When this question slid into my DMs the other day, I figured it was time for a new post! Goodness… where do I even begin? This year has just been… I don’t want to say “hard” as that sounds negative… but it’s been quite an intense year for me, and I cannot believe it’s the end of May already?! So, what’s been happening? Work, work and more work. When you’re in consulting, you never want to complain about work because when it’s dry, it’s dry. But this year, I’m just always on the backfoot. Try as much as I can, I’m always owing someone something – when I’m done with one deadline, I can’t enjoy the moment as there are several more waiting (overdue would be a more accurate term). Add to that work travel, kids’ school and activities, managing a household, worries about the future, running, blogging… I’ve just felt really overwhelmed. And on days when I wanted to blog, I just couldn’t find my flow.
If this pervasive feeling of overwhelm wasn’t enough, I was struck down by what started as a stomach bug in mid-May and then transitioned into a full-blown “cold/ flu”. I never tested but I feel it must have been Covid as I’ve never felt as bad with a normal cold or flu. Either that or it was a “super” flu bug. My son was hit first – he hasn’t napped since he was 18 months old but on one of his sick days, he slept for 3 hours in the afternoon! I was the next victim and my sister and dad followed in quick succession. Somehow, Ditiro wasn’t hit too hard and my dear germaphobe of a daughter who treats us all like pariahs when we are sick, never got ill! Clearly, her method works, LOL! Anyway, that lasted another week, meaning I was off running for two weeks. And when I’m not running, I get incredibly down which is a story for another day.
So, no, I haven’t quit blogging! I just took a break that was longer than intended! But great news is – I have so many things I want to share with you including a few race recaps, training updates and random thoughts, as well as guest blogs I know you will just love! Fancy a sneak preview?
What’s Coming Up On The Blog?
Molepolole Half Marathon Race Recap. This was my 10th Half Marathon and took place on 22nd April. It was a race like no other – not to give away too much but I was the only female runner in the Half line-up and came in last with a police escort for the last 6km… now technically that means I was first female right? So, where is my prize money?! Cannot wait to share!
Gabs Striders 10K Race Recap. The following week, on the 30th April, I was back at it with a 10km race in my favourite part of the city! Sore and tired after my 3-hour run in Molepolole, I was feeling a bit worse for wear but there was no way I was going to miss the Gabs Striders inaugural event. It didn’t disappoint and this will definitely be a staple in my race calendar.
Spar Community Challenge Race Recap. This took place on the 13th May and was a real family affair with Ditiro, both our kids, my sister and father, all in attendance. The following day was Mother’s Day, and my friends organised a trail run for a few mother runners in Mokolodi Nature Reserve. We got terribly lost but is it really a trail if you DON’T take a wrong turn… or two?!
My Current Training Plan. I also want to share what I’m currently training for, how I’m feeling physically, and where I’m at mentally with my goal. I was riding such a great wave until illness struck but I got back into it today. My watch told me I’m “detraining”, but I think sometimes Garmin just gets up on the wrong side of the bed! Am I right or am I right?!
More Travel. I may have more work travel coming up in June and July. If I’m on the team, I will definitely be taking you along, and just for you, I hope we will be visiting new destinations!
Guest Blogs: I have a few guest blogs in the pipeline:
- Comrades Runner Tshire is back to talk to us about an epic trail run she did in Italy!
- A podiatrist in Gaborone joins my blog team to talk about all things feet!
- A dear friend based in South Africa ran the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal and I can’t wait for her to share her experience with us!
- I’ve also discovered a runner from Gaborone who lives in Europe, and I’d love for her to share what running is like there and how it compares to Gaborone.
So, as you can see, I’m not ready to quit blogging just yet! I’m excited about June and looking forward to sharing again – and of course, catching up with all my favourite blogs too!
Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed? What’s your go-to strategy when you’re feeling stressed? What have you been up to since we last connected? What are you looking forward to in June?
I’m joining Kooky Runner and Zenaida on their link up, Tuesday Topics. Be sure to check out their blogs.
