While he was gone I was thinking about exercise and what I am currently doing (nothing now that I haven't been to PT for 2 weeks because of my back) and what I have signed up to do (Learn To Run with Operation Move) and what my Dad has done w.r.t. running in his life.
He has run 10 Comrades Marathons - this is not a 42.2km marathon - this is a 90km marathon that is run every year between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. The run from Dbn -Pmb is an up run and the run from Pmb-Dbn is a down run based on the height above sea level that the two towns are. Of the 10 races that he ran, I think it was 3 occasions he broke 7.5hrs and so won a silver medal. The first 5 finishers get gold medals, anyone who finishes in under 7.5hrs get silver and anyone who finishes within the alloted 11hrs gets bronze. Not only did he run this race which is not only an endurance race that puts considerable strain on your body but managed to stay mentally sane through all the races, but he also ran the 100 Miler. Yes, 100 miles (160km) in about 18.5hrs. This is a completely different race because it was run around an athletics track - so, for 18.5hrs, he basically ran in circles. If nothing else, how he managed to stay on track mentally, I have no idea and I asked him about it after dinner last night but he didn't say too much. He said that his brother was marking off the laps and would let him know when he had reached miles stones but clearly you have to be bloody strong mentally and extremely fit to be able to run for that length of time.
Now, I am not about to go out there and try to run the Comrades, nor am I going to attempt the 100 miler, but I am going to get out there and get working on my exercise so that eventually I can be running the 10km races that I ran a few years ago. I am going to get myself healthy and fit for when I turn the Big 50 next year. I don't want to be over-weight and unfit heading off to my 60's !!!!
Together with cutting out sugar and increasing my exercise, you would have to think that I will achieve my goal - time will tell !!!!
Linking in with Jess from Essentially Jess because it's been to long since #IBOT !!!!!
Have the best week !
TFTD : It's much easier to love yourself when you're being yourself.
Oh good luck Linda - what an amazing athlete your Dad was and what mental strength he must have, as you say, probably the hardest part. Hope you had a lovely birthday. X
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy - yes, I never really thought about it until the other day. He must have had some seriously good mental strength !!
DeleteHave a great day !
Me xox
OMG! Your dad just made my head explode with his time in Commerades (which frankly I think is dangerous!!) That is AMAZING! And go you, getting inspired by your Dad...keep us posted (and yay to seeing you're back!)
ReplyDeleteI know - when you sit and actually think about it - it's crazy !!! The guys who win - some of them have done it in less than 5.5hrs - for 90kms - it's ridonkulous !!!!!
DeleteHave the best week !
Me xox
Wow. Your dad is amazing! My parents are in their 50s and run 2.4km under 10 minutes every week. I am in my 20s and not nearly half as fit as they are. Something I really need to work on for my own health's sake. I hope you get to where you want to be health-wise! Make Me Up Mandy
ReplyDeletex
Thanks Mandy. Wow - your parents are really fit !!!! I know that with hard work and good eating I'll get to where I need to be.
DeleteHave a wonderful day !
Me xox
Well done to your Dad...I'm a runner and I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like doing the whole thing on a single loop!! Soul destroying....clearly not! Good luck to you too. You are never to old to start anything, and being the best you can be at any point in your life is a fabulous goal.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. I'm with you - I can't imagine what it would have taken to run that far - in - a - loop !!!!
DeleteHave the best day and thanks for stopping by !
Me xox
Wow your dad must be fit both physically and mentally!! Well done to him! A couple of years ago I did the Brisbane Kokoda which was 30km over hill after hill after loose gravelled hill. It nearly killed me! I couldn't walk for days! I had no idea it would be so hard. So well done to your dad. There is no way I could do 90kms!! Best of luck to you for getting fit for your 50th. I turned 50 this year and am unfortunately not fit. I'm overweight. BUT ... I've started regular walking and hopefully can get some weight off and feel better about myself soon. xo
ReplyDeleteEven now he is still pretty fit although he probably wouldn't be able to run much given he is turning 77 this year !!!
DeleteWell done on the walking - keep it up !
Have a wonderful week.
