Mariella Dierks
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Life without my phone is so hard, I just realised that the #RunRevolution movement is largely dependent on my phone. I hope I get it back soon. Presenting our #WCW on a thursday, because we indie like that and my phone never loved me.
Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
I am a 23 year old German speaking student living in Cape Town. I am currently in my final year of university, studying dietetics. I have always had a passion for sport and that is why I decided to study sport science for my undergraduate degree and doing dietetics as a postgraduate, in the hope of one day doing sports nutrition for a living. I don’t only run but I am also a passionate lifesaver and I have recently completed my first half iron man and the bug has bitten and I am now training for my second one.
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
Its difficult to manage all the training as well as university commitments. There are definitely sacrifices that one has to make if you want to improve in your sport and get better and especially your social life does take a bit of a backseat but once you have achieved that Personal Best that you have trained for, it is all worth it.
Time management is key!
Q. When and why did you start running?
I actually got into running a bit by coincidence. I went to the German school and every two years, all the German schools in South Africa come together and have an interschool athletic championship. I actually only sprinted at school but I was put into the 800m team. Turns out I was not too shabby and I ended up winning the 800m race at that competition. That is what sparked my flame. I also used my cousins 2 oceans entry that year because he ended up being injured and running my first two oceans at 16 was an amazing experience and I have run it every year since. I have also recently discovered my love for trail running about a year ago and this has definitely become a massive passion. I love the rush of sprinting down steep technical sections, not knowing whats around the next corner. It’s a different ballgame to street running.
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
I often don’t feel like getting up to train early especially when its cold,windy or when i'm tired, or whatever the reason may be. But I also know that if I don’t get up and go run, I will regret it afterwards and I know how good I always feel after I have exercised. Therefore It is a bit of a mind battle at times to hop out of bed and get going but usually the better wins.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
Bay to Bay this year - 30km
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
Knowing how good it makes me feel
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
I feel that it Cape Town the youth is very active and its so great to see everyone get out there and participate in the fun.
Q. What was your best running experience?
I have had so many good running experiences so it is difficult to pinpoint just one. But achieving something that you thought was impossible is definitely a very rewarding moment and it shows you how much you are capable of! Like this year I improved my two oceans half time by 7 minutes even though I had run the 10km trail race the day before. This was something I did not expect and it was such a reward to have my body deliver at the right time.
Q. What was your worst running experience?
I entered a trail race last year and it was extremely tough. I was not prepared in that I did not take enough food with me therefore I ended up being starving and my blood sugar dropped and I felt terrible. Needless to say that was the longest feeling race of my life. I did however decide to enter this race again this year to face my demons and this time I came prepared and I ended up coming in third lady which I was extremely stoked about!
Q. How do you push through the pain?
I try to tell myself that the pain will subside but what I will achieve if I push through the pain will last! “pain is temporary, glory is forever’’ as they say. It is such a mind game most of the time. Your mind will tell you you cant go further but you can! It takes time to build mental strength to overcome negative thoughts. I still struggle with them but then I try to remind myself that this is what I love to do and that I must just go and enjoy myself!
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
Put on your shoes and get out there!-NOT on a treadmill because that is not a real running experience! Start slowly and set small progress goals, like entering a race that you can train towards. I feel that it is so important to have milestones like this because it gives you something to train towards and to measure your improvement.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
I am on Instagram @marielladierks J
My best running shoes is … Saucony for road and Asics for trail
I love running because … it sets me free
Injury is … a speedbump in your journey
My body is … my toolkit
My running playlist has … been fairly non-existent! Nature is key!
I hate running when … its windy
Pain is … temporary
My body is … my toolkit
My running playlist has … been fairly non-existent! Nature is key!
I hate running when … its windy
Pain is … temporary
The road … is part of your journey
Sweat is … a sign that you’re doing something right
In future, I would like to run … faster
Indie means … laid back
I do not like runners who … are negative
Sweat is … a sign that you’re doing something right
In future, I would like to run … faster
Indie means … laid back
I do not like runners who … are negative
#RunRevolution
0 comments