Natalie Belcher
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Since the inception of this blog/movement my goal as a 21 year old and the creator, is to interact with students to the #RunRevolution. She has been so enthusiastic about this blog and her love for running inspires me too keep working on this...
This weeks #WCW on a thursday, cos we indie like that!
Looking forward to running with you NATS!
Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
Hello, my name is Natalie Belcher. I’m currently completing my final year of my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Anthropology, at The University of The Witwatersrand.
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
It definitely becomes difficult with demands of varsity and trying to find time to get good training hours in. I’m in the gym every morning at 5am, Monday to Saturday, and Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday afternoons are dedicated to road running.
Q. When and why did you start running?
Quite honestly I was never into running, it was something that I thought people were crazy for doing. Until, one Saturday morning my cousin roped me into doing a Park Run…and ever since then I’ve left my heart on the road
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
Quite simply it’s the support, the people who ‘have my back’ and continue to encourage me on my journey.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
I ran my first 21.1 km half marathon this year at the Johnson Crane Marathon.
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
Knowing that with each stride I take, my mind and body are fighting against each other and becoming stronger than they were on my last run.
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
I think the fact that everything has become so competitive nowadays, it’s taken the fun away from being active. It’s sad that youth aren’t keen in being active, because it’s in challenging yourself that you grow not only physically but mentally as well. We living in a world where dreams have become so abstract, and all that remains is a, “I wish I could” attitude. It’s all about building friendships and doing it together.
Q. What was your best running experience?
Definitely completing my first half marathon.
Q. What was your worst running experience?
I think it was when I was new to the running world, I set goals that were beyond my means at the time. I had a feeling of complete disappoint when I fell short, just wishing that I could achieve more
Q. How do you push through the pain?
Thinking of the people that have been so encouraging and supportive during the process of preparation..
On race day its keeping my eye on the prize.. You become addicted to feeling of entering the field, hearing the cheers from other finishers, watching the timer tick by as you run your heart out, and finally running under it. This a feeling that no amount of money can ever buy. The feeling of being proud of achieving what you set out to do.
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
Never lose HOPE!!! You don’t have to be great to start. Put you have to start to be great.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
Instagram: @natsbelcher9 & Facebook: Natalie Amanda Belcher
My best running shoes is …
Asics Kayano 21
I love running because …
with each run I feed the beast and become better, faster and stronger.
Injury is …
a buzz kill!! But you have to make sure you rest and recover properly. These speed bumps just help you slow down and appreciate the journey.
My body is …
my best friend, we fight each other, lose connection.. But when times get tough, it carries me to the end.
My running playlist has …
everything from Ja Rule when I’m feeling like a little bit of a Gangsta on the road to Karen Harding when I need that little bit of a push
I hate running when …
it’s not on the road.
Pain is …
weakness leaving the body.
The road …
is where my heart lives. Where my hopes are ignited!!
Sweat is …
the glitter of your soul illuminating your skin.
In future, I would like to run …
Two Oceans Marathon
Indie means …
falling in love with the process and not the result.. Because if you fall in love with the process the results are bound to come.
I do not like runners who …
stop believing in themselves. It’s never about how you begin the race, it’s about how you finish!!
#RunRevolution
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