COMMENTS chat to , where will I go ? New running shoes . Only a runner understands how blerry cool they are ! – Taralyn Mclean , via e-mail
I ’ m fortunate in my line of work to receive new shoes regularly for testing and review , but I still have my favourites … and confession time , I only recently ‘ retired ’ a pair of all-time trail favourites that were so ‘ worn in ’ that my toes were poking through the upper . When you love a pair , you really love a pair ! – Ed .
SIBLING SUPPORT …
With 10km to the end of the Ultimate Human Race , some spray for tired legs and a pep talk from proud sisters Afroz Cariem ( left ) and Aisha Abdulla ( right ), to get our brother , Nizaam Cariem , to the finish . – Aisha Abdulla , Cape Town
Love this , because nothing beats the support of loved ones when you ’ re counting down the final kays to a finish line . – Ed .
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THE ED ’ S DESK by SEAN FALCONER
t the beginning of this year , I sat down to plan my 2022 . I started with the event calendar and pencilled in all the big race dates that I knew of . At that time , there were there still a lot of ‘ to be confirmed ’ notes next to many events , due to the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic , but we at least had a starting point of what would be happening in coming months in terms of the company producing event digimags , and in terms of me doing commentary at events .
Next , I worked out a monthly publishing schedule for this mag , at times constructing it around some of the bigger events , like Two Oceans and Comrades , and factoring in other project deadlines where necessary . And so the year kicked off , but as the old saying goes , “ The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry ,” and soon the curve balls came flying at us .
As events began reopening , sometimes at relatively short notice ( by normal standards ), our Modern Athlete team found ourselves working on more and more event digimags , as well as several supplements and product guides – sometimes up to four a month , on top of the main mag . Of course , we weren ’ t complaining … After nearly two years of seriously depleted income as a result of the pandemic , we were only too glad to ‘ get it done ’ and send out those invoices ! However , as the months went on , our small team became stretched by the workload , and something had to give – in my case , it was my physical health .
Running Late Again …
As some of you may recall , I had a really bad case of COVID last year in September-October , and at the start of this year I was still suffering from the effects of ‘ Long COVID ,’ which seemed to linger till round about March-April . Then this year brought two separate dental issues , both of which proved excruciatingly painful – to the extent that work was sometimes impossible – and one that required emergency surgery in late June .
I was just getting over that when I contracted COVID for a second time in late July , and while I was fortunately not as sick as last year , the virus still wiped me out for nearly two months . Unfortunately , that affected my productivity , and while I was able to get through the workload of several event digimags or projects , and pick
ISSUE 153 | www . modernathlete . co . za the ed ’ s desk
About Those Plans
myself up for commentary gigs – I was on the mic most weekends in August and September , including two trips each to Durban and Johannesburg – the net result was that I fell further and further behind on the main mag .
That ’ s why this edition is appearing quite a bit later than originally planned , and why Modern Athlete has fallen short of our own claim to be SA ’ s only remaining monthly running publication . As Editor of the mag , the proverbial buck stops with me , so I take responsibility for that and offer an apology to our loyal readers for keeping you waiting several times this year . I ’ m happy to report that we ’ ve already put new plans and measures in place to alleviate some of the problems we ran into this year , so that we can get the mag back on track and appearing monthly , as advertised .
… But Running Again
Another thing I am happy to write here is that I recently got my running legs turning over again . Obviously , my various health challenges have made running hard ( and quite often impossible ) in recent months , so that sheer feeling of joy when I went for my first ‘ post-COVID2 run ’ a few weeks back made me want to shout for joy . OK , my legs , lungs and heart were putting in some very hard yards , but my brain was in seventh heaven . As they say , endorphins … you gotta love ‘ em !
I know I am just one of many runners who is experiencing , or has experienced , the long road back to fitness after illness in the last few years . I often see friends posting on social media about this , and I have taken strength from following their progress and seeing them bounce back . It encourages me to lace up my running shoes and get out there again , because it just looks like they ’ re having so much damned fun !
