ROAD RUNNING
Jo with Stellies running mates Jason ( left ) and Mark
got me into road running as well . Then , funny story , Jason dared me to run the Cape Town Marathon . I thought I heard him say ‘ you can ’ t do it ,’ so that was it , challenge accepted , and we started training for it . Ironically , on race day he lined up at the 10km start by mistake , thinking it was the marathon start , and said he was just getting into a good stride when the race suddenly ended !”
The following year Jo also decided to take on the world of triathlon and completed the IRONMAN 70.3 events in both East London and Durban . “ Ironman just proved to me that I can do anything , as I am definitely not a cyclist ! On the other hand , my swimming is good , as I did lifesaving when I was younger . Also , Mark said he would beat me out of water by five minutes , so I chased him hard , and I was first woman out the water !”
Focused on Wellness
Today , Jo is using her training in industrial psychology at the Mr Price group in Durban , where she heads up the company ’ s wellness portfolio . “ I focus mainly
In action at the Ironman 70.3 in Durban
on the health wellness and mental fitness of the staff , with a holistic approach that includes fitness challenges , wellness weeks and more , and this is especially relevant now due to the COVID pandemic ,” she says .
“ I am also heading up the Maxed Elite Running Club , which used to be just for elite athletes , until I launched a social club late last year that eventually merged with the elite squad . The club is open to everyone , not just Mr Price staff , but I ’ m really pleased that over 100 staff members signed up , including many beginners . We get personal trainers and dieticians to arrange training and fitness challenges , and I just oversee things while also doing more on the mental side of running .”
Looking ahead , she says the 45km Comrades Legends run has whetted her appetite to go still further , so she may put in her entry for the Comrades proper next year . “ It ’ s just the next thing for me , I think , another mental barrier to overcome .” Meanwhile , she has not given up on her international
Jo and some of the Maxed Elite members
marathon challenge , and says she would still like to do it when travel and events are allowed again after the pandemic . “ Reaching my fundraising target with the challenge will mean that we can build a second classroom for the kids at the crèche , and get them the resources they need to get a proper education , including chairs and sleeping mats . And that will be another fitting tribute to Jenna .”
Another Maxed Elite club run
You can follow Jo on www . instagram . com / whorunstheworld _ jo , and she would welcome further contributions to the two causes she runs for , Save the Rhino International ( https :// www . justgiving . com / fundraising / joanna-maingard ) and the Coshulwazi Crèche ( https :// www . backabuddy . co . za / joanna-maingard ). She adds that she is still looking for some sponsorship support for the eight marathon challenge , and anybody willing to support her run can contact her via Instagram .
Jo is determined to do her eight-marathon 51 challenge once the pandemic is over