Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 61, August 2014 | Page 6

Have YOUR SAY Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a good story to tell? Then send it to [email protected]. Images: Jacques Marais & Shawn Benjamin/Ark Images (Note that some letters have been shortened due to space limitations.) Winning Letter LOOK AT ME NOW! My name is Herman and I am not an athlete. I can’t run fast, my hand-eye coordination is below average, and physically I’m just not very strong. When I was at school, officially we were encouraged to partake in all extra-curricular activities. Unofficially, we were told to not waste the teacher’s time by partaking in sports if we weren’t any good at it. I wanted to join the cross-country team. The teacher in charge told me, “Well, you’re more than welcome, but you don’t really have the right body type for long distance running.” And so I stopped doing any kind of running sport, because I firmly believed – and told everyone – that I am not an athlete. Three years ago I got engaged and decided to join the local Run/Walk For Life club to try and shed a few kilos before the wedding. Initially I walked, then I started jogging at a slow pace – and realised that I was enjoying the jogging. Now our wedding has come and gone, but I am still running, and even entering trail runs – and loving it! Yes, I’m sure I will never win the Comrades Marathon, and yes, I still don’t consider myself an ‘athlete,’ but here’s a message to all my teachers and everyone else who put me down by telling