A couple of things

From Lisa's Blog: adventurelisa.blogspot.com

Playing catchers with running loops

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 11:59 AM PDT

About 11 years ago I had a running buddy who was faster than me; lots faster. We had a few running 'games'. In the first, we'd battle with each others' pace for the first part. I'd then turn around while he ran a distance further. My objective was to get back to the start before getting caught. The second game was when we'd run routes that linked up at a mid-point; my route was a bit shorter. The first part of the challenge would be to get to the mid-point before the other; and then the race was on to get to the finish before the other.

The fun of these games is that you can run with someone else without running with them, if you follow.

My mom, Liz, is preparing for her first walking adventure in September. She's doing El Camino in Spain; all 790km. She got her backpack last week and so she's been walking with it most nights. Sometimes I walk with her but as her walking pace is far slower than mine, I often find it frustrating and unless I load on layers of clothes, I get really cold because the walk doesn't warm me enough.

I do enjoy going out with her and together we motivate each other, especially on evenings like tonight where the cold front and icy wind from the snow-covered Drakensberg has settled on Jo'burg.

Sometimes we play 'the loop game' where I run bigger loops, meeting her at various points along the way. This evening we had our best loop game yet. Liz's walking distance has increased beautifully as she is steadily getting walking fit - plus backpack conditioned. On today's loop run I got in 11.2km; she did 6.9km. There were three meeting points, plus finish. For me the fun is catching her before she gets to the meeting point - she nearly got me on one of them!

So, if someone slower than you wants you to get out on the road with them (support, encouragement, company), go for it. But suggest this loop game, which is fun for both of you.

I'm the pink track; Liz is the green track. Stars are meeting points.
When we meet up I sometimes walk with her for a bit before splitting off again.

Try something new for 30 days

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 03:03 PM PDT

Great TED Talk by Matt Cutts (only 3:27 - nice and short). In this Matt suggests trying things you've always wanted to do for 30 days. This resonates with my '35 Days of Running' in May/June; it was an incredibly rewarding experience.

The 30 day activity could be additive or subtractive.

Additive activities may be to ride to work; to take a photo of something specific (yourself, partner, child, growing flowers, buildings) or just a photo; to cook a different dish for dinner; to draw a picture; to write five pages of that novel that has been burning in your heart... every day for 30 days.

Subtractive activities could be things like cutting out sugar or chocolates or coffee or tv for a month.

The best part of this concept is that one month you may want to cut out sugar and the next month you want to run every day. No activity is a life sentence - it's just a month.

I've got lots of things to put on a 30 day list... what to attempt first?

Packing for Spain

Because I will be carrying all my stuff on my back for 7 weeks, I have become incredibly conscious of how much things weigh. When I am looking for T shirts I get quite annoyed when the label doesn't tell me what the weight of the garment is. I have managed to replace my daily vitamin pill intake with one pill a day that offers what the current 2 do. Tiny saving I know….it all counts. My back pack weighs 1.73 kg and I think I can go to a max of 6 kg for the rest of my stuff.

Every time I think of the weight issue I am reminded of how I actually got to this point – Walking the Spanish Camino!

In early March this year I was watching one of Lisa’s FEAT (Cape Town show) presenters on uTube. Allyson is a young woman who set off to climb the highest volcano in the Atacama Desert – I think her journey to get there and back was about 7,000 kilometers on a bike. I was incredibly impressed with her. I liked her talk but mostly, she just inspired me. When I had finished watching her I said to Lisa “I can do that”. But here’s the thing – I just knew there and then that I could do an adventure – not necessarily the exact same thing Allyson had done, but an adventure none the less. And 48 hours later I had my very own one…..

There was something that Allyson said though, that has stuck with me – I find it so funny that every time I think about it I laugh, chuckle and chortle. But: it is also a big fat wake up call and kick in the ‘you know what’. I think of her words almost daily. Allyson said something along the lines of: “I had to get my life in order. I started going to gym and lost a great deal of weight – 80kgs of which was my husband”.

De-cluttering is not just about cleaning out the cupboards and giving the extra cups to charity. It is about getting rid of the dreadful boss, the unhappy and unsatisfying relationship, and the toxic people who sap our energy and strength; the people in our lives who make us feel kak (good Afrikaans word!) and don’t treat us how we deserve to be treated (and loved) You also have to get rid of the heavy memories – pack them away where they aren't constantly bringing you down and inhibiting your happiness. Memories are of things that have happened – and there is not too much you can do about it now – except of course, if you keep repeating the same behavior, same kak relationships and so on… the best thing you can do in this case is go see a counselor.

We all learn, I hope, as we go along on our adventures….and perhaps the biggest lesson is to keep it light.

The link to Allyson’s talk is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbKB507UwTo

Too much noise

I have been following the court case (not 100% conscientiously) about Jub Jub and the other fellow who were speeding / racing down the road and ploughed onto 6 schools kids; 4 kids died at the scene and the other 2 have been left mentally and physically handicapped.

