Back
in the early 1990’s, I became intrigued by this running race called the
Comrades Marathon. It caught my eye when an insert appeared on the TV revealing
the history behind this iconic race, and I saw the founder was an early war
veteran named Vic Clapham. Interesting, I thought, this gentleman had the same
surname as me. After doing extensive research via my family and the Comrades Marathon
Association, it came to light that Vic Clapham (Senior) was my great-great
grandfather, and I learnt that no Clapham family member had ever completed the
Comrades – Vic Clapham (Junior) had attempted the ‘Down Run’ in the 1930’s, but
did not finish.

 

So,
after years of watching this awesome race, both on TV and from the roadside, I
decided at the age of 34 to attempt running it. I did all that was needed to
start my journey: I found the right club, one that had history behind it, a
family club, the Natal Carbineers. It appealed to me because of Vic being in
the First World War. I was never the athletic type at school in terms of
running – I preferred cycling – but over time, with the help of dedicated,
friendly clubmates and other friends, I quickly learnt the tricks of the trade.
So in 2011, I was in Durban for the start of my first ‘Up Run’ to
Pietermaritzburg.

 

WHAT A FEELING!

Words
cannot explain what I felt that morning standing amongst 18 000 runners,
singing the National Anthem and hearing Chariots
of Fire. Whilst en route to Pietermaritzburg, it felt so different being on
the road than watching it from the TV or roadside, so much more alive. Much to
my joy, I managed to work my way past Drummond, but unfortunately, I did not
make it to the finish – but any disappointment was shortlived, and by the time
registration came around for the 2012 ‘Down Run,’ I was ready to give it a
second try. I qualified again by running the Maritzburg Marathon, with a
slightly better time, and then I counted down the days to 3 June. This would be
my year to shine, and my goal was to earn a Vic Clapham medal.

 

In
2011, amongst all this craziness, I went to a meeting at Natal Carbineers one
Friday evening to hear about this movement called Red Sock Friday. I met an
awesome, inspiring young man, John McInroy, the visionary behind ‘I Wear Red Socks
on Fridays,’ and I was absolutely blown away by his story. I knew instantly that
a connection had been made, and that bond has just grown stronger over time.

 

READY TO GO AGAIN

The
big day finally arrived: Sunday 3 June, Pietermaritzburg City Hall,
the start of Comrades 2012. The atmosphere was electric, and I was proudly kitted
out Natal Carbineer colours and wearing my iconic “shooops” socks. The anthem
was sung, Chariots played out and the
goosebumps kicked in. I was determined to reach the stadium in Durban. I had
met up with a fellow Carbineer, Shannon Smith, at the start and we made a pact
to try and stay together until the finish. We paced ourselves perfectly and I
was feeling confident and positive, and the day became even more inspiring when
I ran past other runners wearing red socks.

 

Coming
into Drummond was awesome, because it meant that I had left Pietermaritzburg
behind and was destined for Durban.
I continued along the route, enjoying the cheering from supporters, but the
real crunch arrived when I shuffled down Fields Hill. The 10km to go mark came
and I knew I was almost home, so I carried on in agony, realising my first
comrades was almost in the bag. Then, with just 3km to go, I decided to walk to
the stadium, as I knew I was home safe.

 

CLAPHAM PRIDE

I
was amazed at the atmosphere within the stadium and what an awesome feeling it
is to run to the finish line. At last, I crossed over the final mat in 11:29
and ‘air-punched’ in excitement. Just after this, I met up with fellow finisher
and ‘Red Socker’ John McInroy, who happened to be waiting for friends to come
in. We just hugged each other in excitement to celebrate me finishing my first
Comrades. It was then that it sunk in that I had just made history: I am the
only Clapham family member to successfully complete the Comrades!

 

I
had conquered Comrades 2012, running it in memory of my great-great
grandfather, and accepted my Vic Clapham medal, in my Carbineers colours and
red socks, with much pride and jubilation. Long may Vic’s vision live on!

