LETTERS
I ’ m still waiting for that day , but I have promised myself that when I do get that chance , I will be stronger , faster and wiser . I will have clear plans and strategies . I will have a realistic goal . Inchanga to Botha ’ s is slumbering , waiting for us to return . I can ’ t wait to show them who ’ s boss . – Brendan Dunn , Johannesburg
Many Comrades runners make the mistake of focusing on the ‘ Big 5 ’ hills , including Inchanga and Botha ’ s Hill , and forget about what lies between them . Because it definitely is not all flat ! But they say those who learn the hard way at Comrades come back wiser the next time , so you have something to look forward to next year . – Ed .
Brendan Dunn
SORRY I WAS A BIT LATE …
I didn ’ t know or understand the power of physical fitness until I was in my 30s . I was supremely uninterested in school sport , played a little D Team hockey , and had absolutely no idea why people ran races , rocked up at gyms or aspired to be included in teams . I smoked Stuyvie Blues , feared the ocean , and never once considered myself a sporty spice , let alone a runner . This , despite my dad being an ultra runner , my mom a qualified instructor ( aerobics in the days of matching head bands and leg warmers , she was one of our hottest OGs ) and my sis a runner and bike prawn clocking up multiple Argus Cycle Tours and the like . Me ? Nah .
Fast forward to arrival of my third child , Em , when I was 30 . Hello baby weight that did not drop off as miraculously as the previous two . What to do ? Joined a walking group , Tuesday and Thursday mornings . Hated the whole ordeal . Then fellow doula Melinda Rollinson and I hatched a plan to run a half marathon for charitable reasons , raising money for maternity packs for moms birthing in state hospitals , where you aren ’ t showered with samples of bum cream and a month of free nappies .
Longest training run was 10km . Took me nearly three hours to complete that Knysna Half Marathon . Not exactly the easiest one to tackle as a desperately under-trained newb . But we did it . And I decided then I would rather like to run Comrades , like my dad . And then I did . A few times . And I ’ m not sure how to word the journey from there , but it changed absolutely everything about me .
crew , proud of running achievements . I hope that my late start enables running through to my 80s . It makes me happy .
Thanks running , sorry it took me so long . – Kim Stephens , Cape Town
Better late than never , as they say … Love what you say here , Kim , and I can just picture you at 80 years old , lining up for a trail race , telling all the youngsters about the awesome stoke they ’ re about to experience ! – Ed .
FACEBOOK HOT TOPIC
SAFETY ON THE ROADS
To all the early morning runners : Please wear headlights or LED running belts . Lumo or reflective clothing isn ’ t enough to be visible at 6am in the dark and mist . Stay safe ! – Jessica Zimmerman
Don ’ t run in the road unless you really have no choice . I see tons of runners running in the road when there are perfectly good pavements and paths available , not to mention running in the cycling lane , forcing cyclists into traffic , and not even attempting to move . Roads aren ’ t made for pedestrians . There are plenty of people who make do with pavements , the same way cyclists have to deal with potholes , uneven road surfaces , glass and all sorts of dodgy things on the road . Watch where you ’ re running and you ’ ll be fine . – Kayleigh Tuck
Perfectly good pavements being the operative words . I ’ m in an area where all the pavements have bricks and lots of greenery , and the issue is roots that push the bricks up , which is dangerous . We had one of our club runners have a nasty fall last week running on a really decent pavement , but one brick pushed up caused a really damaging fall . – Robin Lary
This is a super-important reminder . It ’ s so easy to assume that you are visible when you are doing the running , but I also recently had a wakeup call whilst driving , and realised how invisible a person on the road can be – even in brighter gear – for example when a driver is blinded by headlights of other cars . Best to wear bright , reflective gear AND stay off the road . Be careful out there ! – Karina Berner
Please share this far and wide ... so many runners in dark clothes without reflectors on the road early morning . – Maryke Collins
There are so many devices on the market , such as flashing heel lights , reflective garments and flashing lights ( bicycle accessories ), which you can design to fit at the back of a cap or T-shirt . Be safe and stay on the pavement if you can . – Franklin Smith
Make sure you are seen this winter !
Running isn ’ t always wildly success or goal-oriented . I ’ ve clocked many ultras , marathons , mountain races , multi-day races . I ’ ve learned to fail dismally and surprise myself . I ’ ve learned to be happier with a daily run , happier with a running
Kim Stephens
Images : Getty Images , SMacPix & Susan O Conner
8 ISSUE 142 JUNE 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za