{"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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_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}},"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":575,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/rosemary-resilience-and-running-a-farewell-to-36\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":0},"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. 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At 29 degrees, the air shimmered, heavy with promise and challenge. My German Shorthaired Pointer wagged his tail, eyes bright, already scanning for the rivers he knew would be waiting.\u00a0 We set off at a steady\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_20260208180309554.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&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_20260208180309554.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260208180309554.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260208180309554.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260208180309554.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":849,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/23\/running-through-mist-and-mountains-magoebas-ultra-trail-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":732,"position":4},"title":"Running Through Mist and Mountains: Magoebas Ultra Trail 2026","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"23 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Start Line We ventured into the woods and mountains for the Magoebas Ultra Trail Race 2026, tackling the 30km distance\u2014a first for me. 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