THE 1KM PROMISE THAT STUCK
Kyle Lluwelyn Singh is a big man. He says so himself. In fact, it’ s right there on his Instagram handle: @ Kylethebigrunner. But that’ s what makes his story all the more remarkable. He’ s been big his whole life, and at 160kg at his heaviest, Kyle decided something had to change. That’ s where his mission of completing 1km a day for a year came from, and this time, it’ s stuck.
“ It’ s not the first time I’ ve tried to better my health and turn my life around, but every time I tried I would go too hard, expect too much too soon and eventually that would burn me out,” explained the Johannesburg sales manager.
“ So I wanted to make a small promise to myself once a day that even on bad days and days I don’ t want to, I know I can keep. And that over time, those small promises kept will eventually turn into a habit, which they did. I also wanted to make this challenge accessible to all people of all fitness levels, walk, run, cycle whatever … just do 1km!”
@ Kylethebigrunner now has a following of over 4000 on Instagram as he documents his journey through the year with the aim of running the Wally Hayward half-marathon on 1 May and completing Hyrox by the end of 2026.
The mission hasn’ t come without its challenges. Currently weighing around 147kg, the body can take a hammering, so Kyle has had to take that into account.
“ Running at my weight definitely is not easy and taking proper care physically and mentally has been key to even make this challenge possible,” explained the 27-year-old.
“ Mentally I always remind myself that I’ m not doing this for 365 days, but instead I’ m doing one more day … every day, and that mindset really helps me push through on the days I don’ t feel motivated to get out there.
“ Physically at my weight, I spend a lot of time strength training and focus intentionally on single-leg strength as every time I run, my joints go through tons of force. I have also invested in a few pairs of good, solid shoes to give myself the best protection possible.”
Kyle has built up his fitness to be able to run 5km, 10km and 15km races( with PBs of 52:50, 1:54.28 and 3:01.53 respectively) but getting to the start line of his first ever 10km wasn’ t easy.
“ I was a ball of nerves the entire week leading up to the race, but when I got to the start line, everything faded away. I reminded myself of every challenge I’ ve ever faced, in childhood especially, and if I could overcome that and still stand here, what is a 10k?”
Healing from those childhood challenges lies at the heart of this chapter of his life.
“ My parents separated when I was very young and so growing up as a young kid up until now, I’ ve never had a relationship with my mom,” he explained.“
I grew up with my father only who was and is extremely supportive and loving. Not having a mom that was around, though, was extremely challenging for me as a kid as I felt unwanted from a young age. This caused me to really struggle with abandonment growing up and feeling like I was not worth showing up for. It’ s a big part of the journey I’ m on currently.
Regardless of external factors, I make sure now I always show up for myself.”
And show up he does. Every day. With his growing bunch of followers loving every kilometre of it.
“ The response has been life-altering. I have met so many amazing people already through this journey, whether that be online or people coming up to me at races because they saw me online. It really is a privilege to be part of the running community,” he said.“ At times I do get some criticism about my weight or pace, but I’ ve overcome so much more in life, I take it in my stride and keep moving forward.”
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What’ s also been life-changing for Kyle is the way he sees himself.
“ Before running I was a person who quit, who hated his body, who avoided mirrors. Today I’ m a person who isn’ t afraid to face myself, who smiles again, who understands that pain doesn’ t mean quit and slow doesn’ t mean failure. The simplicity of running is what makes it so beautiful.”
Kyle says that he has fallen in love with the sport of running and if he could, he would run three times a day.
“ That being said, I understand the importance of recovery, especially being as heavy as I am. There are days my body feels it a bit harder than others and I try as best as I can to listen to that without compromising training. On those days, I still keep the promise, just a much easier run.”
As for his advice to others who may want to follow a similar path and venture out onto the roads for the first time, he reckoned:“ I’ m no expert and I am learning myself, but the best advice I can give someone thinking about doing something similar is go for it!
“ There’ ve been many days I did not want to go for a run, but there’ s never been a day when I went for a run and regretted it after. Take it at your own pace, be proud of your progress and most importantly show up for yourself!
“ Your life will change, just like mine. Lastly … movement is movement, never let anyone tell you otherwise!”
And if you’ re in Johannesburg, Kyle has started The Big Runners Club, a small group of beginners and seasoned athletes who are hoping to meet up once a month. Get in contact on Insta if you’ re feeling inspired …
View Insta Profile
https:// www. instagram. com / kylethebigrunner /
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