Family...

I don’t really know what to make this post about. It is 17:56 here in South Africa as I’m writing this post. About 10 minutes ago my mother phoned to say that my cousin, Dale was killed in a car accident about an hour ago. This is such a shock for me right now. He was a young man in his twenties and now he’s gone. Just like that. Gone are the dreams and the plans he may have had. It is just so heart wrenchingly sad.

Everything seems so surreal here around me; my son is watching cartoons on tv, my daughter is singing in the kitchen. Although I have told them about his death, the truth is, they didn’t know him. They may have seen him once or twice at a family gathering (most likely a funeral), but they did not know him. So, while I am trying to get all my emotions in check, they are going on as if nothing happened. But, I can't hold that against them. There was a time, when we were growing up that our families were much closer. My brother, my sister and me were older than him, his brother and his 2 sisters, so we never really played together. Then, we moved to a different neighbourhood and we all just drifted apart. They are all adults now, and his elder brother is married. But, about a year ago, Dale, without any prompting from us, started to come around my parents’ house. His girlfriend stayed in the same area, so he would came around quite often. I remember seeing him at my parents’ house and thinking how nice a guy he has grown up to be. It was as if there was never years missing from our relationship with him. He just fitted right in; like family…Why do we as family drift apart so easily? I know we have our own lives to live and we are different people with different interests, but are those really acceptable excuses? We are sometimes closer to friends than we are to family. I’m not saying that is necessarily a bad thing, but it can’t be right.

He and my younger brother really hit it off as they both shared great interest in computers and computer games.

God, this is breaking my heart. Wow!! If I’m feeling like this, I can only imagine how his parents and his brother and sisters must be feeling right now. This is about all I can write now. Will check in again tomorrow…

R I P Dale Barnes

Training Day 2

After a day of rest yesterday, I had my second walk/run session today. I also took the opportunity to check out some blogs about health, fitness and weight loss. I must say it was really inspiring. There are really some exceptional people in this world. After reading some of their posts, I was really pumped and raring to go this morning. Here are links to a few I really liked;

1. http://bethsjourney.com/
2. http://www.skinnyhollie.com/
3. http://ronisweigh.com/
4. http://www.learnfitness.com/

If, like me you plan to make running a big part of your training program, check out this site http://www.c25k.com/.  This is exactly what I was looking for and thinking about. Now, I can see how the experts suggest you do it right. Lol.

Yesterday I was still a bit sore from my first day training, so I tried to get in as much rest as I possibly could. When I left the house this morning, I really felt good. I started off walking again for about 5 minutes before I attempted a slow jog for the distance between 2 street lamps, and then walked again for the next 3 street lamps. I continued in this manner until I reached my turn around point. I am a bit scared to overdo the work on my legs, especially my shins, because today I felt some pain there. I will have to monitor that as the days go by.

I must admit that I am still very self conscious about running in public. I keep on telling myself how stupid I must look for people driving by on their way to work; picture a fat guy struggling along image…But, I just kept on reminding myself that most of these people may be wishing that they could get themselves to this point.  Anyway, the session went by without incident. Felt tired and a little sore afterwards but happy to have logged another day.

Still haven’t made any effort to try and stop smoking. Planning to give it a try tomorrow, fingers crossed.

On Friday I will upload some pictures of me as I look now. I know I should probably have done it already, but it’s not really something I am comfortable with. My “gut” is not something I’m proud of. Lol.

Anyway, advice, tips and a shout out is always appreciated. Take care and get moving…

Training Day 1

Today was the first day of training. After many years of inactivity, I finally got off my butt and started to exercise. To be honest, I was having my usual debate with myself about why today wasn’t a good day to start; it was very windy, slightly cold, maybe I should wait until tomorrow, the slight pain I was feeling in my right heel and ankle might be a sign to postpone… You know the drill. I’m sure, like me, you have had these conversations with yourself (I hope, otherwise I may have bigger issues). Well, today while the angel and demon me were having this debate, each one making very good arguments for his case, I quietly started to dress up for the outdoors, trying very hard not to listen to the ongoing conversation. I put on my tracksuit pants, my old (2010) Adidas running shoe. I have always preferred a shoe that gives me more support, like a thicker sole especially at the heel. As I’m tying the laces I hear the angel me saying; “If he don’t start today, you know he’s never going to start. We’ve been through this before you know.” He was right of course, I have had so many false starts and postponements that I have almost given up on even attempting today. I drown out the arguments again as I avoid my reflection in the mirror (don’t really need that sight to discourage me now).

