Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 94, May 2017 | Page 8

Ma letters 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 these letters may have been shortened due to space limitations.) WINNING LETTER TRULY BITTEN BY THE RUNNING BUG PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN Three years ago, I moved city and was looking to join a local gym, just to maintain my health and fitness. As we all know, gym fees are through the roof these days, but this particular gym offered lower monthly fees if you happened to be part of a sports club. A quick Google search revealed a running club close by, and a week later, I was part of both the local gym and running club. I had never been a serious runner, merely passed the odd afternoon with a casual jog through the neighbourhood, hoping my base fitness would increase. That didn’t change much, until I starting receiving regular e-mails and information about running from the club, and the broad selection of races in the area. “Why not give it a go?’ I thought. Best. Life. Decision. EVER! Who knew how enjoyable running could be? It’s the most simple of sports, yet by far the most rewarding. It’s you against yourself, and if you’re feeling competitive, against the clock, too! You can be anywhere in the world, of any age, size, race or creed, in any environment, at any time of the day, and just slip on your shoes and run, to escape the busy day with the melodic thud of rubber on tar, heart pumping, sweat dripping. It’s so unbelievably and incomparably satisfying! Having been an active runner for some 30 years, for once at the Pick n Pay Marathon in Johannesburg I was a spectator, watching the runners coming in. What I saw was something I have not realised as I used to think I was ‘the man’ after my once-a-week 5km jog… Now I don’t feel my body has even warmed up if I run anything less than 40 minutes! The only problem I have now is that I go through running shoes a whole lot quicker! colours, races, religions and classes, standing together, cheering and encouraging each other across the line, from the winners to the last Lastly, thank you for such an insightful and informative magazine – it’s great to see print media still going strong in our online-savvy modern world. Keep it up! – Fabio De Dominicis, Cape Town This is one of those letters that can even motivate a running magazine editor to down tools and go for a run! – Ed. 8 ISSUE 94 MAY 2017 / www.modernathlete.co.za There were runners and supporters from all the different backgrounds, stragglers. We were all just runners with a common purpose, doing what we love, together. It made me think what a wonderful country we would have if everybody (including our political leaders) could learn from this. I am proud to be able to call myself a South African runner! – Frankie Hunt, Johannesburg Some people say that some of the Big City Marathons overseas don’t have as much vibe and camaraderie as SA races. – Ed. RUN, ATHLETE, RUN! I never ran. I just thought it’s too much hard work. I was always more of a cyclist, but since the roads have become rather unsafe to cycle on, I took up running. I started around the block, after which I felt I had exercised really hard, as I would be drenched in sweat and out of breath. Then the distance started to feel too short, so once a week I would run 2.5km down the road to the garage, drink some water and return. The amount of times I ran this route gradually increased to three times a week. Then I started looking out for races to take part in… first a 5km, then a 10km, and soon after that I completed my first half marathon. I started setting goals, to run a certain distance per week. Taking part in races became fun instead of a burden, and I no longer thought to A quick addition: I love what I call ‘runners’ wavelength,’ the moment you cross paths with a fellow runner while out on a jog. You know exactly what they’re going through, their emotions, the sacrifice they have made to get off the couch and give it a go, the grimace on their face as they push the last kilometre… it may be a simple greeting or smile, but it holds so much mutual respect and understanding. Let’s keep encouraging each other! a runner: The vibe right from the start of the event to when the last runners came in was something to behold.