Tag Archives: health

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Achievements

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In school I wasn’t a big fan of running unless there was a ball involved or some other higher goal than simply running around involved.

Then, almost 20 years ago, when traveling around the world my friend declared in Australia that we’s go and buy ourselves some proper running shoes as otherwise our beer consume might turn us into proper barrels. And that’s when my running career started. Thanks to my friend back then who made me puff and swear along Bondi beach.

Over that last three years one of my very dearest friends introduced me to another long loathed category, the races. I’ve completed between 20-30 races a year over the last 3 years. Never ever thought that would happen.

And the third big thing I always denied would ever happen came to pass this year when I thought I might have to step in for mentioned dear friend and actually started training for a marathon. It’s not that I ever doubted that I could do it if I properly trained, what hindered me was my other hobbies and interests. Since I’m a slow runner it takes me well over 2h to do a 20k training run. I don’t mind, my body doesn’t mind but after 2h I do start thinking “well, what else could I do now… this running around stiff is getting lame…”.

Well, enter 2020 and watch me while away a 4h run – my very first 35k ever!! And might very well be my last. That’s why I thought this was reason to celebrate – congrats to me for this huge achievement!!

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Good Habits

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About a week ago COVID-19 helped me make a healthier choice. I was tempted to pass by McDrive to celebrate the start of the weekend. But as luck had it, the Mac down the road was actually closed, including their drive-in (drive-through for all Americans among you) and take-away.

So I was forced to eat at home and stick to my good habits: I ended up having salad and chicken nuggets.

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Health Stimulus

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The coronavirus undoubtedly is a dangerous, even fatal disease. But with people stuck at home and splendid weather outside and one of the few reasons to leave the house being exercising (alone) it seems a lot of people take to running these days. I guess it’s the closed gyms and many unclaimed resolves to finally start running. Now with home office and the dropped commute times it’s as if lots and lots of folks use the gained hours to go out for a run. At least today I saw more runners out there than on many an ordinary weekend day. Everybody and their mamma seemed to be chasing that finish line.

I say let’s hail all these athletes! Let’s celebrate one of the great things the shelter in place order has caused! A hurray on all you runners showing the world that you’re pulling through. Including the safe distance! I applaud you!!

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Slowing Down

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While we’re sheltering in place most of the time these days the sunny yet breezy weather is drawing the health conscious and outdoorsy ones out. While I’m currently discovering all kinds of new skills such as having a very precise phone conversation in order to get work done efficiently by avoiding misunderstandings – you’d think that’s child’s play but not for everyone my friend – I’m also falling in love with old habits and make them a regular part of my week. Apart from my ever present running and yoga I re-introduced regular walking and hiking into the weekly routine. It offers me a clear end to my work day, fresh air, cross-training and gleeful conversations held at a safe distance if I’m inclined to walk with a friend.

Social distancing might suck but we’re discovering long lost ways to really talk to and be close to each other. And to slow down and reflect when we no longer can rush around and get caught up in all our social events and obligations.

Stay healthy and safe out there. And try to enjoy a walk or two once in a while. You’ll most certainly discover new, less obscured views.

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Doctor’s Office

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About a week ago I had to go to the doctor’s office for an annual checkup. While I was sitting in the waiting room a tiny fluffy black kitty hopped in the window, quickly gazed at me and offered me a little meow before plopping itself down on the chair next to me and starting to clean itself vigorously. I watched it for a while then shrugged and continued my reading. I was under the impression that this happened regularly and since I love a cat’s company I was in waiting room heaven.

When the doctor came to welcome me she greeted me,’looked at the cat, back at me and asked me quite dazzled whether the cat would be ok in the waiting room and I once again shrugged, telling her she probably ought to know better. A puzzled expression crossed her face and she asked me “So this is not your cat?” And I’m just like “Nope, I only bring my cats to the doctor when it’s a vet.”

Next thing I know is the doc calling for the assistant who looks at me a tad outraged and I immediately knew she too was thinking this was my cat. And there it was, she asked me and I once again declined patiently.

Both the assistant and doctor look a little helpless at this point and so the assistant tries to shake the cat off the chair which immediately makes me step in, cradle her in my arms and setting her outside the window. I’ve hardly ever seen windows being closed any faster.

The doctor and the assistant were quite obviously uncomfortable but to me it was one of my best visit to the doctor’s. If it were up to me I would only visit doctor’s with waiting room kitties, I’ve positively never been sooo relaxed in a doctor’s office ever!

Have a great start into this new week!