Jub Jub and friend were dicing down the road in broad daylight and they were apparently also drunk and on heroin or cocaine. The thing that has kept me listening to this on the radio is that these guys have showed no remorse whatsoever and appear to feel quite hard done by. In fact, the case they have put forward is that they weren't driving fast and that they weren't drunk or drugged. Their attorney kept the police, who took the alcohol and drug tests, in the witness box for about 3 days and tried to discredit everything they said. They also tried to discredit the cell phone video clip of the race down the road and the collision. I listened to what the medical pathologists said about the death causing injuries and I would not have liked to be a parent in that court room…and the expert conclusion was that these injuries could only have been caused as a result of a collision at very high speed.

There is so much noise about the drugs, drink and speed and not enough about the fact that they were driving the cars that ploughed into 6 kids, killing 4 of them. There is no getting away from the fact that the cars belonged to them and they climbed out of them after the accident.

And here's the thing. These guys are guilty of killing the kids. Instead of trying to discredit the evidence, police, witnesses and experts surely there comes a time when the right thing to do is to just admit you did wrong; to take responsibility and be accountable for your actions. Surely there comes a time when they have to stop ducking and diving and making excuses for their actions. They chose to race their cars at high speed down the road; they chose to drink and take drugs. Someone needs to tell them to fall on their swords.

The Journey

I might not have the saying quite right but it goes something like: It’s all about the journey, not the destination.

I know deep down that you do have to do ‘the work’…that everything can’t just land on your plate; that there might just be a bit of pain along the way but the destination will be all that much sweeter when you arrive. I must confess that I chuckle darkly at this and mutter to myself that whilst these journey issues might build strength and character….who needs character anyway?

But seriously though, my little journey towards my departure date for Spain and my big walk, is becoming quite sweet in itself, with a few character building moments.

I take to the streets just about every evening and am walking greater distances and really enjoying that ‘fit and healthy’ feeling. In fact I am becoming an exercise geek….I decided to do a quick walk the other day on my return from the Cape but then commented to Lisa that “I cant just walk that little way, I will do this longer route (always good to tell someone where you are going). I have also shed a lot of weight….and still been able to eat the occasional chocolate and ice cream….and fish and chips – yum. My clothes are too big for me now and my jeans are held up with a grotty old canvas belt. My smart trousers don’t fit at all. Sweet.

My flight is booked and visa application is in. I had a stressful, gripping moment a week or so ago when the Visa people asked for a whole lot of additional information. I hate the fact that to get the visa you have to buy the air ticket….I mean what happens if they turn you down….so I fretted and stressed (still fretting and stressing) about this and was madly trying to think of alternative places to go….but here’s the thing – I want to do Camino – and that’s that. So, as I write I am still waiting to hear from the Embassy and I am trying to be very positive about it….hmmm - this is where the charcter bit comes in I think...

On the subject of Camino, I hear about lots of people who have done it…I have been told about friends of friends, family of friends, numerous film stars and other famous people who have done Camino. I get really excited, well maybe not about the film stars so much but certainly about the friends of friends only to hear that they did one or two weeks….a hundred or so kilometres and I am doing all 790 kilometres of it; how does this make me feel? Well sometimes I feel as if I might have a screw loose and I begin to question my sanity. But sane or insane I am going to Spain and am now so excited about this that I wish the destination, that is: arrival in Spain was not 2 months away….I wish I was leaving now and could start Camino.

And guess what: I picked up the BA inflight magazine on my way back from Cape Town this week – it was all about fabulous, famous walks all over the world - I am already planning my next one.

Epiphanies

One of my favourite quotes goes something like this: ‘You can’t solve your problems with the same mindset that created them’. It’s a pretty powerful quote when you think about it and you can substitute the word problem (you may not have a problem as such) with a word like situation….

With this in mind I want to tell you about my friend's epiphany (with her permission of course) because it is such a good story and makes one sit up and do that little mindshift.

She is changing her life. The house she shares has been sold and its time to move on, by herself (and 3 cats). She says she was fretting over her requirements for a new home – she had to have a house with a large garden for the cats because they were used to large garden after all, a very, very, secure neighbourhood, no traffic on her route to work, and of course worried about the expense of maintaining a large separate property etc etc…and needless to say, this is what she had to have and wasn’t finding; and was getting into a great state! But then she decided to move to Cape Town, flew down there with the check list of what the house must have (ditto above requirements)…. And couldn’t find what she was looking for in her price range but did find something else…a charming cottage that has a very, very small garden….not much space in the house and only 2 bedrooms (good grief). But nonetheless, she put in an offer which was accepted and then spent a sleepless week wondering which furniture to take because she had to have all her stuff, books, ornaments, and really couldn’t get rid of anything. So during all this sleeplessness she must have gone to sleep because she says she woke up in the middle of the night, sat bolt upright and had this epiphany. I wish I could repeat exactly what the words were that she said to me (she can’t remember either) but it went along the lines of:

‘You are changing your life, moving to a new place, new house….you are making a new life so why on earth do want to drag all the old stuff along with you….get rid of the old stuff….start afresh….’. I think this can also be termed ‘getting rid of the baggage!’ And in this case its not just the material stuff…she is selling her business and really starting afresh, she is going to do new things in a new place. She says she will do any sort of work (so long as it’s legal *grin*) for a bit of money…she doesn’t have to tie herself into her ‘professional label’!

