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. 

Circles of Control

I attended a mediation-related workshop last week. The topic was 'Developmental Psychology for Mediators'. This is the field that focuses on our physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development from early childhood, through the teenage years and into early and middle adulthood. We all go through the same steps as our brains physically and psychologically develop. We ideally progress from being impulsive, irrational, and egocentric children with an inability to verbalise and regulate emotions, to a well-rounded adult that is able to solve problems, have empathy, regulate and articulate emotions, and experience independent thought.

In my new career journey as a mediator, my clients open the door – and their hearts – to me, allowing me to listen to and understand their situation so that I can guide them to a way forward; a path that will give them resolution and, I always hope, peace.

What I observe is unnecessary hurting. Ex-partners take opportunities to wound the other, to make a stand to defend their position, and the add fuel that continues the conflict.

Why do adults that have been through a mostly-complete psychological development not exhibit the traits of reasoning, understanding, emotional regulation and maturity that they should have in adulthood when they find themselves in a conflict situation?

The relationship has broken down for various reasons from violence and trauma, to betrayal, incompatibility, growth and stagnation.

In the dissolving of their relationship, people go through grief, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, anger and resentment. This changes how they behave.

Each party will have a belief about the injustice dealt to them, and a desire for ‘justice’ to be served. The ongoing conflict is about continuing to try to balance the scales, however misplaced and futile their attempts.

We are left then with conflict and poor communication, and parties perpetually living in the past. Even if one partner is able to let go, the other will drag them into the downward spiraling vortex again and again.

On the webinar, we were reminded of the Circles of Control. This cognitive tool is adapted to all kinds of areas from dealing with family over the holidays, bullies at school, and the work environment. The principle is that there is an inner circle of aspects in life that are within your control, and an outer circle of factors that are outside of your control.*

In terms of family disputes, your own behaviour and how you respond to others is under your control. You can also, in the parenting situation, control your behaviour to your children, especially as a non-primary caregiver where elements of parental alienation may be in play. You can continue to reach out, be present, be supportive and be available, regardless of the response received. 

What you cannot control is the other person. You cannot control what they say or do. You can only control how you react to them. You cannot control the financial and lifestyle changes as a result of divorce, but you can adapt, make the best of the situation, and move forward.

You cannot prevent feeling emotions like hate, anger, frustration, and contempt, but you can regulate and process these emotions to behave with neutrality towards the other party instead of retaliating.

In speaking to a client, I reminded them of the Circles of Control in their high-conflict situation. They had mentioned a few weeks back about trying to be kinder to the other party. Circles of Control has empowered them to stay this course regardless of what the other party may fling their way.

Circles of Control is going to be my ‘theme tune. I will use it at the start of every mediation interaction with new clients. As obvious as this concept seems, it is clearly forgotten in the heat of dispute. Applied to divorce, Circles of Control is a powerful reminder and tool for every person.

* If want another layer, the Circle of Influence lies between aspects within and outside of your control. These are elements that you indirectly have the power to influence or change.

As always, I think of topics to write about almost daily, but then I struggle to get around to writing here. There always seems to be something more important to do. It is with thanks to my friend Staci and that I joined her 45-minute writing session this morning on Zoom that I got this post down. It has been swirling around in my mind for days. Thank you Staci x

Another Circles of Control diagram - for general life.

Found through Google Images

Books I read in 2025

I enjoyed some superb reads this past year. There were also a good half-dozen (or more) that I read in part before dumping, safe in the knowledge that I could move on and never wonder about the outcome of the story. 

From mid-July to mid-October I was studying to become a mediator and so most of what I consumed - not logged here - was related to mediation, including a number of audiobooks of two to five hours in duration.

As always, a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I'm really enjoying books about people's lives (not adventurers, sports stars, politicians or celebs - just regular people with that something interesting in their life - profession, an experience etc).

Let's jump in...

When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman and Rocket Men by Robert Kurson are my two favourites from this selection. When God was a Rabbit is a tale - a beautifully woven story about family and friendships and love. It is unsurprising that this book has won various awards.

Rocket Men is astounding. I loved it. Much like Rocket Girls, which I read in 2023, this book is about getting the first humans to the moon. The technical information is superb, the calculating, trajectories, risks... Absolutely incredible.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed is a thru-hiker account of the Pacific Crest Trail. Thoroughly enjoyable read too. 

The other three books are fast-reading fiction.

Again, the non-fiction stood out for me with four great books here.

The Adventurer's Son by Roman Dial was superb - and sad. Roman's son went missing in Costa Rica. Roman was an adventure racer and I've run down the western coast of Costa Rica, including into the Corcovado National Park, so I felt a connection going in. Roman's story about his life of adventure, his son growing up and how they raised their children was fascinating. And his account of searching for his son had me searching alongside him with each page turned. 