Pinelands Athletic Club, Cape Town

The
Pinelands Athletic Club dates back to 19 August 1937, when 21 local residents
met to discuss a proposal for a new club by Gifford ‘Penty’ Pentland-Smith, a former
member of Celtic Harriers. The proposal was accepted and training began with
early morning sessions on a field that became the Pinelands Cricket Oval –
which is still home to the club today – and the athletes had to share the field
with the horse-riding Earl of Athlone, Governor General of the Cape, and his
wife Alice. Over the next 40 years, many Springbok athletes ran in the dark
blue vest and light blue shorts of Pinelands, including George Munnik, John
Anderson, Edna Maskell, Brenda Parkinson, Donald Macdonald, Anne McKenzie,
Heide De Kock and Freddie Williams.

 

When the
global Running Boom took off in the late 70s, ‘fun runs’ became popular in
South Africa, so the club formed its Pinelands Plodders section. Initially kitted
out in bright yellow T-shirts, many of these joggers then graduated to full
membership and blue club vests, including current Club President Kaare James
and his wife Marlene, who is the current club secretary.

 

“Marlene
and I joined the Plodders in 1978 and I ran my first marathon in 1979 at the
Kellerprinz Winelands in Stellenbosch. I’m still going strong and last year I
did my 30^th Two Oceans, while Kenny Williams ran his 30^th
this year,” says Kaare. “I’ve seen the club grow a lot and change a lot over
the years – it started with a family gathering feel about it, then became a lot
more serious in the 1980s, and then went back to more of a social club, and today
we have about 220 members.”

 

WINGS ON THEIR FEET

In 1983,
Dave Spence was appointed as Head Coach and under his guidance a number of
Pinelands athletes posted outstanding results, including the late Welcome Nyoka,
who was Western Province (WP) champion in road, track and cross country in the
80s. Then in the 90s Makhosonke Fika represented SA on the track and road as
well as in cross country, including the IAAF World Champs Marathon, while Nancy
Will won many WP titles and set many WP records from 10km to the Comrades.
(Dave was also coach to the ‘Flying Policeman,’ Johan Rossouw, who set the SA
100m record of 10.06 seconds in 1988, which still stands today.)

 

“Cross
Country was a big favourite of Dave’s, and in 1987 Pinelands dethroned
Stellenbosch University of the WP Cross Country title for both men and women,
and we held these titles on and off for the next 10 years,” says Kaare. Today,
although Pinelands is regarded predominantly as a road running club, there are
a few members who participate in track and field, including the club’s oldest
member, 92-year-old Philipp Frech, who holds world records in shot put and
discus in his age category. A trio of 80-year-olds, Borg Stannuis, Steve
Johnston and Neville Sharpley, are also active, while the slightly younger Robin
Buck still regularly wins long jump events.

 

CLUB ACTIVITIES

Morning
club group runs take place from Monday to Friday at 5:15am, and in the evenings
there are 10km runs on Monday and Wednesday and a hill repeat session on
Tuesday, all at 6pm. The club’s 2.5km or 5km time trial is run on a Thursday
evening at 6pm, and usually attracts between 60 and 80 athletes. Young runners
are catered for with a four-lap 2.5km course on the cricket fields, to keep
them off the roads. “The social vibe at our club is great, especially
on Thursday nights after the time trail, when meals are on sale, and we get not
only our club members attending, but also local residents and members of other
clubs,” says Kaare. The second Thursday of each month is Club-Nite, and other
social activities include bring-and-braais, Trivial Pursuit evenings, scavenger
hunts, the annual President’s Breakfast Run and the annual awards dinner dance.

 

Each year Pinelands
organises the Asics Hohenort 15km run in February in Constantia, the 5x3km
cross country relay in April, which traditionally kicks of the WP cross country
season, and the McKenna Scott 10km in Pinelands in August. This third event
will form part of the club’s 75^th Anniversary celebrations:

?        
5 August: Mckenna Scott 10km – the
finish will be lined with special balloons.

