WALK THIS WAY walk this way by ZELDA BOTHA
A Blank Canvas for 2022
It is going to be an incredible year for race walking in South Africa , and I cannot wait to have the popcorn ready as I watch the action unfold .
Images : Courtesy Zelda Schultz
What a year 2022 promises to be . It will be the first year ASA has agreed to fly in three international judges to select a team for the World Race-walking Cup later this year . It will also be the first time that the World Cup , Commonwealth Games and World Champs will all take place in the same year , and the first year that the 50km will be replaced by the 35km distance ( and the 20km changed to a 10km for the Commonwealth Games ).
This is also the first year I qualified for the World Cup , and I am currently the fastest 10km female walker in South Africa , so it breaks my heart to announce that 2022 will also be the first year I won ’ t compete at any major events , and will unfortunately be taking a backseat to all the action . I have always said I was lucky , as I had never had an injury before … until it happened to me , in the best year of my career !
Highlights Upon Highlight
Reflecting on 2021 , I am still in awe of what I accomplished . I walked 10km under SA Record pace during a 20km race , but it couldn ’ t be recognised due to no international judging . I won my first Olympic trials , and set both the fastest 10km road and 10,000m track times for the season – and I still get goosebumps when I think about that 1:35:47 . I was truly blessed .
However , soon after that incredible walk , I encountered the injury . To go into detail would take me ages , but to keep it simple , it is a hip injury . I went through the first two months of injury believing it was just a niggle , so I kept on training and pushing my body , even though it was really painful . I had numerous treatments by the best physio in the world , Eben Verster , and I cannot thank
him enough for what he has done for me . I had shockwave treatments , I spent numerous hours in an ice bath , and even tried sitting in a hyperbaric chamber . Mentally , it was tough .
I got some great advice ( and a huge talking to ) from Olympian Irvette van Zyl , and she helped me get the best medical advice by putting me in contact with possibly the best surgeon . After my appointment with him , I had some real ‘ big girl ’ decisions to make ... I could continue race walking , but then they would have to inject my hip and my leg with all sorts of medication , which in the long term could really damage me , or I could take the leap and let them operate on my leg . What swung me was when the doctor said operating was my best chance to race again , or just have quality of life , for that matter . After that I was in !
Taking it One Step at a Time
The type of surgery I underwent was tough . I was in theatre for five hours , and it took me six weeks to start walking again . Mentally and physically , it was a whole new life for me . Suddenly , what I loved most , walking , was the one thing I could not do unassisted ... but all injuries have a silver lining . I appreciate my health so much more now . Being fit and healthy is really a blessing , and we should not take it for granted . Also , don ’ t take your talent , your achievements and your life for granted , and always stay humble , because you never know when something big like this can bring you straight back to the ground .
Meanwhile , I ’ ve learnt that swimming is really hard , and that I will never become the next Tatiana Schoenmaker . I swim one length and I feel like I deserve a piece of chocolate cake for my efforts ! On the other hand , cycling is super boring , but I honestly don ’ t think I ’ m doing it right . Does cycling while browsing social media actually count as a workout ? Either way , it has taught me that cross-training is my friend , and that I should definitely invest time in watching other sports as well .
Will I race-walk again ? Hell , yes ! It is such a huge calling in my life , and I truly believe that race-walking is the way I am supposed to live it . Although I have a deep appreciation for other things in life now , as well , I still strongly believe that this will only make me stronger , wiser and more efficient in the sport . The world is my oyster !
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 .
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