I open the front door and after locking everything up behind me (this is Cape Town), I set off with a sense of excitement and a bit of pride for making it out on to the road eventually. The wind is blowing and the streets are busy as people were starting to make their way to taxis and train stations on their way to work. I tried to slip into the normal morning activity as unobtrusively as I possibly could. I felt good.

I walked briskly although without getting carried away. I have read the aim should be to get the heart pumping. My aim was to follow a run/walk training strategy. For today and probably the next 2 months, it will be much more running than walking, but I would be very happy with that. I ran for about 20 meters on 3 occasions today and enjoyed it, but I was very aware of the strain of years of inactivity and my overweight body on my legs and feet.

In terms of my training session, it was an uneventful day, albeit a very satisfying one. I had one interesting (read “crap”) experience along the way though; on one of my little 20 meter runs, my phone fell out of my pocket and I did not notice it. At my turn around point, I reached into my pocket to check how long I’ve been walking, only to find my phone gone. Panic ensued of course, followed by praying and looking around frantically. I had walked past 2 or 3 people on the way, so any one of them could have picked it up. Anyway, to my surprise and joy I spotted my phone, lying in the road about 30 meters ahead of me looking unharmed. Unfortunately, as I rushed onwards, I car beat me to it and ran over it with both the left front and back wheel. Needless to say, my phone is no more…Why I brought it with me I have no idea. Damn!!! We get so attached to these things don’t we? I mean, how did we ever manage without them? Lol. I guess I’m about to find out, cause there’s no way I can afford a new one anytime soon.

Please check in now and then with some advice, encouragement or just to say “hi” and see how I’m doing on this journey to Comrades Marathon 2014.

Quit Smoking

Goal: Quit Smoking

This is a very important goal for me. I have been smoking since I was 19 years old. So that equates to about 21 years. I have stopped on numerous occasions for various periods ranging from one day to one year. Yes you read that right; one year. I know, I know, “How the hell do you start again after stopping for a whole year?” Honestly I have no answer for that what so ever. If you’ve ever been addicted to cigarettes and have tried to stop smoking with some modicum of success, you will be very familiar with how difficult it is. Who has stopped smoking for, say 2 months and then wake up one night from a dream in which you have just been leisurely, utterly pleasurably smoking your favourite brand cigarette? No one? Well, I have and it is like waking up from a nightmare. Somewhere in your dream you even tell yourself, “Oh no!!! What are you doing? All your hard work and sacrifice.” Lol. Anyway, I need to stop smoking. Apart from the obvious and well known health risks, I’m just tired of the habit and the hazard. Plus, I have 2 children and this is kinda one thing I want to show them I can do without. My daughter is 10 this year and she been acting as my conscience and coach on this. She will always say something like; “Daddy you must really stop smoking”, or “Let’s make a deal Daddy, you stop smoking and I’ll try to watch less tv.” I always laugh it off and say something like, “Soon baby. Daddy promise.” So, for my own health and because there’s absolutely nothing more beautiful than when I make my daughter’s face light up with a smile, I need to kick this habit.

Now for the plan. Ok, I have no plan. Just like everything I’m about to embark on, I’m just going do it. I am always open to suggestions and will research everything as the days, weeks and months go by, so please feel free to give any advice, tips or whatever input you have.

As I’m embarking on this journey I discovered this website, http://www.helpguide.org/mental/quit_smoking_cessation.htm on strategies of how to quit smoking. Check it out if you, like me, are looking at ways to kick the habit.