Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 120, July 2019 | Page 60

MULTISPORT
People find peace with themselves in different ways. I know now that I don’t have
to be sitting with my hands at heart-centre on the top of my yoga mat, or journaling
before bed every night, to practice gratitude or meditation, because my favourite
me-time, and when I feel most grateful for my body, mind and soul, is when my legs
are cramping like hell and still going round and round and round in my cleats. Today, I
love my body for its ability to move, to improve, to carry me over finish lines.
There is Always Humanity
I was met with a fair share of people who challenged me for fundraising for
Rape Crisis, and even more who made it clear they didn’t think I would reach my
campaign target (or finish the race). And in doing my research on the stories and
rates of sexual abuse in South Africa, it was easy to feel disheartened and let down
by humanity. But then there was every person who did donate to my campaign —
friends, family, colleagues and strangers — who were generously and selflessly
supporting this cause. I’m so grateful for each and every person who donated, and
wrote such inspiring messages.
There were the guys who I made friends with at the Ironman start line, who
nicknamed me “Nails,” because they couldn’t believe someone with such long
manicured nails could be doing the Ironman. Honestly, I couldn’t tell if they were
impressed, or thinking “This chick has no idea what she’s getting herself into,” but
they made me laugh, calmed my nerves, and I’m so grateful to them for that.
There’s the incredible team at Rape Crisis Cape Town, who shared my excitement
for every single Rand raised throughout the campaign. The organisation will be
offering a scholarship in my name, which will fund volunteers who want to train to
become a professional rape counsellor, but can’t afford it. I’m so grateful for this
team, and the work they are doing to improve our community.
There’s my dad, who teaches me how to change a tyre and then insists on doing
it for me anyway. And my mom, who says things like, “You need a medal just for
registering.” They are my biggest supporters, and I am so grateful for them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Philippa Dods manages the marketing operations
for the African region of global media intelligence company, Meltwater. She
also sits on the board of Future Females, an organisation working to increase
the number and success of female entrepreneurs around the world, and is a
member of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic
Forum, which is a network of youth driving dialogue, action and change in
their communities. Philippa was nominated for Inspiring50 in 2018, recognising
South Africa’s most inspiring women, and nominated for Young Achiever of the
Year and Influencer of the Year at the Top Empowerment Awards 2019.
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ISSUE 120 JULY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
And then there was the sunrise. I’ll never forget it, standing on the Durban
beachfront in my wetsuit on race day, singing the South African National Anthem,
fist to my chest, heart beating like crazy, lump in my throat, with 2600 other athletes
from all over the world, watching the sun rise above the horizon. I’d take the bad
days, the stomach bugs, the stress, the lack of sleep, the doubters and the pain any
day to experience that feeling again. Ironman, this isn’t the last you’ll see of me.