One of the things I love about the Comrades Marathon are the stories. Everybody that has run it or even just been around it has a story to tell. Over the last year or so I have been lucky enough to speak around the country about my Comrades journey and so many people have shared their story with me. I have also been meaning to put together a short little video of my story for a while now but have just been busy.  Until now that is.

The reason I wanted to do this was in the build up to my first Comrades I spent hours on YouTube watching inspiring stories which helped me through my training and racing when things got difficult and I wanted to quit. I also know that my story is not unique; there are hundreds of stories just like mine, only better, which do the rounds at running clubs around the world. If this video inspires one person to turn things around in their life then I have achieved what I set out to achieve. Your goal may not be to run the Comrades Marathon or lose 50kgs like mine was. It may be to run a 5km fun run or lose 5kgs. I hope this video inspires you to make the changes needed to achieve that goal.

I love music. Absolutely adore it. I am also passionate about South African music and believe we have so much to offer musically as a nation. Every now and again I stumble across a gem and fall in love all over again. I recently came across an unbelievably talented young lady called Lilly Million. I love the folky feel to her voice and think that 2012 is going to be an epic year for her. Below is her first single called Frontlines, give it a listen/watch & let me know what you think. Gget out there and support South African music.

It is late on day seven but as they say in the classics, better late than pregnant. This is number seven of the Seven Things I plan on getting a grip on in 2012.

I’m currently sitting in the bush on holiday, the first one in a long long time. Due to time constraints (which is ironic) I won’t be able to elaborate fully on number seven right now but as soon as I get back into civilisation on the weekend I will run you through exactly what I plan to do.

Number Seven on the list is for me to get way better at managing my time. We each have the same amount of minutes in the day and it amazes me how much better some are at managing it than others. All that needs to be said is time management is not one of my strong points. In 2012 that is all going to change.

New Year’s Day and it is time to reveal number six of the Seven Things I plan to get a grip on in 2012. If you have missed the previous posts in the Seven Things series here are the links to them:

Time for Some Changes

The First of Seven Things – My Food Addiction

The Second of Seven Things – Working on Me

The Third of Seven Things – Athletic Goals

The Fourth of Seven Things – Financial Intelligence

The Fifth of Seven Things – Grow my Business

Number six is on very personal level. This is another one that I think many people battle with, I know I definitely do. With work pressures I find it difficult to get the balance right between work and family time, especially with the fact that I run my businesses from home. It is very easy to get caught up in work and before you know it its ten o’clock at night and you’re still working. I have realised my kids are growing up way to quickly and I am missing too much.

Here is the plan: I am going to dedicate time weekly to spend with each of them on their own. Just them and me time. Almost like a date night. Whether it be going for a bike ride with Ethan or having a tea party with Grace either way it’s up to them. It is going to be what they want to do with me, not what I want to do.

This is probably the shortest of my Seven Things but in many ways it is one of the most important. I want to be a dad that is present and involved in his children’s lives and 2012 is the time to consciously work on that.

Family Time