Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 121, August 2019 | Page 28

ROAD RUNNING
While there for a month, a friend bought a lodge in
Bedfordview to open as a rehab centre, and asked Nuno
to help him set it up, initially as a B&B while waiting for
the licensing process. When business was a bit slow
in December, Nuno says he decided to start running
again. “I would do three to four kays on week days, then
maybe eight kays on the weekends. Initially I battled, but
I still enjoyed it, so in January I picked up my mileage.”
By the beginning of April he was up to doing a 38km run,
and then he decided to run to Dullstroom.
Nuno is planning his next big challenge
with Hazel Moller
“Getting fitter and feeling good about myself has
changed everything for me, and I constantly get
messages from people to say how I inspire them. I
have been asked to do several motivational talks,
including at schools, where I have spoken specifically
to kids facing expulsion. I’d like to start a mentorship
programme to continue this work, and I like sharing
my story, to hopefully help and inspire others
struggling with the same problem.
For a Worthy Cause
Soon after the Dullstroom run, Nuno was out jogging
in the rain one evening when he passed a homeless
man beside the road, sitting by a fire. Circling back
later, Nuno had decided to give the man his hoodie
top, but the man had already moved on, so that night
he decided he would do something for the homeless,
through a fundraising run. “The next day I contacted
Edenvale High School and suggested a Winter Warm-
up Run to raise funds and collect clothing. They said
yes, and so on 11 May, I started a 24-hour run on the
school grounds, and so many people brought clothing
that I extended it to 48 hours and eventually did about
255 kilometres. Different people joined me along the
way, doing a few loops with me for company, which
made it easier to keep going... except when they had
fresh legs and wanted to do speedwork!”
Less than two weeks later the school called and asked
Nuno if he was up for another charity run, this time to
help one of their teachers who had been diagnosed
with polymyositis, which attacks the cells and muscles.
“Philip Nell had lost the use of his legs, and needed a
wheelchair that could fit in his car, so I decided to do
a 72-hour running challenge and we managed to raise
enough money for the new wheelchair. Then in July the
school let me know that he needed a hoist to get the
wheelchair onto his car, so I said I would do a 67-hour
run on Mandela Day, again asking people to run with
me and make donations. During school hours, the kids
would join me during their PE periods, and I had people
dropping in all the time to run with me, so in the end I
decided to extend it to 72 hours.”
for charities. It’s all about overcoming hurdles and
changing your mindset, because I believe we’re
capable of so much more than we think we are. I also
think that people generally give up too easily... as I
used to do.”
Piecing Things Back Together
Nuno’s running has obviously had a positive effect on
his life, health and relationships, and his continued
fight against alcoholism. His years of substance abuse
unfortunately took too much toll on his marriage, but
he says there is still a positive side to things. “We’re
currently getting divorced, but it is amicable, and
Lauren and I are actually better friends now. I prepared
myself for this in rehab – I knew it was coming, and
accepted it. And it doesn’t make me want to go back to
drinking.” Another positive is that his relationship with
his girls is now stronger than ever, and Nuno says he
has tried to be completely open with them. “I have told
them everything, because there is no hiding this from
kids. My biggest regret is that all this was a very hard
lesson in life for them... and I know I made them grow
up too quickly.”
In terms of physical condition, Nuno has gone from
122kg to hovering around 85kg (most of it muscle),
his resting heart rate is now 46, his blood pressure
is way lower, and most importantly, his liver is back
to full function. He wakes at 3am most days and hits
the road for a 25km run before 6am, then usually
does another 15km later in the day. He still fasts here
and there, notably if he has sore joints, but says he
doesn’t follow a particular diet, just tries to be healthy
– but admits some days he eats 10 slices of bread
with peanut butter.
From 122kg
to 85kg!
Positive Outlook
All this running has prompted some people to
ask Nuno if he is running the risk of replacing one
addiction with another. After all, even if running is
healthy and good for him, too much could be a bad
thing, but he says he doesn’t see things that way.
“I am not addicted to running, I just want to do it to
show myself what I am capable of. I would much
rather lie on the couch, to be honest, but when I don’t
run, I feel like I am letting myself down.”
“Some people say I am just a dry drunk, but I disagree.
I don’t want booze now, because it no longer has a
hold over me. There is even still alcohol in the house,
as my wife and mother-in-law consume it, but I have
zero need for it. My life revolves around other things
now. I have moved on, and everything is in the open.
But I know there are so many people with an addiction
who are still in hiding, too ashamed to get help, killing
themselves slowly because of the social stigma
attached to the problem. It is happening to so many
people, and that’s why it is so important for me that I
expose what I have done, and the journey I am on. And
running is not only keeping me healthy, but also helping
me get that message out there.”
Unsurprisingly, Nuno is already talking about his next
running challenge, which he is busy planning with
well-known charity challenge runner Hazel Moller, of
‘10 Comrades in 10 Days’ fame. They are thinking of
either doing a Jozi to Mozi (Mozambique) run, or going
even further with a Jozi to Cape Town challenge. “The
plan is still a bit up in the air. Whichever route we
choose, we’ll probably look to run about 100 kays a
day. I don’t want to do too much planning, though, as
I think it may psyche me out,” he jokes. “I just want
it to be fun, and the goal will be to create awareness
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ISSUE 121 AUGUST 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
In a much happier place these days