Brand Sacha Is Back...

[co] Okay so back into the week… rolling along… after 2 rather average weeks of training. Punctuated with the flu, despondency and general lack of oomph (so therefore the lack of posts).

So this week got a bit of the old mojo back and have been rolling through the sessions. Anything that involves hard efforts I have still been doing at 80% (if lucky) as body still not fully charged, but enjoying getting the routine back. But have managed to get all running sessions ticked, bar one, it’s the swimming and biking which have suffered the most… which kind of sucks as for once (and I remind you its all relative) I actually was almost enjoying swimming… almost….

Now the point/theme of this post is about personal brands. What it is that we project about ourselves to others and how we are seen by others…. Now the fit with a blog about running a marathon is that those of us who do these kinds of things, such as marathons, do project a certain type of image to others.

We find camaraderie with those who do the same kind of things and elicit certain responses from those who don’t. From a simple sharing of 'what are you training for?'... we have each other sussed.

Now I have just started a new job. Which is also which made me think about this. No matter what I try it is hard for me not to become this person who ‘trains’, ‘races’ etc… Because in the end when I am asked ‘how was your weekend?’ it inevitably includes a reference to swimming, biking or running… not as much drinking as there used to be… and there you go, I am put into a box.

Now its not like it’s a box I don’t like. And to be fair when thinking about why we do these things… when the training is hard and not the normal definition of fun… a part of me admits that there is an appeal in being the sort of person who can do this and also an appeal in not being a person who doesn’t and all the stereotypes that image conveys.

So looking back on the 2 weeks where my training was interrupted I was also having a crisis of ‘who am I?’ (well maybe not so dramatic, but sounds better). Because while I was enjoying my enforced time off etc and motivation lacking… what was I about? If I wasn’t working towards a marathon or Ironman? Could I become a corporate ladder climber only? What would take the place of my sport obsession?

If not, what would people think of me? What do they think of me now?

Am I boxed in as an intense, focused, driven person? Are these positive or negative traits? What does sport as a core to your personal brand say about you in the wider picture?

I guess in the end I am happy with what it portrays... I cultivate it and it becomes even harder to avoid over the years.... so maybe I should just embrace it fully.... (but no tattoo yet; thats a whole other box I am not sure I can to yet)... So the question is what brand do you portray? If you don't like it... maybe time for a change...

Will I ever run again?!

[Ry]. Ok, so on Monday physio gave me the all clear to run again. How long has it been??!! 5, 6 weeks now?? I was all excited, only to be sick with a major headcold by Monday night. Two days in bed, finally back at work yesterday, feeling pretty miserable. Will attempt my first run tomorrow - all 20 mins of it. Will I ever get back into my marathon training?? Things could be worse....

Third time Lucky

[co] … or not. So hit by 3rd bout of sickness over the past weekend… what’s it with me this winter? Seem to be ready to catch something a little too easy (I guess had it pretty good last few years, but really getting over it).

So Saturday lunchtime (post training… where I knew things weren’t going too well as the Codral wore off during the session and the hill running effort was all darkness and hurt) rugged up on couch, 3 layers of clothing, heater working overtime… and I am still cold. I realized the truth of the situation (that I had a fever) once I was half way through watching Kung Fu Panda and was laughing myself silly. Never was a cartoon panda so funny… yes I had succumbed again to the flu/or whatever.




So after some more serious denial of the situation, which wasn’t accepted by anyone in my house that day, I realized that there would be no training Sunday (again). So hoped to beat it and sort myself out this week.

I guess what can you do? I take various concoctions of vitamins and other random things which are meant to help. But maybe I have just been exposed to more bugs this year and so have caught more? Hard to say.

It is also hard to fit the urge to train on top of all this… or play catch up. Give yourself those 2 days off and then catch up on what’s lost…. I know what is gone is gone. But the reality is that after missing so many sessions and I guess feeling a little out of control of the situation it is tempting….

Anyway they say things happen in 3s. I agree. Now I don’t think I am superstitious etc, but in terms of sport I am. Lucky this, lucky that…. And so now with the 3rd bout of sickness I am done! There is nothing more after this re winter ails etc… so bring it on. After I have had a nap on the couch for a few more hours…. Arrggghhhhh!!!!!!

Glitches in the Matrix

[co] Glitches in the matrix... happen and I guess its all about bouncing back from them...

So hence not a post for a while... but glitch over and back on track (for now). No matter how focused we can be there is still the potential to have things fall over... sickness, new jobs... general flatness and apathy...

But its all back on track (till next time)...

So last week hit the running hard, got a good 7 hours in (plus a bit of other stuff)... which felt a good effort for me. Means today I am a little stiff and sore... but in a good way. The main reason being that giving running a kick in the ass meant hitting the concrete monster run.

Now this is a nice wee loop from Titirangi shops through Henderson and back via Scenic Drive (for those that know Auckland). Broken down it is:
a) run about an hour out,
b) then run about 30 mins up (to Scenic Drive... and if you know the Waitakere Estate driveway you are now with me), and then;
c) back to Titirangi along Scenic Drive (dodging cars) for another hour.

I think it is about 28 kms give our take someone once told me... or at least I pretend its about that... but its a good run that builds strength and mental toughness. As well it is one normally done in a group... so it ends up a little bit of a race even if you don't think it should be... but hey we are all doing it and it pushes you a lot more.

So 10 week countdown... lots more running to do... and I think a few more runs up big hills! And hopefully not too many "aberrations" along the way... at least none that last longer than 24 hours...