TRAIL RUNNING
Balancing Work and Running
Ann was born in Zimbabwe , but her family moved to Howick in KwaZulu-Natal when she was still young . After school , she earned a degree in law from the University of KwaZulu-Natal , then worked for several years as an attorney . In that time , she also earned a master ’ s degree in law from the London School of Economics , before qualifying as an advocate . However , she put her legal career on temporary hold to see how far she could get in her athletic career .
Ann and David with new Phantane clubmate Mduduzi Khumalo
“ When I approached John in 2016 to coach me , he told me I would have to give up my job and run full-time , but I told him I still needed to be able to eat . Luckily , I found a solution when the people in the legal community suggested that I become an advocate , as that would allow me to work flexible hours and not always have to be in the office . I qualified as an advocate in 2017 , but it still meant I had to be up at 3am to train , head to work at 7am , then run again after work and classes . In 2018 , I was working for myself , but took 10 weeks off to train for Comrades , during which I had no income , but I was fortunate to have a club that could support me for that period .”
The sacrifice paid off , with Ann posting great results in 2017 and 2018 , including that Comrades win , and culminating in a 2:35:44 marathon PB at the end of 2018 in Valencia – with the trip to Spain paid for out of her Comrades prize money . Fourth place in the 2019 Comrades followed , but also brought a frustrating period of injury and loss of confidence . Fortunately , moving back to KZN , coupled with a change of coach and club , have breathed new life into Ann ’ s running .
She and David recently moved from Gauteng to Hillcrest in KZN , and Ann says she is loving the new training environment . “ I get to train on the Comrades route at least once a week , and that never gets old . It still gives me goosebumps . Also , we only live about 90 minutes ’ drive from the Drakensberg , so we ’ ve
Hitting the mountains to train for UTD and UTCT Enjoying life in KZN
16 ISSUE 141 MAY 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za