Get rid of the rust at Sun City
Trail runs are fast becoming the hot new fitness favourite especially now that the weather has turned for the better. The question you should now be asking yourself is: why haven’t you entered for your first race? If there is anything to motivate you to d
The Citizen
First up, get onto WhatsApp and let your hubby know you are booking a fitness holiday with the kids or tell him you are having a girls’ weekend away. In order to get the ball rolling, go and book two tickets for the race right now. By doing this, you are now invested in the event and you have a greater chance of pulling off the weekend now that you have skin in the game. Once more people agree to come, simply purchase more tickets. Count back from five seconds and take action now; book those tickets. If you wait a day or two then you will lose interest.
Trail and road running are two different events and your ankles and knees will love you for it if you invest in a good pair of shoes. Road running shoes are designed for flat surface contact and trail shoes provide the additional support needed to stabilise your ankles when running on rough terrain or uneven surfaces. If you are looking for high-quality running shoes on a budget, then make sure you visit the factory stores at the end of the month; there are always 30% or more off their already discounted prices. Sure, the design might be last season, but you get a quality trail shoe for almost half the price. If you are really serious about getting into fitness and trail running then I would most certainly suggest you visit a professional and trusted shoe shop like The Sweat Shop who will measure, track and monitor your gait and then recommend the right shoe for your frame and running style.
Normally I would say just wear your old clothes, but I want you to feel sexy and confident with every step you take. Feeling the part will also help you keep at it for longer. Make sure you buy the appropriate clothes for the season. Sun City is generally hotter than the rest of the country but I would still invest in a lightweight waterproof sweater that has the dual purpose of keeping you dry if it rains and keeping you warm in case the weather is slightly chilly, especially early in the morning. Reward yourself for every five trail runs. Allow yourself to buy a stunning top and pants. You need to play these little games with yourself to make sure you keep your goals in check; to become fitter, healthier, more confident and sexier in a bikini.
You don’t have to go crazy with this but you do need to reward yourself with a champagne breakfast or a beauty therapy or a full body massage. The validation is simple, you are building a positive experience around your newfound health action. You will not be able to pamper yourself with every race, but this does present the perfect opportunity to spoil yourself. You are worth it. When you arrive back from your fitness and pamper weekend away, you will be sharing your fabulous memories with everyone willing to listen. If you have a circle of friends who trail run with you, you become more accountable and the more likely you are to stay on track. So make sure you post and even Facebook your trail run live.
There is no shame in slowing down and walking uphill. You are totally in it, baby. You are moving, you are outdoors, you are burning calories, and no one can take that away from you. So when you feel it becoming too tough, slow down, get your breath back and just think about one thing … the sooner you finish, the sooner your pamper party begins. As your fitness levels increase you will walk less until you get to a level where you are competing for time. Baby steps first. Make sure you are wearing your fitness tracker device – there’s nothing more rewarding than earning some points, free smoothies and the ability to track and share your race. If you don’t have a fitness device, don’t worry. Download Strava on your phone and track your race using your phone’s GPS technology. A golden rule when trail running is – it did not happen unless you have tracked it.