I spent 8 weeks training for the Lady K Urban Obstacle Course Race which was on the 28th July 2018. This was my final week of training!
What an incredible week of fun, family, happiness and sports craziness! It was Health Week at my daughter’s school so she had Sports Day, Cross Country Running, a Sponsored Walk, Zumba and even Yoga! They start them young these days! LOL. We had an incredible Obstacle Course Race and my husband took things to the next level with an epic 78 km mountain bike challenge! Here are some of the details, enjoy! 🙂
Monday, 23rd July: Easy Run, 39:25 min, 5 km | 2 x 20 Squats. I had a great Easy Run with Tapiwa in the CBD. We hadn’t been running in a while so we were very happy to take it easy and catch up on life. I find that when I run on Mondays the rest of the week just works out. So I was really glad we bit the bullet and went for it. Earlier on that day my husband and I had an amazing morning at Kaia’s Foundation Sports Day.
Tuesday, 24th July: Unplanned Rest Day. I got home from work and immediately got dressed for my evening Grid Class at the gym. I do this so I have no escape clause when it’s time to leave for class at 19:20. However, just as I was leaving my husband got an emergency call about a sick cat so he had to head back to the clinic. It was too late to take the kids to the gym with me so that was that. I was quite disheartened as I was finally in the right mindset for gym. But there was really little that I could do. 😦
Wednesday, 25th July: Easy Run, 55:53 min, 7 km | 2 x 20 Squats. After work, I grabbed Ditiro and the kids and we had some great family bonding time while working up a sweat at the Sebele Agricultural Grounds. I figured it would be good to get in a bit of trail running before the Obstacle Course Race. I was only scheduled to do 5 km, but to make up for my failed gym trip the previous day, I decided to go a bit longer and do 7 km. My daughter accompanied me for the full 7 km on her bike (this was after her morning cross country race and a lunchtime swimming lesson). It was hard but I was so proud of us all.
Thursday, 26th July: Rest Day.
Friday, 27th July: Blogging Day. I have been thinking about my training goals for my next big Goal Race – the Soweto Half Marathon in South Africa and I finally managed to get them down on paper and posted them for the Friday 5 Link Up – Six Training Goals for Soweto. My first Half Marathon was all about the running – this time I want to have a more holistic approach to training – actively incorporating good nutrition and strength training. Putting it all down made me feel so excited about this next round of training and I am ecstatic to have Coach Nicola back in the picture.
Saturday, 28th July: Race Day, 8.2 km | 1:11:44. I don’t think I have ever been so terrified about a race. This was completely outside my comfort zone. I wasn’t the kid who climbed trees or crawled under things or had crazy escapades! I kept telling myself that it was all about the FUN but I also didn’t want it to be a humiliating experience. Well… it turned out to be one of my best days ever. I have four bruises on my legs and some scrapes on my elbows. However, I did every challenge except for the base jump into the pool. I was surprised at how much I could actually do. It was exhilarating and each challenge came with such an adrenaline rush that left my heart pumping! Best of all, I realised what a strong team I have. We hoisted each other over all those walls and just kept each other going as teams around us started to fight and split. I am still buzzing from all the excitement. Here are some teasers while you wait for the race recap 😉
Meanwhile as I was tackling these obstacles my little girl was doing a Sponsored “Colour” Walk at school with my sister. She did great and managed 10 laps.
Sunday, 29th July: I spent the day relaxing at home while my husband did a 78 km cycle! He was so nervous and people kept putting him off the ride and asking him to drop down to a shorter distance. But I convinced him that he finds so many things easy and maybe it’s time for him to try something that is a little bit scary. And he managed! He did so well on his old bike and I am immensely proud of him. What a great week we all had.
Mileage this week: 20.2 km
Mileage this training cycle: 86.18 km
Mileage for Year 2018: 412.25 km
Gym Time: 0 Days
Grade: A (I ended this training cycle with the energy and heart that I started it with. The goal was always about maintaining my fitness while waiting for my next big training cycle. I wasn’t consistent but I managed to stay relatively fit and had an awesome Obstacle Course Race. But it’s now time to start training for my second Half Marathon. Here goes!)
