{"id":732,"date":"2026-03-08T14:11:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T12:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/?p=732"},"modified":"2026-03-08T15:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T13:03:20","slug":"running-through-seasons-a-familys-journey-of-trails-triumphs-and-togetherness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/08\/running-through-seasons-a-familys-journey-of-trails-triumphs-and-togetherness\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Through Seasons: A Family\u2019s Journey of Trails, Triumphs, and Togetherness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Red Barn greeted us this morning with a tapestry of green, its trails softened by the recent rains and lined with wildflowers that seemed to cheer us on. Sean and I, with Connor and Rose bounding beside us, set out for the 15km trail race with hearts full of anticipation. The air was crisp, the wind tugging at our strides, reminding us that winter was near\u2014but it only added to the thrill of the run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The trail rose gently, 133 meters of elevation pulling us upward, yet every step felt lighter with the dogs weaving joyfully through the brush. Our pace held steady at 5:41\/km, and when we crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 29 minutes, triumph was waiting. Gold for me, Silver for Sean\u2014our medals glinting like promises of what lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t just a race; it was a rehearsal for resilience. With the 30km Magoebas Trail Race looming on March 21st, this was more than training\u2014it was proof that we could push further, together. Connor and Rose, tails wagging, seemed to know that today was a victory not only of speed but of spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Running clears the mind, strengthens the body, and steadies the soul. In the rhythm of footsteps, in the breath of cold wind, in the laughter shared at the finish line\u2014we found more than exercise. We found renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“In every stride lies a story, and in every finish line, a new beginning.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Red Barn greeted us this morning with a tapestry of green, its trails softened by the recent rains and lined with wildflowers that seemed to cheer us on. Sean and I, with Connor and Rose bounding beside us, set out for the 15km trail race with hearts full of anticipation. The air was crisp, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7,26],"tags":[146],"class_list":["post-732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trail-running","category-trails","tag-trailrunningjoy-familystrength-redbarnrace-dogsanddreams-resilientjourney"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dji_export_photo_20260308125909687.png?fit=648%2C1152&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":901,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/chasing-trails-tails-tenacity-a-rainy-race-day-to-remember\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":0},"title":"Chasing Trails, Tails & Tenacity: A Rainy Race Day to Remember","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"2 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The morning began with doubt\u2014rain tapping against the windows, a cold chill in the air, and the quiet thought that maybe the race wouldn\u2019t happen at all. But 45 minutes later, everything changed. The skies cleared, the breeze softened, and at Grootfontein Bike Park stood two very excited German Shorthaired\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Trail"","block_context":{"text":"Trail","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/trails\/trail-running\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":920,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/16\/chasing-kilometers-finding-peace\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":1},"title":"Chasing Kilometers, Finding Peace","author":"admin","date":"16 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Chasing Kilometers, Finding Peace1 000km. That\u2019s the magic number I\u2019m chasing to wrap up this year, and this morning, I took another solid 10km step closer to it.Connor and I set out early for a 10km trail race. It was a breezy, cold morning\u2014the kind that makes your lungs burn\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Trail"","block_context":{"text":"Trail","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/trails\/trail-running\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781595808294.png?fit=614%2C1091&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781595808294.png?fit=614%2C1091&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781595808294.png?fit=614%2C1091&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":953,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/07\/the-trail-runner-from-shadows-to-summits\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":2},"title":"The Trail Runner: From Shadows to Summits – Part I","author":"admin","date":"7 July 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Part I \u2013 Into the Wilderness The trail was not where I expected to find myself. For years I had lived in the shadow of a broken marriage, carrying disappointment like stones in my chest. Life had narrowed into routines and obligations, and the world felt suffocating, as though every\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Part I"","block_context":{"text":"Part I","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/series-books\/part-i\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784172632312.png?fit=818%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784172632312.png?fit=818%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784172632312.png?fit=818%2C460&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784172632312.png?fit=818%2C460&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":575,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/rosemary-resilience-and-running-a-farewell-to-36\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":3},"title":"Rosemary, Resilience, and Running: A Farewell to 36","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"22 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"They say you should go into a new year of life feeling refreshed, but I decided to go into 37 smelling like a gourmet meal. This past weekend, my husband and I headed to the stunning Rosemary Hill in Pretoria for a 15km trail run. We weren\u2019t alone, of course;\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Trail"","block_context":{"text":"Trail","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/trails\/trail-running\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260222204445438.jpg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260222204445438.jpg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260222204445438.jpg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":972,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/23\/part-ii-trials-tremors-and-triumphs\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":4},"title":"The Trail Runner: Trials, Tremors, and Triumphs – Part II","author":"admin","date":"23 July 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"From Curiosity to Commitment What began as a single run soon became a rhythm. At first, I thought trail running would remain a novelty \u2014 something to do occasionally, a break from routine. But the trail has a way of calling you back. Each climb, each descent, each stretch of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Part II"","block_context":{"text":"Part II","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/series-books\/part-ii\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/17847337191107298503663735181117.png?fit=825%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/17847337191107298503663735181117.png?fit=825%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/17847337191107298503663735181117.png?fit=825%2C460&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/17847337191107298503663735181117.png?fit=825%2C460&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":922,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/16\/my-ultra-training-partner-connor\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":5},"title":"My Ultra Training Partner: Connor","author":"admin","date":"16 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Behind every long, grueling mile of training, there is a source of pure, unadulterated joy keeping me moving. For me, that is my German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP), Connor.As I push my limits and log the heavy mileage required for my upcoming trail races, Connor is right there by my side.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Our Pets"","block_context":{"text":"Our Pets","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/tranquility\/our-pets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260616_102634.jpg?fit=432%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/ph3bPZ-bO","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=732"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":749,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/732\/revisions\/749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}