Some who fell ill with COVID are still trying to put their lives back together . For example , I have a friend , H , who was a regular , strong runner , easily capable of tackling a marathon , but now he struggles to walk round the block . His doctors say it ’ s going to be a long road back due to the effect the virus has had on his heart . Personally , I found that a second bout of the virus really knocked my system for a loop , and I ’ m still working my way back from that , but I am immensely thankful that my experience was way easier than H ’ s , or worse , the friends I lost to the virus , including three in one week just before Christmas 2020 . Man , that already feels like a lifetime ago .

Financially , it seems some people sailed through COVID without really feeling the effects , as their businesses largely carried on as normal . I also know a few who made an absolute killing – no pun intended – by being in the right place at the right

time , with the right product or service ( or ability to get around the restrictions ). I don ’ t begrudge them their good fortune , but for those of us who saw our industries virtually shut down for nearly two years , the road to recovery is ongoing . My message to those who are also in this boat , here ’ s to things getting better ( and normal ) in 2023 .

All-time Great Runs

I recently ran the Ernie Els Full Moon Trail Run , a Wednesday night 10km or 5km event on trails that are only opened to the running community for a very few select events each year . The Ernie Els winery sits high on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain , between Stellies and Somerset West , so the views are terrific , and we enjoyed a spectacular sunset during our run , plus seriously good burgers , wines and live music after the race , but what really made it a ‘ rave run ’ for me was the single track .

Ever finished a race and just wanted to go do it all again ? Well , that ’ s how I felt after this race . We ran a few sections of single-track that either zig-zagged up and down hills , or meandered through what felt like enchanted forests . I just wanted it to go on and on , especially the forested sections , and when I finished , I made a point to tell the organiser that this was undoubtedly some of the best single-track I ’ d run in a long time . Now that ’ s the normal I want more of in 2023 !

Speaking of all-time favourite trails , be sure check out Scott McIvor ’ s terrific feature in this edition

about running the Inca Trail Marathon in Peru . We published his story about running the first ever Everest Marathon a few editions back , and received several notes from readers , saying how much they enjoyed the good running story mixed with a geography lesson and tour guide of the Himalaya . Well , Scott ’ s done it again , this time with a fascinating history lesson about the Inca woven around his story of tackling a marathon and an ultramarathon in the Andean Mountains .

I ’ m also really chuffed to feature Carla Annas in this edition , with her story about tackling a solo Ironman 70.3 race to raise funds for education . In a previous lifetime , I coached the Stellenbosch University Women ’ s Football team for 16 years , and though retired from all forms of football , I remain in touch with many of my players , several of whom have turned to running or multisport since their playing days . Carla is now the fourth former Maties footie player to feature in Modern Athlete , and I ’ m really proud of that .

On that note , I ’ d like to wish all readers a great Festive Season break , and a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it . Here ’ s also wishing you a Happy New Year , and I hope we ’ ll be sharing many more runs and reads in 2023 .

Image : Alfred Thorpe / Vuurtoring Media