Shark attack survivor, Bethany Hamilton, once said ‘Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what girls are made of.’ Over the last couple of months, I have experienced all of these things, sometimes all at once!
I have had to make the incredibly difficult decision to give up my entry and not run the Comrades Marathon this year. One of the most bittersweet decisions I have had to make.
There are a number of reasons I had to give up my entry – my son is in Grade 7 and they write exams over the comrades period and he has numerous away trips this year including a UK School Exchange Tour – so from a financial and time-away-from-work point of view, I need to prioritise as a parent!
But the main reason I have had to make this bittersweet decision is because we have achieved a great long-term goal – we have bought a holiday home in Jeffreys Bay. Whoop whoop!
This year has seen a big investment to convert the holiday home into a rental holiday space, through major alterations and having to fully furnish the place – buy linen, décor, appliances, plants and everything else needed to get it ready for the holiday makers market.
This financial investment, while it holds massive gain in the long run, means we have needed to sacrifice on many other areas, and the one that hurts the most is not being able to run the Comrades.
But, my perspective through this endeavour is: the 2018 Comrades will see me on the road for 10 odd hours, where hopefully I will get to enjoy many more hours with my family at Happy Waves.
It’s sad because I have done kilometres and kilometres of training preparing for the Comrades during my time at Jeffreys Bay, and even though I know the sacrifice is right and responsible, it doesn’t lessen the disappointment. I had set myself a time goal for the comrades this year, that I and my coach believe I could achieve after my last two comrade’s performances.
But, the fact is, sometimes difficult, but responsible choices need to be made. Thinking of the long-term gain that making these choices will bring, is so much bigger than these temporary #fomo emotions.
Happy Waves is my long-term gain, and to me, it is better than completing Comrades, it’s like winning the frikkin’ gold medal!
And, you know me…Comrades, I will be back! But first, Happy Waves!!
How wonderful Bonnie. I am so happy for you and Mark at what you have achieved. I wish you both a long and prosperous life with Happy Waves.