Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 135, November 2020 Nov 2020 | Page 38

WALK THIS WAY walk this way by ANEL OOSTHUIZEN

WALK THIS WAY walk this way by ANEL OOSTHUIZEN

The Identity Beyond

As we see other countries going back into lockdown , we are afraid that it might happen to us again , and this made me think back to what our situation was like just five months ago . As October was Mental Health Awareness Month , I thought it would be fitting to talk about how I coped mentally during lockdown , and how it affected me as an athlete .

We cannot deny that lockdown has affected all of us in some way ,

whether it has been financially , mentally or physically . We have all spoken about how we kept ourselves busy during lockdown , from creating home gyms and doing all kinds of challenges , to catching the banana bread baking ‘ craze .’ However , what I haven ’ t really spoken about to anyone is how I coped with having the biggest part of my life ‘ stripped ’ away for a few months .
When lockdown was announced , I saw for the first time in my life how almost everything in the entire world was put on hold . Throughout my life , things have happened where I ’ d wish everything could come to a standstill , just so that I , selfishly , could regain balance and then pick up where I left off . But as we all know , the world does not work like that . You could stand still , but everything else around you will continue moving . Actually , it will speed by .
Reading that , you may think that I would have a negative view of lockdown , but it is actually the opposite case . Looking back now , I think lockdown was the best thing that could have ever happened to me . I know this may sound absurd , but let me explain . As a long distance athlete I have been used to training outside on the open road each day , not being forced to stay in one space , and although it was not ideal being ‘ boxed ’ in , it taught me so much about myself . I really got to know another side of me , I got to see a glimpse of the identity beyond Anél the athlete .
Trying New Things
I have been an athlete my whole life , so most things I have done were focused on how they would affect my athletics , and how I would fit things into my training schedule . When that was taken away during lockdown , I realised I could do anything I wanted to , without having to look at my training programme or my watch . It was such a liberating and refreshing feeling !
I got to do things that I would not normally do . I started listening to podcasts , I tried new recipes , I started running a bit ( around the house , but it still counts !), and I did some proper gym work . I also started a business venture with my mom , something that does not have anything to do with athletics , but has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl , and something that we have wanted to do for over a year , but didn ’ t have the time for until now .
The point I am trying to make is that I discovered things that I enjoyed other than my sport . I found things that I am really good at , and things that I didn ’ t even know I was capable of . I got to spend real quality time with my family , and it felt like we got to share so much of our thoughts and ideas on a whole new level . I got to know the real me even better as a person , without the ‘ label ’ of athlete , and I also did a lot of reflection on self-worth . This was actually a topic on a podcast I listened to , and afterwards I thoroughly examined myself about who I really am when that label is taken away .
Fresh Outlook
This was more refreshing than you will ever know , as I got to dig really deep over a period of time , and I saw that life is about so much more than just stepping on the podium . Don ’ t get me wrong , I will never stop loving the feeling of accomplishment – that is just part of who I am – but I realised how doing things that you truly love should be prioritised , and how you should make time to just have some fun .
I love that I got to spend time with the “ at home , chilled me ’’ for a bit , and loved seeing myself thrive in a different aspect of my life , away from racing . It taught me so much about having a well-balanced life , and that life is truly too short to not find joy in the small things . So find your joy and share it with those around you . You will be surprised how many people need to see other people bloom in order to be inspired to look for their own ray of sunshine !
About the Author
Race Walker Anel Oosthuizen is a multiple SA Champion and Record Holder , and represented SA in the women ’ s 20km at the 2016 Rio Olympics .
Images : Courtesy Anel Oosthuizen
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ISSUE 135 NOVEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za