The Gaborone Runner 
It can be a challenge to carve out time for blogging but it is still there when you are able to!
I’m glad you are feeling better and that a lot of your time away from the blog has been for fun things. I really love how active your kids are and how much you support and encourage them.
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Thank you, Coco! That’s it – blogging is a place you can make many comebacks! I feel so much better – that was such a rough fortnight. I try as much as I can to prioritise and support the kids – I don’t always feel like I’m doing enough, but definitely trying!
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It’s hard to fit it all in esp with a family and a job!
Truthfully I would be blogging less if I didn’t work from home most of the time..
I hope you continue because I love reading your posts.
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Thank you, Darlene! I love blogging so I’ll be here for a while, even if a bit sporadic at times!
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We all need a break sometimes! Sorry to hear you were sick- I HATE being sick! Everything can be going along so well, and then suddenly you can’t do anything and all your plans are out the window.
I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts! I want to hear the stories of these trail runs, and also i’m always interested to hear what a podiatrist has to say. Welcome back!
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Towards the end of the 2 weeks, I was just so sick and tired of being sick! I’m looking forward to finally sharing again and I just know you’re going to love all things trail!
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It can be SO hard to fit in time for blogging when life is just so busy, especially work. The first 4 months o f the year are always my busiest at work. I think there were 2 or 3 weeks this year where I didn’t do a weekly recap blog because I just couldn’t carve out the time for it. Definitely give yourself grace – you’re doing your best!
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Giving ourselves grace is so important Kim! We are not always going to be able to fit it all in!
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It’s hard to fit in everything, all the time. Sometimes, you just need to take a breather.
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100% Trying to do it all can be exhausting.
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Yay you’re back, but boo to all the stress and craziness (and illness as well). It IS hard to fit everything in on our allotted time, and all it takes is for one thing to go awry and the equilibrium suffers. Looking forward to all the future posts you have in the works, and I’m glad you’re feeling better 😉
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And when the equilibrium goes, it’s so hard to get it back! 🙈 I’m feeling good about June, so let’s see how it goes! 🙃
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I went through a rough bogging patch recently as well. Sometimes lately, I am just not motivated to come up with something to write. Happens to all of us I guess. Glad you are all feeling better at your house
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Thank you – I hope that’s the last of us getting sick this year! 🤣 It’s not easy to keep motivated to blog, and you write much more than I do. Sending lots of good blogging vibes your way!
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I was just thinking about you the other day, wondering why you werent blogging! Totally understand though – I went to Japan in april and still havent even looked at the photos i took! Just too busy! Good to see a post from you! Take care x
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Thank you, Anna! Your support means so much, and glad you were thinking about where I’d disappeared to! Oh, Japan!! I’d love, love to visit one day.
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I am sorry this has been such a stressful first half of the year for you – I can relate, it’s been busy here too (HOW IS IT JUNE?). I am constantly wishing for some extra hours in the day (which would probably fill up with stuff really quickly, too. LOL). I hope the summer slows down for you a little bit.
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Yes, San! How on earth is it JUNE?!? There are no signs of things slowing down BUT blogging keeps me so grounded, so I don’t want to disappear again! This is one of my happy places!
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Good to see you back! I was really ill in Feb/March, had to not work for a few days, unheard of for this self-employed person, and I had conjunctivitis so I thought it wasn’t Covid (and did test negative) then found out the new variant has indeed got an eye thing. So I think I’ve had it too and my breathing is still not brilliant when I’m doing my rehab runs. Onward and upward and glad to see you when you can manage it!
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So sorry to hear you have been ill too Liz 😦 (My son had conjunctivitis so this adds to my Covid theory!) Here is hoping you continue to go from strength to strength, and that your breathing soon normalises on your runs. Onward and upward my friend!
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You can never quit blogging! You have many fun and interesting posts. 🙂 This month I am looking forward to Summer Break. I know I will still be teaching Summer School but the vibe is still very different.
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Haha! Just for you, I won’t! Thank you. Hope you have the best Summer Break and come back reenergised and refreshed for the new school year!
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Thank you!
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