?        
7 August: Cocktail Party at the
club for Ex-Chairmen/Life Members/VIP’s.

?        
19 August: Don Lock Memorial 8km –
each Pinelands runner will run with a special balloon.

?        
31 August: Dinner/dance at the
Pinelands Town Hall for members & partners.

 

Breathing Problems

I need
advice on low lung capacity and running/cycling. I was diagnosed with 66% lung
capacity, I am 36 years old, and though I do run and cycle, I battle the whole
way with my breathing. Is there anything I can do to improve my breathing or
running as I am getting very despondent? –
Emma Chisholm

 

ANSWER

Unfortunately
there is nothing you can do to get back to 100% of your lung capacity, but you
can better utilise the 66% you do have available. You are born with a
particular maximum lung capacity which is called VO2max – maximum rate of
oxygen flow, also known as aerobic capacity. In your case, you only have 66% of
your VO2max, hence the importance of training smart.

 

Lactate
Testing is considered to be the most important determinant of success in
endurance activities. Training at the right intensity is important to help you
reach your goal. During training, your body uses glucose as energy, and the
by-product of this glucose breakdown is lactate. To get rid of the lactate in
your blood, you need enough oxygen to break down lactate and re-use it as
energy. When you don’t have enough oxygen and produce too much carbon dioxide,
lactate can’t be broken down and it accumulates in the blood, and eventually you
reach exhaustion.

 

With VO2max
and lactate tests, we can identify the most appropriate training intensity and
type of training for you specifically, to build your fitness level at your own
pace. However, it is easier just to start running slower and concentrate on deep
belly breathing, which may aid in increasing your lung capacity and efficiency.
It expands the diaphragm to its max during inhalation and uses your abdominal
muscles to squeeze air out during exhalation, resulting in more oxygen reaching
the muscles per breath.

 

 Runner’s Knee

I am 37 years old and a casual
runner. I have done about six 10km and 15km events. I experienced a terrible
pain on my right knee during my last 15km race and I could hardly walk or climb
up the stairs afterwards. I rubbed my knee and after a week the pain was gone,
but it started again when I attempted exercising again. What is the cause of
this and what can I do for the pain to go away permanently? – Thenji Masuku

 

ANSWER

It sounds like you have patellofemoral knee pain, also known as runner’s
knee. The pain is localised around inner and outer border of the kneecap, is
felt while running, and generally gets progressively worse and is aggravated by
longer distances. Sitting for long periods, squatting and walking up and down
stairs can also cause discomfort. This pain can result from several causes:

?        
Excessive pronation of your foot. Check for
abnormal wear on your shoes.

?        
Weak hip muscles which result in inward rotation
of the thigh, resulting in increased pressure under the kneecap.

?        
Training errors which include building mileage
too quickly, or excessive speed or downhill running.

 

Treatment should include one or several of the following:

?        
Anti-pronation shoes or orthotics may be
required to correct excessive pronation.

?        
Strengthening of the thigh muscles (quadriceps)
and hip muscles to help decrease the load and pressure on the knee.

?        
Taping can help correct altered tracking of the
kneecap and temporarily decrease the pain.

 

The key to winter running dressing, especially with
your upper body, is layering, using two to three lightweight layers. Not only
do layers trap body heat, but sweat is wicked away from your first layer to
your outer layers, and then evaporates, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable.
Therefore, the layer closest to your body, the base layer, should be made from
a synthetic wicking material, like polyester or polypropylene – make sure not
to wear a cotton base, because once it gets wet, you stay wet! (Wool can also
work as a base material, because it absorbs the moisture vapour generated
between your skin and the fabric as you sweat, but keeps you warmer than cotton
when wet.) Here then are a few base layers we recommend you try.

 

First Ascent Thermal
Long Sleeve Top

This polyester-based top has bamboo
interwoven into the mix, because it provides lightweight, soft and comfortable
clothing that not only aids in moving moisture away from your skin, but also
offers natural anti-bacterial properties that reduce odours. A nice feature is
the extended back-length to stop the cold getting to the small of the back.

