How many times do you feel like this when the words
"EXERCISE REGIME"
are mentioned?
I had taken almost 21 years many years off an official training routine.
Except for brief periods in 2006 and 2014 when I was training
for Kilimanjaro assent attempts.
(Both of which were successful)
Except for brief periods in 2006 and 2014 when I was training
for Kilimanjaro assent attempts.
(Both of which were successful)
My last "official" road race was in 1995!
So, you will understand, that it was with trepidation that I decided
that being healthy and back at training would be a good thing.
In March of 2016, my daughter asked me to join her in a Challenge
that was being undertaken by this awesome on line group.
I have to admit that I was somewhat sceptical in the beginning,
but as I soon came to discover, I was enjoying being able to once again
walk into a gym and not collapse after 5 minutes.
Although I was not going to participate in this Challenge,
I changed my mind and joined in on day 6...
I have a lot of catching up to do
(That being said, this was the Challenge that started off
my association with the SG community and that means that I
have actually already done Day1-6)
21 years ago, my then training partner, Bridgette Biggs
was killed as a result of a fall of a horse.
We had met on a run and she saw me through a tough time in my my life.
It was back in 1995 that I ran my final half marathon, The Old Eds,
which I did to honour her memory.
When I decided to return to road running in 2016,
I could not think of a better race than The Old Eds
to start my new running 'career' again.
Back in '95 I had carried her vest with me during the race,
and I did that once again this time.
Although I had not run 21km for 21 years,
my 2016 time was only 1 minute slower that back in 1995.
After a lay-off of 21 years,I once again belong to a club.
I look forward to running with Randburg Harriers...
I see that the ASA now have a law that prevents a runner from removing logos.
Something I was guilty of back in the day.
Not only have I joined a club,
but I have entered 4 half marathons!
The first being the Johnson Crane, which I last ran back in 1989,
as a full marathon.
Proof of my 1989 run.
Cloth track-suit badges are certainly a thing of the past.
(As is waiting for race results, which took forever.
With the modern technology, results are received via sms,
within minutes of completing an event.)
Of the four that I have entered,
I have run three as full marathons.
The fourth, On Die Dam, is an event that I have not entered before.
as a full marathon.
Proof of my 1989 run.
Cloth track-suit badges are certainly a thing of the past.
(As is waiting for race results, which took forever.
With the modern technology, results are received via sms,
within minutes of completing an event.)
Of the four that I have entered,
I have run three as full marathons.
The fourth, On Die Dam, is an event that I have not entered before.
Given my "being-seen-in-public-without-a-shirt" phobia,
This run will be a first for me in many ways...
not only will I be topless in public,
but I will also be in a Speedo!
Luckily for me, so will thousands of other men...
These are the two songs that I use to get myself through the
tough times when I am out running
The first one is an obvious choice.
Willie Nelson with "On the road again"...
However, I have no idea why I find this song motivational,
but I do.
Kenny Rogers, "The gambler"
There is no such thing as a "free" t-shirt,
but currently t-shirts seem to be given out when you collect your pre-entry.
This was not a service that was available back in the '80's.
Then you got a shirt and a medal AFTER
you had completed the event.
Yes I can!
My commitment to myself for 2017.
And YES, there will be Burpees!
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