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FFA August News
Like a Gazelle!
It’s been said that there are two types of runners, those who are injured and those who are going to get injured. I know, it doesn’t sound like a great motivating campaign for runners, but there’s a great measure of truth in it. Trust me, after 30 years of running I’ve had my fair share. Despite the setbacks though there is the unmistakable attraction of running that makes us come back for more every time.
One of the colourful characters of our sport in the eighties was a gentleman by the name of Liege Boulle. He got very close to 40 medals at Comrades and was well-known and well-liked on the roads of South Africa. He was approached by a sports reporter with the typical non-runner question: “ Mr. Boulle, why do you run?” Expecting a very philosophical answer from the veteran runner he was taken aback by the very abrupt answer, “Because I’m not injured!”
Earlier this year I signed up for a “Financial Peace” course at our church. It was a DVD every Tuesday for twelve weeks, by Dave Ramsey , a real estate fundi who went from whiz kid millionaire in his twenties, to rock bottom, to top of the pile again – much wiser and astute the second time around. Basically the course explains how money lenders entice with clothing accounts, credit cards, lease agreements, etc., etc., to the extent that a huge portion of the population spend more than they earn each month! He also explains that you can’t borrow more to get out of debt, but need to break the cycle. Of course this won’t be that easy, and needs to be approached with gazelle intensity. He compares us to the vulnerable gazelle, eyed out by the lion who has managed to separate us from the pack. Once this has happened, you are in serious danger and literally need to run for your life.
What has this got to do with running injuries? I believe that when first a setback, or even just a possible setback, rears its ugly head, we need to react with gazelle intensity! Some injuries can be overcome by reduction in intensity or mileage, or both. For some injuries we need to stop running completely, while others fit somewhere in between. Whichever one it may be, we need to be positive and not take the setback lying down! Runners are tough and can conquer whatever is thrown at us. We run hills, distances and terrain that others won’t attempt in a 4x4 let alone a foot. Let the injury know that it is an unwelcome visitor and must get ready to go! Sure it may take a few days, a few weeks or even a few months, but go it will!
It does take courage though to get through the tough ones and I have experienced the disappointment of getting injured before a big race or when achieving a great level of fitness. And after the first few weeks of denial, we get gripped by this irrational fear that it’s never going to go away. It’s okay to be scared though. Remember that courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of fear.
Here are some guidelines to help you attack that next niggle or setback with some real gazelle intensity!
1. Applying heat and ice is very effective as soon as you become aware of soreness (ice) or tightness (heat).
2. You can’t rush an injury – get some input from a professional to decide on the best course of action.
3. You can’t stretch an injury better- when soft tissue or ligaments are inflamed or sore, stretching will make it worse and delay the process.
4. Make level paths for your feet – avoid activities or movements that are known antagonists to your condition.
5. Don’t despise small beginnings – any progress must be seen as such.
6. When the pain has settled, try to regain mobility in the affected area.
7. When mobility has improved be diligent with stretching to full range of motion again.
8. Strengthen the affected area with diligence.
9. For many of these we need the help of someone who’s been there, or a professional, or both.
10. After accomplishing the other 9 points, run free of fear that it’s going to happen again.
Get rid of those niggles with gazelle intensity!!
Get on a Mission!
In 1994, Dave “The Man” Scott had an astounding racing year. Upon turning forty years old, he decided to come out of retirement and take on the Hawaii Iron-man following a five-year absence. This was going to be a daunting challenge.
Many triathlon and aging experts said his presence wouldn’t be an issue; Scott was too old to compete head-to-head with men ten to fifteen years his junior. And besides, they pontificated, the Iron-man had become more competitive since his swan song runner-up to Mark Allen in 1989. This was not an old man’s race. Better to stay comfortably in retirement than to risk losing badly and damaging his reputation as a six-time winner of the Hawaii Iron-man and the undisputed King of Kona, they explained.