R219
at First Ascent stockists – see www.firstascent.co.za for more info.

 

First Ascent Derma-Tec Base Layer

Made from Derma-Tec, a super-stretchy
polypropolyne/nylon combination, the most noticeable feature of this top is its
Body Mapping Technology (BMT) panels on the front, back and arms, which have a
different knit in key areas to allow more freedom of movement as well as better
breathability. The Derma-Tec also offers great anti-odour benefits.

R399
at First Ascent stockists – see www.firstascent.co.za for more info.

 

Hi-Tec Calipso Base Layer

This top uses advanced Dry-Tech fabric made from
nylon and polyester to keep in the maximum amount of heat while moving moisture
away from the skin, and adding minimum weight. Extra-breathable panels are
added below the armpits, as well as on the upper chest and tops of the arms and
shoulders, to promote extra ventilation and drying on the move.

R???
at Sportsmans Warehouse, Cape
Union Mart, Outdoor
Warehouse, Athlete’s Foot

 

Hi-Tec Herman Base Layer

The Coolmax
fabric used here is a blend of polyster, nylon and elastan, giving you a
body-hugging fit with superior moisture-wicking properties. Added to the mix
are panels using a different, ever so slightly looser knit pattern, included to
allow a bit more freedom of movement in key areas that an active person may
need it in, hence the funky patterning.

R???
at Sportsmans Warehouse, Cape
Union Mart, Outdoor
Warehouse, Athlete’s Foot

 

Icebreaker 200
Lightweight LS Sprint Crewe

This technical base layer is made from superfine wool of the merino, a
mountain sheep that lives in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Combined with
lycra to give the top structure and elasticity, this gives you a quick-drying,
easy-breathing and odour-resistant material for your base, and a silky smooth, hugging,
warming fit.

R949
at Drifters stores – see www.drifters.co.za for more info.

 

TRIED &
TESTED BY THE TEAM

 Get-You-Going Brekkie!

 

To start your
morning on the right foot, there’s a new breakfast that will take you the
distance. Biogen Energy Porridge – Instant Energy Meal is a delicious
new fortified maize product, available in vanilla and chocolate, that gives you
sustained energy throughout your morning. It’s also appetising and will keep your
blood sugar levels stable. It is lactose- and gluten-free, contains dietary
fibre, and has been fortified to provide 100% of the recommended daily intakes
of all vitamins.

 

It is often
said that “healthy doesn’t always taste so great, but it has to be eaten.” Well,
Biogen Energy Porridge dispels this myth, as it gives you something to actually
look forward to when you wake up in the mornings! The whole Modern Athlete team gave it the taste
test and found both flavours delicious. It mixes well, and you can eat it warm
or cold, or even make a smoothie with it.

 

Available
at Dis-Chem stores.

Seven-time
Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was one of the first athletes to use
the tape, and he praises the “special hot-pink athletic tape that came from Japan
and seems to have special powers” in his book Every Second Counts. In the recent Euro 2012 soccer champs, Italian
striker Mario Balotelli ripped his shirt off after scoring, showing the world three
lines of blue tape on his back. And it’s sure to feature prominently at this
year’s Olympics. In just a short period of time, Kinesiology tape has become a
global sporting phenomenon!

 

It is a thin
stretchy healing tape that can relieve pain, reduce swelling and provide
structural support to joints and muscles, helping athletes perform at their
peak. While it may seem like a new idea, it was actually developed in the
1970’s by Dr Kenzo Case, says Tony Paladin, Chairman of Gauteng Biokinetics,
Medical Centre owner and elite athlete. “Dr Kenzo wanted to create something
with a similar texture to the human skin, so as to facilitate movement, because
most sports tapes were quite rigid, limiting joint mobility. The thinking
around this was to develop a taping technique that supported and assisted the
muscles and tendon, and not necessarily the joints and ligaments.”

