When I first laced up my running shoes, I wasn’t doing it because I loved running—far from it. Coming from a background in ice hockey, running felt like a different world, one I wasn't too eager to explore. But what started as a new form of cross-training quickly became something much more significant. That’s why I started the #UthmanBecomesARunner series, to take people on the journey with me as I fell in love with pounding pavement. It wasn’t just about logging km’s; it was about sharing every step of the way, every high and low, every challenge and triumph.
My running journey season 2 started with Episode 1, where I broke down my “3 Step Method” of becoming a runner:
· Step 1: Slowly convince all your friends to become runners.
· Step 2: Organise runs
· Step 3: Enjoy the journey, because there is nothing better than the story of becoming.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy running. But getting back on the horse after a bit of a break is tough. Always be kind to your body and start where you are, not where you were 10 years ago.
Things really kicked off in Episode 4 when I smashed my personal best at the Mustlovehills Edinburgh Drive Challenge. This was one of the first moments where I felt like a runner. I had been training hard, and the challenge of those hills pushed me to my limits. Breaking my personal best wasn’t just about the time on the clock—it was about proving to myself that I could push through discomfort and achieve something that once felt out of reach.
Running isn’t just about personal wins, though. It’s about the experiences you collect along the way. In Episode 5, I took the Mustlovehills family with me to Miami, where I ran with my future brother-in-law Ben-Pierre. Running in Florida’s humidity was a whole new level of tough, especially for someone coming from South Africa’s dry climate. But as always, running gave me an opportunity to explore new neighbourhoods. Climatizing to Florida’s intense weather, it reminded me that running adapts you—not just physically but mentally. We ran through the humid streets, taking in the sights, all while pushing my boundaries and taking the Mustlovehills spirit with me across the globe – we do hard things.
Episode 15 stands out as one of the most challenging moments in this journey. I tackled a 36KM route practice with the Full Send Running team, and to say things didn’t go as planned would be an understatement. I struggled with fueling, hit the wall hard, and genuinely questioned why I was doing this. But that’s the thing about running—you learn more from the difficult runs than the easy ones. It wasn’t pretty, but it was necessary.
By Episode 16, I had my redemption. Same 36KM route, but this time I was prepared—mentally, physically, and emotionally. I had learned from my mistakes, and this time, I was fueled, focused, and ready to conquer. I remember blasting music, vibing with my crew, and turning what was once a nightmare of a run into something I could be proud of. Running is a journey of constant growth, and this episode showed me just how much progress I’d made—not just as a runner but as someone who could learn from failure and come back stronger.
Of course, this journey has been far from a solo effort. Episode 13 highlighted the power of community when I joined a crew collab with Cool Runnings Recreational Club, Mustlovehills, and Captains Corner. It was here that my friend Luke Jacobs shared some simple but impactful advice: "Just start." Often, the hardest part of any journey is simply taking the first step, and Luke’s words reminded me—and anyone following along with my series—that it doesn’t matter where you start, just that you do.
Then, in Episode 19, I found myself at the Cape Town Marathon Expo, where the running community came together to celebrate our shared passion for the sport. Talking to runners who were preparing for their first-ever marathon was a reminder of how much potential we all have. If you’re willing to show up and put in the work, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. That’s what the #UthmanBecomesARunner series is all about—showing the world that running is for everyone, and no matter where you start, you can always push your boundaries and become better.
So why did I start #UthmanBecomesARunner? Because I wanted to document the real, raw, and rewarding experience of becoming from someone who didn’t understand running to someone who loves it. I wanted to show people that running isn’t just about fitness—it’s about community, mental strength, and the process of becoming more than you were yesterday. Through this series, I hope to inspire others to start their own journey, to embrace the challenges, and to fall in love with the process, just as I have.
See you on the road, and remember, if I can do it—so can you.
Uthman Out!
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