Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 119, June 2019 | Page 29

ROAD RUNNING
ask why I am always happy and smiling when running,
and the answer is really simple: We make memories at
the back of the pack!”
RUNNING GOALS
There was a time that Michelle focused on running
personal bests every week, but that soon lost its
appeal. “It did not make me happy. I preferred taking it
easy at the back of the pack, motivating new runners
as they discovered their own love of running, or just
spending time chatting with a running friend while
we make our way to the finish. I always tell people
to enjoy every minute, and to be grateful that you
are able to run, because there are many people who
would love to run but can’t.”
“I tell them to smile at the photographers, because
pictures last a lifetime, whereas the pain you are
feeling is only temporary. Pat yourself on the back if
you are a newbie runner. You have done the hardest
part, which was getting out the door and starting…
now just go and enjoy every moment of your running.”
I am a naturally competitive person, and I set myself
high goals to achieve. Whether I find myself running
four races across four provinces in a one-week
period, or six parkruns in one day for the Freedom
Challenge, every kilometre I achieve is filled with
excitement, and the knowledge that with belief, faith
and determination, everything is possible.”
“Doing the 1000km Challenge
proves that I am capable of
achieving great things. I never
give up because it is important
to always finish what you start. I
have also learnt to listen to my
body. It is important to do that
and not harm yourself, but rather
take note of what your body is
telling you.”
SURROUNDED
BY FRIENDS
Michelle is
a proud
member of
Ommiedraai
Athletic Club
and loves
the family
vibe that the
club brings
to races.
“In order
for me to
commit fully
to a life of running,
I knew that it would
be best to join a
running club instead
of doing things on my
own. Before I joined
Ommiedraai, I was
with a different club,
but I love the Ommies
gees, and I had
already received love,
support and guidance
from some of the club
members long before
I officially joined the
club.”
However, Michelle does not just hang out with
members of her own club. She has a large and
eclectic group of running friends that she travels
around the country with, and every one of them is as
in love with this active lifestyle as she is. “The people
you meet in running circles is the biggest part of what
makes it so special. Their camaraderie shows me that
humanity does still exist. The friendships I have made
through running have helped me find my smile again.”
One of her many friends is Suzanne Twentyman-
Jones, with whom she has made a pact to run Safari
Half Marathon together each year. “In 2016, Suzanne
was in two minds about doing her first half marathon,
but with a little motivation from me and a gentle twist
of her rubber arm, we agreed to run it together. I
remembered how my first half went, and I knew that
I could not make her any empty promises. I had to
honour the pact, and since that first finish together,
it has become our annual tradition. We laugh, smile
at the cameras, take selfies, and just enjoy every
moment while we pull each other to the finish. People
Over the years, Michelle has ticked a few things off
her bucket list, including bungee jumping, but she
says there are still some that she has yet to get to,
including some more running goals. “I would love
to do a race in all nine provinces of South Africa. I
have done a few already, but I want to cover every
province before I am done. There is also the Great
Wall of China Marathon, which really pulls at me. It is
just such an epic undertaking that I would love to do
one day.”
Besides listening to Eye of the Tiger as a way of
motivating herself before races, Michelle also likes to
remind herself not to be afraid of failure. “You can’t
always win, but that should not stop you from making
important decisions. Luckily, my family and friends are
very supportive of my running, and offer me loads of
advice, words of motivation and sometimes guidance.
They are also my voice of reason when I have some
crazy ideas brewing, because I have a tendency to go
big when I plan things – the bigger the better – so it is
good to have them as my sounding board.”
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