“Runners don’t overthink their next run—they simply get up and go, rain or shine!”
My favourite things about June are the running events. The month starts with Global Running Day on the 5th and the “ultimate human race”, Comrades Marathon on the 9th. Run along with me as I xplore the benefits of running and why I love it for general health and fitness.
Where did you watch this year’s comrade’s marathon from?
I watched from home, glued to my screen for 5 to 6 hours until the elite runners and winners finished. Then I got on with my day, checking in on friends and patients running the race to see how they were doing.
Take us through the emotions as individuals you know and support and the running community at large, went through the line.
I was thrilled to see people I knew finish the race. One person in particular, my patient, kept me at the edge of my seat. He was running his tenth marathon, aiming to join the Green Number Club, which honors those who complete ten races. I was rooting for him to finish in time. He finished in 11h57m49s, just before the 12-hour cutoff. I was so happy when he finished the race.
Have you ever run the Comrades?
I ran two Comrades marathons, in 2018 and 2019. I aimed for the back-to-back medal, awarded to novice runners who complete an ‘up and down run’ in two consecutive years. This medal was first introduced in 2005.
Running has become a social sport, with runners participating in marathons around the world. Which global cities has running taken you to?
Running the Great Wall of China Marathon has always been my dream, but I haven’t done a destination run yet. I would still love to do it at some point. I stopped running marathons in 2020 after a bad fall injured my knee in February. Coincidentally, it was the pandemic year and there was no travelling allowed. For now, I haven’t set any goals beyond running 21 km.
How old were you when you started running?
I started running for school sports in high school athletics, but netball was my preferred sport, so I didn’t run much outside of the season. I became a serious runner when I ran my first full marathon, the Soweto Marathon, at age 31.
What was going on in your life at the time?
I started running regularly in 2010 to get healthy and lose weight after my second child was born. Without a plan or desire to sign up for a gym membership, I just knew I needed to start moving. I simply put on my trainers, went out of my gate and ran. Fourteen years later, I still run at least three times a week alongside strength training.
Many people aspire to become runners but struggle to sustain it. Some manage to start but lose momentum after a few days or weeks. Is there a science to successful running?
The science of running is similar to achieving any goal in life: make a decision, take action, and stay committed. Runners don’t overthink their next run—they simply get up and go, regardless of the weather. Of course, if you have medical concerns or physical issues that could worsen with running, it’s essential to consult a doctor or movement specialist like a Biokineticist or Physiotherapist to prevent complications.
What are the overall benefits of running for the mind, body and soul?
Where do I start to count the ways! Intentional movement of the body, like running, offers many health benefits to the body and mind. For me, running is meditative—it helps me alleviate stress, appreciate my surroundings, and boost my energy levels by releasing feel-good hormones that make me feel alive and energetic and like I can conquer the day and the world. Longer ultramarathons have taught me a lot about myself, especially the mental strength needed to keep going towards the 90km mark when the feet were tired at 60km. The benefits of running are countless and vary from person to person.
What are the disadvantages that people should look out for?
I can’t think of any disadvantages besides the costs. Running can become addictive, and traveling for marathons across the country, continent and the world can be expensive. Running is a lifestyle. It may require one to invest in proper running gear if they want to be a serious runner and possibly a coach for technique and strategies to improve from being a novice and improve their race times consistently.
What is your advice to those who still wish to start?
Start. Don’t overthink it. Begin with walk-runs or run-walks to build up gradually. Don’t push too hard or far initially—take it easy and test your limits. It’s normal to feel stiff the next day; stretching helps. Don’t let soreness be an excuse to stop. Sore muscles are your body’s way of saying thank you for moving me. Stretch, repeat, and keep going.
Is one ever too young or too old to start running?
Nope. Kids run around all the time and it is generally safe for young ones to run. Schools have cross-country runs up to 10km. However, precautions are crucial for longer distances to prevent injuries to developing joints. Organised races typically have age limits – often no entrants under 18 – following regional regulations, with parental consent required for younger participants.
In your capacity as a medical doctor, would you ever advise anyone to stay away from running?
No, only if their body cannot handle the rigorousness of the exercise. I advise against running when one is acutely ill, especially with flu-like symptoms. Exercising while sick can strain the heart and worsen conditions like influenza. Symptoms such as chills, sweats, and muscle aches indicate the heart may be affected. The culture of “sweat it out” has landed some on my autopsy table when I was doing forensic medicine. When you feel hot/ cold chills and sweats and muscles are aching, your heart is also suffering just the same whether you feel it or not. It’s safer to stay home, rest, and live. Wait till you recover fully before resuming exercise.