So , on that note , it ’ s great to welcome you to another edition , and I hope you will enjoy the read . I ’ m also hoping to join you at the races again soon , once my legs catch up with my endorphin-affected brain !
Sean Falconer
Siblings Afroz , Nizaam and Aisha
INSPIRED TO KEEP GOING …
Images : Nicole Hayes
WORTH THE WAIT !…
Hi Sean , read in the last edition that you have been challenged with your health the past year . Trust that you are on the mend and getting stronger . No matter how late the mag is , it ’ s worth the wait . Thank you for an informative , interesting read . Keep up the good work . – Teresa Coetzee , Krugersdorp
Thank you , Teresa . As I wrote , I am starting to feel my old self again , and hoping that the long COVID is leaving my system . It ’ s a nasty bug , but I am enjoying my running again and getting my fitness back . – Ed .
Wow ! Some massive inspiration , seen here is Arline Stevens . Recently , the loadshedding made me to go take a run , and there I met Arline , her husband and friends . Arline had two brain tumours removed just before the lockdown , and she also had three strokes , and she has since recovered remarkably . I walked two laps with her this morning , and she was so excited to see me , she walked faster than her friends . She was not even tired . What a massive inspiration , may God use Arline to inspire others to never give up ! – Eugene Lekay , Cape Town
That sounds like an incredible journey that Arline has navigated – and sounds like it will make an inspirational article for the mag , too . – Ed .
GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT …
As an ex-Celtic Harrier who flew back from London for a long overdue visit with friends and family ( and stupidly decided to run the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon ), little did I realise what awaited me . “ No man , it will be a cake walk , I ’ m mos used to my stomping ground . I ’ m ready to redeem myself after losing lockdown weight and really making an effort with my training .” Unfortunately , the weather had different things in mind for this little pasty now-British lass .
It all went to plan right up until the Rondebosch Common , where I saw my Celtics family , had some screams and hugs , and decided to give it my all . Nope . On Liesbeeck , my stomach and legs decided to turn against me , and the rest of the race was a shuffle . What I didn ’ t expect was so many familiar club vests rushing to my aid when I decided to go lie down on a pavement . “ It ’ s one of our runners , come quick !” I heard someone yell as the blood drained from my face . ( I was wearing my Celtic funky pants ). So many people helped me up , shuffled with me , fed me electrolytes , told me to just finish . And that ’ s what I did .
I didn ’ t expect the heat and I didn ’ t expect things to go that haywire after training through the hottest British summer on record , but see , our hills are shaded by many trees , and that hill in District Six not so much . But I ’ m truly humbled – not only do South Africans have more grit than any other , but they are also the nicest bunch . Thank you to each and every one who literally pulled me up . The Cape Town Marathon left me shaken , but I still went back to the UK longing for our running community and club spirit . – Marelize Wilké , via Facebook
The running community has always been known for its camaraderie and spirt of giving , so doesn ’ t surprise me that people rushed to your aid . Well done to all who stepped up . – Ed .
FEELINGS ABOUT THE TWO OCEANS DATE CHANGE
POSITIVE Dear Two Oceans Board of making decisions . I ’ d like to thank you guys for allowing me the opportunity to eat all the pickled fish on Good Friday 2023 . Bless you guys . – Angelo Adams , Cape Town
I want to wish the TOM NPC all the best for the future of the Two Oceans Marathon . I , for one , will not be participating in the 2023 race , or ever again , because my journey with the TOM has ended . – Rodney Barnes , via Email
Good move . Cape Town is usually overcrowded over the Easter Weekend and accommodation is scarce and expensive . – Johan , via Email
Thanks God , what a brilliant idea , now we can see our families during Easter weekend and come for Two Oceans , no need to choose . Thank you ! – Lamu Phakathi , via Email
NOT SO POSITIVE My morning mug on learning that Two Oceans will not be on Easter weekend in 2023 . – Hans Hugo , Stellenbosch
Arline Stevens
I know the date change doesn ’ t ‘ suit ’ everybody , but I also know the Two Oceans organisers had to strike a balance between numerous factors in choosing this new date . All the best to them for this new chapter in the event ’ s history . – Ed .
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