A few months ago, I had the oppurtunity to interview Francine and I watched her prominence on the instagram running circles grow and grow. I know that a lot of runners on instagram, are inspired by her. I wanted to include her in this years women's campaign and she was the first woman to do the #INDIERUNNERTAKEOVER, lookour for one by a runner from South Africa on the 9th :D 

If you missed Francines Instagram takeover read her posts below. 

Follow her on instagram: @platinum_runner

🏼🏼🏼TAKEOVER🏼🏼🏼 Hi everyone! My name is Francine, or @platinum_runner on Instagram. As I prepare to run my fifth half marathon, I am super excited to bring you in to my world as I see it. Be prepared for lots of race and running pictures as well as maybe a couple more selfies I am notorious for #indierunnertakeover #indierunner #runrevolution #run #runner #running #marathontraining #weruninmass #runbos #halfmarathon #triplethreat #yukan #Massachusetts #motherrunner

My favorite part of Instagram is meeting up! Two of my awesome #instafriends @perrywells88 @barrytheawesome are here for the #triplethreat in #rockport Love these guys #indierunnertakeover #indierunner #runrevolution #run #runners #halfmarathon 

Perry and Barry helping me "shakeout" before the half true friends right there #indierunnertakeover #indierunner #runrevolution #run #runners #running #runchat #triplethreat #halfmarathon #instafriends #marathontraining #motherrunner #goaldigger 

#indierunnertakeover Just over 17 miles in the books and this girl is ready to CHILL! #summer #runnernotrunning #runchat #indierunner #runrevolution #halfmarathon #beerme #downtime #earnedit @platinum_runner 

Another reason today was so special...my first time having a cheering section!!! This was the first time my husband and/or kids made it to a race and it was great seeing their faces at the end of all three runs ️️️ #indierunnertakeover #indierunner #runrevolution #support #family #kids #raceday #cheerleaders #mybiggestfans #love #happy #goodday #runningcommunity #womensrunningcommunity #motivation #motherrunner #halfmarathon #racewire #yukanrun #yukan #triplethreat #weruninmass

Kicking my hubby's behind in corn-hole while sipping on some local beer . #indierunnertakeover #indierunner #runrevolution #runnernotrunning #harpoon #cornhole #summer #bikini #chill #freakinweekend #peace #love #beer #drinklocal #newengland #Massachusetts 

LAST POST #indierunnertakeover Thanks so much for following me today and putting up with my general silliness. I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to reach some new people on Instagram. Literally it has made my life better by motivating me, keeping me accountable and introducing me to so many amazing new friends! Hopefully you learned a little about me and I'd love to see you on my page @platinum_runner hope you all had a wonderful weekend! #indierunner #runrevolution #thanks #fun #new #different #followme #platinumrunner #kisses #hugs #instafriends #runchat #runnernotrunning #motherrunner #goodnight #goodluck #opportunity #newfriends #lastpost #catchyouontheflipside #later 

#RunRevolution

The point is Women are amazing and this lady proves it. On the instagram today, while doing what I do on the instagram. I came across a post uploaded by Makosi from another woman who follows her. 

I am not going to type it out, basically the other lady thanked Makosi for being so inspiring. Makosi motivated her to make a change. 

"Nothing will change if you change nothing"

On who you are...

My name us Makosi Musambasi ...a bit about myself. ..I'm the executive producer of Makosi Today...qualified cardiac nurse...aunt...sister...daughter...friend

On Running ...

I love running...those who don't understand call it an addiction...I started running 6 months ago...before that I could not run for 30 seconds without a hot chest and heavy breathing

On your first run...

Growing up I hated running because I had childhood asthma...I hated sports and sports day I simply didn't like how running made me feel.

Then I started going to the gym and it felt like I hit a gridlock where my body stopped burning more calories and I simply didn't see any improvement...so I started off by walking. Then fast walking and one day I realised I ran a whole 5k well jogged...I got carried away with the music. ..that there helps...good music

Now my house is full of running books because when I do anything I like to do it very well. 

On Gadgets...

I'm very competitive and I win most challenges I'm invited on nike run...or do they let me win

I have 4 pairs of headphones I cannot run without music...I love running to Lucky Dube's rasta kwasa

I have fitbit all aver my house...so many heart monitors

The colour pink is quite girly isn't it ?

On injury...

I didn't complete the London marathon in 2006 I was taken to the the hospital after walking about 16km I'm looking forward to completing my first marathon and I have my eyes on the Capetown marathon next year.

