Southern Cape July 2014 - Preparing for the trip

How sad that in my new job I no longer have time to write. Well, that view may not be shared by everyone, but I miss it! I have taken 3 weeks' leave now, mainly because I got an email from HR saying that if I didn't take at least 2 weeks before the end of June, I would lose it. 2 weeks have gone by and I am just starting to feel like I am on leave. 1 week to go, and am determined not to waste it. We leave on Monday for 6 days in the Southern Cape, ending with a repeat of the Knysna Marathon, hopefully better prepared this year, and then the drive back the next day. There are 6 of us going - myself, herself, the 2 princesses and young prince charming. Lastly, but not leastly, the Mad Aunt. I intend accomplishing three things during the trip: reading 3 books, finishing the marathon, and writing something each day. That should keep me busy enough.

I've been doing a fair bit of training. My last race was the Wellington Safari Half and before that the Two Oceans Half, both of which I managed in just under 2h. Lately, Prince Charming has been joining me, as he has entered for his first 21 km in Knysna, so we have had a few good runs together, up to 22 km, and he is good to go for a Half. Below are some pictures from one or two of the runs. My standard run is from Home to the Steenberg Gym and back, which is 11km each way. The choice is to go via Main Road (flat) or Boyes' Drive (decidedly not flat, but much more picturesque). I usually decide based on the wind. Running back over Boyes in a strong south-easter is purgatory, so then it is Main Rd. All in all I feel OK - the knees hurt when I push the distance, and I fell last Saturday and sprained my left wrist, but all in all, not feeling too bad. I've gotten me a new pair of running shoes since last Knysna: Asics Gel Cumulus. The guys at the running shop were horrified when they saw my burnt out New Balance 706's, but then that is the normal reaction one gets. They weren't cheap, but I guess cheaper than the excess on having to repair an Achilles tendon or have my plantar fascia operated on. Actually, it is not about the money - I genuinely fear not being able to exercise and if it costs a bit extra to keep me on the road, or at least in the gym, then so be it.

I saw the cardiologist on Friday and he was quite complimentary, apart from my BMI still being north of 25 (men should aim for 25 by 50, 24 by 60 and 23 by 70, according to himself). He went over my blood results (they no longer do a lipogram, it seems, but something called apolipoprotein A1 and B, and then look at the ratio - all new to me) and said they were excellent. Then I was on the treadmill doing the routine. The top speed was about the same as the cool down period at the gym and the whole thing lasted 12 minutes, so it wasn't exactly a sweat. No change in the ECG and blood pressure stayed low, so he was delighted. Must just get rid of a few kg! My problem is I am a sucker for carbs, particularly bread and especially in cold weather. Self discipline!