Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 102, January 2018 | Page 7

LETTERS I walked more than I ran for the next 8km, with cramps in my quads more painful than I could I have imagined, and I was humbled, but along the way I joined groups of runners who encouraged me and we continued through the streets of Soweto. I made it over the finish line, in tears that I actually finished, being asthmatic, a novice and heavier than most marathon runners. Soweto lived up to all the warnings, but I will be running it until I am old, grey and wrinkled! – Gaopalelwe Mekwa, Johannesburg Your first marathon is always one of your most memorable, and good for you for being brave enough to tackle it in spite of some doubting your ability. – Ed. FOLLOWING IN MY FOOTSTEPS For every parent there is a great joy when one of your children chooses to follow you in something you are passionate about. There is also that dreaded moment when you no longer have the edge over your child and have to concede that it is time for the changing of the guard. This is a story about just that. One of my daughters, Claire, had shown an early interest in my daily training, and while still in nappies would try to do stretch exercises with me after my run. I started to take notice when, at a primary school sports meeting, they were trying to coerce some of the seniors into participating in the 400m race. So they opened it up to juniors who would like to try. Claire volunteered, and although two years younger than the other girls, still came in third. Some time later we were on holiday and I was up early for my morning run. Just as I was about to leave there was this little voice, “Dad, can I come run with you?” While I liked the idea, I knew what was going to happen… we would get ten minutes down the road and she would say she’s tired and we would have to walk home. In the interest o f being a good father, I said she could come and I would just have to accommodate her, but she ran the full 10km – and she was only 10! My great joy was when she announced that she wanted to run the 2001 Comrades with me. She was only 17, but they said she could enter because she turned 18 later that year. (In those days 18 was the minimum age.) It turned out that she was the youngest female competitor in the race that year. What a privilege to train together and help her through her first marathon and her first Comrades. On race day, as we neared the halfway point, I ran on ahead to inform them that the youngest female competitor was about to come through, so they could announce her arrival. At the top of Cowie’s Hill I managed to get her an interview on TV. We crossed the finish line together and I felt proud and privileged to have had that experience with one of my children. (Great news is that my eldest daughter Tamar has now also started running and has completed two half marathons.) A number of years later, Comrades began to take its toll on me and I decided that I would make my 30th my last Comrades. She said she would run it with me. This time, however, the tables had turned… she was one encouraging me to get to the finish. As a parent I had experienced the changing of the guard. – Charles Panaino, Amanzimtoti You’ve clearly done a great parenting job, Charles. – Ed. FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH From running two personal best times at 10km races in a week followed by the Paarlberg Half Marathon with my own personal record on that course, I went on to do my second marathon, the Voet van Afrika Marathon. It’s the “toughest race with the warmest heart,” and was a real bucket list race for me, and after doing well in the marathon, I came back and smashed my half marathon best at the West Coast Half Marathon by four minutes, and the day after that, at the Ommiedraai 10km, I smashed my PB again! I’m only six months into my running journey and already on my way to the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon. I push on and run hard every chance I get. Hills, flat courses, mountains, gravel roads… I get back up and go again. The goals are high, including the aim to become a front runner, even if the sport is expensive and difficult to maintain. Strength can bring out the positive in you, even if you don’t know where your next pair of shoes will come from. But the heart of a runner never stops, and doors open to new journeys towards success. Nothing is greater than the feeling when you cross that finish line, knowing you have accomplished something great. – Herman Cronje, Klipheuwel (near Cape Town) That’s an impressive period of PBs, Herman. Hope 2018 will bring even more! – Ed. Write and WIN Each month the writer of our winning letter wins a pair of new running shoes, with various brands supporting this initiative and subject to availability. The Editor will select his favourite letter each month, contact the winner to get sizing and delivery details, and then the shoes or a voucher will be dispatched to the winner. So, get writing that letter today – add a high resolution photo or two if you can – and mail it to [email protected]. 7