THE ED ’ S DESK by SEAN FALCONER the ed ’ s desk
Hoping for Better in 2021
As I write this , my partner and I are still coming to terms with the fact
that our traditional Christmas Eve get-together with one side of the family has just been cancelled , due to the current spike in COVID infections . This family meet-up in Franschhoek is usually a ‘ full house ,’ with anything from 20 to 40 people , including young kids , elderly relatives and even close family friends , and since we ’ d all be coming from different areas , with no idea who may have been exposed to the COVID virus , it made sense to play it safe and cancel the get-together , no matter how much it hurt to do so .
Now Nicole and I are also talking seriously about Christmas lunch the following day , with the other half of the family , given the advanced age of parents , with co-morbidities , and whether it wouldn ’ t be better to just cancel everything , even though that lunch is a much smaller gathering with just close family . And the planned New Year ’ s Eve party with friends and neighbours is another one being debated .
These are the realities of December 2020 … Nothing is normal after this pandemicdisrupted year , and what we have taken for granted in years gone , like Christmas lunch and family together time , can no longer just be expected or continued . Now everything has to be weighed up , the pro ’ s and cons , safety precautions , medical histories , and the like . Simply heading over to the parents for lunch is now a health and safety dilemma , and even a moral dilemma .
Though disappointed , and to be honest , a bit scared , we realise that this is just another hurdle that must be overcome in the ongoing battle against COVID . Hopefully soon we will have a vaccine , and the numbers will go down , and we can look forward to a normal family lunch again . And there ’ s always ‘ Christmas in July ’ to make up for this temporary hiatus of together time .
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But We Can Still Run !
On a happier note , this month I actually managed to run an official event for the first time since before lockdown began . I have had a torrid year with injury problems , starting with a strained calf that didn ’ t take kindly to running loops around the house back in April , followed by putting my lower back out when I tripped over
ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za one of the dogs . Then I tore the meniscus in my right knee kicking a soccer ball , and the pinched nerve in my upper spine flared up again , causing great discomfort in my shoulders and arms .
The nerve problem is a side-effect of sitting in front of a computer all day – I obviously need to go running more often ! – and while the calf , back and knee issues are largely cleared up now , I ’ m only due to see the spinal specialist in late January . I have learnt to live with the discomfort , in general , but to my great disappointment it made running impossible for a while , as I could not swing my arm without pain . Even super-slow running was painful .
Thankfully , the chiro was able to alleviate the pain and discomfort enough for me to start running again , and thus earlier this month I was able to line up to do a 6km trundle through the Skilpadvlei vineyards near Stellenbosch , at the second race in the new Twilight Trail Run Series . Nicole set off five minutes ahead of me , as there were staggered starts for men and women to promote social distancing , and I caught her with about a kay to go , so we could enjoy the stunning view over the vines of Table Mountain and a glorious sunset together .
Focusing on the Positives
After this weird year , it was wonderful to round things off with that view , on the run , chatting to fellow runners , and enjoying a much-needed endorphin buzz . And I am looking forward to much , much more of the same in 2021 . Obviously , at this stage nobody knows quite what to expect – will the second wave of COVID be far worse , will we have to go back into hard lockdown , will we be able to run races again any time soon , will we all come out of this OK in terms of health , finances , careers and the like ? But I am staying positive !
I have always tried to keep a positive outlook on all things , and I choose to plan for an active , dare I say it , normal 2021 . Yes , we may still face some tough times in the months ahead , but I think we will eventually come out the other side , and then we ’ re going to hit the ground running , alongside family and friends .
I wish you all a great Festive Season , hope you can take some time off and rest , and hope you all stay safe in these uncertain times . And I hope you will enjoy this edition of the mag , featuring what we consider the best articles of the year , because in spite of the pandemic and all the hardship it has brough , the running world has continued to produce terrific stories . And I ’ m sure 2021 will be no different on that front .
Sean Falconer
Images : Clive Idas & courtesy Twilight Trail Run