To keep myself accountable I am linking up with my favourite ladies, Holly from HoHo Runs and Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home
The Gaborone Runner 
I love obstacle racing! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and pushed yourself out of your comfort zone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was so terrified going in and ended up having the best time ever. My heart rate though was very high throughout, probably a combination of effort and fear! Lol!
LikeLike
That’s awesome that activities are such a part of your family’s life – kudos on starting your daughter young. So glad the race was as good as you hoped, I look forward to the recap
LikeLiked by 1 person
My dream has always been to have a fit active family and this week showed me that it’s possible!
LikeLike
I love that this week was all about your active family! So much to celebrate. Congrats on your obstacle race. I’m looking forward to the recap!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Growing up, my family wasn’t very fit so that’s something I really want to instil in my kids from an early age. This week showed me we are certainly on the right path!
LikeLike
That’s amazing that they do a Health Week at your daughter’s school! What a fun way to get youth involved in health and fitness activities.
Glad that you had a great time at the race! The great thing is that while it was outside your comfort zone, you faced your fears and did it. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! Her school is so active and they really encourage parents to be involved too in all the fitness activities. So for the cross-country run, parents were allowed to run with kids.
Thank you! I did it – and here is the scariest part, I think I may do this event annually!
LikeLike
I have never done an obstacle race but that sounds fun. Doing obstacles would be a nice break between the running. I’m sure it makes it a bit more exciting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you would love it and you could rope in your parents and sister too to add to the fun!
LikeLike
What a fun and adventurous week for your family! I loved how you stepped out of your comfort zone to do the obstacle race. And the bonus is you enjoyed yourself! Congrats to you, your husband and your daughter! Thanks for linking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Holly 🙂 It was a fantastic experience – so much fun and it also showed me that with a team you can pull off just about anything! Very proud of the whole family this week.
LikeLike
I think it’s great your daughter’s school is doing fitness activities. How fun! I loved obstacle courses as a kid, and wonder if I could do them now. I’m a little more clumsy than I used to be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very clumsy – so if I could do it, I know you would definitely manage! I must say though having a team really helped. There were many obstacles I simply would not have managed without a team.
LikeLike
My kids always had what they called ‘field day’ in which they spent the entire day outside competing in athletic events. It was always such great fun.
Congratulations to both you and your hubby! Obstacle courses can be really difficult and yes, having a good team can make all the difference! Hat’s off to your hubby for getting out of his comfort zone and trying something new …sounds like he may be a cyclist for life now!
Looks like you’ve been bitten by the half marathon bug! Good luck with your new training cycle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We actually saw other teams yelling at each other or faster members even splitting from their “slower” members. What’s the point in that? It was a team event. So it was wonderful to be in a team where we all had each other’s back and none of us were going for individual glory 😂
The plan was to do one Half this year and look I’m already onto Number 2! Sounds familiar? 😉
LikeLike
Congrats on the obstacle race – how great that it turned out more fun than you expected! I’ll be interested to read your recap.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much fun Hannah! I loved it although I’m still nursing some bruises and I can’t move my arms very well!
LikeLike
WOW!!!!! What a great week, and such a grand strong finish! I’m glad the obstacle race was so invigorating 😉 Good job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kim!
I am so glad I did it. And the whole week was just great.
LikeLike
Sounds like a great week for your whole family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! A very fun week 🙂
LikeLike
Great job this week! Im glad you enjoyed your race. It sounds scary to try but also exciting! Also congrats to your husband on his ride!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an adrenaline rush Lisa! Can you believe I want to make this an annual event now?! LOL!
LikeLike
Good for you for tackling something that scares you! I have zero desire to do an obstacle course.Mud — just no. Did yours involve mud? That’s great that the family is staying active together!
So is your husband a vet?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thankfully no mud Judy, but I did end up SPLAT in some very soapy water when my rope swing didn’t go according to plan, LOL!
Yes, he is a vet 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
that looks like an awesome adventure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible! I am just writing up the lessons I learnt and remembering the whole experience has me wanting to do it all over again!
LikeLike