Any distance above 10km can seem very intimidating, but you don’t have to start with The Big C (or even end there). We chat to Comrades record breaker, Gerda Steyn about stepping up the distance and how to prep your body and mind for marathons and beyond
The Big C.
If you belong to a running club, you’ll know all about the hype around the toughest, more than-double the-distance of-a-marathon race that gets people asking: “Are you even a real runner if you haven’t done The Comrades?” 25 000 crazy runners entered this year – and it sells out every year. During the race, you’ll see every shape, size and age. You don’t have to be skinny or young to run long distances. What you do have to have is mental game and a good training plan.
MEET GERDA
YES, YOU CAN!
The knot in your stomach that forms when you get your entry confirmation email... Eeep! You’ve committed to run a marathon. Now what? “Don’t let your head tell you that you can’t do this,” says certified running coach, Garth Dorman of Embark. But where to begin? “A smart training plan and some dedication,” he says. We all know long-distance running requires time on feet. A lot of time. “You need a programme that works for you, that you can balance with your work, family and life. And then do the hard yards to get across the finish line,” says Dorman. As a coach, he creates personalised training plans to suit your level and needs. Some of the biggest mistakes Dorman sees with first-time marathoners is that they don’t set a goal from the start – and stick to it. Another common mistake is not practising nutrition on long training runs and trying to cram training in right at the end.
What he does advise? Cross-training. “I swear by it and it should be done in most training programmes. It helps reduce injuries and if you are injured it can help with rehabilitation. Cross-training can also make you run faster by increasing your aerobic fitness power and efficiency, plus it breaks up that mould of just going on long runs.”
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Irreconcilable Differences?
You’re one-upping your partner on all health fronts and now your relationship has more tension than your new resistance bands. Here’s how to get over the hurdle of mismatched goals.
Hot And Bothered
Inflammation is all the rage in health conversations right now and research is establishing it as a major player in all sorts of issues you don't want to deal with. But! You can safeguard yourself from the smokin' internal inferno with these smart strategies.
Self-esteem under the microscope
The term brings to mind positive-thinking memes with sunset backdrops and swirly lettering. But could I you sum up self-esteem when asked as part of a pub quiz? Didn't think so. And there's more at stake here than winning the points.
the reset
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO START OVER
Mind Over Muscle
Could you level up your strength training just by putting your mind to it?
ON BEING THE HEROINE OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Olympian. All-African Games winner. African champion. Record-breaker. Javelin athlete Jo-Ané van Dyk talks mental fortitude and what it takes to live up to your own hype. If there's one thing she can do, it's to throw down. And it's all about to reach peak levels.
Why Women Are Choosing to Be Child-Free
The choice can be liberating, yet stigmas persist. Here, how to cut through the noise with clarity and confidence to make the decision that's right for *you.*
FUEL YOUR SKIN
Inside your body, there's a crew of unsung protein heroes that scientists believe are the key to a healthy, glowing complexion. Heads-up: your routine is about to change for the better.
How To Be Decisive
You could use a Magic 8 ball to help you make a choice. Or, while you're waiting to 'ask again later', let our experts explain the best ways to get unstuck.
Build A Strong Base
You heard it here: the pelvic floor is the forgotten core - and you're selling yourself short by waiting for a specific life stage to train it. Your four-move workout is here.
