Going nowhere, slowly

Driving in a hired vehicle a few weeks ago was an experience. I was driving a Kia Picanto for the weekend. The first annoying thing was that my suitcase couldn’t fit into the boot. No, not because my suitcase was big, but because the boot was so small. After I had eventually figured out all the dials and gadgets, I drove out of the parking bay. Everything was hunky dory driving in the slow-moving traffic caused by road works. But then I got onto the highway and the traffic was flowing, fast, really fast. I put my foot flat on the accelerator pedal, the Kia didn’t respond. Changed down a gear, still not the response I hoped for.  I’ve been told I am a speed demon and have a heavy right foot, so this did not feel normal at all. By this time I realised that I was hogging the fast lane and needed to move out of the way for the faster cars. At some point I was sandwiched in the middle lane and was contemplating moving over to the slow lane but some cars seemed to use this lane to overtake me. At one point I was overtaken by a Land Rover and a BMW X5 on either side of me. I barely saw them approach behind me but I did feel the tremble of my car as they swooshed past me at lightening speed. It felt like I was hardly moving. Driving up the hills was also super frustrating as I kept hoping I wouldn’t have to meet up with a car driving slower than I was because slowing down meant I’d be literally creeping up the entire hill. Well, after getting all hot and bothered, wondering when I’d reach my destination, I then decided to look at the upside. Pushing this little car to its speed limit still meant that I didn’t have to worry about speed traps on the highway. It was difficult enough to get to 120 km/h. So I could smile at every policeman and speed camera as I cruised past.  It also meant that I would have much better fuel consumption on the full tank.  I resigned myself to the fact that I had to drive in the slow lane and not be bothered by the speed of the faster cars passing me. I would reach my destination eventually, even if it took a little longer than expected.

This got me thinking. Once you make a decision to start on a new journey, whether it be a healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle, a new training programme, a new training goal, race or event, it always takes an adjustment and some changes. Then you get over the adjustment phase and you start getting the hang of it and have fitted the change into your lifestyle or daily schedule.  Things are smooth sailing for a while as you start to ease into the new routine.  But then you will hit a hurdle, this will happen, at some point. Either you are invited out to dinner and you have no control over the food you will be eating, you might need to travel and this will mean you are unable to train or keep up with your training routine or programme or, you reach a plateau. The way you handle these situations will determine the outcome of your journeys goal.  Its true.  This will be your test. You could get totally derailed and go off-track and therefore lose the momentum or you could get over the ‘hurdle’ and continue unfazed.

Here are a few tips you could try when this happens.

• if you are attending a potluck event, take something you know you can eat
• eat a healthy salad, even a fresh fruit salad, before your dinner outing
• try to stick to your meal plan foods as much as possible
• avoid ordering fizzy and alcoholic drinks.  Drink more water
• don’t over-indulge on food, drinks and desserts
• travel with your training kit, you never know when an opportunity might arise to train
• if you can, take a brisk walk or short run
• do exercises which do not require any gym equipment, there are lots e.g. jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, plank
• if you’ve reached a plateau, trying changing things up a bit. Vary your training routine or exercises, change-up your meal items and food combinations.

If all else fails, do not despair. Going ‘off-track’ for one meal or an unplanned no-train day, will not mean all has been lost and is a catastrophe. Remember, eating one bad meal wont make you fat, just like going to gym one day wont make you fit.  It’s what you do after this so-called ‘off-track’ day which will determine your success to handling these hurdles. Continue on with your daily routine or schedule as normal and you will be back on track again.  Its easier to do this than to start all over again. Going slowing, does not mean you wont get there.  It just means it will take time to get there. Staying focused and determined, especially when it seems hard and out of your control, will help you get over the ‘hurdles’ and reach your goal. Getting over the ‘hurdles’ will give you the ‘umph‘ to continue on.

Being back home, driving my car feels great as I can zip through the traffic at my normal pace.  But I do have to say, when I drove back to drop off the Kia Picanto, it was definitely driving  a little faster and responding better than it was when I first drove it.  Guess it needed a little ‘umph’ too.

