Light bulb moments.

Often during running these last two and half years or so, many of my runs, short or long have been met with niggles.  Small niggles, but niggles nevertheless.  Like achy calves, achy knees, or achy feet.  Or  just legs that felt like lead and didn’t really want to run!  Well, I’ve just accepted it as part of the running package, especially since I started running at an unfit and overweight 42 years of age.  Which was why it was great this evening, on my run, with my club, (hill training) that I did my best time for a 6 K.  I kept up with some runners that are usually a good five minutes ahead of me and it felt great.  In the beginning, especially, when I would plod along and barely make it up a quarter of the hill while huffing and puffing like crazy, I would wonder if this running thing would ever be worth it.  I think tonight was my real light bulb moment, so to speak.  It was a good run, I didn’t feel achy and going up hill, although it wasn’t a breeze, my legs felt a lot lighter than they have felt in a long, long time and I finally felt “YES, running IS worth it!”  It’s taken time, naturally, seeing I was unfit to start with, but I’m at a much better place than when I first started.  Not to mention that in the last six weeks or so, I have been eating much better, a very low carb diet, – as in no bread, or breakfast cereals, – as little processed foodstuffs as possible, lots of veggies, with enough protein and fruit, and what a difference it’s made.   It’s not easy, often I would love to eat a nice juicy  hamburger with chips smothered with tomato sauce (fries and ketchup) or a nice big pizza, or a cheesy pasta, or a few slices of toast with fried eggs and bacon.  I torture myself at times, with such thoughts!  Still, if I have managed six weeks like this, I know I can continue – I have to, if I want to live as healthily as possible for the rest of my life.  Ah, but that light bulb moment this evening has really given me the motivation I need to continue with running.

Just thinking about this weekend just gone past, at work, looking after a I kilogram prem baby, born at 27 weeks and how amazingly well she has done in the six days since she was born.  A feisty girl, off of CPAP in five days, and onto nasal  prong oxygen.  It would be fantastic if all our prems in the NICU were as strong as her, because the reality for many parents, and the nurses looking after the prems, is that it takes longer for the little ones to breath totally on their own, without aid of any sort, and it’s a hard long road.  Still, all prems are precious little fighters, regardless of how long it takes them to get off ventilation/Cpap/oxygen, and it is always so uplifting to get to work and see another baby breathing on their own and doing well.   I might not make a whole lot of money, I might work 12 hour shifts, weekends and public holidays, but why would I ever want to do any other line of work?  Yes, it’s difficult at times, but it’s what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

 

 

 

Life Goes On.

Life in South Africa, from a political and economical viewpoint is somewhat shaky currently.   There is no doubt the country is at a cross roads.   It’s been about three weeks since Jacob Zuma reshuffled the cabinet, and got rid of (yet another) Finance Minister (who didn’t tow the Zuma/Gupta/Zupta Line).  Not long after that South Africa was relegated to “Junk Status”, by rating agencies, so who knows where South Africa is headed.  For those who can’t leave, because of lack of finances or skilled job qualifications, or for those who (believe it or not) don’t want to leave, it’s matter of holding on tight, because the ride might well get bumpy in the months and years ahead. Just peruse any of the Zimbabwean Facebook groups, and the common sentiment is that South Africa is going the same as way as their northern neighbors.  (Although I am talking from a pale skinned viewpoint).  Personally though, (as a white South African citizen, born in Zimbabwe) I don’t quite believe that South Africa will end up like Zimbabwe.    South African and Zimbabwean politics are different.  South Africa has had three presidents since 1994, albeit under the ANC.  Zimbabwe has only had Mugabe since 1980.    There is more of a democracy in South Africa compared to Zimbabwe and more people are becoming disillusioned with the ANC.  If the ANC continues on it’s reckless path, by 2019, come the next presidential elections, it will have lost many more supporters.  Only thing is, who will replace Zuma? Hopefully someone who truly has the best interests of the country at heart, it’s people and especially the poorest of the poor. Because it’s the poorest of the poor, who will be affected by the junk status, that South Africa was “awarded”.  Meanwhile, life goes on, and whatever our viewpoints, and we are all going to have to hold on for a bumpier ride.  Mind you, that applies to many other countries around the world these days.  South Africa is not alone.

Nearly two months ago I ran my first half marathon.  The next day I was a little achy, but went for a walk to the neighborhood Spar just over a kilometer up the road, and was fine, and by Tuesday was able to go for a 5 k run with my club, without a problem, so I am keen to do another 21 k, but with better training, because truth be told, I didn’t train adequately.  In between my running the my husband and I have been walking the dogs, so that’s been a good bit of cross training lately.  Hubby walks the little dog, and I walk our bigger dog, and although she is very good on the leash, if she were able I’m sure, she would be happy to be free of the leash and run around freely, as she is a very fast and agile dog and loves running around the yard at full speed chasing birds.  If she was an athlete she’d be a fantastic one.  Unlike me.  I plod along and am not the fastest of runners, but I’m not in it to win it.  Simply to finish.   That said, my medal is hanging up proudly, – a good looking silver medal that was awarded to all the 21 k finishers, within the time limit.  I would like to think I will be capable of doing the 42 k next year, and getting a gold medal, to hang next to the silver one.  Seriously though, if I want to run a marathon then I’ve got to get really serious about training, because somehow I don’t think I will be able to get away with not training adequately for a full marathon, as I was able to do so for my half marathon.  The time is now.