Me xox
How impressive! Good luck with your goals hun. Hope your back is better soon x
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee - I really just need to learn to manage my back !!
DeleteHave the best week !
Me xox
WOW what an achievement that your dad did, can not even comprehend what 160mks running around a track can even look like - good for you with the fitness and sugar free goals - I am sure you will do it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jackie - I'm certainly going to give it a good go !
DeleteHave a wonderful week !
Me xox
That is utterly amazing. Your dad is a legend. It's an inspiring story that's for sure. Back pain is dreadful but maybe the running will help. Good luck with it and especially the sugar thing. I don't eat sugary food but I have three spoons of it in coffee and tea and don't think I can give it up :( This is why I'm chubby. I thought my 5km a day on the treadmill was enough!
ReplyDeleteYou are right - my Dad is totally a legend ! I would love to be running 5km (or longer) each day !!
DeleteHave a great afternoon !
Me xox
Wow those are amazing achievements from your dad! I know you can do this, because I've seen you do it before! Looking forward to following your learn-to-run journey. x
ReplyDeleteI think that's what makes it so difficult sometimes - knowing how well I was doing with my running and then seeing where I am now BUT that will change because I'm going to turn it around !!
DeleteI hope that you are well on the way to recovery by now.
Lotsa hugs
Me xox
I have no doubt that you will get there by the time you're 50!! And maybe we'll all do the GC Airport Marathon in 2015! Your dad is quite incredible! Have a great week xx
ReplyDeleteLOL - now that would be something if we all did the GC marathon - certainly something to aim for !!
DeleteHave the best week !
Me xox
Oh to be able to channel the focus and mental fortitude of a marathon runner, they really are incredible! Well done to your dad, and I'm sure you'll be using your pride in his achievements to spur you on towards your own goal.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right - imagine how much we could accomplish if we could channel the energy and focus of a marathon runner !!!!
DeleteHave the best day and thank you for stopping by !
Me xox
Go Dad!! That's just a little bit awesome :) And go you too. Quitting sugar is not easy. I can't wait to read about you running your first 10k :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee - I'll certainly be posting about it when it happens !!!
DeleteHave a fantastic week !
Me xox
Good luck. I am loving the Learn to Run group I am in now. I'm a couple of weeks behind but meeting goals I never imagined. you'll be back running in no time.
ReplyDeleteYour Dad really must have some awesome mental kudos going on. I have trouble focusing for 30 minutes. I often want to stop and write a shopping list.
I hear you about what goes through your mind when you are running. Well done on what you have accomplished with the Learn to Run group - good for you !!!
DeleteHave the best week !
Me xox
How impressive is your day! All the best with your goals, changes can be hard, but you sound determined. Will cheer on from the sideline!
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie - all cheering greatly appreciated !!!!
DeleteHave a fantastic day !
Me xox
I have no comprehension for long distance runs (do they not take breaks?) looking forward to the op move journey with you. Lots of great people to hopefully motivate each other xxx
ReplyDeleteNope - no breaks - just amazing really. I am sure that there will be no shortage of motivated people to help me on this running quest !!
DeleteHave a wonderful week and enjoy your new jewellery making classes !
Me xox
Wow how clever is your dad! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have full faith you will get back to your 10k's. You'll blitz it.
Thanks Jess - I go from "Yes, I can do this" to "How am I going to manage this" - thankfully it's mostly the former !!!
DeleteHave a wonderful week.
Me xox
Your Dad is a "wonder man", wow !!
ReplyDeleteGo girl..you WILL achieve your goal and you'll be running those 10k's again…I believe in you :D
Thanks Jen - funnily enough, I'm starting to believe it to (even though I haven't actually started yet !!!) - too much happening for the party tomorrow night !
DeleteHave the best day !
Me xox
Wow that is awesome effort from your dad. I did the Relay for Life a few years ago and it was hard enough walking for a couple of hours around a track, I don't think I cold deal with the monotony.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals!
Thanks Tegan. It definitely was an amazing effort by Dad. I think the monotony would get to me too - guess you have to have the ability to just switch off and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Although I think the rest of my body would konk out before 18.5hrs has passed !!
DeleteHave the best weekend !
Me xox