Fitswazi100 Photo Finish…….

 

Pictures don’t lie…….

Some people still live by the saying “seeing is believing”.  Whether or not you are one of those people, here are some awesome pictures that were captured on Sunday 23rd March 2014, the last leg of the Fitswazi100 – 100 km run over 3 days.

Although these pictures don’t cover the full 100 km journey or include all the runners that participated, they do show the strength, endurance and determination of the runners! To wake up sore, tired and even blistered and complete the final days run on achy legs, takes a lot of these.  There were many happy, smiling faces throughout the run.  I know I was one of them!

And yes, it was our ‘Victory Run‘, so we brought out our best ammunition – our bright and colourful running gear, and brightened up the streets of Manzini City!

Acacia Hill descent

Stretching the legs….Killing the downhill

Who said runners aren’t fashionable!

Big smiles… Running is fun!

Pictures tell a thousand words……

There are lots of things we don’t see when we run.  We don’t see ourselves and the people behind us, the way we run and how we are feeling at a particular point during the run. We sometimes don’t see that everyone else around us is feeling the same way, ‘bushed’, after a hill climb or after a tempo run.

There are lots of things you don’t see when we run.  You don’t see the strong, fighting, determined and never-give-up spirit that we bring out when the going gets tough.  You don’t see the grit, pain and aches we push through.  You don’t see the support, encouraging, motivating and cheering on we give each other when it’s needed. You don’t see that when we are on the road, we are equal, we are all runners!

Then there’s also the support and assistance of the people working behind the scenes, organising or encouraging us on.

These pictures show all of this.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

…And when its all said and done, and we have our bruised and blistered toes to heal, deep down there’s that feeling of accomplishment and self gratification, that 100 km was run over 3 days!

That feeling no one can take away! 

 

 

“IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL ITS DONE” – Nelson Mandela

All done. Yeah!

Running Crazy ………. Fitswazi100

Run 100 km over 3 days.

When I mentioned this, people were convinced what they’ve always suspected. That I’d definitely lost my mind! Well either that, or there are some other ‘closet crazies’ out there!  I did not do this alone. There were many accomplices. Actually, 9 others who ran all three days and covered the entire 100 km.

The last three days have been such an awesome experience.  I’m still trying to find the words to express how I’m feeling. Keep posted for a detailed encounter of the three days. Till then this is my recollection:

• We had perfect running weather over the three days
• A super turnout of brave runners (averaging 15 runners per day)
• Ran 3 days of good routes with many rolling hills
• Had good conversations and lots of mingling, yes most of it whilst we ran
• Lots of refreshment stops
• I got to learn and practice some running tips and tricks
• Leg massage on Friday and Saturday after each run
• We all complained of sore and tired legs and body at some point
• We had a few good sprints and tempo’s on the runs
• We ran and ran and ran and ran…………

A big ‘Thank you’ to the support and back-up crew for your time and assistance.

I would like to congratulate and thank all the runners that took the Fitswazi100 challenge.  ‘Big Ups’ to:

• Mark
• Thandeka
• Mphile
• Kwesi
• Lungile
• Vusi (vvo)
• Banda
• Loncwala
• Jespah
• Nathalie
• Stanley
• Busi
• Bongani
• Xolani
• Artwell
• Lindiwe
• Sibiya
• Mxolisi
• Thobile
• Phetsile
• Sisusa
• Nkosingiphile
• Bahle

No matter your reason or motivation for running, whether you ran all three days, two days, or even one day, you are super awesome! For those training for Comrades 2014, this mileage has now been stored in your ‘tanks’ and you have taught your legs to run when they are tired.  From this experience, I hope you have learnt that you are able to do more than what your mind currently tells you, you have stepped out of your comfort zone, pushed past your limits and have gained a new confidence in yourself. Most importantly, I hope that you reaped the benefits of the run, enjoyed the run and the camaraderie.