Better Living through Birding by Christian Cooper was read by the author - very good - and also very well written. I enjoyed the account of his life, and how he got into birding as well as his passion for it. I learned much from him on this. What was even more insightful was his experience of racism in the US. Insightful and deeper understanding and learning for me. If you'd tried to sell me on a book about racism, I would have passed it up, but how Cooper tells his story of his life and experiences - eloquently, with humour and with birding as the core theme, was very well done. 

Lethal Tides by Catherine Musemeche about marine scientist Mary Sears is outstanding! Mary Sears was at Woodshole Oceanographic Institute (Massachusetts), which is where I spent a couple of weeks back in 1998, so I could picture the place and the area. What an absolutely incredible woman! One of the things that stood out for me in this story of marine science, oceanography, tides and war, was how much was accomplished, organised and coordinated on a massive scale by phone and mail in the time before email and whatsapp, and computers. Libraries, information, writing and publishing reports, data, research, referencing, scientific journals... Incredible. Sears dedicated her life to her work and in so doing advanced the field of oceanography and left an indelible mark.

Bill Bryson is a gem. I've read a number of his books including my favourites 'The Mother Tongue: English' and 'How It Got That Way', 'At Home: A Short History of Private Life', and 'A Short History of Nearly Everything'. This one, The Body, was thoroughly interesting although I had the feeling that I'd read it before. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the refresher. Bryson writes with good humour and wit, delivering a load of information in a neat and entertaining package.

I love Jeffrey Archer and had not read one for ages. While I can't remember the storyline now, I recall that I enjoyed it. Housewife's Secret is in the same boat. Entertaining read.

The Body on the Shore - general fiction read. Enjoyable whodunnit.

Fredrik Backman is one of my favourite authors and I've read most of his books. This one did not disappoint. A beautiful story of lives and friendships. 

Lisa Sanders consulted on the House series, which I loved for the medical mysteries and diagnoses. Watching the TV show, I'd always try to figure out the condition before it was revealed. So this book, Diagnosis, was a delight. I enjoyed the case presentations and again trying to figure out the diagnosis with the clues presented.

I've been subscribed to Mark Manson's e-newsletter for a few years. I like his practical and philosophical insights. While I can't recall specifics about this book, I enjoyed the listen and picked up some good stuff to think about.

Sharks Don't Sink by Jasmin Graham was brilliant. Aside from the interesting research and marine science content, I was again captivated by her insights about being a black woman in science and academia. Coming off Cooper's birding book, I was more attuned to Jasmin's reality. 

If you've loved The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and Educated by Tara Westover, you'll devour Daniella Mestyanek Young's Uncultured. Like the other two, it is a story about overcoming difficult, unconventional upbringings (she grew up in a religious cult), family dysfunction, survival, and self-discovery - and success. I loved every page.

Chasing Hope by reporter Nicholas D. Kristof was fascinating. An account of his life of reporting around the world for major media over many decades. 

Robert Galbraith's detective Cormoran Strike books have been part of my reading life for a decade now. I've read maybe six of the seven in paper / kindle, and the rest have been audio. The reader Robert Glenister is phenomenal; I chose audio-only from about the 4th book. They're usually over 30-hours long, so excellent value. I did a binge listen on this one - I could hardly put it down. Following Strike and Robin's case is always enthralling. Actually, their relationship and interactions with each other has certainly superseded the case content that they are investigating for me - and Liz. 

If you have not read any of these, I recommend starting from the first book in the series. Sure, you can drop in with any book (each book is a case), but you'll get the most out of getting to know the characters as they have developed over the last 10 years. Galbraith is JK Rowling, writing under a pseudonym. 

The other books in this group: regular fiction entertainment.

In the last four...

The mediation book was for the course that I did. We only had to read a section, but I ended up reading the whole thing, especially enjoying the transcripts from a few matters that were mediated. It took me a while to get through but was well worth the time.

Then two quick fiction reads before my last book of the year, The Socrates Express by Eric Weiner. 

I read this as an audiobook but I think paper would be better to be able to add tabs for parts that stood out and also for easier re-reading. This book certainly gave me a lot more insight into philosophy and philosophers (I'm very much a stoic). Weiner covers 14 philosophers from ancient to modern, mixed in with interesting content about their lives, influences, thinking, influences and the time and place in which they lived - together with Weiner's travel and experiences. At some stage I'd like to relisten to the last few chapters.

I feel like I could have done 'better', but a few months of studies and numerous lemons lowered the count. Overall, a good bunch of reads.

Onward into 2026.