Every runner’s story starts somewhere—either from childhood or thanks to a persuasive runner friend who lures you in with promises of fun and post-run coffee rewards. For me, it was the former. From the get-go, I knew running was a blast.
Fast forward to my late twenties, I became enthralled in not just the “fun” of running, but how it made me feel. You see running allowed a momentary escape from the loud reality of life by creating a single thing to focus on. A meditation of sorts. (Apart from thoughts of the coffee reward after of course). Life just became more beautiful.
Nature’s calling: a transition from roadie to trail runner
Back then, road running was my only playground, until I stumbled upon the MustLoveHills crew and discovered trail running. Boy-oh-boy, this girl was not prepared for how expensive this was going to be! Although, I was a keen hiker and ventured out a few times a year, I never thought I’d consider myself a rock hopper. When I started, I was such a klutz, I probably rolled my ankles every few kilometers. Eventually I got much stronger and can safely get through a trail run with little to no ankle rolling, not promising any falls won’t happen though – let’s not jinx it.
Trail running has given me such a significant shift in developing and improving my running all round that I’m often gob smacked at what I can do and how my body reacts. Running down the Plum-pudding segment at Newlands Forest is a great example of this growth. It’s such a thrill going down that descent at such a speed, but it’s also flippen hard and I’ve improved so much to be able to do so. I bloody pat myself on the back once I hit the jeep track again.
Trail running has also given me a new perspective on how I approach my runs and, how to fuel and train for races, which I never did while running on the road. Sure, maybe you can get away with under fueling on a 10km road run, but under fuel on a 4 hour trail run and you’re in for a miserable time.
The recipe to start trail running: Community (peer-pressure?) and MLH
One of the many reasons I got attached to the trails so quickly was the community - the inclusivity and openness from the individuals who welcome you even if you’re a newbie, or should I say, especially when you are new. MLH has a super cool monthly trail meet which occurs every last Wednesday of the month, which I join religiously, called ‘Last Wednesday’. They cater for slower to faster pace and offer different distances so you’ll find your fit somewhere.
Not only do they help you get your trail addiction started, but they pay the love forward by helping NGOs. They do this by raising funds whereby you “pay” for your beverage through donating any amount to the cause they are funding for that month. What’s not to love about that? Giving back while enjoying what you love.
Trail running may not be for everyone. You will think it’s hard in the beginning. That's a fact. You’ll want to give up within the first 2kms, that 500ml water bottle that you thought would be enough for the run will be empty half way through your run BUT, and it's a big but, once you hit that stop button on your watch at the end of that session, you’ll be super proud of what you just achieved and tell yourself, “I can do hard things because that was damn hard!”.
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