Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 54, January 2014 | Page 8

Have YOUR SAY Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a good story to tell? Then send it to [email protected]. (Note that some letters have been shortened due to space limitations.) ter inning Let PASSION VS OBSESSION W THANKS TO BRUCE As an average athlete, I have been fortunate to win many incentives in different age categories during the past 10 years, but now that I am older, it is becoming more difficult to stay fit. What I miss the most is that elated feeling when you run into the stadium after completing a gruelling race! However, my question is this: Does it really matter? I have read about, and seen all the great running achievements, but can it not become an obsession and an all-consuming goal with many athletes? The way I see it, most runners just try to enjoy what comes their way, and finally end up doing social runs, while the top achievers fade completely, or suffer from acute depression because they cannot run as they used to, or have serious injuries. WINNERS’ CORNER Loved your Living Legend article on Bruce Fordyce in the December edition. Watched him on TV and thought I would never run that gruelling race... and where am I now? I am hooked! – Christine Fourie Congratulations to all the winners of our November edition competitions Bruce really did inspire a whole generation to run, and 30 years later continues to do so! – Ed. PS: I love the magazine, and read it from cover to cover! – Alet Engelbrecht, South Coast Striders I think it’s true that running does become an obsession for some people, because it is addictive and so enjoyable, so the challenge is to find that all-important balance in life. I believe that you should run for youself, and whatever motivates you, go for it, whether it be competitive or social running. It’s your journey, so you decide the route and speed. – Ed. ESSENTIAL ID WHERE’S MY MAG? Used to get my copy from the Shell garage with the club, but we moved. Where can I get a copy now... love the paper ones? – Marlize Visser We’re going to be taking the mags to more races in 2014, and putting them directly into the hands of runners, so watch our website for announcements soon of which races you should try to be at, or you can get our free digital version – see page 4. – Ed. ANOTHER PARKRUN PREMIER A very good idea – simple yet effective. – Ed. We’ve been blessed with yet another parkrun, this time at ‘Rietvlei Farm’ in the South of Johanneburg. I had the pleasure of attending its inauguration last Saturday – a huge attendance, course somewhat difficult but enjoyable. I believe it will become popular. Come try it out! Thanks guys, keep up the good work in producing exciting editions of Modern Athlete. – Tony Silva GLOWING WITH HAPPINESS Another one to add to my ‘To Do’ list for when I am up in Joburg… – Ed. In the light of Sonja Laxton being hit by a car and needing medical attention, we’re all asking ourselves if we should take ID with us when we go training. A cheap alternative is the coloured plastic keyrings with a window. They are great if you use multiple pairs of shoes because you don’t need to keep switching tags from shoe to shoe. – Shawn Combrink Thank you for the most awesome Puma Glow shoes and jacket. – Aynsley Jones Always nice to hear back from happy competition winners! Look out for more great comps in 2014. – Ed. Write in and WIN Saucony Shoes! Each month the writer of our winning letter wins a pair of the brand-new Saucony PowerGrid Ride 6 running shoes, valued at R1449 (available in men’s or women’s). Find Your Strong with Saucony! 8 ISSUE 54 JANUARY 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za M W HAVE YOUR SAY Win a Vital Hamper for the Winning Letter Bruce Meyerson, Johannesburg GREAT TRAILS OF SOUTH AFRICA Win a K-way Sweeper Top worth R299 Francois Erasmus, Pretoria WOMEN’S RUNNING Win a Totalsports Voucher worth R1000 Hayley Baxen ATHLETES IN ACTION Win a pair of Reebok One Series Cushioned Shoes Natasha Dobriner, Johannesburg