Vuvu Malusi
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
So I was lucky enough to connect with the other half of @maltee_benefit and I do like that more people see that we can not glorify our "beer bellies". We must get moving, it is inspiring to see women who do it for themselves as cliche as this might sound. I guess they don't need a man.
Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are
and what you do for a living?
A. I am currently working as a Supply Chain
Intern for a pharmaceutical company, after taking some time off to further my
studies. I am very reserved and a very spiritual person. I have a passion for
fitness and beauty and intend on incorporating the two to make a
difference in our society.
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and
your professional life?
A. I start work very early, so I have moved my
training regime to the afternoon. I have not yet quite adjusted to it,
but I will get used to it. When Spring comes, then I would be able to
exercise both in the morning and in the afternoon.
Q. What does your weekly fitness regime consist of?
A. Light running (3 - 7km) 3 times a week, Functional
training, HIIT training and lifting of various weights. I am into lifting heavy
weights because it makes me strong and agile. I can react quickly when lifting
heavy objects or people.
Q. When and why did you start running?
A. I started running over 10 years ago, mainly
to lose weight. Now, I do it because it saved my life. I have hypertension and
when I was diagnosed, it was so high, my GP said I was lucky to be alive,
because most people could have suffered a stroke. From that day, I knew I had
to keep on running.
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
A. I have set goals that involve participating
in the big Ultra marathons, these need someone who is dedicated, persistent and
someone who gets up and gets things done. Looking lean also motivates me, lol.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
A. On my own (practice runs) I have run 25km and
officially, a half marathon (21km).
Q. What do you love about running?
A. I love that you can do it anytime of the day,
as long as you have proper running shoes. I get to compete with myself, and
challenge myself to do better than my previous run. I get to get lost in
thought, meditate and distress while running.
Q. What do you hate about running?
A. Selfish drivers, who push you out of the way
(I have experienced it a number of times). The fact that it is not particularly
safe for women to run alone early in the morning, you tend to encounter a few
men who joke about chasing you while running.
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
A. I have pepper spray that I carry with me
during my morning runs, my running playlist helps me get pumped up and the
results of improvement I receive from my running watch at the end of each run.
Q. How do you think running can empower women?
A. Running improves ones mood. Running can give
you the kick start you need to want to do other forms of exercise. I now know
boxing, kick boxing (self defence), Cross fit and I am stronger than your
average guy on the street. Imagine the kind of women we can be if we all had
physical strength, we would be sharp in all aspects of our lives.
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Q. What would you like to achieve in the future in terms of running?
A. I am participating in next year's Comrades
marathon, and that means I need to at least run 4 marathons in the next 8
months and finish one sub 4:30.
Q. How do you envision the future of running?
A. I see a lot of our people running and it is a
good thing. I see running as the next big lifestyle thing to do like Golf has
with black people.
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
A. Generally, social media and the internet has
made our youth lazy to exercise. This general feeling of celebrating a big
belly comes with a lot of health risks. I am hoping to be one of the few to
help change that and get our youth to exercise.
Q. What was your best running experience?
A. Running my fastest 5km in 22 minutes and a
10km in under 55 mins.
Q. What was your worst running experience?
A. My last half marathon in May was the worst
experience ever. I ran the last 7km in utter pain. It felt like I broke my
big toe, while I had a cramp. I managed to finish the race with the help of my
running partner.
Q. How do you push through the pain?
A. My drive to do better motivates me to push
through the pain and knowing how great a feeling it is to cross the finish
line, gets me going.
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Q. What is your favourite shoe to run in?
A. Asics.
Q. What can you not run without?
A. My Gu energy gel, tissue paper (my nose gets
runny) and cap.
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
A. To start small, increase your distance
gradually, to keep going and never stop.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
A. Instagram: @ladywandam and @maltee_benefit
(it is a fitness page I run with my partner)
Twitter:
@maltee_benefit
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