Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 130, May 2020 | Page 11

I started with the ASA Level 1 coaching course and
attended a coaching symposium for Level 3 as an
invited Olympic athlete. My plan was to do Level 2
this year, then Level 3 next year, but I’m not sure if this
will happen for now, because of the pandemic. I’ve
also done first aid courses, and of course, I have my
degree in sports management as well. What motivated
me now me to start the business was being injured so
long,” says Nolene.
“When I went to Ireland for treatment on the injury, I
got guidance from Gerard Hartmann, including advice
on what to do after my career, because he believes
in a holistic approach to treating chronic injuries –
mind, body and soul – as all these aspects affect
recovery. COVID and not being able to race prompted
to me make a move now, but even so I was still a
bit reluctant, because I was worried that it would
take up too much of my time, in between my own
training and working for Endurocad. But I also
wanted to create a new stream of income for
myself, in case of a worst case scenario where
I lose my sponsorships, or race results and
appearance fees don’t come through.”
Taking advantage of the ‘down time’ provided
by both the injury recovery and the lockdown,
Nolene says she decided to get the business
launched now, but admits it is a daunting
challenge. “It’s quite scary to start something
new, but I told myself to start small and build
up, and thankfully, I have received great support,
assistance and encouragement from my team. It’s
early days now, and we’re still in the tough times
due to COVID and lockdown, so the focus now is to
provide something at an affordable rate, by working
on what the athlete can pay, and go from there.”
Looking ahead, Nolene says she sees herself more as
a fitness instructor than a coach to elites. “I’m more
passionate about helping beginners get into running
and leading a healthy lifestyle. Even though I have the
knowledge to coach elite athletes, I would rather want
to coach entry-level athletes, because I find that so
rewarding.”
Olympic Dream Renewed
Of course, Nolene’s main focus remains her own
running career, and she says now that the injury is
healing, her eyes are once again firmly locked on
getting to the Olympics in Tokyo. “I was actually
glad they postponed the Games to 2021, as it gives
me time to get back in shape and to qualify for the
marathon. I need to look how things pan out this year,
but if all goes well, I will look to run my next marathon
by the end of the year.”
She is understandably taking things one day at a time
for now, as the injury has left a psychological mark. “I
had a freak accident six days before I ran the Osaka
Marathon in January 2019. While doing a morning
run in Stellenbosch, I stepped on a rock and twisted
my ankle. I flew to Japan that same day, thinking
it was just a sprain that would be OK by the time I
raced, but after I finished the race, I could not put
weight on my foot at all. I had actually fractured my
foot during the race! Then after resting the injury for a
few weeks, I tried running again, and in the process,
while compensating, I injured my perineal nerve and
Illiotibial Band.”
“I went back and forth trying to get an accurate
diagnosis, because the injury just did not respond
to any form of treatment, and they could not find
the problem on an MRI or ultrasound. I then went to
Gerard in February, because he is one of the best
in the world, and he found that it was an ITB injury
caused by a dysfunctional, misaligned hip. We worked
to improve my proprioception through better balance,
and my hips and glutes required specific strength and
flexibility exercises, which I am still doing as I continue
to recover.”
Ecstatic to be back running after struggling for more
than a year, Nolene says she is keeping her hopes
firmly grounded and just building up slowly, making
sure she doesn’t get back into the longer distances
too soon. “With an ITB injury, you need to gradually
return to running, so that your body can adjust to
the load and adapt. Even if there was no COVID, I
would have focused on the shorter distances most
of this year, to get back my speed, then looked
to run a marathon qualifier for Tokyo towards the
end of year. I would love to go back to Valencia in
Spain in December, where I ran my marathon PB of
2:34:39, but that will depend on travel restrictions
and which races are eventually held. It is difficult to
plan, because I need four months to prepare for a
marathon, but at least I am back running again!”
Sign up with Coach Nolene
You can read more about Nolene’s new coaching services at
https://noleneconrad.co.za/coaching.
Support Nolene’s Campaign to Help Fellow Athletes
If you would like to make a contribution to Nolene’s fund to help pay
for food vouchers for athletes in need, please go to the link below:
https://www.givengain.com/ap/nolene-conrad-raising-funds-forendurocad-sa-endurance-academy-/
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