Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 118, May 2019 | Page 26

ROAD RUNNING
line, she was very emotional. “I had to pinch myself,
because it was such a long build-up, with many
months of training and hours spent visualising each
part of the race. But you could not wipe the smile off
my face. I knew the course would be tough, especially
as the hills are at a point in the race when you’re
pretty exhausted. It was also really hot, which I think
contributed to it being harder than usual. Considering
that last year at Boston it was freezing, this year I
somehow managed to get sunburnt, even after the
start was in pouring rain and windy conditions.”
“The crowds were like no other I have ever
experienced. It was truly special to see. I was in tears
at some points in the race due to pure elation from the
crowds cheering your name and wanting to give you
high fives. The volunteers that stood in the pouring
rain in the morning, as well as the ones handing out
medals to the finishers were all heroes. It was a day of
togetherness and showed a real sense of community
in Boston. As soon as I crossed the finish line I knew
that I would be back in Boston next year.”
side successfully. I told myself that I wanted to do that
race one day.” support and encouragement from friends in the Cape
Town running community, Ayesha knew it was time.
Having fallen in love with running, Ayesha put
everything into her training. She says her dad is as big
a supporter of her running as the rest of the family,
and he used to slash out a cross country course for
her with his tractor on the farm, so that she could train
on school holidays. “My siblings and parents have
been fantastic in their support of my running dreams,
and I love them all for it,” she says. She managed to get an entry for Boston on her first
attempt, but knew that she had to make sacrifices in
order to qualify and get race ready. “It was hard, but I
was prepared. I ate well and had no alcohol. I hardly
went out or saw any of my friends in evening settings
during the months of training, because I would always
have to get up early the next day, or wanted to get
eight hours of sleep. I was tired a lot, and always
hungry. Some of my friends understood, but some
didn’t. They even told me that I was boring, but I
didn’t care. I had one thing on my mind and that was
Boston. I knew what it would take to achieve what I
wanted out of the race. No short-cuts.”
“The idea of doing Boston stayed at the back of
my mind for years, but it wasn’t until I made Cape
Town my home and started doing marathons, that I
seriously considered entering it. The running scene
here is something special. You’ll always find a pal
when you need someone to boost your mood,
encourage you not to quit or just tell you to keep
going – and to follow your dreams.” Last year, with
Emotional Day
With butterflies in her stomach, Ayesha set off on her
date with destiny, and walking to the Boston start
With her sub-3:30 finish time, Ayesha has re-qualified
for a spot at next year’s race, and she says she can’t
wait to do it all again. “Maybe I can bring along some
of my running buddies next year. It is so worth it. And
after experiencing this race, I would love to do the Big
6 Marathons. I also have a few other bucket list races
and adventures I would love to do, including a few
ultra trail races.”
In for the Long Run
Ayesha loves everything about running, and this
Aussie with an African heart is happiest on a long run,
with nothing but the empty road ahead of her. “I like
to hear my breathing and feel my feet on the road – no
music for me, just the sounds around me. I usually
have a few positive affirmations that I repeat to myself
when the going gets tough. I tell myself to keep going,
don’t give up, that you’ve got this. Meb Keflezighi has
a great quote which I have connected to: ‘Celebrate
every personal best and see each of them as a link to
an even better future.’ I certainly intend to do that with
every step I take, because you really can do anything
that you put your mind to.”
Ayesha in action at
the 2018 Two Oceans
Marathon with clubmates
Mark Wagenheim and
Rianda Gilliland
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ISSUE 118 MAY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za