 

HOW IT WORKS

“The
kinesiotape method involves applying the tape around and over the muscles in
order to prevent ‘over-contraction,’ which causes muscular cramping and
tearing,” explains Tony. “This offers support to the muscle, but still allows
full range of motion and hence movement function.” Thus the tape can be used to
treat joint pain or arthritis, reduce inflammation, prevent overstretching,
decrease muscular fatigue and provide relief from cramping.

 

According to Brett
Goldberg at Spidertech, a South African company that specialises in pre-cut
‘spiders’ of kinesiotape for specific muscles, tendons and joints, the tape
works on three levels:

?        
Structural effects are achieved when potentially harmful ranges of motion need to be
restrained, or better postural positions need to be supported dynamically.

?        
Microcirculatory effects are attained using the lymphatic range of products, for
treatment of swelling bruising and oedema. This is done by improving
superficial fluid dynamics and lymphatic drainage.

?        
The Neurosensory effect provides an
enhanced sensory stimulation, which leads to a decrease in the neural
perception of pain. Thus wearing the tape continuously for a number of days
helps normalise the neural drive to muscles that are involved in painful
conditions, or after injury.

 

On the up
side, Brett adds that there are other benefits to using this inexpensive tape.
“It is water-resistant and breathable, comfortable and easy to wear.
Applications can be worn for five days, even through showering, swimming and
intense exercise.”

 

NOT QUITE DIY BIOKINETICS

Thanks
to the growing popularity of kinesiotaping, health and fitness education
institutions like HFPA now present courses in taping, and more people are
learning to strap themselves, but you must be careful not to end up with a
“fashion accessory,” says Tony. “Merely slapping on some funky-coloured tape
makes the muscles look pretty cool, but without understanding why the tape has
been applied, the athlete will generally continue to move ‘around’ their source
of dysfunction and not ‘through’ it by moving into the area of weakness.” He also warns that
kinesiotape cannot always replace rigid taping: “Sometimes joints need
to be stabilised in order to prevent further damage to them whilst the muscles
are rehabilitated.”

There’s an
aura surrounding Debora Patta: Hard-hitting, to the point, perhaps even a
little intimidating. And it’s that style of journalism that has taken her all
over the world to meet important figures and cover the news and issues. For the
past two decades, she has fearlessly reported on world events, from the 9/11
attacks in New York to US President Barack Obama’s election campaign. On local
shores, she delivers commentary on political events, shedding light on corrupt
officials and putting those in power on the spot with her probing questions in 3^rd Degree – and her frank
approach had former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, former Metro
Police Commissioner Robert McBride and former National Police Commissioner
Bheki Cele, amongst others, sweating in the hot seat!

 

Starting
her career at Radio 702, Debora followed Madiba’s release, reported on Princess
Diana’s funeral and the terrifying Gulf War in Baghdad. In 1998, she moved to
E.tv to become their senior correspondent, then moved up to Chief Anchor for
eNews Live from March 2000 to 2005. In 2000, Debora also premiered 3^rd Degree, a current affairs
show that tackles hot, controversial topics, and she is still host and
executive producer today. “It’s been a fantastic brand with millions of viewers
and has grown a great deal! I am a product of my team. There are some spunky,
talented journalists who I look forward to mentoring in the future!”

 

Debora says
her job has given her opportunities to travel around the world and meet amazing
people, and she remains happy about the path she’s carved for herself. “I love
that no work day is the same, and that I get paid to be curious and brave. The
thing about journalists is that we run into places most people are running out
of!”

 

A HEALTHY DRIVE

But there’s
more to Debora than what we see on TV. In person, she is open, candid and welcoming,
and proud of what she’s accomplished in her career. She loves to read, watch
movies and hang out with friends. She’s a wife and mother to daughters Chiara
(12) and Isabella (6), and a complete fitness nut as well. While juggling late
hours in researching and producing stories with her team at 3^rd Degree, and playing mom, Debora also fits in exercise six days a
week, running on three days and mixing in cardio at the gym and cycling. On the
weekends, she’ll run between 10km and 21km, usually at a steady six minutes a
kay.

