🏁 Your Motivation (Start Here) We’ve recently redesigned this entire community around you — the runners. In these early days, every new member helps shape the culture here. Our goal is simple: Every runner makes their first post within 24 hours of joining. So we created the 3-Minute Runner Kickstart Challenge. Think of your introduction as the first entry in your training log inside the Hub. This is where your running journey with the community begins. ——————————————————————————— ⚡ THE 3-MINUTE RUNNER KICKSTART CHALLENGE ⏱ Takes about 3 minutes Complete this CHALLENGE to officially join the community: ⬜ 1. Drop a "BOOM SHAKA LAKA" Below (30 seconds) That's how we do it here — comment below to kick off your challenge and let the community know you've arrived. ⬜ 2. Introduce Yourself (1 minute) Every new runner starts here. Create your first post in 👋 Introduce Yourself and tell us: - How long you've been running - Your current goal (5K / 10K / Half / Marathon / PB) - Where you're running from 🌍 Coach Nick and the community regularly welcome new runners — so expect a few hellos once you post. ⬜ 3. Check Your DMs (1 minute) By now, I've sent you a personal welcome message. Open it, read it, answer my question — and drop a BOOM SHAKALAKA when you're done. ✅ (Most runners who complete the challenge reach Level 2 within their first week) ——————————————————————————— You’re officially inside! This isn’t a community where runners sit back and observe — it’s where runners show up, support each other, and improve together. Everything here is designed to help you improve your running through: • structured training • community support • consistent progress • earned rewards Come back and share your first win when it happens. ——————————————————————————— 🏆 How The Community Works Your progress in the Hub happens in three simple ways: 1️⃣ Engage to Level Up • Create posts • Comment on other runners’ progress • Ask questions • Support fellow runners

I'm Ruarc, a runner from South Africa. Ive been running for about 2 years and Im pushing for a strong Half marathon in this community! Excited to see what I can learn. I'd like to win a few rewards myself here too 😂

Last Sunday, Adriaan Wildschutt lined up in New York City for only his second ever half marathon. And he didn’t just show up… He made history. Running 59:30 in near-freezing conditions, he became the first South African ever to win the NYC Half Marathon — joining legends like Hendrick Ramaala and Willie Mtolo as South Africans who’ve crossed the line first in Central Park. But what stood out most wasn’t just the result. It was the execution. The night before the race, his coach gave him one simple instruction: “If you want to win — you need the best last 5km.” So what did he do? He trusted the plan. He stayed patient in the pack.Didn’t panic. Didn’t force it.And when the moment came… he made his move. Decisive. Controlled. Unstoppable. That’s not just racing — that’s mastery. There’s a lesson in that for all of us: Great performances aren’t built on emotion — they’re built on trust, patience, and execution. Incredible run, Adriaan. South Africa is proud. 🇿🇦🔥 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Your turn. The Boom Shakalaka Running Hub is growing fast — and we’ve got a lot of new faces this week. So I want to hear from you: 👉 What’s the toughest running challenge you’ve ever taken on?A race, a training block, a comeback from injury, or a goal you weren’t sure you could hit. Drop it below, introduce yourself, and connect with the community. Let’s build this together.

One of the Toughest Challenges I've Ever Done. Last year I ran 4 marathons in 4 weeks. Berlin. London. Chicago. Cape Town. It wasn't planned. Covid delays meant all the races I had entered months apart suddenly landed one week from each other. I remember looking at the calendar thinking there's no way this is actually happening. But once it was locked in — that was it. As a coach, would I recommend this? Absolutely not. Was it smart training? Not even close. Would I do it again? No chance. Do I regret it? Not one single bit. Because sometimes in life you don't choose the challenge. The challenge chooses you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🇩🇪 Berlin was the one I went all in on. I told myself before the race — run this like it's your last one. We hit halfway in 70:16. From around 25km the pack broke up and suddenly it was just me, my own thoughts, and the clock. I started picking off runners one by one. There's something about that feeling late in a marathon — overtaking people when the going gets tough — it just adds fuel to the fire. I genuinely believed I had sub 2:20 that day. Until I ran under Brandenburg Gate, did the maths, and realised it was going to slip. 2:20:08. 8 seconds. At the time I was gutted. But once it sank in — a 51 second PB is a 51 second PB. You can never be upset about that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🇬🇧 London was a completely different kind of win. This one wasn't about me. I was running alongside one of my athletes, Anya. Three years before she had run 4:34 on this course. That day we were targeting 2:36 to 2:38. Everything clicked. Perfect day. Perfect execution. She ran 2:36 and finished as one of the top British athletes. To be right there next to her and watch that unfold — that's something I'll never forget. One of my proudest coaching moments. And honestly, more rewarding than my own PB the week before.

I’ve shared how I mentally break down a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, but I haven’t shared how I approach the marathon itself. After completing my 80th marathon at London 2024, I thought it was finally time. Funny thing is — after my first marathon 11 years ago, I promised myself I would never run one again. Clearly… that didn’t last long. Once the marathon bug bites, it bites hard. Over the years my mindset has evolved. I’ve tried different approaches and different ways of mentally breaking the race down. This is how I currently approach a marathon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🟢 The Start → Halfway Switch the Brain Off For the first half of the race, the goal is simple: Conserve energy. You’ve probably heard the saying: “The marathon only starts in the second half… especially in the last 10K.” And honestly — it’s true. The biggest mistake runners make is racing the first half instead of preparing for the second half. So my approach is simple: • Have a clear race plan before the start • Soak up the atmosphere • Enjoy the crowds • Settle into rhythm But mentally… Pretend the race doesn’t start until halfway. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🧩 Half Marathon to Go — 7 / 7 / 6 / 1 When I race a half marathon, I break it down like this: • 7km — Warm up into the race • 7km — Actively working and grinding • 6km — Dig deep • Last km — Always find something extra But a marathon is different. Because when you hit halfway in a marathon… You’re not fresh anymore. So from here, I break the race down differently. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎯 21–28km — Focus & Control This section sets the tone for the entire second half. Go too hard here and you’ll pay for it later. Hold back too much and you’ll leave time on the course.