RUN SPECIALIST
DALI
DWEBA
TOTALSPORTS FOURWAYS MALL
WHAT IS YOUR RUNNING HISTORY ? I started running in 2014 , having grown up watching the Comrades Marathon . One of my favourite moments was watching Vladimir Kotov taking the win – that inspired me , and made me determined that one day I would run Comrades , too . My first run was with my uncle , who was a good runner , he always did a 7km in the morning , so that was my first run . I loved it , and from there it just become my routine .
I progressed quickly and discovered I had a natural talent , so I went up to half marathons , and then finally my first marathon , which was the TUT Marathon . There was even a side-bet , where a lecturer offered students in our class an extra 10 % on their marks if they could beat me , but no-one did . Running is now just a part of my daily life . I also aligns with my favourite sport , boxing , and I believe that running is a key sport that everyone should do , no matter what type of sportsperson you are , as it ’ s key for all training .
WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT RUNNING ? It ’ s the most basic thing you can do to detox – when you run , all you need is your music and the road . It ’ s my meditation , my place to be free of everything .
HOW ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO BE A RUN SPECIALIST ? I completed a year of specialist running training , with my trainer Eddie Salome , and at the end of the course we sat for a written exam where you had to get a minimum of 75 % to pass . I got 98 %. I have been working as a specialist for two years , but I have been working at the store for three years , and I have been running consistently for seven years .
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH RUNNERS THAT COME INTO YOUR STORE , I . E . WHAT DO RUNNERS NOT KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD ? I think people need to know that running is an art . It is not a case of just picking up a pair of shoes and going for a run , you need to understand the art . You need to know your running style , how to prevent injuries , how your shoes determine everything . People who come into the store often haven ’ t done
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that deeps analysis , and by helping them you are helping them on a path to love running .
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT
TO TALK TO YOU BEFORE BUYING ANY RUNNING PRODUCTS ? It is very important , because I need to understand not only the customer , but also what running they are planning to do , and where they are going to be running , so we can find what they actually need , and not what they think they need .
WHEN STARTING A SESSION WITH A CUSTOMER , WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU ASK ? What are you hoping to achieve in terms of your running , what is your biggest goal , and how can I help get you there ?
IS BEING BASED IN A STORE LIKE TOTALSPORTS AN ADVANTAGE , AS YOU HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THE BRANDS ? Yes , it ’ s a big advantage , as you have access to all the fitness and all the running technologies from each major brand . Every technology has its good and its bad , and it ’ s important to marry the right fit with the right customer .
HOW DO YOU KEEP UP TO DATE WITH SPORTS TECHNOLOGY , SO YOU CAN RECOMMEND THE BEST PRODUCT MATCH FOR THEM ? I am in love with technology , so when a new product is released , I watch all the reviews and learn as much as possible , and of course , our in-house Totalsports app , Yoobic Boost , gives us all the info we need .
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO ANYONE GETTING INTO RUNNING ? My advice is to start small and set a goal , and when you reach that goal , ask yourself are you willing to go forward , and if your answer is yes , go further , because impossible is nothing .
70 ISSUE 144 AUGUST 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za