ROAD RUNNING
Chantel Memziwe
My story is a book ... I joined the SANDF in the year 2000 , overweight at 84kg , but within six months of basic military training in Kimberley , I was at 64kg . I did my firefighter training in Bloemfontein the same year and started working at Oudtshoorn Military Base as a firefighter in 2001 , but then I gained all the weight back . Not long after that , I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 .
I started playing volleyball , then in 2003 , I joined the Military Athletics Sports Club and walked races the whole year . In 2004 , I started running and fell in love with it . Growing up , I had a low self-esteem , but running changed my life completely , because I started emerging from my shell . In 2006 , I ran my best times – 50 minutes for 10km ( KKNK 10km ) and 1:57 for 21.1km ( Meiringspoort Half Marathon ). I also ran my first 30km that year in 3:15 ( Tygerberg 30km ).
It was only a few later that I realised why I loved running so much . It made me a stronger person , my go-to when I feel low , and I loved the runner ’ s high , especially when you achieve your goals .
I started working as a firefighter at Cape Town International Airport in May 2007 . I gained weight and lost it a few times after that , due to having two kids . Then in January 2017 I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer Stage 4 , and I thought my life was over . I had entered for my first Two Oceans 56km and had to give up my entry for a sub , but I kept running right through chemotherapy , and at the end of August 2017 , my scans came back clear . In September 2017 , I ran my second Cape Town Marathon , not knowing whether I would make it or not , and came in at 6:26 . I ran it with my amazing hubby – it was his first marathon , because he did not want me to run alone .
In June 2020 , I had to start chemotherapy again , as my spleen was enlarged . This time it was stage 3 , but I had to undergo more intensive chemotherapy , with three days in hospital every three weeks . After two sessions , my scans were clear , but they wanted to be sure there were no cancer cells , so I had to undergo two more sessions . In November 2020 , I took part in the Akanani Sports and Recreation Development Annual Charity event , running 117km over three days .
On 26 January 2021 , I underwent a bone marrow transplant – thankfully my older sister was a 100 % match . I was discharged from hospital on 8 February and slowly began building my fitness up . I ran my sixth Cape Town Marathon in October , finishing in
5:11 , and then participated in the Akanani Charity Run again . I managed 162km over four days .
Running has taught me that I ’ m stronger than I ever imagined , to push through pain , and that no matter what life throws at you , there ’ s always a light at the end of the tunnel . Every day I get to open my eyes is a blessing .
Chantel Memziwe
Jenny Emam
This is a very short story about a long run ... My Life is one long run . I started running straight after my divorce at the young age of 23 . I thought that I was running from a bad life , but running changed that to “ running through a great life .” Running has given me the ability to face every insurmountable challenge , as each run starts off on a high , goes through a gruelling middle , and somehow seems to mellow at the finish with a “ wow , I ’ ve got this , I can do it ” spirit .
Dave Rademan
My journey with Akanani inadvertently started in November 2020 . I happened to be in Amanzimtoti visiting family when I found out that some fellow Sleekgeek friends were running for charity and would be arriving in Amanzimtoti , escorted by the bikers from the annual Toy Run . I greeted my good friend Keshni Mohamed with a massive bear hug , tears everywhere . It was there and then that I took the decision to run in 2021 , if the opportunity was available . so I just decided to run . My weight continued to drop , but I also noticed that I lost a bit of the muscle mass I had gained in Durban .
By the end of 2019 , I was running more regularly and also started trail running . Enter 2020 and COVID , and I became one of ‘ those people ’ that ran around the perimeter of the apartment car park . I continued to lose weight , and I was focusing a lot on nutrition , healthy habits and a positive mindset .
This year , I took part in the 275km Akanani Charity Run in thanksgiving for my life , having suffered severe COVID symptoms myself and almost dying , to losing a father , cousins and many loved ones to this crazy pandemic . They say that 40 % of a long run depends on the fascinating strength of your mind . Well , thoughts of Bobbi Bear , and the difference they make in abused children ’ s lives , helped me stay focused on my goals and successfully achieve them on the run .
As a youngster , I was a keen runner . I used running as a time to be with my own thoughts . Once I reached my 20 ’ s , I started working and life happened . My weight ballooned from 65kg to 120kg , but for many years I was in denial , and still had these visions of myself as a fit , sporty youngster .
When I moved down to Durban in 2015 , I started training with a personal trainer , and while I did get fitter , my weight wasn ’ t moving . This was due to making the wrong nutrition decisions . Only in 2018 did I decide that I had had enough of being overweight , as I had literally become one of those people who battled to breathe , or just to bend over and tie a shoelace . This became the start of what I ’ ve dubbed “ My Beautiful Journey .”
I have been a lifelong supporter of the Comrades Marathon , and had always said “ one day .” At
Dave Rademan with Keshnie Mahomed
Jenny Emam
My mantra was to get out of my comfort zone , which I still live by today . I started taking my personal training more seriously , I committed to do the annual Daredevil Run through Durban in just a purple Speedo , I completed my first OCR event ( Warrior ), I started running more , and hiking . In 2019 I had to move back to Johannesburg for work , and leave my family in Durban . I wasn ’ t keen on going to a gym by myself ,
Images : Courtesy Haroon Emam
42 ISSUE 148 JANUARY 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za