Boitumelo Kuzwayo
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
On running…
Running over time has become my form of meditation where I release my happy-cules!
On your First Run...
I made a conscious decision to start running in 2013. I was oversees and I had gained a significant amount of weight in a few months. I had seen my brother go from being obese to an avid, lean and fit runner. I bought my first pair of running shoes oversees when I was shopping for a pair for my brother. However, my choice was based on the wrong decision: the shoes were stylish and there was only one size left which I bought – a fitting size (runner’s rooky error of note!!)
I first hit the streets in 2013 when I returned. I felt as though I had run a marathon but little did I know that it was a mere 5km! I think I stopped running about 800m from where I initially planned to finish and walked the shortest route back home. My body went through 4 distinct emotions that I remember vividly:
· My lungs felt like they had shrunk to the size of a new born baby’s fist,
· My thighs experienced a burning sensation as if they were on fire
· My feet felt compressed by my shoes like a suction machine
· However, I felt that I wanted to do it again
On running culture…
I have always participated in numerous sports (tennis, hockey, squash, basketball and netball) but all of them require at least one other person. Running has become a sport I enjoy because it has become my form of meditation. It’s just me, the open road and my music. In a strange way it releases what I call “happy-cules.” However I am also able to run with other people who have a common interest in the form of the Nike Run Club who, over the months, have contributed to improve my strength and endurance over time. So in essence I experience the best of both worlds.
Apart from pushing my body’s physical limits, running has tested my mental strength which I feel has helped me grow and push the limits in other aspects of my life.
On gadgets…
When I initially started the only gadget I used was my cellphone to load music to listen whilst I ran. With time and through education from my brother, I have tracked my runs using different running apps (Nike Running app) and I recently invested in a Garmin forerunner watch because it is light and the outputs are insightful for my post run analysis.
On injury…
I was officially diagnosed with ITB after running the Two Oceans marathon in March 2016 – the worst running injury I believe one can get. I say “officially” because I experienced excruciating discomfort in my knees a week before the Two Oceans and went to visit my physio to find out what was wrong. However, my brain shut down and I stopped listening to what he had to say when we whipped out his textbook to diagnose what was wrong because I was still traumatised that he was referring to his textbook in my presence!
For those who don’t know what ITB is, I explain it as having an exceptionally buff gym bunny constantly knocking a pick-axe against your knee! This was unfortunately caused by lack of stretching pre and post my runs, poor cross training and a significant increase in my mileage in a short space of time. Despite the advice I received from my podiatrist and chiropractor, I lived up to the typical sterotype that runners are known for… being stubborn. I continued running with the hope of completing my first Comrades Marathon in the same year.
On achievements…
· my first 21km at the Soweto Marathon in November 2015,
· my first 32km two weeks later at RAC’s Tough One race
· my first 42km 2 months later
· my personal best marathon a month later at the Pick ‘n Pay race and
· my first ultra-marathon (Om Die Dam) a month later and two weeks before the race I had been training for: Two Oceans 56km.
On future goals…
On Pink…
Pink is a significant colour in South Africa as it represents cancer awareness
On Pain…
Pain, in any form, is inevitable. My approach is to experience it and let it pass. More importantly I consciously don’t allow it to crush my spirit but rather reflect on how it has contributed to strengthening me.
On women’s running…
Running, for me, has become a fun, addictive and emotional sport. The journey has been phenomenal: I have laughed, cried, screamed, created new friendships and learnt a lot about myself by discovering my capabilities and improving on what needs fine tuning. I think women should give running a shot. It isn’t only a sport for men.
On the Past you…
#RunRevolution
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