Street mediation

 On Wednesday evening, just before dark, I had my first opportunity to do a 'Street Mediation'.

I was nearly home from a walk with my Rosy-dog, when I heard shouting and screaming behind me. Turning, I noticed a man and a woman walking fast towards me. They were crossing the road, the man following the woman -  a short gap between them. It was the man who I had initially heard; screaming high-pitched at her in such a way that I could not make out a single word; and then her return, also unintelligible.

As they got closer, I noticed the woman looked in distress, tears running down her face. I stopped her to ask if she was OK and if I could help. She said she was not OK and that the guy had her bag and wouldn't return it. She was crying and could barely breathe.

I asked him to pass me the bag so that I could return it to her. He handed it over without hesitation. I gave it to her. She was still taking deep breaths.

Around this time he said that the woman was his wife. I told him that it didn't matter who she was; if she did not want him to follow her or to take her bag, then he should respect that.

I turned back to the woman, asking her where she was going.

"Home," she replied.

I asked whether it was the same place where he was heading. She said no.

As I turned back to him, the woman marched off, continuing home.

I suggested to him that on another day, when they were both in the emotional space to have a discussion, that they sit down to talk about whether their relationship is working. 

He then reiterated that she was his wife.

I responded that it didn't matter what their connection, she did not want him around and that she had been in a state of distress, trying to get away from him. 

He said he was trying to make sure she got home safe.

I asked him whether he could see the state of distress she was in, and I told him that she preferred to walk into the dark on her own to get home instead of having him with her; and that should tell him something. He appeared to think about this.

I suggested again that they both have a sit down on another day, perhaps with a trusted family member present.

He then almost flung up his arms saying, "You don't know anything".

I told him that I did.

"How?" he asked.

"Because I'm a mediator," I replied. "This is what I do."

He took a deep breath and almost seemed to relax.

He asked whether he was expected to just listen to her.

I said no, that they need to both speak and to both listen to each other. Just not today. She was in no position to have any conversation with him or anyone else so deep was her distress. I added that if she did not want to be with him, then he would need to respect that. They clearly have issues that they need to speak about... but on another day.

And that was that. An intervention that helped that situation right then, and that I hope will help him and her.

Rusty's 9th adoptversary

 9 years ago, on 24 March 2017, I got my first dog, Rusty. She was about 5.5 to 6 years old at the time and she needed a home. It holds true that I didn't rescue her, she rescued me.

With thanks to the persuasive powers of friend Sonja, to whom I am eternally grateful, Rusty came to me. From the moment we met, we had a connection and I count my blessings that we get to celebrate our 9th year together today.

At around 15 years old, Rusty is an old lady. She looks good, has super-soft, magnificent fur, and a lot of sass. She never turns down a meal and never says no to a treat. Eyesight and hearing are there but diminished, but there is nothing wrong with that nose. She still loves doing errands with me, and she loves going out on walks. These days, walks are short, somewhat slow, filled with sniffing, and she dictates the route. I let her wander where she would like to go. She has a bit of doggy dementia, seemingly confused for a moment - just like me when I walk into a room and forget what I went there for. I keep her on lead now on walks - she gets unsettled if I am out of her sight.

Rusty has always been a mom's girl, with little interest in other dogs or people. She is still like this and she always has an eye on me. She has become more bossy, herding me to bed when she has decided that I'm working too late at night for my own good (and she is correct).

Realistically, I know that my time with Rusts is limited. That we've made it this far, with her at around 15, is very special and fortunate.

My Rusty girl, happy adoptversary  

Pictures on top left and bottom right are from our first afternoon together when I brought her home. 

Troysta Run 2026

The second edition of the Troysta Run was held on 22 February 2026 and I was one of the 200 runners lined up at the start. 

I ran Troysta last year. It is a local event that was created by Shaun and Michelle Schofield to celebrate the life of their son Troy. In late 2023, Troy died from bacterial meningitis. He was 18 and a few months away from writing matric exams. Troy and his dad shared a love for mountains, trails and running. The 10km race route is one that Troy won when it was the MUT Lite route. 

