Blog

Recently, I had my first-ever podiatrist appointment. My left knee and foot have been troubling me since the beginning of the year and although my knee had finally improved, my foot did not follow suit, so I needed it checked by a professional. At the start of the appointment, the podiatrist reviewed my medical history and running background. I explained that I began running at the end of 2018 and have undergone a significant transformation, losing 80kg since February 2017 and that it’s now been nearly five years since finishing my weight-loss journey. When asked about my maintenance journey, I explained that I stopped weighing myself at the end of 2021 and have no idea what my current weight is, but I manage my weight by exercising and eating well. I no longer wish to worry about or focus on the scale. ...

The week before last has been one of the coldest weeks I’ve ever experienced in the few short years that I’ve been running. Tuesday morning in particular was freezing cold, and many a morning I had to remind myself that I wouldn’t get another opportunity later in the day to run. So, I had better get out of my warm bed and face the cold—even if it meant dressing in double leggings, two tops, a windbreaker, gloves, and a buff to cover my ears. ...

I once read something like this: “Aim for the stars, and if you miss, you’re likely to reach the moon still.” Or something like that… But what if the moon is not where you want to be? Last week, I had one of my best runs in nearly three years. It was my third-best time and pace ever. I’ve worked incredibly hard for this run to go so well. Every stride, every breath, and every drop of sweat has been a testament to my dedication. Achieving this time is an amazing milestone, especially considering the challenging year I have had thus far. It’s a reminder of my progress and resilience. ...

While stuck in traffic for three hours on the way back from Comrades the evening after the race, I sat in the car contemplating whether I would ever volunteer at the Comrades again. It had been a long day; we had all worked exceptionally hard and were hungry, tired, and not in the volunteering mood anymore. I didn’t share this thought with my friends, but I’m sure we all felt the same way then. Yet, as the week progressed, the idea of helping out again seemed more and more appealing to me. ...

This past weekend, my friends and I had the incredible opportunity to support our fellow runners participating in the 2024 Comrades Marathon. We assisted 41 runners from various clubs, ensuring their race nutrition was prepared and handed over 30km into the race. Most of these runners train with us under Michelle’s guidance, and a few close friends also entrusted us with their race needs. Organising this effort required extensive planning and hard work. I never anticipated an easy task; I knew it would be challenging and exhausting. Watching the Comrades from my living room is a far cry from being out there on the ground. Watching the finish line live was intense and emotional—I often found myself in tears—but while working at our station, we had no time for emotions as we focused on our responsibilities. ...

Recently, a reader of mine, who has become a friend over the past two years, completed her first marathon. One of the first questions she ever asked me was on how to rekindle self-love. The completion of her inaugural marathon made me think back to this question. I felt the need to revisit my answer, and I wondered if, during her marathon training, my friend discovered an answer of her own to her original question. ...

Over the past two weeks, I’ve seen two inspiring stories on my social media feed of individuals who underwent bariatric surgery and became avid runners. I don’t know a diplomatic way to say this so I will say it straight up: These stories always make me feel so jealous. But upon deeper reflection, I realise it’s not just jealousy I sense; there’s also a profound admiration for their determination and the support they received through their journey. ...

This past week, a post in a weight loss group I follow struck a chord: “I so desperately want to join but am afraid I’ll fail again.” This post makes it seem like there are only two options: either you’re following a program or you’re not (and there’s a leap of faith to take between the two options). But it’s not that simple. There’s more nuance to it. Yet, many hold onto this binary belief, which, in my opinion, is the main reason why most diets fail. ...

Last Wednesday, as usual, I was out for an early morning run. On my way back to my car, I passed by a homeless person. It was evident that he had spent the night nearby, as he was busy preparing for the day ahead, applying deodorant spray to his upper body. Observing this scene, I couldn’t help but notice the disparity between his circumstances and the small act of self-care he engaged in. Despite his lack of access to basic amenities like regular bathing, his decision to apply deodorant spoke volumes about his resilience and sense of dignity. To an outsider like myself, his situation might have seemed hopeless. However, he still cared and retained some hope. ...

In recent months, I’ve been pushing myself hard, especially in my 5km time trials. And it’s paying off—I can now run them about 4 minutes faster than I could at the start of the year. When I’m honest about it, I have to admit that, in general, working hard sucks. It’s tough to always be up by 4:30 so I can hit the road early enough to be at my desk in time for my workday to start. It’s hard to keep at it consistently. When I then add extra pressure on myself to push even harder during a time trial, it’s exhausting and leaves me tired for days. Yet I can’t stop smiling when things work out as planned. The benefits must outweigh the tiredness, as it’s not just about feeling happy. ...