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Flying and Falling

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Running has been a two-sided sword lately. While I’ve always loved the serenity and calm, clarity and freedom I gained from running, it is still a sport and if you’re a little under the weather or simply a tad burnt out it can be a real challenge to complete a race. No more feeling like flying over those fields.

Before I went on my 3-week vacation mid-September I was definitely drained, both physically but even more so mentally. And thus I had to realize I wasn’t up to finishing the 10k race I had registered for. After 8k my mind simply shut down and my legs wouldn’t move anymore. I took this as a sign to slow down and seriously re-charge my batteries during my vacation.

I was successful and even though I caught the sniffles and stopped training alltogether for a couple of days, it seems like this was exactly what my body needed.

Thus regarched and mentally ready I got off to this year’s half-marathon of my choice around a most idyllic lake close by. All went well – until km 10…

And that’s when – for some still inexplicable reason – I not only fell, but flew for the briefest of moments and came crashing down on the gravel path: Ouch! It hurt. And once again not only physically but even more so mentally. I know it sounds aweful but I was kind of relieved to see another runner crash at the exact same spot I did only a minute later. Helped me not to feel too awkward… Horrible, I know.

Anyways, after getting cleaned up a little I tried to run on but in the end didn’t have the stomach to pull it through and turned around. I wanted to make sure I hadn’t cracked or torn anything. As luck would have it the halfway mark where I crashed was right where the boats crossed the lake so I was able to hop on and get myself chauffeured back to the finish line.

Luckily, I wasn’t seriously hurt. So the next day despite the road burn, bruising and horrible muscle aches I was able to get up – and even run. As my friend said: Get up on that horse again to avoid a mental block. And so I did. My dear Renntier (running deer :-)) friend took me back to the lake and “made” me finish the second half of the race. Just for the sake of it I added some extra 3-4k to show running who’s boss 🙂

Q: Did you ever crash badly enough to keep you from ever doing something again, say skiing, horseback riding, skating etc.?

Take care – seriously!
Yours truly,
S@m

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My 2017 in km

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Running is my outlet. Whether I need to let some steam off or re-energize myself, going for a run is always very high on my list. I’m by far not a fast runner as I keep struggling with exercise-induIMG_2128ced-asthma and interval training is simply not my favorite. But I get my behind out there on a regular basis, no matter what the weather’s like. I just love to be outside, sucking the fresh air into my lungs, feeling my legs work and my head airing out. The latter is a main motivator for me – whenever I have stuff to process I run it off as I seem to be more honest with myself on my runs and thus find conclusions that are closer to my heart than if I simply sit and ponder. So if you’d ask me if I’m running from something I’d rather say I’m running towards something: A solution. Peace of mind.IMG_2274

Before 2017 whenever I joined a race I was mostly disenchanted – too many people, too nervous before the race, not properly prepared… whatever the reasons, it usually took me quite a while to get back on the track. But returning home from the USA I felt the urge to participate in a race with my running bud and best friend of several years. And as fate had it he asked me right around that time if I would like to join him in a New Year’s race mid-January 2017. And that was the start to a crazy running season for me: I completed over 180km in 15 races! Seriously: Kudos to myself 😉

Run Date Distance km
Dietiker Neujahrslauf 1/14/2017 12.100
Leimentalerlauf 2/18/2017 15.000
Bremgarter Reusslauf 3/4/2017 11.000
GP Dübendorf 4/1/2017 10.000
Rotseelauf 4/8/2017 10.000
Rohrdorfer Frühlingslauf 5/6/2017 8.600
GP Bern 5/13/2017 16.093
Wädilauf 5/21/2017 10.000
Go-In-6-Weeks, Dagmersellen 5/24/2017 10.400
Murtenlauf 9/30/2017 17.170
Bürenlauf 10/14/2017 11.500
Swiss City Halbmarathon 10/29/2017 21.100
Augusta-Raurica-Lauf 11/12/2017 12.000
Allschwiler Klausenlauf 12/3/2017 10.000
TVE-Silvesterlauf 12/30/2017 6.800
15 181.763

Sam-Bürenlauf-2 (1)I’m not intent in surpassing the number of runs of mileage put into runs, not at all. In fact I think I’ll do a little less but you never know… I mean, the first two or three races are already set for 2018, the first two taking place in January… so hopefully off to a great start!IMG_4007

Q: Do you have any sports, reading, vacation, party or otherwise fun goals for 2018?

Whatever you do – take care and stay healthy!

Yours, S@m