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At the beginning of each year people usually set goals for themselves for the year ahead. Everyone has different goals, some people set goals for the number of books they would like to read before the year ends whilst others set fitness goals. Whatever goal you set for yourself, it is valid and you should go out there and smash it.
A lot of people ask me what is it that they need to start running because they are unfit or they have never ran before. Some want to have all the “right things” in place before they start running or some simply don’t know how to start. Below are some of the tangible and intangible things that I think people need to get from the couch to at least 5KM.
1. A Prepared Mind
Most people fail to run before they even start. Starting something for the first time is usually challenging and requires a shift in the mindset, you got to tell yourself that you can do it. This might sound a bit cliché but it’s true, many marathon runners will also tell you that you after the half way mark it is your mind that will carry you through the race when your body fails you. Being mentally prepared is equally important as your physical preparation.
2. Comfortable Clothes
The beauty about running is that it a low-maintenance sport compared to cycling for example. To ensure that you have the best experience running, you need to wear comfortable clothes that are suitable for different weather conditions e.g track suits, shorts, tights, vests etc. Nylon and polyester fabrics are usually good because they are sweat-wicking, breathable and non-absorbent. Ladies would need supportive sports bras.
3. Good Running Shoes
If there is one thing you need to invest in for running is a good pair of shoes. You need to get the right shoes for you because a good shoe for me may not necessarily be good for you. Wearing the wrong the shoe whilst running can cause you injuries. To find out which shoe is good for you, visit specialist active gear store such as The Sweatshop where experts can evaluate your foot and running style and recommend the right shoes for you.
4. Watch/Phone/App
When you run you might want to keep track of your pace, heartrate, the amount of calories you burn and the distance. There are various devices that you can use like smart watches, smartphone, chest straps, optical wrist sensors etc. If you can’t afford any of these devices you can simply use your smartphone and download a running app like Strava which keeps track of the distance, elevation gain, calories and your pace.
5. Running buddy or Running Crew
Running alone can be a bit a challenging. Izaak Walton once said “good company in a journey makes the way seem much shorter”. You need to find yourself a running buddy that you can be accountable to and that will be accountable to you on days where you don’t feel like running or the going is getting tough. You will motivate each other. You can also join a running crew, for example #RunWithPat if you are in Johannesburg. #RunWithPat caters for both novice and professional runners.
By considering the above mentioned things you should be fine to start running. Remember you feel minor pains after running, don’t be discouraged it is normal because your body would have done something out of the ordinary.
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Dalai Lama said, “once a year you need to travel to a place you’ve never been before”. I say once a year you need to run in a foreign land. This past weekend nine members of the #RunWithPat crew drove down to Maseru in Lesotho to take part in the 2018 Maseru City Urban Road Challenge. This was the first time the Johannesburg based crew ran outside South African boarders, never mind a different city..
About the Run
The Maseru City Urban Road Challenge is a half marathon race that was started 3 years ago with the aim of encouraging a running lifestyle and boosting Maseru’s tourism and runners have the option to run 5KM, 10KM or 21KM distance. This year the run attracted over 200 local and foreign runners from neighbouring countries. Five of our runners took on the 21KM challenge which happened to be a 1st for some, while the others took part in the 10KM run. I ran 21KM and it turned out to be my fastest 21KM, having finished it in 1h48. Everyone that ran did well, achieving their personal goals.
About the Drive
Driving down and getting around Lesotho was such a pleasurable experience, all thanks to Mazda South Africa who gave #RunWithPat two cars, namely the new Mazda CX3 and the Mazda 2 (stunning cars I tell you). Although the primary purpose of going to Lesotho was to run, we also took some time to explore Maseru (Lesotho’s capital city) and to visit tourist attraction sites such as Thaba Bosiu.
We learnt a lot about the history of the Basotho nation and King Moshoeshoe. Thaba Bosiu is located about 24 Kilometres outside of Maseru and at the top of the mountain you see King Moshoeshoe I and King Moshoeshoe II graves. Thaba Bosiu also offers breath-taking 360 degree views of the Maseru region and tranquillity as one gets to connect with nature atop the sacred mountain of the Basotho.
Not only do both cars boast stylish designs but they also produced outstanding performance on the road.
I drove the Mazda CX3 2.0 Individual Auto whilst my running mate, Lebo Matubatuba drove the Mazda 2.
Although the Mazda CX3 was built with the city in mind, it proved to be capable of taking on the country roads. Equipped with the latest SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, this compact SUV provided natural agility coupled with fuel efficiency. The drive to Lesotho was long, however the Cruise Control feature in the car made the drive more pleasurable. There was no need to put the foot down the accelerator to feel that the car was moving as I could just increase the speed of the car at a “click of a button” whilst the Head Up Display (HUD) ensured that I am aware of the speed limit and the speed at which I was at driving at. The automatic air conditioner kept everyone in the car cool whilst the power sliding and tilt glass sunroof enhanced the ambiance in the car. The full leather seats warranted comfort. No one complained about having back pains or cramps from uncomfortable seats. To top it all off, the interior of the car is nothing short of luxury.
Driving to a foreign country can be headache especially if you don’t know your way around. The integrated navigation system helped us get around the city without having to stop and ask people. When we about 40 kilometres from the Maseru Bridge Boarder gate I needed to refill petrol, the navigation system showed me the nearest petrol station.
On our arrival in Lesotho it was blazing hot and we couldn’t sit inside the guest house. So in true Mzansi style, we chilled outside and the Bose sound system with 7 Speakers in the CX3 turned our “chillas” into a party.
Lebo drove the Mazda 2 and here’s what she had to say about it…
The Madza 2 lives up to the saying “dynamite comes in small packages”. I drove the Diesel powered SKYACTIV-D with automatic transmission. Getting into the car, one cannot miss the luxurious leather finishing in this comfortable car. The Mazda 2 model comes with a central touch screen, but I found the rotary commander to be easier to use as it gave me easy control to my music and the navigator without having to take my eyes off the road. The lightweight of the Madza 2 makes the drive light and swift and because this was a long-distance road trip, I was most impressed by the fuel efficiency as we drove all the way to Lesotho on one full tank with no worries of trying to find a petrol station along the way. Safety comes first and the Head Up Display (HUD) kept me in check with the required speed limits, while the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) indicated if there was a car approaching allowing me to safely change lanes. The Mazda 2 is a beauty, on the inside and outside and it sure did move me in the most enjoyable way.
Memories were made and Madza will always be part of the memories of the good times we had.
Mazda definitely gets a Pat!