FOOD………………….. FOR THOUGHT

Once past the lips, always on the hips……

I’m sure that you’ve all heard this saying before.  Over the years I have said it many times, but I have also come to realise these things;

• The statement does not specify what is passing the lips. The most obvious thing is that it’s some kind of edible substance.
• The quantity passing the lips and always on the hips, is vague and I’m sure this differs for every person.
• Some people would say its once past the lips, always on the thighs or butt or arms or cheeks or neck or…… But it’s definitely some body part and most of the time, the one that needs it the least.

Before I proceed, let me just put it out there. I’m always thinking about food, I eat many meals a day and I’m not a happy person when I’m hungry!  I never travel without food supplies, ‘mpakho’, ‘padkoos’ or whatever name you call it. I eat to live and not live to eat! Either you can relate or you are smiling (I know some of you are smiling and shaking your head right now).

Ranking high on my daily to-do list are my training plan and my nutritional/eating plan for the day!  Its true. My eating plan taking much more effort as it requires planning, preparing and of course, eating. My daily eating plan consists of 5 meals (on most days) – breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks in-between.  I take a packed lunch to work as its easier for me to know what I’m eating and, that I’m eating the right foods. At home, I normally prepare our dinner meals. My daily nutrition consists mostly of vegetables (raw, steamed or dry-fried), lean protein (chicken, tuna and fish), grains and pulses, carbohydrates (oats, brown rice and sweet potatoes) and fruits. All the food I eat is geared towards what my body needs and requires for my training and also the benefits to be derived from a good nutritional plan including:

• High immunity during the high intensity training weeks;
• Far quicker recovery should I get sick at any stage;
• Great recovery ability from hard training sessions;
• Readily available fuel in my marathon storage “tanks”;
• Stable blood sugar levels and thus more controlled appetite;
• Increase in lean body mass and less body fat.

Realising all the benefits of eating right, does make the effort part worthwhile – deciding what to eat and at the same time trying to keep the meals colourful, tasty and not repetitive, bland and boring. I have adopted and learnt a few things to help make this process easier.  I will share them and if you aren’t doing some of these already, try a few let me know if they work for you.

• try to plan meals in advance, for the week or two/three days ahead.  At the least, in the morning plan your lunch and dinner meals. This makes for an easier shopping list too.
• always keep fruits in the fridge and I take at least two different fruits wherever I go, work, office or a drive.
• always make a big bowl of salad in the evening.  The leftover is packed for my lunch the next day.
• always prepare at least two different vegetables for dinner if not, a mixed vegetable pack.
• using an electric steamer for veggies is quicker and easier as I don’t risk over-cooking them.
• try to add as much colourful vegetables into salads, so it looks exciting and inviting to eat.  For a sweet taste, add fruits.
• my least favourite veggies I chop up very fine or grate and add into my food as its cooking or add to my salads.
• add as much raw vegetables to salads if I don’t have time to prepare or steam vegetables.  This way I will still be eating my vegetable portion for the day.
• always have a small cooler bag handy and ready to pack

Once past the lips….

Well,

If you are eating all the right healthy, nutritious foods (eating clean) when your body needs them and, to the full requirements of your body’s needs for sustainability or your training requirements.

Then,

Once past the lips, always to refuel and energize your body and keep your metabolism high!

Fitswazi 100

Run 100 km over 3 days.

If this sounds like crazy fun, read on.
Training for Comrades 2014, read on.
Training for another event, read on.
Just want to run, read on………

Yes it’s possible, you can run 100 km over 3 days.

When?
From Friday 21st March – Sunday 23rd March 2014.

• Friday – 46 km
• Saturday – 33 km
• Sunday – 21 km.

You can run one day, two days or all three days.

Still interested?
All runs will be on local routes around Manzini.
The runs will start and finish at the same point everyday – The Fitness Zone gym (Manzini)
Start time will be 4:30 am.

