The Unseen Miles In issue 49 of Like the Wind, we explore aspects of running culture that are less visible – but no less significant. The true scale of dedication to a goal often goes unseen. As does running in places, societies or scenarios where the act of running itself carries a degree of risk. Yet, despite the challenges, despite all the reasons not to run, we still do. Our feature story, Ultra-addiction by Micah Ling, takes a compassionate look at the unseen psychological edge of running performance. She explores the complex relationship between substance addiction, obsession, disordered eating, and exercise dependency: “If you’re stuck in a contract with yourself that you’re ready to renegotiate, you’re not alone.” Jeremy Kuhles investigates why women’s Ekiden is overshadowed by men’s: “The essence of Ekiden, I realised, isn’t something you explain. It’s something you feel.” This magazine brings together a wide range of both written and visual stories from our global community. Whether you’re into perceptive deep reads, punchy short stories, or the impact of a road marathon photo essay, this issue of Like the Wind brings it all together – the windswept trail, the roaring cheer of race day, the focus and flow of the track. The stories in issue 49 include: Sunny side of the street: Antonio Matheus runs through the biggest slum in Venezuela. For rangers: Rhino Boy Chris Green and Edward Ndiritu share their passion for an ultra in Kenya that supports wildlife rangers across Africa. Permission to fail: Kara Krulick confronts her race-day anxiety and shifts her mindset, asking herself what if everything goes right? A beautiful blur: coach Lumar Sylvester reflects on how the track offers a new path for young people in one of London’s most deprived boroughs. One big family: Minreet Kaur spotlights Asian Women Run, a UK-based group she established to claim space and visibility for South Asian women. Zimbabwe’s forgotten star: Mark Olden tells the story of his old friend Brian Sheriff, the first distance runner from Zimbabwe to achieve greatness. Hill of the Herder: Sam Pyrah comes last on the unexpectedly gnarly Meall a’ Bhuachaille hill race in Scotland. In it for the love of it: Alex Roddie investigates the blurred boundaries between personal passion and work responsibilities for medical staff in Alpine ultras.
