EDITOR ’ S LETTER
RUN LONG , RUN STRONG !
Over the past six months pulling together this beefy Summer edition we ’ ve been privileged to listen to some great minds on the subject of healthy running . At 55 I ’ m no longer wondering what the ‘ old ballies ’ were on about after an injury , it ’ s now my peers whinging on our group runs . Running remains the most physically demanding sport on our muscles , hearts , tendons and joints . You simply have to manage your body carefully , it is after all the only thing we have . Without a healthy body our monetary wealth or career status is meaningless – we need to feel good .
I don ’ t have to remind you how much you love that runner ’ s high , that feeling when you ’ re in the flow zone and moving effortlessly , wearing an endorphined smile as you appreciate the birds , flowers and beautiful people along the way . Nothing makes you feel as fit , alive and healthy .
At 29 , while playing golf in Durban – the day after Comrades ( why , I still wonder ) – with my running mates , I collapsed with a severe lower back spasm . The doc showed me my scan next to a 60-year-old spine and I couldn ’ t tell the difference . I had disc narrowing and spurs growing around my vertebrae . At 90kg and extremely active I wasn ’ t doing my genetically imperfect spine any favours jarring it on tar for 90km . Doctors instructed me to stop running right then . What !? I simply couldn ’ t imagine a sedentary lifestyle so I consulted many experts until a doctor who had been SA tri champ suggested I continue to cross train wisely and simply manage my pain by only doing what didn ’ t hurt .
Fast forward 26 years and I ’ m still running strong . The picture of me running in Ibiza just a few months ago says it all . Yes , I had many days and weeks off my feet in my 30s and 40s ,
which are typically the toughest years for skeletal issues as we transition from flexible kids to stiff old people , but I remained patient and listened to symptoms . ‘ Motion is lotion ’ is my mantra , and my enjoyment of running has never subsided . All those business trips to interesting places were made blissfully bearable after an early run adventure wherever I stayed , running is so simple and convenient . I seek out softer surfaces like grass and sand roads , I stretch a lot to activate muscles that tend to spasm , and I swim and bike to limit impact .
Grateful for movement and the opportunity to race through a 1 300-year-old castle .
Photograph : Finisherpix
However , the most effective treatment has been inspired by lifetime friend and movement guru Dr Lawrence van Lingen . I have huge respect for this USbased Saffa expert , whose philosophy is to “ fix the problem not the symptom ”. He wants people to heal themselves and enjoy running stronger and longer without continuous treatment or medicine . Amen to that !
Lawrence has turned around the careers of high-profile elite runners who had been written off by the medical fraternity . They came to him when they had nowhere left to turn . This is why he ’ s the go-to guy for many famous athletes , Greg Minnaar and Jan Frodeno included . I may sound like a reborn preacher , but I beg you to read his feature ‘ How to run THE RIGHT WAY ’ on page 48 . His fairly simple philosophy has had a profound effect on my running . I belly breathe , I run tall and extend my stride from the hips . Give it a try , you can follow his advice on social media – you ’ ll thank him .
There are other big learnings shared in this bumper edition , such as which shoe is right for you . There have never been so many options to choose from . Even the best-rated stability shoe has a soft rather than firm instep nowadays – that ’ s a 180-degree change from past technology . Enjoy our deep dive into what ’ s available and why we rate it on page 27 .
Ultimately it ’ s all about you – your enjoyment and long-term fulfilment in your chosen sport . To this end we have another 120 + pages dedicated to the amazing places you can train or race , both here and abroad , plus to inspiring South Africans – like cover star Toni McCann , the girl next door who has just won on the biggest stage on earth ( page 146 ). We could not be prouder , and are sure many young women will be inspired by her infectious love of running . Same for mothers , who will enjoy the amazing 7 Continents conquest described on page 68 .
We hope this blockbuster edition will keep you motivated and inspired as we move into the warmer months , with lots of races to choose from in our extensive calendar on page 140 . If you have a story to share or know someone who does , please email me – we love to share the stoke .
Please send us feedback and suggestions on how we can improve your reading experience : runmag @ electricink . co . za Follow us now ! @ runmagsa Get more news & views at bikeruntri . co . za
PHOTOGRAPH OAKPICS
14 | RUN FOR YOUR LIFE