Be like the tortoise not the hare - run a lot slower than you think

Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Round the Bays Christchurch is ’round the corner, but how do you start running if you’ve never done it? The Press reporter Maxine Jacobs takes on the Get up to 5 challenge to find out how to go from a couch queen to a jolly jogger.

As a child I prided myself on being the fastest girl at my school - but that was before I entered a running race that saw me almost pass out from pushing myself so hard.

It was then that I decided I would never place higher than fourth - and I hated running.

About 15 years later I tried running again after a break-up, but that quickly fizzled - like the relationship. Another few years went by and I tried once more to get into my ‘hot girl’ era, but that came to an end too.

I’m not a runner. I vape, drink and eat junk food - I don’t ‘fit’ the runner’s lifestyle - or so I thought.

Last year my fitspo [fitness inspiration] boss looked around the office for anyone who wanted to take up the legendary Bevan James Eyles’ Get up to Five challenge, an 8-week beginners’ guide to running via run coaching team Extra Mile Runners.

Once completed, the runner would face their greatest challenge - of crossing the finish line of Southern Cross Round the Bays Christchurch 2025, an 8.4km run from Ferrymead to New Brighton on March 20.

I thought to myself, ‘do I want to learn from an expert how to run, committing three days a week, in a way that will build my strength, prevent injury, and force me to actually attend because my boss set it up?’

‘Absolutely, I do’.

Do you want to join Maxine? Click here to sign up for Southern Cross Round the Bays Christchurch 2025 and join the movement.

Armed with an ancient yoga mat I never use, my boss’s shoes and some nervous anticipation, I arrived at my first class at 6am at Hagley Park three weeks ago.

Classes always start with a strength workout, but don’t freak out. Bevan made it clear from the beginning we do what we can at the level we’re at and build from there.

“Turn to the person next to you and tell them what your favourite song was - when you were 20,” Bevan tells the group.

For me, that was eight years ago and I’m struggling to think. For most of the 30 or so others that was around 20 years ago, but every song they say is a banger.

Making connections with your fellow runners is essential to the programme, Bevan says. To my surprise, many of the attendees already know each other.

Lots have already taken the course and have returned because they love the community Bevan and his team have created.

His mission is to get us running 5km, but his not-so-secret agenda is to help us grow as people, find community, and show ourselves if we have a goal and build towards it sustainably, we can achieve it.

Running is not about being fast and going the distance, it’s just about going.

Lesson 1: Walk for 3.5 minutes, run for 30 seconds. Do that seven times.

If you’re running and you can’t talk to your running friends without breathing heavily, you’re going too fast.

Like the tortoise, not the hare, run a lot slower than you think.