 

“People who
say there is no time to work out are full of excuses. I have two kids and only
get home after 7pm and I make the time to exercise for an hour a day,” she says,
and in all the global events Debora has been witness to, she’s used running to
explore the different cultures and cities she has had the chance to be in. “I’m
pretty rigid about exercise and what you put in your body. I’ve run everywhere.
From Baghdad to New York
and Angola.
I ran past Kensington Palace when Princess Di died and saw all the flowers
people left. I’ve also run in India and Hong Kong.”

 

For her,
it’s a unique way to see a city when she is working, “When you run, you
discover more about a place. Running in Baghdad, you experience the people
being so nice and there’s a great vibe, but I had to cover up as much as I
could when I went for a run.” Debora also put on her running shoes in New York
after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre. “It was like running in a
city of ghosts,” she explains. “There were pictures of missing loved ones
posted everywhere and you just knew they could be dead. There was something in
the air – a muck – but I got to see what it was like.”

 

Debora also
uses running to get away from the stress and deadlines. “I never think about
work when I run, my mind sort of goes blank, but every now and again I get
these flashes of inspiration. Generally it is a total switch-off time, just my
feet pounding, great music and hopefully a really good runner’s high!”

 

BRING ON THE SWEAT!

Apart from
waking up every morning at 5am for a run, Debora also does boxing, spinning and
cardio work at gym to keep fit. In 2010, she also trained for her climb up
Kilimanjaro by running up the Westcliff steps in Johannesburg. “Kili was an
amazing challenge for me and I trained for six months. You need to be fit
because the last stretch up is an 18-hour day where you’re climbing for 12
hours and then coming down for another six.”

 

Debora is
also looking to run on the Great Wall of China next year and is working hard
for other challenges. While she maintains she runs for herself and for
relaxation, she embraced competition in 2010, running the New York Marathon in
4:22:09 in support of the JAG Foundation, a charity focused on mentoring and
coaching organised physical activity programmes, targeting alcohol and drugs
head-on by showing the kids of poorer communities that they can leave a happy
healthy life. “I loved New York. It was a very easy, flat race, very cold but
very cool. As you run through each neighbourhood, people would come out to
cheer you on and if you put your name on your bib, they would call it out. It’s
the nicest race I have ever run!”

 

Debora
makes sure to eat healthily because she explains that her body “is not a
Ferrari anymore!” Exercise and nutrition remain top priorities for her and she
is a strong advocate of Tim Noakes’ no carbs theory. “Me having Italian blood,
I actually don’t eat a lot of carbs like pasta and pizza. I eat a lot of fruit
and protein. I’m also a great cook and whatever I make for myself, my girls
have. I’m not lucky at all when it comes to my weight, so I work really hard!”

 

FACING NEW CHALLENGES

Love her or
hate her for her forthright, hardcore approach, Debora has remained at the peak
of the country’s media world for 20 years and that is a testament to her strong
desire to report accurately and truthfully. “If I had to advise my younger self
starting out, I would say be brave and take risks. Also, now that I’m older, I
don’t care about the criticism I’m given. I don’t let anything get to me now.
You can’t just crumble over criticism.”

 

She also
remains hopeful for her future and the future of the media world in South
Africa. “Nothing should stop journalists now. We need to push it! I push for
the difficult questions because you can’t leave an interview and regret not
asking something. What are they going to do, refuse to see you again? You can’t
just knock on doors, you have to bash them down and hold people accountable,
and I have a responsibility to do that.”

 

In her
professional career, Debora is looking to make full-length documentary films in
the future and is still hoping to interview Jacob Zuma and Robert Mugabe. “I’m
going to enjoy it while I can. I live through and cover the first drafts of
history. Also, I’m going to run forever and make sure I keep up the lifestyle.”