LETTERS
running alone earlier in Pinelands just as it started getting dark , and I instantly felt so scared for her . We have to be very careful and not take chances to run alone , no matter how much we love running or crave a run . Please remember , there is safety in numbers .” – Zara Nicholson , via Facebook
Sadly , it can be unsafe to run in certain places and at certain times , so I always advise fellow runners to try run in groups , wear bright clothing , leave valuable at home , and avoid deserted places if possible . There are no guarantees , but you can at least try to avoid becoming another crime statistic . – Ed . runners . Unfortunately , I could not identify any clubs , but you know who you are . Single or at the most two-abreast allows for others to pass . And to the guy in the light green / yellow windbreaker who almost knocked my shoulder out of joint , please remember all runners would like to chat to their fellow runners next to them , but not on a busy pavement . Thank you . – Andre Blom , Cape Town
It is easy to get carried away by the ‘ gees ’ of a pack run , but being considerate of others is part and parcel of being a runner , whether on road or trail . Whoever is running at the front of a large group should warn the rest of ‘ oncoming traffic ,’ and the group should never take over the whole road or pavement . – Ed .
MISSING THE MEDIHELP …
Eish , what a Sad Saturday ! The one day in the year where I have the approval of my wife to chase skirt ( skorts ?)… but come 7am and instead of queuing with the rest of the cars to enter the Jan Kriel School premises in Kuilsriver , I ’ m lying in bed with coffee , rusks and the newspaper . No chasing Natascha or Yvonne V or Marjie- Jean or Carine . ( And no chatting to Marlon or Mike Stewart along the way , either ). But hey , looking forward to next year ’ s Tekkie Run !
Disclaimer : For the people who don ’ t know , the Medihelp Tekkie Run is a handicap race , with women starting before the men , hence the reference to chasing skirt . – Hans Hugo , Stellenbosch
As you know , Hans , I am usually on the mic at this event , along with Riël Hauman , so I missed it too . Ironically , I also stayed in bed with coffee , rusks and a good book . – Ed .
SEPTEMBER 2020 ISSUE 133
Nick
Robert
One of Our 7 New Expert Coaches in Wellness
‘ Expert Advice ’ On Trail Running Do ’ s & Don ’ ts
Matt Trautman
Tri Star Raring to Get Going Again
Track Stars
Hidden Blessing of Lockdown Lay-Off
First Edition of New Look
Carla
Molinaro
SA-based Brit Breaks Famous Running Record
Trail Running is Like Rock ‘ n Roll
Sibusiso Madikizela
Elite Runner Returns From Mugging Ordeal
SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication www . modernathlete . co . za
NEW Live Well Section : Health , Training , Nutrition & More 1
LOVE THE NEW LOOK …
I am excited about the new look of the magazine . I enjoyed every article and have benefited so much . Thank you so much for such a good and helpful mag . – Martha Nkoane , via e-mail
Well , that ’ s my day made , then ! – Ed .
GIVING PARKRUN A GO …
A couple of years back , I would sit at work and say to my colleagues that I really needed to do more exercise , and a close friend suggested parkrun . I didn ’ t think of myself as a runner , so did not think too much of it . A few weeks later , same thing , I again expressed the need to exercise and I got the same answer from the same friend . By the way , he had never run a parkrun himself !
Ok , I thought , let me check this out , and I found that my closest one , Golden Harvest in Northgate , was around the corner from me . So , the following Saturday I made my way to Golden Harvest , which I soon learnt is not the easiest course , and completed my first parkrun in just under an hour . It was tough but enjoyable , and I loved the vibe .
KEEP ON KEEPING ON !…
Hi Sean and the MA team , just a quick note to say hi from afar and congratulate you for ‘ staying the long run ’ during some testing times . While COVID-19 has seriously limited racing activities globally , many of us are grateful that running remains a physical and emotional outlet , and even an enhanced immunity edge , if managed properly .
Awesome to see your digital mag is ‘ still trucking ’ and part of the ‘ living well ’ health-scape in SA . I look forward to reading more endurance sport-inspired ( and hopefully competition-based ) content soon . – Patrick Baransky , The Netherlands
Hi Patrick , great to hear from you again , and thanks for the positive words about the mag . Much appreciated , and we will indeed ‘ keep trucking .’ The last few months were challenging , but we we ’ re looking forward to the next chapter in the adventure ! – Ed .
SPACE ENOUGH FOR US ALL …
Good afternoon . Please may I remind all of those that enjoy running between Kalk Bay and Muizenberg in Cape Town to be considerate of all the other runners . This morning was crazy , with some clubs having groups of 10-plus running together , three- or four-abreast on a narrow pavement , with no regard for approaching
Needless to say , I was hooked and have since completed over 120 runs at more than 20 different parkrun courses , with a PB of 39:15 , and I ’ ve done almost 100 volunteer stints . The funny side of this story is that the friend who suggested parkrun to me in the first place did his very first one with me when I did my 100th ! I ’ m still loving it , and can ’ t wait for my Saturday fix to return ! – Cheryl Johnson , Johannesburg
I always enjoy letters like this , where somebody has discovered the sheer joy ( and ‘ good ’ addiction ) of becoming a regular runner . Long may your enjoyment of your running fix continue ! – Ed .
Hoping to see the parkruns back soon !
Images : Courtesy Jan Kriel School & parkrun Southern Africa
8 ISSUE 134 OCTOBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za