Scott didn’t listen to all the reasons why he didn’t seem to have a chance. Instead, he did what racehorses do: eat, sleep, and live in order to become faster. He went off to train alone for several weeks leading up to the race. He prepared for this greatest challenge of a long and storied career by staying away, both physically and emotionally, from the naysayers and those who would try to convince him he “couldn’t fly”. On race day, Scott came out of the water near the front, moved up on the bike, and was strongly in second place late in the run. By nineteen miles into the marathon, he had closed the gap to within eleven seconds of the race leader Greg Welch. But run as hard as he could, Scott couldn’t narrow the lead any further. He crossed the finish line on Ali’I Drive in second place. Later he proclaimed it his “best race, ever.”
That a forty-forty-year-old “has-been” triathlete could come out of retirement and beat the best in the world, minus one, at the greatest challenge in the sport is nothing short of remarkable. Had Scott listened to the experts he would never even have attempted the comeback. But he didn’t listen. He was on a mission.
Unlike Dave Scott, you may never have experts telling you that it can’t be done. Maybe that’s because you have surrounded yourself with supportive people and positive atmosphere. If so, you are a wise and fortunate person. Most are not so blessed. Not having any-one to pollute your mind with negative attitudes, however, also results from never taking on a big challenge that threatens others’ well-established notions about you. Which is it? What is it you want to achieve in multi-sport? Do you know? Can you put it in a few words? Can you write it down in such a way that it motivates and gives direction to training? Are you convinced it is possible? If so, you are rare athlete. Unfortunately, most have only a vague idea of what they are doing in the sport and why they train a certain way. Often there is a nebulous notion of “getting faster.” Seldom is anything done to define and give direction to such wishes.
Most of us go through life living only on wishes and never coming close to our limits. But wishes are important; they’re the start of great feats. Wishes grow into dreams when you are able to mentally “see” yourself accomplishing the wish. Dreams turn into goals when a plan for attaining them is defined. Goals become a mission when unwavering self-belief and purposeful zeal are realized. Big challenges require mission status. The difference between a goal and a mission is attitude, almost anything is possible. What you believe, you will achieve.
100 days to Summer!
Health and Fitness Challenge
Ready to give winter the boot? Join our 100 day challenge to get you fit and healthy for summer!
When? 23 August to 1 December (Registration by 13 August)
Where? Lonehill Exercise & Sports Centre
Requirements? Follow the daily nutritional plan and burn at least 2010calories per week!
What?
Step 1 Book for BioAge fitness evaluation (as used on Biggest Loser Australia)
Step 2 Join one of our training groups (Boot Camp, FFA training groups or Lonehill Exercise & Sports Centre.
Step 3 Follow the Natural Way’s 100 days to Health nutritional plan
Step 4 Train hard and look forward to 1st December!!
To sign up or for more information contact marcel@fitnessfromafrica.co.za
Fourways Boot Camp
Our new Boot Camp branch is starting on the 1st September at Fourways High School. Sessions are one hour each and consists out of cardio, movement prep (dynamic warm-ups), circuit type training, stretching. Upon signing up you will receive a fitness evaluation using the Australian ‘Biggest Loser’ Biological Age Predictor, as well as info on nutrition, home training products, supplementation, etc. For more information contact us now
VOB Virtual Running Coach
Just a reminder for all VOB running members, that Fitness From Africa has been appointed in 2010 as virtual running coach. Please contact Bev for all training related questions.
St Stithians Crusader Running Coach
We are proud to announce that Fitness From Africa has also been appointed as official running coach for the newly founded Crusaders Running Club! The club has been registered with ASA and is awaiting approval of running kit before we will start seeing them at the races.
Crusaders members are encouraged to contact Fitness From Africa for advice on training and to join our coaching group at the school on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 17h15.
From September there will be morning sessions as well held at 5h30 for those early risers!
For more information on joining Crusaders Running Club, contact Quinton Pascoe.
