Yongama Dekeda

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

I am so happy to be finally posting this :) If ever there was a runner who made running look so effortless, HE IS IT! I have the honour of knowing him personally and when ever he passes me I just look at how swiftlty he moves. It looks like he is not running, so if you ever free on a saturday morning and find yourself in Braamfontein.

COME RUN WITH US !!!


Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
A. My name is Yongama Thembelani Chasabelungu Gangathamabhulu Dekeda. Im 32 years old im the oldest of 4 brothers. I work for an IT company.


Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
A. I try to run a minimum of 25km a week excluding weekends(those are for races). 

Q. When and why did you start running?
A.  I started in 2012 after I got a health scare I was hospitalised for high blood pressure.  The Doctor said if I did not do something about my weight I was gonna die. I was doing most of my running on the threadmill then and it was something I did when I was late for a gym class. Its is in 2013 leading to the Nike Run Jozi that I started running on the streets.  It used to take me more than 30 mins to run 3km and I would have a million stops on the way. 


Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?A. The great feeling/natural high I get after a good run gets me out there. Running is a great way to clear one’s head. And lately  to get a #SixPackInOurLifeTime. I don’t feel like going out there when is hot. There is nothing worse that running in the heat for me.


Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
A. 42.2km is the longest.

Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
A. I do most of my running on the street of Jozi. The people aswell as exploring new parts of this town. Running with the Best Crew in the World Braamfie Runners gives me a lot of confidence everyone is supportive and they give great tips on how to improve ones running.


Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
A. Eish I feel Sorry for the kids who don’t exercise now. It get harder to start exercise when you get older or when you get fat. I feel as much as new technology makes life simpler, it also makes it difficult(if that makes sense) kids plays soccer with their thumbs instead of going out there and really play soccer. Parents must try by all means to encourage their kids to go play outside.

Q. What was your best running experience?
A. Jacaranda City Challenge 2014 42.2km. I did not get my goal of sub 4:30(missed it by 6+ mins), but it was my best run so far.

Q. What was your worst running experience?
A. The last 7km of the Old Ed’s Half Marathon. I don’t know what happened. My legs refused to move I just felt super tired. Also the 2014 Gauteng sports challenge 42.2km, I got cramps on my hamstrings at around the halfway mark. I still managed to finish in 5h2mins.

Q. How do you push through the pain?
A. NdiliBhele Ndinenkani kwaphekwa intloko yeBhele nelitye lenyengane khwavuthwa ilitye kuqala (Im from the Bhele clan we are stubborn they once cooked a granite rock and a head of a Bhele and the rock was cooked to perfection and the head of a Bhele was still raw). Being  stubborn and the great feeling of completing the run beats the pain all the time.

Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
A. It the best worst thing you could ever do to yourself. Starting running is not easy it took me 3 months to be able to run 3km without stopping. Just Do it its worth it and your Body will thank you.

Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?A. Facebook Yongama Dekeda. Twitter: @yongmaster Instagram: @yongmaster


My best running shoes is…
...Nike Pegasus 30 (Hashe lam Lomoya)



I love running because…
...it feels great(after you have finished)

Injury is…
...your body telling you you are doing something wrong.(wrong shoes, too much running, and not paying attention to what your body is telling you)

My body is…
...the happiest when I have killed a personal best regardless of the distance.


My running playlist has…
...a mix of everything,  iFani – Intro is my powersong, Mdu Masilela – Sky is the limit, Rick Ross-  free mason, AC/DC - Hard as a rock, Ralf gum - take me to my love, Trompies- bengimngaka

I hate running when…
...it's hot

Pain is… 
...either your head playing games with you or a serious injury or when a 60 year old grandma runs passed you like you are going in different directions.

The road…
...there for you to show it who is bossss

Sweat is…
...fat crying as you burning it off your body

In future, I would like to run…
...the Comrades marathon twice in a row(up and down) and complete within cut off. Running my first in 2015.

Indie means… 
...Totally independent #RunEverything being able to run when there is not a crew to run with. Run when there is no one to cheer you on run when you feel like running in whatever you wanna run in.

I do not like runners who…
...in races there are some clubs who will run in a pack/bus/group the is nothing wrong in running as a pack my problem is with those who block the whole road and everyone has to keep on asking them to pass .. that pisses me off. Its freaken selfish.


#RunRevolution

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