave and buff has dissapeared for teh moment.
I am rather pedantic though and got all my documents printed copies, labels for everything including my son....we did some 'snack' shopping today and he is sorted :) I do realise tomorrow I shall have to go through his carry on bag and minimise his booty as....in his excitement I think we have all the lego in Oulu and way too many biscuits :) He has however offered to buy something for me from his 9 euros in case I don't have enough....so at least I need not worry about our finances while over there!!
Anyways, for me, my main problem was WHAT TO TAKE...I have gotten my summer running gear out, but i've no clue....I realise I live from season to season here, and when fully into a particular season as we are now, I can truly not remember what is suitable for a different season.....Its like appropriate clothing evolves as the seasons do here...So i've put in 3/4 running pants, and then a long pair of running pants.....I've resisted adding my woolly leg warmers and thermal running gear....but I have to admit to feeling as if I will die of cold while running over there...So running gear packed....Lets see lets see, ive resisted the urge to add my reflective gear too, but it hurts to leave it, I feel like I will regret it (??!!)....Apparently its warm, but then what exactly is warm....and will we feel cold or warm...
My main hope is to run and no be too cold or too hot...but just get to run and enjoy the freedom of not slipping and worrying what if I slip or will I get too cold and have to stop??!!
Regardless to say i've waxed the mustachio, legs and bikini line...so what with the correct running gear and smooth body....I feel i've covered all bases and can only hope for the best!!!!
So so exciting......
Lets hope there is not a bloody tornado as I will cry if there is....selfish I know, but i'm expecting the tropics as I have been promised by my mom.....
One final pic before I sign off tonight....not very 'running' orientated, sorry but its all part of the training schedule :) hehe
Here is what -16 looks like...
Happy holidays or last few days of holidays to you all :) I hope next time I write I will be able to tell you I have just run a 10k in the best time yet!!!!!
Please DONATE here :)
Phew, so its Tuesday and we leave on Thursday dark and early :) So so so exciting....
As I said before I decided after the longer run on New Years Day that I was not going to run again untill I was in Carolina...it turns out I actually would have liked to have run but I ended up falling down some stairs while visit a special friend and I feel it was nature telling me to just rest and chill....You can prepare as much as you want...try to take all precautions to avoid slipping on the bloody ice and banging yourself up....(even go so low as to wear your cycling helmet!!)...and then all it takes is a pair of woolly socks, a lovely atmosphere where you are all relaxed and showing off and next thing you know, you are very grateful for your sizable butt cheek cushioning!!!!!!
Thank goodness it was more of a shock than anything else, but I decided until i'm safely at the next destination...I will simply rest up :) Evidence provided by our trusty friend the internet also states that muscles heal and recover much better with more rest than not...so consider this me repairing my muscles and NOT me avoiding the cold :)
I have to report that we have not been totally idle here in the village of Oulu....As I said the weather has drastically cooled down and the past few days we have been ice skating on the 'local' rink behind our house and then more excitingly on the 'Bothnian Bay' (the sea here)...which gives me a thrill every time I go (I've been doing it now for about 8 or 9 years and i'm still like a kid when go get to walk on it!)...I like to boast that I have walked on the sea...I like to make all and sundry think i'm so totally totally brave, and I am ;)....but sadly I have friends who like to fill the world in on the fact that the sea I walk on is knee deep and at no stage am I really in any great danger...BUT STILL!! Its cool....This year is the first time i've gotten to ice skate on it....and well...GLORIOUS and so so special, I have to say I feel so totally privileged really. Its amazing how one awesome afternoon can make up for all the hard months of darkness where you feel so caged in and depressed...I mean how many of you have gotten to walk on a frozen sea never mind skate!...I have to admit it makes me feel lucky....
So I feel we have been active, but how active one can get in -16 degrees is a bit iffy....
I am rather pedantic though and got all my documents printed copies, labels for everything including my son....we did some 'snack' shopping today and he is sorted :) I do realise tomorrow I shall have to go through his carry on bag and minimise his booty as....in his excitement I think we have all the lego in Oulu and way too many biscuits :) He has however offered to buy something for me from his 9 euros in case I don't have enough....so at least I need not worry about our finances while over there!!
Anyways, for me, my main problem was WHAT TO TAKE...I have gotten my summer running gear out, but i've no clue....I realise I live from season to season here, and when fully into a particular season as we are now, I can truly not remember what is suitable for a different season.....Its like appropriate clothing evolves as the seasons do here...So i've put in 3/4 running pants, and then a long pair of running pants.....I've resisted adding my woolly leg warmers and thermal running gear....but I have to admit to feeling as if I will die of cold while running over there...So running gear packed....Lets see lets see, ive resisted the urge to add my reflective gear too, but it hurts to leave it, I feel like I will regret it (??!!)....Apparently its warm, but then what exactly is warm....and will we feel cold or warm...
My main hope is to run and no be too cold or too hot...but just get to run and enjoy the freedom of not slipping and worrying what if I slip or will I get too cold and have to stop??!!
Regardless to say i've waxed the mustachio, legs and bikini line...so what with the correct running gear and smooth body....I feel i've covered all bases and can only hope for the best!!!!
So so exciting......
Lets hope there is not a bloody tornado as I will cry if there is....selfish I know, but i'm expecting the tropics as I have been promised by my mom.....
One final pic before I sign off tonight....not very 'running' orientated, sorry but its all part of the training schedule :) hehe
Here is what -16 looks like...
Happy holidays or last few days of holidays to you all :) I hope next time I write I will be able to tell you I have just run a 10k in the best time yet!!!!!
Please DONATE here :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)