This race is a wonderful George Trail Running (GTR) community event to celebrate running, and being able to run. Funds raised go towards trail maintenance.

The route is tough. The first three kays go almost straight up on the Vertical Kilometre route to the The Cross and onto the Thunderbird trail. I had a superb climb to the Cross. From last year, I knew what was ahead so I climbed strong but within what I could do.

Then, it is steep dropping into the Powerstream and just as steep up Henry's Hill on the other side to the well-stocked aid station at halfway. I remember feeling really tired here last year; this year I even ran parts of the hill.

From the aid station the route is very runnable and it is an opportunity to make up time. 

On the open contour road is was roasting hot. The weather that week had been cooking and I was surprised at the 8am start. Out in the sun I really felt the heat. I did two small walkies of less than 30 seconds to catch my breath, and each time I asked myself:

"How do your legs feel?" Great

"How do your lungs feel?" Great

"How is your heart rate?" Fine

"Then what is your excuse for walking? Run!"

And so I did.

Passing a 5km runner/walker

I felt great reaching the finish - and I was very relieved to be there. It was really hot by then.

I'd hydrated well on the run but chased two cups of cold water at the finish, sweat running off me.

I was super pleased with my run time of 1:27:54. 36th overall, 11th woman and 6th in my age category (40-49, I'm at the top of the age category at 49).

Lots of PRs (personal records)

I seem to think I ran about 1:45 last year. My Strava shows an elapsed time of 1h48; real time could have been a bit more or a bit less. 

Taking off a good chunk from last year and feeling so good throughout was a win. The day after I was none worse for wear either, another win.

Pictured with Shaun Schofield at prize giving with a lucky draw prize of a necklace and coffee vouchers.

With thanks to Troysta Run and the photographers (Emma, Charl, Jacques) for these photos.

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As I didn't blog about Troysta last year, I'm popping in photos from the approach to the halfway aid station to save them.

Troysta Run 2025

Troysta Run 2025

I have the crown (and course record), for now

Every Thursday, we have a trailrunning community time trial at 17h30. Our George Trailrunning (GTR) announced a special for this past Thursday (5th) and in two weeks time (17th) with Roccomamas, a burger restaurant. You run the route, log it on Strava, and then show evidence to the manager. You can then order a cheese burger for R50 instead of R99, a great saving.

You have to run the route on the same day that you claim your burger. There are also prizes up for grabs of an entry for the MUT 25km route and a R1000 burger voucher for the local legend (person who runs the route the most). 

I knew I wouldn't make it to time trial with a hang-out with friends planned. Instead, I headed out at lunchtime. I left Rosy-dog at home so that I could really focus on the run. I've been running well and strong and I wanted to see what I could do on the route - a mix of road and trail. 

I had a great, smooth run. I felt good throughout and I enjoyed pushing myself. 

When I got back to Roccomamas, I saved my Strava and took a photo outside the store before going in to order. I showed the waitress my phone and asked if they'd been busy. No, she said. I was the first to come in. Strava showed too that I was the first person to run the course.

I took my burger home to share with my mom - a really delicious burger.

Being the first and only person on the course, I automatically had the crown as the fastest runner. That was nice but I knew it wouldn't last past the evening's time trial running.

I went out to see my friends. Getting home a few hours later, I checked my Strava to see where I was on the ranking after the evening's time trial.

I still had the crown! And I wasn't just the fastest woman, I was fastest OVERALL!

Charmaine ran again on Friday to log 26:47.

I know that there are lots of people faster than me so I can't figure out why I haven't been beaten on Strava. Probably because the faster runners didn't log their runs to claim a burger and they are not interested in the prizes? 

Another lady ran the route again yesterday. She improved her time but she hasn't caught me.

The problem with having the crown is that now I want to keep it. I like having the crown. That competitive flame burns strong. 

For now, I'm owning the crown and relishing having it - for as long as it may be.