2013 - The Running Highs

2013 wasn't a stellar running year for me (in other departments it most definitely was!), seeing that I was pregnant for 9 out of the 12 months...  There were, however, some definite stand-out running moments, which I thought I'd share with you:

1.  A new (single) stroller PR for K and me at our very first 5 k race of the year: We clocked a 24:37!  Whoop whoop!  I love that we can now chase this PR with the double stroller once J is a bit older... :)

Pre-race, just before clocking our PR.

2.  Almost clocking a solo 10 k PR at the 2013 Bloem Fun Walk and Run.  Missing that PR (and a sub-50!) was disappointing, but this race showed me that, with the right training and focus, I will be able to dip under 50 minutes for a 10 k.  Watch this space in 2014 :) .

Juuuuust missing that PR.

3.  The 2013 Highlands Trout Mountain Challenge in the Kingdom of Lesotho.  This was not only a 2013 highlight for me, but a lifetime one!  Lesotho is breathtakingly beautiful, the race was a huge challenge and sharing this memory with Will and K was just priceless.  This was International Race No. 3 for me, making it even more special, plus I finished in the Top 10 ladies.  Awesome, awesome memory.

Running the Malutis!

4.  My all-time favourite race pic was captured during the NGK Universitas 10 k - my first 10 k race with K and the stroller.  Special times with my favourite girl.

Special times with K.

5.  And last, but not least, I ran my first and only race as a pregnant mama during 2013 (we also did a number of 5 k fun run/walks during the latter part of the year, but this was the only race where I actually ran from start to finish while pregnant).  It was a tough, slow 10 kays for me, but I'll always cherish it as my very first race with Baby J.

About 1.5 months pregnant with Baby J.

What a blessed year in the running department, despite not being able to run for a big part of the year - so thankful!

What were your favourite running memories/moments of 2013?

The Simple Things

Small joys make my world go 'round!

1.  Last week Will took our broken blender back to the store with a) no receipt, b) no original packaging, and c) very little hope for a positive outcome.  He returned with this:

For free.  Brand new.  Plus change.  Have I mentioned he's my hero?  Happy mama.

2.  This mama is officially on maternity leave until 1 April 2014.  I love my job, but must admit that sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day with my bump literally bouncing around on my lap was becoming quite the challenge, ha!  Bring on four months of quality family time.

3.  Watermelon.  Our gazillionth (okay, tenth) one of the season.  (We're that couple who stands around the watermelon bin in the shop for 20 minutes every week knocking and listening intently.)

4.  Sending off a parcel of happiness as part of the 2013 SA Running Sock Swap and waiting in anticipation for a similar parcel to arrive :) .

Do simple things make you happy?  Any small joys to share?        

Pregnancy Update: 37 Weeks

I can hardly believe that this will be our final pregnancy update - in T minus two weeks, God willing, we'll be holding J in our arms!  Here's where we're currently at:  

Symptoms: I'm not quite sure how to word this one, ha!  Let's just say that J is big, I'm big and a horizontal position is currently the best solution to our conundrum.      

Baby: We saw that little face again!!  J still measures about two weeks ahead, and weighed 3.4 kg at our 36 week sonar.  K weighed 3.2 kg at birth (40+ weeks), so J will probably be quite a bit bigger than she was.  Everything else is looking good - amazing grace!  

Baby J.

Running: Walking really hurts right now, so we stopped our daily 2 km waddles at 36.5 weeks.  Even trips to the shops, and especially our choice of parking lots and spots, are planned with surgical precision these days - a step saved during the day allows me to keep going for at least a minute longer come evening, right? ;)  

Weight gain: I'm up to just under 16 kg at 37 weeks.  As you can see, I'm going for gold.  

Food aversions/cravings: I just can't keep my hands off Will's sugary, sweet granola in the evenings...  I'm quite positive that at least 2 of the above-mentioned 16 kilograms came courtesy of that granola. 

Bump pic: Why yes, I do realize that I look like I've swallowed a torpedo.  And it kinda feels like it too. 

Silliness aside, in only two short weeks we'll be meeting our son and brother: A brand new chapter.  Humbled, thrilled and counting the hours!  

