Run baby run

I write this on my bed after the most amazing body and mind experience ever. I woke up at 03:30am ( on a Saturday of all days) started my 10k Vital Winelands Marathon race at 06:05am in Stellenbosch and was finished at about 07:35am. I did all of this while the world was  snugged up in bed and only a few brave  or stupid people like me where up to brave the chilly morning. 

This race was by far the most difficult and gruelling of the ones I have ran. I thought the previous one was but, this one took the cake and it smashed it. It was treacherous uphills and downhills that tested your human brakes and some long flats. What made it even more of a challenge was the weather, the where points in the race where it just rained like it wasn't going to stop. 

The relationship between the body and the  mind was tested many times during the race. The body screaming and almost begging to stop and the mind pleading with the body to hold on for one more kilometer. 

The were two things I learnt from this race. The first is that I need to train more. If I could do as well as I did with the little preparation I did then, I could actually kill the next race. The other thing is that the are no limits to what the body and the mind can do. The were times when I wanted to give up because I was just too tired and the rain was beating on my body so hard but, I didn't. It was constant communication between my body and mind and the sick excitement of what the next up hill and down hill can bring. 

 

As Lady Gaga's applause played towards the finish line I smiled. I was was so happy and already planning for my next run. I guess the running bug has bitten and I'm all in now. 

Plank & Squat Challenge

It's that time of the year again where water bottles with lemon are prominent features around the office and new diet plans are heated topics. I would be lying if I said this whole thing hasn't got me a little on the frazzled side. I have been to the most part watching what I am eating and attempting to keep active. The important word in that sentence is "attempting" and I always console myself with the fact that I am not entirely doing nothing about my health. I am not getting the results that I want mainly because I don't stick with workout plan or the eating plan long enough to see results. So I have decided to take on a fitness challenge. This challenge is called the plank and squat challenge. The reasons for me taking on this challenge is very simple really, I want to tone my body and a possible 6 pack will be amazing too.

What is a plank: it's a balance and core conditioning exercise. You balance on both arms and toes. See below picture. 

not my picture

What is a squat: it's a compound exercise. It works out your entire body: hips, buttocks, quadriceps, hamstrings ext see below picture. FYI you do not need to use weights for this challenge but I have been told using them will be a excellent idea.

Not my picture

I have taken things a bit serious as well and I have taken a picture of myself as a before picture and then I will be taking an after picture. I mean business hey lol. I will also be eating as clean as I possibly can and drinking lots of water. In all honesty the eating clean will be a challenge all on its own. 

before: 8 November 2014

let the games begin.