Pace Yourself

Chilled Steps, Clear Mind Welcome, fellow runners and fitness enthusiasts. There’s something almost spiritual about waking up long before sunrise, lacing your shoes while the world sleeps, and stepping outside into the quiet dark. On the morning of the 24th of July, that’s exactly what I did.  I started my run at 4:01 AM, greeted by a crisp 12°C chill that stuck to my skin and quickly seeped into my bones. Within ten minutes, I couldn’t feel my fingertips. And by the time I returned home, I was so frozen I struggled to unlock the front door, my hands stiff, numb, and barely functional. But in that discomfort, something shifted. That morning’s run 21.61 kilometres in the dark, on cold asphalt, with no music and no company, reminded me why I started running in the first place. The Reason Behind the Madness Most people wouldn’t understand voluntarily running for over two hours in the cold. But for runners, especially those of us who’ve been doing this for a while, these sessions bec...

A Review on the Expenses Associated with the running Welcome, fellow runners and fitness enthusiasts.  Running is often hailed as one of the most accessible sports, all you need is a pair of takkies and the open road, right? While it’s true that running has a lower barrier to entry than many other sports, the costs can add up quickly if you’re serious about performance, comfort, and injury prevention. From high-quality footwear to nutrition and race fees, let’s break down the real expenses of running and how to budget wisely. 1. Footwear: The Foundation of Every Runner’s Budget A good pair of running shoes is non-negotiable. According to a 2023 study by Stellenbosch University’s Sports Science Institute, wearing worn-out or ill-fitting shoes increases injury risk by up to 40%. Dr. Sarah Collins , a Cape Town-based podiatrist, emphasises that runners should replace their shoes every 800-1000 km, depending on gait and terrain. Price range: Entry-level takkies: R 1 200 - R 1 800 (...

7 Ways I Revive My Passion for Movement Welcome, fellow runners and fitness enthusiasts.  There was a time not too long ago when my running shoes gathered more dust than mileage. It wasn’t burnout in the traditional sense. It was a quiet drifting, a sneaking inertia that made the idea of lacing up feel more like a chore than a calling. That bothered me. I’m someone who has built a life around movement. From morning jogs along the quiet backroads to late evening stretching sessions while my kids played in the lounge, motion wasn’t just part of my routine, it was part of me. Losing that spark felt like losing a slice of identity. So I went back to the drawing board. Not to chase motivation, but to reset it. What follows are seven deeply personal, practical ways I reignited my passion for movement, with a few expert nods and real-world tools that can help you too. 1. I Revisited My ‘Why’ - And Let It Evolve When I first started running seriously back in 2015, my “why” was clear: I wa...

What’s New After the Comrades? Welcome, fellow runners and fitness enthusiasts.  The Comrades Marathon held on​ 8‍ June 2025, has once again cap​tivated the running community and the⁠ nation. This year's event not only showcased remarkable athleticism but also highlighted significant economic developments that have reshaped the lands‍ca​pe of long‌-​dist⁠an​ce running. Let's delve in​to the key eco​nomic aspects that have emerged post-Co⁠mrades 2025⁠. Record-Breaking Prize Money‍ The Comrades Marathon​ Association (CMA) has demonstrated a strong commit‍ment to rewar‍di​ng exc‍ell​ence b‌y⁠ increasing the total p‌riz‍e purs‌e to over R7.6⁠ million for the 2‍025‍ ev‍ent. This substantial boost reflects a 1⁠0% incre​as‌e ac‍ross all categorie​s, en⁠surin⁠g that t⁠op‌ finishers in bo​th the men‍'s and wo‍men's rac‌es are duly recognise​d‌. Notably, the⁠ winners in each ca​teg⁠ory rece​ived R874,0‌00, a fig‌ure tha‍t in​cludes a 'to⁠p-up‍'​ fr‌o⁠m ma⁠jo⁠r sponsor Cel...

How Township Running is Transforming Lives Today Welcome, fellow runners and fitness enthusiasts. The sun creeps over corrugated-iron rooftops, the scent of pap drifts from corner stoves, and a drumbeat of feet taps along narrow streets. Every dawn, townships across the country hum with an energy that no smartphone alarm can supply. Runners of every age thread between taxis and tuck shops, greeting hawkers who unpack their morning stock. A panorama of movement unfolds long before offices open and school bells ring. This daily ritual carries far more weight than a workout; it is a social tide lifting health, employment, safety and pride in neighbourhoods that historical policy once tried to sideline. Township running has evolved into a movement that empowers entire urban communities, and its influence grows stronger kilometre after kilometre. The Roots of a Street-Level Revolution Before fancy carbon-plated shoes and social-media kudos, barefoot champions like Josiah Thugwane trained ...