Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 100, November 2017 | Page 9

LETTERS A NOTE TO COACH JEANNIE This goes out to Jeannie Jordaan, our Modern Athlete #9to5 Coach. Thank you for your passion and interest in every single one of us, and thank you for making me part of the team even though I am an online participant living in Dubai. Thank you for always making me feel part of every training session, and for always saying that you are right behind me. If not for you, the success we’ve achieved together would not have been possible. Because of you, I enjoy pushing myself to the best of my abilities. You are an inspiration and a role model. You have given me the tools to succeed, and for that I am forever grateful. Thanks to the 9to5 Challenge, I have made a friend, and gotten to know a true motivator and inspirational mentor! – Zelda van den Berg, Dubai Our 9to5 Challenge has proven immensely successful over the last few years, and it’s largely thanks to the boundless enthusiasm and energy of Coach Jennie. – Ed. HOU BENE, HOU, PART 1 HOU BENE, HOU, PART 2 In August I lined up under the PPC Cement Riebeeckberg Marathon arch for my first ever marathon. I was with my partner, Courtnee – veteran of one marathon – and we were nervously anticipating the starter’s gun. It being my first marathon, I didn’t really have a goal time, I just wanted to enjoy it and finish the race in one piece. As we crossed the 30km mark, however, the time was 3 hours 10 minutes and our leg s were feeling alright, so I thought we had a chance of a sub-4:30 time. Three kilometres later, though, my legs decided that they had had enough. Cramp set in, and I was forced to hobble the last 9km, so I told Courtnee to forge ahead. My partner, Wes, and I were standing nervously at the start of the stunning PPC Cement Riebeeckberg Marathon. We are both new to marathon running, so neither of us was fully prepared for what lay ahead. Every kilometre of the race was scenic and provided sweeping views of the valleys and mountains of Riebeeck Kasteel! So beautiful were the surrounds that we almost forgot about the ceaseless undulating hills and somewhat monstrous climbs. A lot goes through your mind as you shuffle along, and I started to feel pretty sorry for myself, until I began to hear the words of encouragement from my fellow runners. Many of them were fighting their own demons, but still took the time to encourage me to keep moving. This, along with the chants of “Hou bene, hou” from the kids along the road, is what I will remember most about my first marathon. I unfortunately didn’t get the name of the man who encouraged me over the last couple of kilometres, but I am happy to say that we both managed to limp up the final hill to finish under five hours – and even managed to chat about plans for our next marathon! – Wesley Bell, Cape Town With 9km to go both of Wes’ legs cramped and he had to walk (hobble) the remainder of the race. He insisted I go on ahead because we had spent a long time training for this event, so I begrudgingly went on alone, but I was struggling with fatigue. At about 35km I began questioning our decision to do marathons, but then I looked up at the clear sky and the green rolling hills, I listened to the spectators cheering “Hou bene, hou,” and I was motivated to keep putting one foot in front of the other by my fellow athletes, who were also pushing their boundaries to keep going. Marathon running provides an opportunity to test your grit and share your struggle and success with fellow runners. Standing at the finish line with medals around our necks, we couldn’t wait for the next race. – Courtnee Clark, Cape Town So great to receive two such positive letters, and awesome to hear that you’re both raring to go with more marathons. – Ed. Write and WIN Each month the writer of our winning letter wins a pair of new running shoes, with various brands supporting this initiative and subject to availability. The Editor will select his favourite letter each month, contact the winner to get sizing and delivery details, and then the shoes or a voucher will be dispatched to the winner. So, get writing that letter today – add a high resolution photo or two if you can – and mail it to [email protected]. 9