Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 116, March 2019 | Page 4

I
know you hear it all the time from friends,
family, colleagues, running mates and
more, but it really is true: This year is just
flying past me. No, make that sprinting
past me, going faster than Usain Bolt at
full speed. (Simply had to put a running
analogy in there.) Even worse, it feels like
the month of March hasn’t just snuck up on
me, it jumped out from behind a big tree and
stomped on my toes!
For that reason, the words in our training
snippet on page 50 really caught my
attention as I was wrapping up this edition
of the mag. “If work pressure is simply too
much, then you’re going to have to squeeze
some training in where you can. Everyone
needs to take a break at some point during
their work day, so prioritise that time for a
short quality run. Not only will this ensure
that you keep your fitness levels up, but it
will also rejuvenate you and leave you feeling
fresh for the rest of the day.” I think I should
give that a try... because what I’ve been
doing so far this year aint working!
People often assume that a running mag editor spends
his days running. In reality, the job is mostly behind a
computer, writing, editing, choosing pics, signing off
pages, and more. Sure, there are days that really make it
interesting, like a recent trip I did to Johannesburg with
adidas to run up 55 flights of stairs in the Ponte Tower
while testing out their new shoes. But most days it is
just me and my laptop.
I have been trying to get out at least once or twice a week
for a run, but must admit, the heavy work pressure and
long hours have taken their toll on my energy levels and
motivation to move. A day of typing passes and I try to
will myself off my chair, into the bedroom to get changed
into running kit, and out the front door... but most of the
time the couch wins the debate. I admit it openly, my
running is in a rut at the moment.
But I’m now over this! Soon as this edition is done, I am changing things up. I am putting some
‘me time’ into my daily planner and I am reserving time for a run, because this nonsense must
stop. All work and no running makes a grumpy running editor. And I don’t like being grumpy!
Folks, if you’re sitting in the same boat as me – and I know many are, given the tough economic
climate and huge extra demands included with many jobs these days – then I hope you will join me
in making March the month to get moving again. It’s time to dust off the running shoes, get out the
front door, and reawaken our running senses. I know we can do it, no matter how busy or tired we
are. And for those of you that have been running up a storm already in 2019, good job, keep it up,
and see you out there soon. I just need to find my fitness again. Know I put it here somewhere...
Sean Falconer
Follow me on Twitter: @sean_falconer | Follow the mag as well: @modern_athlete
PUBLISHERS
Richard Laskey
Roxanne Martin
Sean Falconer
ADVERTISING SALES
Richard Laskey 083 342 8200 /
[e-mail]
DIGITAL SALES & CAMPAIGNS
Roxanne Martin 072 368 7390 /
[e-mail]
EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITOR
Sean Falconer [e-mail]
DESIGNER
Caroline Collings [e-mail]
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER
Roxanne Martin [e-mail]
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Regulars: Anel Oosthuizen, Christine Peters,
Derick Marcisz, Ernest Hobbes, Manfred Seidler,
Norrie Williamson, PJ Moses, Ray Orchison, René
Kalmer, Roxanne Martin, Sean Falconer, Stuart
Mann, Tom Cottrell
Guest Writers: Deirdre Hewitson, Hein Wandrag,
Karoline Hanks, Kim Stephens, Kim van Kets, Lisa
MacKenzie, Muntonezwi Khanyile, Paul Kelly,
Salome Scholtz, Splash PR, Tanya Timms, Vaugh
& Nicola Venter
COVER IMAGE Jetline Action Photo
IMAGES
Photo Agencies & Professional photographers:
BackTrack Sports, Craig Muller, Fotolia, iStock,
Jetline Action Photo, Kevin Sawyer/Gameplan
Media, Kyle Cestari, Melinda Crafford, Mike
Scott, Nicki Sutherland, Rick Timms, Roger
Sedres/ImageSA, Shawn Benjamin/Ark Images,
SMacPix
Non-professional photographers: Bridget
Linderoth, Hanno Langenhoven, Heidi-Anne
Smidt, Hein Wandrag, Jill Lategan, Moegsien
Ebrahim, Morgan Weeks, Stuart Mann
Courtesy: Amy Abrahams, Anel Oosthuizen,
Beloved Long Runs, Cape Leopard Trust,
Francois Grobler, Janeane Watt, Juan van
Deventer, Kabelo Melamu, Karoline Hanks, Kim
van Kets, Lans Pepler, Mamre AC, Murray &
Roberts, Nedbank Running Club, Nicola Venter,
Om Die Dam Marathon, PJ Moses, PUMA, René
Kalmer, Sean Falconer, Seeturtles.org, Seromo
Mofokeng, Suzanne Twentyman-Jones, Tanya
Timms, Two Oceans Marathon, Warick Bekker,
Wiets Se Run, Worcester AC, and various Race
Organisers
FIND US
GENERAL E-MAIL [e-mail]
EDITORIAL E-MAIL [e-mail]
WEB www.modernathlete.co.za
FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/modernathletemag
TWITTER @modern_athlete
INSTAGRAM @modernathletemag
4
ISSUE 116 MARCH 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Modern Athlete is accredited by the
ABC with an average monthly
circulation of 79,344 (Apr - Jun 2018)
EDITOR’S LETTER