Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 63, October 2014 | Page 32

Ma

my story

Raising
the Bar

Abraham Lincoln once said: “Always bear in mind
that your own resolution to succeed is more
important than any other.” I hope my story will
inspire you to reach your own challenge!
– BY JULIE MILLER

M

y experience with exercise started at a very
young age, with athletics, netball, running, cycling
and later golf, and right now my next goal is to have
a go at triathlon! After school, I became a personal
trainer – that lasted for 10 years, which led me to start
competing in Miss Fitness Pageants. And I started
winning, too, clinching both the Miss Fitness South
Africa as well as the Miss Physique SA titles, and I
competed in Miss World Fitness, placing top 10 out of
52 countries.

Then I decided to focus on the even bigger stuff. As
a young girl, I would sit and watch the Comrades
Marathon on TV, and I was in awe, never believing
anyone could possibly run so far! After finding a
reputable running coach, Marcel Viljoen from FFA

Julie also juggles being a mom of two.

Running Club, and excellent supplement advice from
the knowledgeable Megan Jaffray of Pace & Power,
I began the daunting challenge. There were some
Achilles injuries, incorrect running shoes, and long
stretches of lonely running in the mornings, but it
worked out with my support, together with a positive
determination.

THE DREAM

Just six months later, I found myself at the start of
the Comrades Marathon. It’s all that it is said to be,
an unbelievable experience that every runner should
attempt at least once. From the very start, with the
traditions of our anthem, Chariots of Fire and the
cockcrow, until your feet hit the long-awaited grass at
the stadium finish, what an emotional roller coaster!
Tears of joy and pain for 89km. I told myself every
step of the way: “You are strong, fit and able. Every
mile will be worth your while.”
There were many things that stood out, like the
mighty Inchanga, where I encountered cheering
school children from the Ethembeni Home. It’s a
special place for reflection, with the majority of these
kids in wheelchairs or on crutches. It makes you push
that much harder. Not far from there sits the famous
Comrades Wall of Honour, where I stopped to take
a photo and pay respects. Then Pinetown urges you
to finish, but nothing quite prepares you for it. The
last 5km were special, with Durban in full view. Your
aching feet hit the grass for the last 400m and the
stadium is deafening. It’s hard to explain the sense
of achievement as your tired legs carry you over the
finish. “Well done! Another challenge in the bag!”

KEEP YOUR GOALS
On her way to her first Comrades finish.

32

So will I run it again? I could, but don’t feel the need
to. I’ve ticked the box and I’m setting my sights on my

ISSUE 63 OCTOBER 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za

next challenge: Ironman 70.3 in 2015! I believe that
one should always aim high. Firstly, set your goal –
make it realistic, but it must still stretch you. Mental
discipline is as important as training, so set your mind
to it, and just keep visualising the end result.
When training, recruit expert advice, be disciplined,
and most importantly, have a strong support system.
No man is an island! It may sound like hard work...
Well, it is. It will hurt. It will require willpower. But
as you persevere, success is in sight! So, for all you
‘modern athletes’ out there, go get it! Once you can
control your mind you can conquer your body. The
road is a good listener…

Fit and firm.

Images: Jetline Action Photo and courtesy Julie Miller

However, competing came to an end when I got
married and my precious twin boys were born – I still
consider them my greatest achievement! But it was also
at that time that I wanted to kickstart a new goal, so I
hit the road… I began with 5km and saw great results.
After about three years of consistent running, it started
to feel too much like routine, so I needed to ‘raise the
bar,’ so I began forming a plan to run the most beautiful
race in the world, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra.
And how beautiful it was – I enjoyed every step of
pleasure and pain!