Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 99, October 2017

SOWETO READY, SET, RUN! FITNESS FUNDI, ENDURANCE ATHLETE, CO-OWNER OF POP-UP-GYM, LOVER OF LIFE, LETSHEGO ZULU WILL BE RUNNING THE OLD MUTUAL SOWETO MARATHON COME 5 NOVEMBER 2017. SHE SHARED SOME ADVICE ON PHYSICAL, NUTRITIONAL AND EMOTIONAL PREPARATION. You will be running the 42 km Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, tell us about your running prep and what you be focussing on? A will I’m always active, fitness has been my lifestyle for so many years it is a part of me but a marathon is no joke. I therefore have a training schedule in fact I’m already preparing for some marathons next year including the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. I’m a real cross trainer in that my training programme includes running, cycling, swimming and gym. For 15-18 years all I did was running until a year and a half ago when I started training for my first triathlon. I find with cross training, I’m so much stronger and faster with no niggles. Q How does your experience as a biokineticist impact the way you train for endurance running in particular? A Well I haven’t been a practising biokineticist for a long time but my background gives me a great understanding of my body and what to do to avoid injury. When injured, I also know when to rest. Q Tell us about your day-to-day eating habits versus your nutritional plan ahead of the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon? I’m not ever on a strict diet but I ultimately understand how my body A functions so I know what’s good for me and what’s not so good. I don’t limit myself and do indulge every now and then. My nutritional plan is simple; when I am running a marathon I carbo load and when my body is in recovery I eat protein to repair my muscles. Q Q We obviously know Old Mutual Soweto Marathon as the People’s Marathon but what about the Soweto Marathon makes it so unique for you? I’m from the North West so I don’t know much about Soweto. The Old Mutual Soweto Marathon incorporates all our people and exposes many of us to a place we wouldn’t ordinarily visit. It is literally a running tour and essentially an educational experience. A How do you balance your training schedule with work, home and your social life? Absolutely everything goes into my diary from my daughter’s swim- A ming lessons to my gym sessions and even lunch with friends, however nothing is cast in stone. If I wake up and it’s raining and my schedule says I’m supposed to be running then I go to gym to run on the treadmill instead. With- out this degree of flexibility a lot wouldn’t be achieved because life happens. Q Tell us about your ongoing involvement with Caring for Girls? What do the values of this organisation mean for you? A This is a cause that touched mine and my husband’s hearts for a very long time especially as parents to a little girl. As a woman, I can’t im- agine not having access to sanitary towels. This is an issue in our society that I just need to highlight. If it means that I need to climb Kilimanjaro for the next ten years to create awareness for this cause then that’s what I will do. Q Q At Old Mutual, we pride ourselves on Doing Great Things. What does this mean for you? A We only get one chance at life and so I live my life to the fullest, doing extraordinary things. I often say to people, when I get to heaven I want to have a lot of great stories to tell. Become part of the World of Endurance online community and get expert advice, training guides and event information. www.worldofendurance.co.za 44 ISSUE 99 OCTOBER 2017 / www.modernathlete.co.za

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 99, October 2017 | Page 44