Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 67, February 2015 | Page 6

Ma letters

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
[e-mail].
(Note that some letters have been shortened due to space limitations.)

WINNING LETT
ER

A DARE CHANGED MY LIFE
I am almost 53 years old, and until recently I was so unfit – and hated running.
But then my son Steven began running in January 2014 and did a parkrun. He
dared me to do just one. Just don’t dare me! After much nagging from Steven,
I thought I would run just one to keep him quiet. I honestly thought how hard
could a 5km run be, but was I in for the shock of my life. In February I ran
at Rietvlei parkrun (actually walked), and I completed my first 5km in 59
minutes, but it nearly killed me. I could hardly walk for the following five
days! But come the following Saturday I was back again.
The running bug sure bit me big time. To date I have run 37 Parkruns, my PB
being 39 minutes, and taking baby steps, I began with a 5km race, then ran
three more 5km runs. Gradually I went on to complete four 10km runs by the
end of September, finishing my first 10km in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Each
time I have bettered my time by five minutes. In November I ran two 21.1km
runs, finishing the first one in 3 hours and 8 minutes, and the second one
bettering my first run by 13 minutes (2 hours and 55 minutes).

I unfortunately do not have time to train during the week, so each weekend I
participate in the Rietvlei parkrun. Time- and weather-permitting, I sometimes
do an extra one or two 5km runs after the initial run, trying to get a few
kilometres clocked in before a race.
Steven and I go to races together, but part at the starting line. He is a serious
runner, having qualified for the 2015 Comrades, and he is in full training.
Steven is my coach and mentor – without him I would never have achieved
what I have. My times are not brilliant, but I feel such a sense of achievement
when finishing any race. I will never be a Frith van der Merwe, but I can
dream, can’t I?
Thank you, Steven, for daring me. I love running. The feeling of freedom and
competing against myself is the greatest challenge ever. Running has changed
my life for the better; I am fitter, healthier and happier.
– Antoinet є