Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 126, January 2020 | Page 4

I ’ve never been one for making New Year’s Resolutions, and I don’t want to change that now, but one thing I am determined to do this year is run more. Last year was a bit of a write-off for me… On top of extra work commitments as three of us took over ownership of the mag and effectively relaunched it, I also worked on a book for the Two Oceans Marathon, and in between all the deadlines, I managed to survive too nasty chest infections. Oh, and towards the end of the year I moved house… which included packing and carting more than 1000 books. Let’s just say that running took a backseat for much of the year. So once my better half and I were comfortably moved into the new place (and all the books were unpacked), I made sure my running kit had its own easily accessible shelf in the clothes cupboard, and put my running shoes where I would see them each day. That, and my increasingly obvious middle-age spread, were enough to get me out of my running doldrums, and my Strava account suddenly began getting updates again. Through the years as a running journo, I have written more than enough articles about starting to run to know that one needs to start slowly, with shorter distances, and ease your muscles, lungs and heart back into running. I heeded my own advice and did a whole 2.8km of running on my first outing, and then I proudly gave the run a name on Strava: 1 st Post (2 nd ) Chest-infection Non-coughing Trot. The next day I felt fine, but the second day… Well, let’s just say that going down the stairs to make coffee suddenly became a daunting prospect. But I was as happy as a pig in proverbial to have sore legs. I had really missed that awesome feeling. Since then I have continued to slowly build up my running again – I even managed to do the Runner’s Memorial 8km on New Year’s Eve in Cape Town, and signed up to do my first MyRun 5km at Vergenoegd Wine Estate, conveniently located just 3km down the road from our new place near Somerset West! It’s a lovely flat course that winds in and out of the vineyards, so they will be seeing more of me on Sunday mornings. The good news is that the old legs are no longer so susceptible to soreness after a trundle, and later this month I will be lining up for my first trail race of the year. Man, it feels great to be back running. In the meantime, I am just like you, looking for good running stories to inspire me and make me want to go running. I may be the editor of a running mag, but I am the same as the rest of you in that regard. As much as I love running, I also need motivation, especially when unfit and making a comeback! I found that inspiration in the stories in this edition, and hope you will, too. Sean Falconer 4 Follow on Twitter: @sean_falconer | Follow the mag as well: @modern_athlete ISSUE 126 me JANUARY 2020 / www.modernathlete.co.za PUBLISHERS Richard Laskey Roxanne Martin Sean Falconer ADVERTISING SALES Richard Laskey 083 342 8200 / [email protected] DIGITAL SALES & CAMPAIGNS Roxanne Martin 072 368 7390 / [email protected] EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR Sean Falconer [email protected] DESIGNER Caroline Collings [email protected] DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Roxanne Martin [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Regulars: Anel Oosthuizen, Coach Parry, Leanne Hall, Manfred Seidler, Norrie Williamson, PJ Moses, René Kalmer, Roxanne Martin, Sean Falconer, Stuart Mann, Tom Cottrell Guest Writers: Christine Peters, Chris Goldschmidt, Ernest Cooper, Jacky McClean, Kim Stephens, Lisa Mckenzie, Lorraine Rubaba, Mary Walker, Ray Orchison, Riana Lamprecht, Ropafadzo Amanda Banhwa COVER IMAGE Tobias Ginsberg, Courtesy Newsport Media IMAGES Photo Agencies & Professional photographers: Adventure Life SA, Chris Hitchcock, Ewald Sadie, Fotolia, iStock, Jetline Action Photo, KZN Runners Photography, Marathon-Photos.com, Nicki Sutherland, Reblex Photography, Reg Caldecott, Rogan Ward, Roger Sedres/ImageSA, Tobias Ginsberg Non-professional photographers: Chris Goldschmidt, Elmarie Warrington, Esther Patience, Fahwaaz Cornelius, Stuart Mann Courtesy: Anel Oosthuizen, aQuellé Midmar Mile, Channel Swimming Association, Comrades Marathon Association, Dis-Chem Half Marathon, Evan Dunfee, FullStop Communications, Howard Warrington, Hugh Hacking, International Olympic Committee, Ironman SA, KZN Trail Running, Lisa Mackenzie, Live Adventures, Murray & Roberts Running Club, Nedbank Running Club, Nontuthuko Mgabhi, Peter Machete, PJ Moses, René Kalmer, Shanghai Marathon, Top Events FIND US GENERAL E-MAIL [email protected] EDITORIAL E-MAIL [email protected] WEB www.modernathlete.co.za FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ modernathletemag TWITTER @modern_athlete INSTAGRAM @modernathletemag Modern Athlete is accredited by the ABC with an average monthly circulation of 79,344 (Apr - Jun 2018) EDITOR’S LETTER