Things I’ve Learnt From Running Ultra-Marathons

This is the intro post in a series of short-thoughts (Things I’ve Learn from Running — TILFR) which apply the principles of running long distances, to real life.

A photo I took on a recent run. The view of Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles from the top of Lions Head.

Updates

Post 1:

Train Slow to Race Fast

My running background

I fell in love with running as a boy, as I watched the joy and freedom it brought my dad materialize every time he laced up his shoes. We used to run almost every day when he got home from work; me on a bike at his side, with our black Staffy — Thombie — trundling along behind us, obedient as ever.

When I started university in Stellenbosch (a small university-town outside Cape Town), that passion morphed into a general love for freedom, the mountians and being outside.

In my early days there, I was part of an older group of friends who had been in Stellenbosch a few years and were all seasoned athletes, adept at multi-day treks. I remember joining for a few mountain missions early on and being absolutely shattered afterwards. I just wasn’t fit enough to enjoy…