A Mom with a Heart of Iron

In 2011, a simple surgical procedure went wrong for Gaelyn Cokayne (now 28), leaving her with a partially paralysed left foot.  As a result, Gaelyn needs to wear a leg brace whenever she wants to walk or run - a painful activity that she is determined to learn to deal with on her road to Ironman 70.3 in 2014!

I chatted to Gaelyn about her dream of completing Ironman 70.3:

Running the Race (RtR): Are there any obstacles that you have had to overcome or that you are still overcoming in order to be able to run?  If yes, how do you overcome these obstacles?

Gaelyn Cokayne (GK): My biggest obstacle is definitely my disability.  In 2011 a simple surgery went wrong and I was left 40% disabled, I have drop foot in my left leg.  (Basically it is partially paralysed).  I have to use a leg brace whenever I walk or run, and it has been quite a process getting one that actually fits and works correctly.  I have finally found one that allows me to run really well (all things considered) and I am up to 4 km runs at the moment.  One of the hardest things to deal with is the pain, which is hovering around me daily.  Running hurts my foot, a lot.  But I am determined to learn how to deal with that pain well enough to complete my Ironman!* 

Gaelyn completing a recent fun run.  [Photo courtesy of Gaelyn Cokayne.]

RtR: Where do you usually train?

GK: I run around my neighbourhood with our beautiful pit bull Zeus.  I also run at my local Virgin Active on the treadmill, which I find easier than on the road.  I would LOVE to run on the beach, but unfortunately I have to wear takkies with my brace, so it's not really practical. 

Gaelyn working out with her husband and pit bull, Zeus.  [Picture courtesy of Gaelyn Cokayne.]

RtR: Any tips for men and women out there who want to start running?

GK: I have had multiple surgeries, which have left me bed bound for months. I have had to relearn to walk, and drive and run.  If you set your mind to something, just decide that you will not stop until you reach that goal!  I have lost 35kg, I have learnt to walk and I am learning to run!  I have set myself a BIG GOAL and I will not stop until the day that I reach it.  Research as much as you can, learn as much as you can, and try every day to be the best you can be.  Last but not least, believe in yourself and your abilities - believe that you deserve success!!

Gaelyn, her husband, and her gorgeous stepdaughter.  [Photo: Derryn Semple.]

*Gaelyn has the blessing of her physician to be running and training for Ironman 70.3.  Always get the go-ahead from a qualified physician before you embark on any physical training programme.

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Thanks so much, Gaelyn, for sharing your inspirational story.  Wishing you all the best for your 70.3 journey - you can do this! 

The Family Wagon's Maiden Voyage

One marathon overhauling session later, and our used double jogging stroller (a.k.a. The Family Wagon) is looking brand spanking new!  Everything that is anything on that stroller has been washed, tightened, re-adjusted and re-aligned - I think that it is safe to say that we are now officially ready to roll.

Two nights ago I put K to bed with the promise that we would go walking with the new stroller first thing in the morning.  And she definitely didn't forget: She literally woke up saying the words "new stroller walk!".  It took us a while to get out the door (literally - that stroller is wide!), but once we were outside, I couldn't be happier: It surpassed all my expectations.  Here's what I love about the double stroller right off the bat:

• K loves it.  She seems content and comfortable, and it has quite a bit of space for her to grow.  
• It handles like a dream.  Seriously - even easier than our single stroller!  It's easy to push and turns on a dime - love.
• It has more than enough packing space for our needs (we do tend to travel light, though).  I especially love the inserts located where K (and later J too) can reach them, which will allow her to help herself to snacks and juice.  It also has four (yes, four!) bottle/cup holders - I see plenty of coconut water powered long runs in our future :) .
• It fits onto our neighbourhood's sidewalk paths.  I was afraid that it might be too wide, but it fits perfectly, allowing us to safely stay out of the streets.

There are, however, some negatives too:

• This stroller is wide!  But obviously this comes with the territory - we just need to sort out our storage logistics in order to allow for hassle-free exits.
• One of the back wheels has a slight wobble.  Hopefully our local cycle shop will be able to come to the rescue here.
• It doesn't have shocks.  This, for me, is the biggest negative - I love training off-road!  For now we'll be fine, but, obviously, for a while after J's birth we'll have stick to even terrain.

I'll do a full review of The Family Wagon once we've had a chance to put it to proper use, but for now I'm really happy with our purchase.  Can't wait for our Saturday morning family runs!