Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 129, April 2020 | Page 30

ROAD RUNNING
Never Too
Late to
Start!
I was never a fan of running, and I am still not
a big fan of hills, but over time I have come to
accept the challenge of both.
– BY LISA MICHELLI MACKENZIE
I
t’s been a while since high school, but I can still
remember my school’s motto: Perseverance
Conquers. And that springs to mind when I think
about my running career. Never in a million years did
I think that I would ever become a runner, or even
exercise for the enjoyment of it. When I was at school,
I was never any good at any sport. I did play hockey in
high school, but our team was really bad, and I think
we only attended for the social side of things.
a few months later did the FNB Joburg 10km. She
now even runs a little in between her walking, with
the encouragement of my father, because it has been
proven that the older you get, the more important
exercise is for you, and that it can prolong your life.
Which just proves that it’s never too late to start!
Dare to Tackle Drumblade
An Acquired Taste
I remember my friend, Tracy was a very fast runner.
She would come first in all the 100m sprint races. I
was so envious of her and wished that I could also be
fast like her. One morning, we were on our way to run
and she sensed my unhappiness about the situation.
Her advice to me was to hold my fingers out straight
and keep them together and to move my hands as
fast as I could next to my side. That was her big
secret to her speed. I was determined to try it out and,
in my mind, I was going to win the race. Unfortunately
for me, it did not work. I still came stone last… and
probably looked ridiculous, too.
Even to this day, when I smell cut grass, I get
butterflies in my stomach and feel anxious. It all
reminds me of running and athletics season. But fast
forward a few years into my 40’s and I decided to take
up running! Was I crazy? But the nice thing about
running as an adult is that it is more social, and no
longer a race. You can go at any speed and still get a
sense of enjoyment out of it. This is where parkruns
have helped me so much, and others like me. No
matter your age, you can complete a parkrun, which is
5km long, as a walk or jog, or aim for your own record
time in a fast run. Parkruns are for everyone, and if
you come in last there is no humiliation. You are only
there for enjoyment, and competing with yourself.
Perhaps even more surprising is that my mom, who
is in her 70s and has never been a runner, started
to walk the parkruns in 2018. She always joked that
she can’t run, that she waddles instead, but she now
usually finishes 5km in under an hour. This has led to
her becoming fit and motivated to do more, so this
past year she walked the 702 Walk the Talk 15km, and
Enjoying another parkrun with her dad
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ISSUE 129 APRIL 2020 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Fortunately, there are parkruns all over South Africa
to choose from, and an absolute favourite of mine
is the Drumblade parkrun. It is run on an equestrian
farm, and the scenery in the area is spectacular,
especially in summer when all the aloes are flowering.
This parkrun is small and intimate and feels like an
outing with family. The volunteers are always friendly
and make it a pleasant experience for all. My father
volunteers most weeks and loves it.
Most people that have run this parkrun will agree that
“Mount N’verest” is their nemesis. This is one of those
hills that makes you say, “I thought I was in Hollywood…
because I just saw stars going up that hill!” Every week I
contemplate how I am going to get over that darn thing
– that hill is going to either make me or break me – and it
has very much become a conversation starter for many
runners on how best to tackle that hill. But it’s also a
good excuse to stop and catch your breath while taking
in the scenery, which is really worth your while.
So, all these years after school, I now love running, and
I even begrudgingly enjoy the challenge of a hill. As I
said, never in a million years did I think that I would ever
become a runner, let alone enjoy it, but as my mom and
I have both learnt, it’s never too late to start!
In Primary School, I remember athletics season, which
was at the beginning of each year. We were told that
it was compulsory to try all the various events out at
least once. I was so bad at athletics that when we had
to try out for high jump, I could not even get onto the
mat, never mind over the pole! I especially dreaded the
running races, as I was the ‘fat kid’ that would come
stone last, by a country mile. I absolutely hated and
dreaded running. It would make me feel so tearful,
humiliated and embarrassed. I would run around the
hurdles instead of over… not a good picture.
Lisa in action at her local park, and
below, celebrating her mom’s first race