I find my body get injured easily when I don't rest. ..I didn't have rest day until I realised that when I don't rest my body complains with pain...of cos not all pain is bad pain some pain is body saying "oops I didn't know there is a muscle there"

On women's running (Why women should run)...

When should run because I think every woman deserves to experience that runners high...

On the past you...

On the past me..."you don't know what you missing honey , running is waaaaaay better than sex"

When I die...

When I die...I will run into eternity

#RunRevolution 

When I started running I had one pair of shorts, I wore this pair of shorts 3 times a week, for probably a few months. I even "extended" the pocket so that my galaxy S2 could fit in it when I ran. This pair of shorts chaved me a lot so when winter months approached I got my first pair of tights. 

These tights were not good at all, I bought them because they were the cheapest option. I could not afford to buy R500 tights, I am a student I can not simply afford such. 

Then I got my first pair of proper tights, which I still use 2/3 years later. 

BUT I am bored of black tights, I have a number of them and they just bore me :( they do not appeal to me. In fact, mens running apparel is just BORING. Which often leads me to the womens section and sometimes I get things which you cant even tell are from the ladies section and even if you can. I do not care I am running!!!!

I think these tights are the best representation of what I am as a runner. I am bones, Tough Bones! These are my ultimate Must Have tights, they were just not brought to South Africa :( and I can not find them anywhere online. 

What I like about them is that they show the toughness of a runner. On the front they show the normal bone structure, but on the back they show broken bones held together with screws and Might. That is how the body of a runner is, held together by the determination in themselves. Reminds me of the time I kept running with a stress fracture... that's how I know I am strong, Women you are strong Too! 

#RunRevolution

In this wonderful country that I live in we go without electricity for a few hours every couple of days. This post would have been up a lot sooner had I had electricity earlier on. 

On who you are…

On future goals…

The next goal I want to tackle is my half marathon time. For whatever reason, that distance (which happens to be my favorite) is the hardest for me to race. It took me three years to get my last PR of 1:42. I’m pretty confident I can break 1:40, but I know I’ll have to work for it. 

#RunRevolution

On who you are…

 

A 20-something year old from South London with a love of art, style music and fitness. Cake is my weakness, family is my happiness and being active is my drug.
 

 On running…

 

I've always been an active person. I had done so much when I was younger- gymnastics, karate, long jump for my school and of course running. Once I left school it kinda fell to the wayside, I wasn't doing much to stay active so I decided to take up running again. Once or twice around the block until I started going further and further. A few years later I found myself at a pretty stressful place in life - I was in my final year of uni, had a part time job as well as interning and was a carer for my father who was terminally ill. As you could probably imagine the stress at that time was almost unbearable. Running soon became my escape from all of these things. At the time I also started running with one of the OGs in the urban running movement - Run Dem Crew in London - and have kept running since. 

 

 

I remember my first solo run feeling like forever. I just wanted it to end. I was conscious of people starting at me and I hated that!
 

 On Street culture…

Street culture seems to be a melting pot of inspiration for everyone and that can be cool. It's can be fresh and genuine and the formation of tribes via the different types of culture is interesting to see emerge. Even the big brands take something from it and utilise it in a ways that work for them which is evident of how influential street culture can be and the power it has. 

 

 

Running culture has changed so much especially over the last few years. The demographic, the idea of running, even down to people's reason and choice of what they wear. What has once been seen as an elite sport, with a particular image has now changed.

As in running gadgets? I don't really use them to be honest! The stopwatch on my Casio is usually enough! Occasionally I use running apps when I remember or when I am running solo. But sometimes it's just nice to run on feel and if running with people just enjoy the social aspect of it.

Injury sucks. When you run all the time it's easy to take for granted the pounding your body takes until you get injured. I've been dealing with an annoying hip pain recently so have been trying to focus on stretching more and not neglecting cross training
 

 

Every run for me is an achievement. From the good, to the bad, to the painful - they are all achievements and even if I fail to see it that way, they definitely provide me with a lesson and that's what I like about running. 

My future running goal? To keep on running until I can't. I want to be that old lady you see shuffling through a marathon. I hope to continue inspiring my friends and family through my running and other fitness ventures.

 

Social media is great and has been monumental in finding like-minded individuals and connecting with them. I'm on Instagram and Twitter and love sharing updates of my fitness world as well as finding inspiration and thinking out loud

Twitter: @VenetiaNarelle

Instagram: @VenetiaNarelle

Pink? I personally prefer purple!
Pain is temporary!


#RunRevolution