ROAD RUNNING
Zubayr and dad Faizel after collecting another medal at a Dirtopia trail event
Running has really given Zubayr confidence and strength – he ’ s even participating in the 1000km Challenge
taking care of his brother more now . He handles his brother ’ s medication and physical exercise – he puts Ziyadd on the treadmill for 20 minutes of walking each day .” ( Zubayr ’ s take on this is , “ Yes , I help my brother train on the treadmill , because it is good for him , but I have to hold on the emergency stop key , because he has learnt that it stops the treadmill if you pull it out .”)
Lameez continues , “ On specific days he has to sort out breakfast for the two of them , and other days their lunch . We ’ re looking to sign him up for a cooking course later this year , and all of this is to get to the next step , to allow Zubayr to look after Ziyadd someday when Faizel and I are no longer here for them . That is my biggest fear , what happens to them when we are gone , so while I am still alive and healthy , I want the two boys to live on their own , but where I can watch them remotely , so I have peace of mind for when I am no longer there for them . Zubayr would then become the primary caregiver for his brother . I will be honest , this can all be overwhelming , and there have been days I have been depressed and wanted to give up , but I ’ m not complaining . I love my boys , and this keeps one humble .”
Learning New Skills
As part of teaching Zubayr the life skills he will need , Lameez recently started a business , opening a new pharmacy in Kraaifontein so that he will have a place to work and continue developing . “ I ’ m overwhelmed by how well it ’ s going , and it has exceeded our expectations . We ’ ve had so much support from the
community . Along with the marathon , the pharmacy is a dual journey for Zubayr , to teach him responsibility and how to build something , and Mercia is continuing to help us greatly in teaching him new work skills ,” she says .
“ He started with some simple cleaning duties , but soon worked his way up to invoicing , stock control and filing , prepping change for till and other such duties . Mercia has also taught him how to help athletes who come into the pharmacy . Now he has learnt to work on the computer , and can work remotely from home two days a week . He always lets us know when he is logging on to the server , and when he is done , and that shows he has learnt both skills and responsibility ,” she says proudly . Zubayr adds , “ I enjoy the work , like capturing invoices and counting the money . I usually work from home Wednesday and Friday , and I am at the pharmacy three times a week .”
Lameez continues , “ I didn ’ t realise where running would take us , and the same applies with the pharmacy , I knew nothing about pharmacies , but have a friend who had worked in the field and could give me advice . Also , Mercia has been a great help , so all I can say is thank you to all who have and continue to support our family !”
Long-term Goals
Looking ahead , Lameez says one of her big goals is to create more awareness of autism through Zubayr ’ s running , and hopefully to help other families who may be experiencing similar challenges . “ I think very few people understand it , and I don ’ t think that many runners have been exposed to autism , so I think we can create awareness , hence I am so excited about this article .”
More importantly , though , she says she can see that running is obviously good for Zubayr , and that he loves races , so they are definitely planning more . “ He doesn ’ t have any specific running goals or times , he just runs as he feels and likes . The biggest thing I am struggling with at the moment is his heart rate , because running seems to do nothing to it . So , in our first marathon , it was probably more me that determined our pace and time , whereas he didn ’ t even break a sweat . Therefore , perhaps we can set bigger goals for him , but it ’ ll be up to him .”
She adds that while he has not yet said whether he wants to run the Cape Town Marathon again this year – and she is not pushing him , wanting him to decide for himself – he has said he would like to go run an overseas marathon , specifically the New York Marathon . “ He has Googled New York and the marathon , and told us he ’ d like to go run it someday ,” she says . “ I ’ ve chatted to Shanaaz about it , and we ’ re thinking of plotting a trip to the World Majors , perhaps including New York , in three years ’ time . We ’ ll build it into Zubayr ’ s training , and see what he thinks about that .”
When asked why he specifically wants to go to New York , Zubayr explains , “ We had an implementer at school , from the US , and I love America and Americans . I want to go to New York , and the New York Marathon is long-term goal . I do prefer the shorter runs , like 10 , 15 or 21 kilometres , but I am thinking about running 42 again this year . I like running . It is gives me confidence and makes me feel good . It is part of my strength .”
While they still often race together , Lameez is comfortable to let Zubayr go it alone
Zubayr loves his races , and says there are many more in his future
Images : Moegsien Ebrahim & Keith Linderoth
38 ISSUE 156 | www . modernathlete . co . za