Run/walk your physique

In addition to weekly parkrun, one extra timed event per month

A fellow local parkrunner, work colleague, and inspirational influence, shared that she strives to do one additional event per month. The first I latch onto was the monthly Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, usually the second Sunday, Joburg Zoo Trot. My first of many on 13 February 2016.

Participants my either run or walk, in the peaceful setting of the Johannesburg Zoo, Jan Smuts Ave, Parkview. The trot consists of either a 5km or 10km (two laps) fun run or walk on the zoo’s paths. Nominal payment (reduced entry fee and for parking—which is ample in the new parking garage) at the Zoo entrance. Registration (medal for every three events done) is from 07h00 and the start at 07h30. An electronic timing board is set up for most trots, but individualised timing not done. There are water fountains on course, a restaurant, take away stalls, and picnic facilities. Herewith the link for the 2018 calendar http://www.jhbcityparks.com/index.php/zoo-trot-2018-calendar

On Sunday 26 June 2016 I completed my first ever road race (5km only), the 20th Northgate Shopping Centre road race. I found the large number of club-dressed athletes daunting, but enjoyed the run. The first 10km athlete came in the same time as I did. My second road race the SASFin 5km Gerald Fox, in Parkview and ending in the Joburg Zoo, on Sunday 18 September 2016.

The seed of ‘if you can do 5k, then you can do 10k’ geminated slowly and prompted me to search for suitable running opportunities. I regret not keeping proper records of my searches, as my findings could have been quite useful. However, I do have a vivid recollection of my first ever trail run, the Lusa Community Chest first annual Trail Run at Klipbaai, in Vanderbijlpark, on 25 September 2016:

Klipbaai [an angling club property] is a scenic and secluded venue on the banks of the Vaal River. The trail leads through MTB single tracks, bluegum and acacia forests along the river banks. It is a fast and beautiful race crossing through tunnels along the river from Gauteng into the Free State. The event, hosted by Spectrum Sport, had been aimed at raising diabetics awareness, and included both an 8km and 18km I opted for 8km. http://www.ndorfin.co.za/events/community-chest-trail-run-18-8km/#.W6Yol_ZuJ-0

My second trail run had been at the Aviantu Estate, Muldersdrift, on Sunday 2 October 2016. Two distances, 6km for the not so fit and newbies (which I chose) and 12km for the experience trail runners were available. To avoid bottlenecks self-seeding starting runners off in batches had been used, batch A for fast runners, to batch H for slowest runners. A first experience for me as newbie.

Soft, Wiggly and Unfit

I’ve been over-weight since childhood. I always loved good food, and felt secure when experiencing a full tummy. I played rugby as kid and teenager, but had a bad fall during a rugby match at about age 14, and diagnosed with Osgood-Slatter disease. Treatment then entailed withdrawal from sport to restrict movement. I later attempted to play some tennis, nut never quite mastered.

I lost substantial weight during initial military service and during subsequent short-term duty periods, due to being more active. Also lost substantial weight when I got divorced. However, gradually just gained weight again. Worse point 121kgs.

Diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I was encouraged to reduce weight, become more active and take supplements to rejuvenate cartilages. I occasionally made an effort through some cycling and walking.

At age 47, a pre-teen poked my tummy and remarked it is ‘soft and wiggly’; my knees were often sore and I often out of breath.

On 20 May 2006 I joined Walk/Run for Life—an excellent way to commence a journey towards better health. After the registration formalities and a thorough briefing, I had been required to do only 7.5 minutes of aerobic walking. By means of a structured programme of stretching and walking, I advanced though the levels from 1 (5-17.5 minutes of aerobic walking/running) through to 7 (10km). A logbook is meticulously kept; progress closely monitored; and encouraging support provided.

Some medical aids, such as Discovery, encourages members to join Run/Walk for Life, substantially supplement (80%) membership fees and reward members with 100 Vitality points for each event of less than 5 kilometres completed, and 300 Vitality points for each completed event of more than 5 kilometres.