49 Days And A Button Spider

My running streak came to an abrupt end on Tuesday morning when I woke up to the most intense pain in my head and neck. It was terrifying!

Rushed to ER and was treated and tested for a few things but everything just got worse. All my muscles cramped, blood pressure went up and heart rate soared.

In the end it was determined that I was bitten in the back of my head / top of my neck by a black button spider / black widow.

It was one of the most painful and horrifying experiences I've ever had. Some drips and medication with the anti-venom for the little buggers sorted me out and I am now recovering at home. Every muscle in my body is stiff and my joints feel swollen and stiff as well.

Obviously no running and I've been told to take things easy until at least Saturday. 49 days into my running streak...:(

That's my news today. I hope you all have something more delightful to share.

Have a super day! 

Why Do I Run?

Do you still get this question? Why do you run? I still get it from time to time and I always think of running blogs when I get it. There are numerous posts around answering that question. Some people often post lists with reasons why they run.

There are so many reasons to run, but do you have one specific reason? One short answer? My short answer is: Because it makes me feel so good..

I honestly love running. I set my alarm for 03:30 on the coldest sub zero degrees morning and still wake up at 03:25 because I am looking forward to my run so much. That is just who I am and how I love my running.

I am still busy with my running streak (43 days) and I've had some interesting comments about it. Although everyone is very supportive I do get a lot of people that raise their concerns about it and give very valid reasons why they don't think it is a good idea to do a running streak.

A very common remark is people saying "there must have been days or even many days you didn't feel like it but well done, you pushed through". NO! I have never felt like I didn't want to run. I never feel that way. In the almost 33 years I've been running I have never felt that way.

Do I love running that much? I think so, but I think I actually love how good it makes me feel. A day without running is just not the same. Sinuses and airways aren't as clear and so is my mind. Running keeps everything clear.

A second remark that I've been getting is that I am obsessed to run every day. NO! I am now free to run every day! I used to have an obsession. I was obsessed that I needed to rest at least one day a week. Even if it meant one day of not feeling great, I always faithfully took my rest day. Now I can relax about it and just run. 

I have not felt the need for a rest day at all. In fact, I just feel so much better on my short run (2.5km) active rest days. Really much better than no running at all.

Yes, I love running. I love it because it makes me feel so good.

But...

This is still the best answer...

Go run today!

Born to run, forced to work

I was sitting at work this morning staring at the screens below while thinking about running and training and races... 

Then I wondered... do you also sit at work and think about running and training and races? Do you also feel like I do? Born to run, forced to work...?

Have a great day!

Happy 60th Anniversary To My Wonderful Parents!

Today we celebrate my parent's 60th anniversary! We are so blessed that we can have this day. To the most wonderful two people I know: Happy 60th Anniversary!

1 May 1954.

Two very special people.

Run 30 days for April done!

30 April and I am glad to report my "run 30 days in April" streak is completed. Yay me!!!

Now if you look at the pic below it shows only 20 runs left to reach 50 days... If I can do 30 I can surely do 50...

Will keep you posted!

Happy running!

Goals, Speed Work and Streaking

I haven't really talked about my goals for 2014 and we are already nearing the end of April. The main reason for this is that I missed my main goals for the 1st half of 2014 but I am busy building up form and fitness to reach my goals for the 2nd half of the year.

I have two main goals for the 2nd half of 2014 and they are both circuit races:

1. Jannas 18 Hour Circuit Race - 24 October 2014 (1km lap)
2. Johannesburg Festival of Running 48 Hour Circuit Race - 19 December (500m lap)

Both these goals include some hard ultra slogging so my focus at the moment is distance and more distance. For this my current running streak is working well.

Almost done with part 1 of my streak!

But there is another twist to this story...

Speed and pace! Not something I am known for at all. I don't do any speed work ever. But... this streak thing is forcing me to do some shorter than normal runs from time to time and I am starting to push them a bit more as I feel my fitness returning. My pace is improving all the time.

Streaking is certainly working wonders for me. My endurance is getting better and I need that for my two main goals of the year. At the same time I am actually getting my pace up and this is just an added bonus. I'm loving every run, long and short.

Happy training everyone! I hope you are also loving every workout.

Ernst van Dyk - South African Super Star

When Ernst van Dyk won the Boston wheelchair marathon for a record 10th time yesterday I must admit I was a very proud South African. What a super star!

Today I dedicate a post to him as I believe this fantastic athlete doesn't get even a small bit of the glory he deserves. Please take a look at his website.

Also do yourself a favour and search for images of Ernst van Dyk. Awesome!

I am really proud of this man. Well done Ernst, you deserve a lot more praise than what you are getting.