Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 74, September 2015 | Page 21

My HEART!

me, but inexperience ruining any chance of a lifetime best performance
against some of the best athletes in the world.

MA: What about hopes and dreams – I would imagine the
Olympics feature high on your bucket list?

MA: You’ve already represented SA at World Champs, African
Champs, the All Africa Games and World Cup events. What does
wearing national colours mean to you?

LAUREN: My aim is to be able to fulfil my potential, which will hopefully
be good enough for an Olympic Games or two, as well as Commonwealth
Games. I do, however, look forward to racing the longer distances, like
70.3, when I am ready to make the move up.

LAUREN: Representing your country never loses its magic, and racing at
the big events is both special and the most terrifying thing at the same
time. I love that and crave that feeling.
MA: You studied sport psychology at the University of
Johannesburg and are now busy with your Honours in sport
science, but you’re also racing full-time. How do you fit it all in?
LAUREN: I am extremely lucky that UJ supports me so much and has
allowed me to finish my degree part-time, giving me enough time for
training and racing while still passing, so I will still be finishing my studies
next year. After that I will need to look at ways in which to pay for my tri
dreams. At the moment I am fortunate to have some solid people and
brands that are supporting me, allowing me to pursue my goals: M.A.D.
Multisport, Schaldor Plastics, ASG Sport Solutions - Pinarello and Rudy
Project, Irwin Wheelsets, and XTERRA Wetsuits.

Been There, Run That

my story

Ma

Having already seen America’s Niagara Falls and Argentina’s Iguazu Falls, I had the privilege of ticking off another bucket list
item on 28 June when I ran the Econet Victoria Falls Half Marathon.
– BY NATALIE SZOT-MYBURG

Image: Courtesy Natalie Szot-Myburg

A

s we made our way to the start, excitement filled the morning air. The
full marathon lined up and after they played a short snippet of Chariots of Fire,
which was quickly replaced by jovial African music, the gun went and the top
runners shot off. Before the half marathoners lined up, however, there was a
kind of excitement that I had never experienced before at any race. As you tried
to take a photo, groups of smiling faces would suddenly jump into your photo,
many draped in Zimbabwean flags and wearing brightly coloured wigs. It felt
like we were all brothers and sisters from another land.

the road, a genuine large-head bathroom shower was set up to cool us down. I
didn’t want this run to end!
Crossing the finish line, an official placed my medal over my head, and at the exit point,
we were handed fruity ice-lollies. After such a hot race, that cold cherry lolly was the
cherry on top.

The run started off lovely and cool as we made our way into the rising sun,
and as we hit the 2km mark we were proceeding over the bridge and to the
anticipated sight I had dreamt of experiencing. The majestic falls thundered to
our left, and the sight was mesmerising. I couldn’t get enough as I just stood
and looked on in awe. Continuing, we passed the signpost entering Zambia
and ran to the turnaround, which was actually the closed border gate. We were
cheered by a line of smiling faces behind the gate as we turned to head back
across the bridge.
Most of the run was set in the bush, and the smell of the rising heat filled my
lungs. As I had no time pressure, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, linking in with
runners from different countries and chatting while we ran. The water points
were fun, and when we entered the National Park, a DJ had fun music playing
and was high-fiving us. Another turn in the road yielded a man dressed in
brightly coloured tribal gear, shouting words of encouragement. Further down

21