Marvellous.

May Musings

Dark, dark winter

Is there anything wrong with the colours in this picture (apart from being coloured silk worm cocoons)? No, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the colours…in fact they are bright, cheery and pleasing to look at. So, why then, winter after winter after winter after winter do the shops stock clothing in black, grey, brown and beige…and I don’t care how they try to “dress” up the colours as slate, charcoal, sand, camel or whatever; they are still dull, boring black, gray, brown and beige…for goodness sake. And every so often there is a jacket in bright red – if you wear this you will stick out like those ‘art photos’ that just have one colour….or a hideous purple/ maroon; and that awful bilious orange that makes you look jaundiced…not to mention the “turquoise” that looks like someone dumped a can of black in the dye…..very ugly colours….and we get them every winter…Ladies go into the guys shops and check out their lovely colours and prints…..hmmm

My route through Johannesburg CBD

I take quite an interesting route into work everyday…through the centre of Johannesburg. It is quick and easy and I am now fearless when it comes to taxis or malfunctioning traffic lights. I pass 2 brothels, countless building in various stages of decay and really interesting shops…some in the decaying buildings (without water & electricity) and others in refurbished places that look quite nice.

What fascinates me though, are the names of some of the shops – the past couple of days I have made of note of the ones I really enjoy:

Various plays on the Mr Price theme – Mad price, Safe Price, Crazy Price, Fair Price and the best is Sir Price.

A number of pubs/taverns – The Trust Me Tavern, Culture Pub and Current Pub

There is the Curtain Designer & Comfoter, Flower-Visa Wholesales (Dress shop) and the tattoo shop is called The Chronicles. There is also the Ama Photophoto shop and the ‘Global International Importer’. There is even a City Farm (who knows what this is).

The ‘Business Centre, Internet & Saloon’ and the ‘General Dealer, Communications & Take Aways’ will look after all your needs.

But very, very personal favourites are: The Blessed Miracle Wholesaler and Divine Grace Fruit & Veg

Mother's day

Lisa's Blog

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Note from Liz: I am pleased to say that apart from my calves being a bit stiff today I feel great! This was a super hike...lovely scenery.....and just lovely to be out in the bush. By the way...I wasn't wearing long white socks.....those are my lily white legs....good grief! The rest of this blog is by Lisa.... Mother's Day hiking at Suikerbosrand - with my mom Posted: 15 May 2011 02:11 PM PDT As my mom and I were both under the influence of a nasty flu bug last weekend, we postponed our Mother's Day hike to this weekend (Mother's Day was 8 May here in SA). And a good thing too - we woke to a beautiful day with blue sky and mild temperatures. A few months ago my mom started walking regularly. She did Tai Chi for the past five years and has been wanting to do something different. After watching the DVD of talks from FEAT Cape Town, she decided that she needed an adventure. She will be doing the 700-odd kilometre El Camino walk in Spain in September and the journey will probably take her five to six weeks - fabulous! To celebrate her progress we had decided to go to Suikerbosrand, a nature reserve in the South of Jo'burg. I've written about my runs there a number of times (type Suikerbosrand into the search block). My mom was tasked with carrying my small backpack loaded with water and some fruit for a midway stop - practise for her. I took my camera along to take photos. The main hiking trail is a 10km loop and it has some very technical sections that are rocky underfoot and a number of climbs. For someone who has never really been on trails, it isn't an easy first hike. My mom did brilliantly! This is the furtherest that she has probably ever covered under her own steam and, to make it even more difficult, it was on a tricky trail. It took us four hours, which is a long enough time on foot. By this evening she was feeling it a bit and I'm sure she'll remember (fondly, I hope) her walk tomorrow morning when she gets up - and Tuesday morning. It's an odd time of year out there - not the fresh green of January. The grasses now have dropped and they're brown. But in the little valleys the trees are still green. We saw two buck in the distance and a small herd of zebra - also a distance away. That was it as far as the wildlife went. By the time my mom gets back from El Camino she'll be a walking machine; I'll take her on the two-day trail, which we do in a few hours. It goes through my favourite valley in the reserve and we should see more animals on that side. Mom, well done! I'm very proud of you. xxx I took the opportunity to try out my hard-earned yoga headstands 'in the bush'. Really not easy on uneven rock with strong winds (approaching storm, thus the dark clouds). But, I got it up and even zapped the L-shaped headstand, which I've been working on. Mom did the arty thing taking pics. In a non-rocky, non-windy envionment I can bring my toes down to the ground and lift them up again - straight legs. Hip-hip-hooray for yoga!