Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 131, June 2020 June 2020 | Page 49

Meanwhile, the serious but
intermittent runners take
it pretty seriously, but don’t
necessarily need to go every
day. They love being out
there and enjoy their running,
but they also enjoy a lie in, or
another form of morning exercise
every now and then.
Images: Courtesy Carla Farina
Trail
(Mis)Adventures
By Carla Lea Farina
A ROAD LESS
TRAVELLED
We’re now well into stage 3 of lockdown, but I still have not
been on any crazy trail adventures since lockdown began… so
I’ll just have to talk about a bit of road running for a change.
My ‘running stats’ for
the past month are
a bit different to my
normal fare. Number of times
getting lost: 1. Number of falls:
1. Number of times I needed
to be rescued: 0… but one
close call, when I ran past the
Houghton Golf Course. And I
have learnt a few new things
about road running in the
process. Firstly, you must be on
Strava. Not to log your run, but
to win segments. And let me tell
you, the disappointment of not
winning a segment far outweighs
the happy feeling you get when
you do actually win a segment!
Secondly, having a hyperactive dog (Comet) makes the world of difference. The
first 100m of running are torture as the excitement levels that arise in a breed that
is already over the top excitable is truly terrifying, but your dog of choice may just
help you win a segment or two. That’s yet to happen to me, of course. (PS: It was
not during the first 100m of a run that I had my one and only fall. Ironically, that
happened on an uphill… while I was walking!)
It Takes All Types…
Thirdly, you will bump into all kinds of people out on the roads, and I have taken it
upon myself to create the ‘social distance running cliques,’ so here goes.
The regular runners are the diehards who have always been runners. They have
run pretty much every day since 1 May. They are the ones who ‘accidentally’ bump
into their friends on a run and just happen to be running in the same direction and
at the same pace. These runs usually end at a venue that delivers coffee…
Next we have the fitness runners, who
are running because they are unable to do
their regular exercise, such as go to the gym or
have a game of tennis. They are using running to keep fit,
and you can easily spot them when they sometimes get confused on which side of
the road to be on.
Then there are the novices, the runners who used this time in lockdown to start
running, get fit and healthy, and lead active lifestyles. They are the inspirational
ones, who are out there day after day, no matter what, smiling and encouraging
everyone they come across. Always greet and encourage these runners, because
once upon a time you used to be one!
We also have our serious runners, who managed to get marathon distances in
during a three-hour window in level 4. They run past you at the speed of light, give
you a quick nod, smile, wave or “hi,” and then all you see is their dust. My dog
often confuses me with one of these runners, and decides to race them when they
pass me. I run at 3 minutes a kay for about 50 metres, and then I need to sit down
and cough up a lung.
At the other end of the spectrum we have the walkers, more often than not out as
a family, with mom usually running after a toddler who has escaped on a bicycle,
while dad is running after the dog that has escaped. It’s quite an entertaining sight.
They too are usually full of smiles, but may not be up for friendly chit chat due to
trying to control escaping kids and hounds.
Finally, we have the rule-regulators. They are the ones who take it upon themselves
to ensure everyone out there is wearing a mask, running on their own, and checking
to see you are within your radius. They usual walk, to ensure they don’t miss anyone.
If you come across a rule regulator, wave and yell a loud “Hello.” Remember, it’s no
use smiling, because your mask is on and they won’t see…
Loving It Out
There
Even though I have yet to
set foot on a trail, it has
been a pleasure sharing
the streets with all of you.
I have loved exploring new
areas, accidentally bumping
into a friend here and there,
and spending time with the
coolest dog on the planet.
I still sometimes need my
fancy Garmin to get back
to where I started – there is
a reason my running group
doesn’t let me lead runs,
because I get lost all the
time – but post-lockdown,
when we are allowed to run
in groups again, I will be
ready to lead a run. As long
as it’s on trail… because
everybody loves getting lost
in nature!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: While Carla’s ‘day job’ is Head Tennis Coach and
Director of Tennis at Game Set Match Tennis in Johannesburg, her second love
is trail running, which she tackles with an unquenchable thirst for adventure,
a never-say-die attitude, and a healthy sense of humour about all the
misadventures that befall her on the trails!
49