Getting my *Run* on!

I'm sure most girls will agree with me when I say that in order to get started on a new project/goal/idea, you need to have all the right stuff/equipment first right? Well, it's exactly the same when starting a new sport. You know you need those nice shorts that make your bum look just right, and of course the right sports bra to keep everything in place and don't even get me started on the water bottle!

Well, about 5 weeks a go I started running for the first time. It wasn't easy, but I have been following Shape Magazine's training schedule...12 weeks to run 10 k's. Last week (which was week 5) i completed the Total Sports 10k Ladies race, I didn't run it all, but I did finish...yipee! What an amazing feeling.

So to rewards myself, I went out and make a purchase, of these sexy little guys:

If you're looking for a store to buy your shoes from that really do know what they are talking about, check out Runner's Sweat in Fourways Crossing, Jo'burg. The guy who helped me had me running around the centre in my dress, with different pairs of shoes on, but boy did he know what he was taking about!

And I thought I'd also show you my running partners...

Cleo is an 8 year old Labrador cross Alsatian and is my most devoted running partner...

Katy is a 7 year old Labrador cross Great Dane and, despite her size, is a real softy. She has the loudest bark but never bites :)

Xena (yes, just like the "Xena the Warrior Princess" from the TV show) is a 7 year old Standard Poodle. But don't let these photo's fool you, she is the most vicious out of all 3 dogs. Her favourite past time is killing chickens (ok now I sound really cruel, she did this once and now is always on the lookout for potential targets!).

So there you have it. I take all three of these mutts out running with me. By running, I mean walking to the park and then running around it while Cleo and Katy (to the best of her ability) stay by my side, and Xena goes of on a mission to find chickens/rats/small dogs to harass :)

Woman's Day 10k run!

This Woman's Day, TotalSports and Shape magazine teamed up to bring us a 5 & 10 k race in Jo'burg, Durban and Stellenbosch. For the past 5 weeks I have been following (well at least as best as I can) Shape's training schedule to get fit and ready to run 10k's. Now, I had a vague idea that the race was at the beginning of August, but this didn't quite register until a week before when I realised I would have to cut my 12 week program down to 5 weeks...eek! Just so you know, before I started with the program, the furthest I could run was to the kitchen to answer the phone and even then I felt like my heart was going to explode. I hated running and always felt so useless whenever I tried. But with the goal of having already registered for a race, the rest just happened :)

I didn't run the whole thing, I walked, a lot, but the point is I finished it and I was not the last person to cross the finish line either. What an exhilarating experience! And, not a bad way to get fighting fit and bikini ready for summer.

 If you are thinking about getting your run on but need a bit of motivation, click here to join hundreds of other women just like you, who, with a little help from Shape, could be the next Comrades winner! :)  Just sign up for their weekly newsletter which is sent to you every friday with the next weeks training schedule. The program is broken down into 3 days of training, with lots of idea's and tips on getting the most out of it. Plus, join their facebook and twitter profiles to connect with other women out there going through exactly the same thing :)

PS the SPAR Women's Challenge is happening on the 27th August at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Jo'burg with entries open for both a 5k and a 10k race. Go on, your body will <3 you for it. Plus all finishers will receive a medal and a goodie bag...yay! Click here to enter.