WALK THIS WAY walk this way by ZELDA BOTHA
Expert Advice Part 2 : Right Gear & Mindset
I have been truly blessed in 2021 to have learnt from so many world class athletes , from how they approach a session to actually getting the work done , but one of the most valuable gifts I received this season was the gift of comfortable race-walking shoes and gear .
Dressed for an early morning long session pants . I love an off-shoulder T-shirt as well . In speed sessions , you want less distraction and less weight .
Essential Accessories
Essentials for any type of training include sunglasses – I love my Oakleys – or a cap , but I despise wearing a cap , even though it really helps with keeping the sweat out of your eyes and protects your eyes from the sun . Sunscreen in summer is a must – nothing worse than getting burnt during a session , when an even bigger session is planned tomorrow . And remember , even if the sun is hidden by clouds , it does not mean that the UV level is low .
Drinking bottles is something I am very particular about . I use the bottles that I will use in a race , as this helps me get used to the way they open , and how much you can drink from them in one go . Believe me , something small like this can really change your race .
Images : Courtesy Zelda Botha
Cooler and lighter for a short speed session
Last February , I was approached by Erik Pflieger , Brand Ambassador at Decathlon Walk and a Director of Decathlon France , with an offer to support my race-walking dreams with a sponsorship of Newfeel walking products through Decathlon South Africa . Lockdown began soon after our partnership began , and despite the chaos , Erik and Team Newfeel continued supporting me , and I absolutely fell in love with the brand and its people . Decathlon is making sport accessible to the many in South Africa , as their products are affordable and their quality outstanding .
So , what outfit do you pick before a training session and how do you decide which one is best ? Let me tell you how I go about setting out my training outfit for the next day . Firstly , I look at my programme and what the coach has planned – depending on whether it ’ s a longer session or a shorter one , you always want to be prepared .
Breaking It Down
For my longer sessions , I choose to be comfortable in light gear , but add a layer or two if it ’ s a morning session . It needs to be a layer I can easily remove whilst I continue training , and that I can wrap around my waist if needed . I also go for training tights that have pockets . I like listening to music , and I usually train alone , so I need to put my car keys somewhere . I also opt for thick socks . The Balega socks are my favourite . They are made from mohair and help me steer clear of any blisters . Lastly , I like taking my hydration vest if it ’ s a session I particularly don ’ t want to interrupt to drink water . This way I get to walk and drink at the same time .
Super important before a long session is to have the gear , the food and the drinks ready the night before . Go to bed 10 minutes earlier and just tell yourself what your plan is for tomorrow . Training is all about preparation . Meanwhile , for the shorter sessions , I love being super light . I choose my light RW900 Newfeel shoes , as they are my racing shoes . I use the same thick socks and short tight
I always try and remember to charge an extra set of headphones . This might sound obvious , but if you have planned to do your long session with Bluetooth earphones and then they die on you when you are not even 10 minutes into training , your entire session feels like it will last a lifetime ! I have made this mistake one too many times , and again it comes down to being prepared .
Plan for Success
Lastly , plan your route the night before , and set your pacing target . If the route is planned , you are more likely to already feel comfortable , knowing where you are going when you set off . That said , even though we can plan , prepare and visualise before each training session or race , you also need to be prepared for something going wrong … Unforeseen road closures , bad weather , poor race organisation and other things … so always have a plan B .
My coach said to me before a really important race this year : “ Zelda , if plan A does not work , then go for plan B , then C and D . By then you will have your groove and we just make the best of what you got .” Plan A worked wonders and I raced the race of my life . Why ? Because luck is when preparation meets opportunity !
About the Author
Zelda Botha ( née Schultz ) won the 2019 SA 20km Road Race Walking title and the 2021 SA Track & Field Champs title , and she represented SA at the 2018 African Champs in Nigeria . She balances training and competing in racewalking with a full-time job as a surgical sales representative , and being married to top obstacle racer Armin Botha .
63