Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 124, November 2019 | Page 7

COMRADES
COMEBACK... WITH
BABY!
With Comrades entries having opened (and closed)
recently, I thought it might be cool to email you
a short recap of my Comrades journey last year.
I became a mom in March 2018. After being
pregnant for so long and only being allowed to run
shorter distances, I was so ready to get my running
shoes on and start training for my sixth Comrades
Marathon.
After six weeks, I ran my first 5km since becoming
a mom and just loved the feeling of being on
the road again. I slowly started to build up my
training and managed to qualify at the Winelands
Marathon, and from there I knew I was moving
in the right direction. I also managed to run a
marathon PB at the Peninsula Marathon, not on a
lot of mileage, but rather clever training.
It was very challenging fitting in my training, being
a working mom and full-time breastfeeding, but I
managed as best as I could. It was a very different
experience training and running races, as I was
very anxious about not hydrating enough and
being able to breastfeed without my milk running
out. Other challenges were also making sure I
always had someone to watch my baby boy while
I was running. I come from an ultra-running family
where both my parents and my husband run
ultras, so it was tricky finding people to babysit. He
actually ended up ‘seconding’ us on the road from
early on, so he is a proper supporter!
On the eve of Comrades, my baby woke up with
a temperature and spent the day in my arms and
attached to my boob (no relaxing for me!). We got
no sleep, and 10 minutes before we left, I fed him
and then drove off to the start. I actually found
Comrades day a breeze, compared to being a
mom of a sick child, and I take my hat off to my
dad, sister and best friend, who had him on the
road supporting us. I managed to run a PB at
Comrades, and the first thing I got to do after I had
finished was feed my baby. No rest for the wicked!
I guess I just wanted to send a message to all
those new moms out there, to say that anything
is possible, and just because you are a mom to
a little one, it doesn’t limit what you are capable
of. I am by no means fast or skinny, or anything
like the models we see on the front covers of
fitness magazines, but I know what I achieved was
amazing! – Heather Campbell-van der Merwe,
Cape Town
I know how seriously your whole family takes
its running, Heather, but also how much fun you
all have out on the road, so (a) awesome that
you bounced back to running so well after your
pregnancy lay-off, and (b) wonderful to hear
that your young man is going to grow up in the
awesome running community. Finally, couldn’t
agree more, anything is indeed possible! – Ed.
RUN
HIDDEN
ULTRALIGHT
HEEL TAB
prevents slipping
DEEP HEEL POCKET
keeps sock in place
MESH PANELS
aids ventilation
SEAMLESS TOE
helps prevent blisters
ERGONOMIC FIT
customized fit for both
left & right feet
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