All you need to bring with you:

• filled water bottle (refills will be available at halfway for longer routes)
• your running legs and,
• your sense of adventure.

Game? See you there!

Feeling like a tourist…..in my own City

How well do you know the town or city that you live in? No, not the malls, or where the best restaurants and bargain shops are.  What about right in your neighbourhood and your surrounds?

I have lived in Manzini all my life and it is not a big city, not at all.  But its shocking how much of this little city I know.  There is so much beauty right on our own doorsteps that we dont get to see.  This is partly because we drive everywhere, focusing on the traffic hustle and bustle.  The final destination is always the main focus and we never take time to enjoy the scenery around us. I always feel like a tourist when I run in another city or attend a new race outside the country.  Looking around and enjoying the scenery. Why not in the city I live in?

On Sunday morning I went out for an easy run.  I was tempted to take my camera with but the thought of running with a camera didnt sit very well.  So i decided to take in the sights around me as I ran.  Now the route was not a new or unknown one, but a route I run twice a week and have run too many times to count or mention.  For the first time, I noticed a road that I had never seen before. Shocking! I even ran back and stopped to look at the road again to make sure I wasnt imagining things and that it was not a new road.

Going out on long runs I’ve seen parts of Manzini I didn’t even know existed and would have never had any reason to go there.  Being outdoors early in the morning, taking in the fresh air, seeing the sun rise and appreciating the beauty of the landscape around us,  is so awesome. I always say why would you be sleeping in on a weekend morning and missing out on such an awesome experience!  Once you experience this, you will be hooked.

Training for that big event, race or competition I tended to get so fixated on being too serious and focused that sometimes the fun of training aspect is lost.  I have learnt to take things easier (sometimes) and relax a little more.  Yes, there are days when its hard, focused training but I’ve learned that there should also be easy, relaxed days too. Maybe this comes with age, but I’m hoping it comes more with experience!

Here’s a challenge to all of you:

Get up earlier than normal on a weekend day, dust off your trainers and lace up.  Take your partner, spouse, children and your dogs too.  Get outdoors and take in the scenery around you.  Whether you run, walk or cycle.  Get out there and be active.  For those that are training for a particular event or race, do this on your recovery day, this way you still get to fill that need to train. Look around you, stop for a while, take it all in and most of all enjoy the great outdoors. Be a tourist in your own city.

What’s in a Name

This is something that I’ve given much thought to in the last few days. A name could either make or break interest either in the person or the product, a website or whatever it is. Some things end up being given names because of their use or association.  A typical example is  a vacuum cleaner being called a ‘Hoover’.  Lots of people don’t even know that Hoover is/was the name of a brand/manufacturer of vacuum cleaners. As humans we do not get to choose our given names, our lineage or our heritage, our parents do.  Fortunately, I got to choose the name of my blog!

Swazi Living Fit…. I’m a Swazi and I’m trying to live my life as fit as I can possibly can.  This includes both my physical and mental state, although some might question it sometimes.  Also playing an important part is trying to balance it all. With all the hectic demands of the family, the world, careers, this is not an easy task. The scale always seems to be tipped heavily on one end, never a close-to-perfect balance. 

In case you wondered, that’s how this blog was named. No complicated formula, logic or theory applied. Just the plain ol’ simple truth!  Living Fit, for me, is a constant journey and it evolves as I continuously learn more, new  and different things.

With all this thought about names, I still wonder why my parents gave me my second name and why I don’t like it.  Fortunately only a select few know this name and, the consequences of using it. I also wonder if I would ever name a shop, clothing line or restaurant with my name. ‘Sandra’s Bistro’, ‘Sandra’s Deli’, ‘Sandra’s Fashion’……. Nah! I don’t think so. On the other hand, naming a race, a workout or a training technique after me, would be awesome. That I can see, clearly, very clearly! The ‘Sandra grip’, ‘Sandra’s Ultra Marathon’ or ‘The Sandra WOD’ (Workout Of the Day). Yes I have big dreams, why not!  Don’t you?