treatment, because TB seems to bring out the hysterical side in people.

TOUGH TIMES

TB doesn’ t only affect you, it places a huge burden on your family. Sometimes I felt having TB was harder on my parents and family than it was on me. They had full-time jobs and were driving to attend my appointments with me. It was physically, emotionally and financially draining for them, and I was totally reliant on them. It was also difficult for them to accept the illness, and adjust to the fact that despite their efforts to care for me, my condition might become worse.

Also, TB doesn’ t discriminate, but every time I went to a TB clinic, everybody looked at me strangely. It was as if they were thinking, what is this white man doing here? Another challenge was going to the clinic for follow-up tests and check-ups: Six months of waking up early, waiting for hours in long queues and sitting in cold waiting rooms at various TB clinics. Even if you were first in line, there was no guarantee that you would go home early. There were times when you were sent to another clinic as they did not have your medication, or your file was sent elsewhere. Some of the staff also seemed unfriendly, impatient and unhelpful.

COMING BACK …

Even when you are declared“ TB-free,” it still takes months to regain your strength and restart a normal, active lifestyle, but towards the end of 1992 I was able to start running again, and also played cricket and badminton. Such an amazing feeling to run again, true bliss! Then in 1993 I successfully completed the Peninsula Marathon, Two Oceans Ultra and the Comrades Marathon.

However, the mental side-effects of TB still haunt me. There is life after TB, but once you’ ve had it, you never forget it, and every time I feel ill, or get any of the symptoms, it sends shivers down

my spine. Even now, writing this 26 years later, I am extremely emotional. So many unpleasant flashbacks... But reflecting on it all, I realise just how fortunate I was. I had a great support system, transport to regular appointments, was financially able to sustain my nutritional needs essential to recovery, and it is also now clear to me that I was actually given preferential treatment at the clinics.

In conclusion, if you think TB won’ t pick you, think again, because even fit and healthy people can get TB – I can attest to that! But TB is curable, and if you or a loved one ever come down with this frightening disease, there is help available – again, I can attest to that. So let us all stand together to fight this disease.

MA Club Focus Ma

Image: Courtesy Jennifer Joynt

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RUNNING?

I started running in 2010 because I was tired of feeling like a sloth. I was a sprinter at school and thought I might give running a bash. One of the ladies at my daughter’ s school had run Comrades and I asked her for some advice. Before I knew it, I was up at 4am every morning for a run! On my first 5km, I almost died, but I persevered.

My first half marathon was the old Vodacom Half in Midrand, with my first half Marathon at the Goss and Balfe Marathon in Amanzimtoti in KZN. I attempted my first Comrades in 2011, but was taken off the road at 82km( 7km to go!), at 45th cutting cut-off, and in 2012 I ran to Winston Park( 31km) and bailed due to nausea. For now, I have set my goals to do a 10km in 50min and 21km in less than two hours. I will only attempt Comrades again once I know I am faster.

HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED?

Without a goal you will always have excuses … if it’ s not too hot, then it’ s too cold, or you’ re too tired. When you have a reason to do it, you will get up and go.

WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?

My dearest friend Natalie Madies, who’ s been with me with me throughout my running career. When I want to give up, she says it’ s a learning curve. If we take too long on a race, we’ re getting our money’ s worth. She believes in me, even when I don’ t, and she is my inspiration.

JOIN THE MODERN ATHLETE CLUB!

If you’ re in the market for a new running club in 2017, come on over to the Modern Athlete Club, with branches in Central Gauteng and Gauteng North. This is a club for runners of all abilities, and the club operates largely in a virtual environment, but it has a real presence at events. You will also enjoy a number of extra benefits from your membership, including individualised training and nutritional programmes, and great discounts and rewards from our partners.

To sign up or get more info, go to www. modernathlete. co. za / page / the-modernathleteclub or mail info @ modernathlete. co. za

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