Spinning in the Fast Lane

Blade Runner

As an avid motorbike enthusiast, Heinz always loved taking to the open road. And so it was no different on 12 March 1982, when he left from Olifantsfontein, near Pretoria, for Bloemfontein on his 750cc Suzuki. But coming round a sharp bend, he crashed into a lamppost at high speed. The impact completely severed his left foot and left him covered in deep wounds after he was flung 20m across a double road, landing in front of oncoming traffic. “I still remember the noise of the engine of my motorbike revving next to the lamppost. Only after a yellow plastic bag was pulled over the badly scarred remains of my leg did I realise that I’d lost a foot.”


Heinz was only 21 years old at the time. Now after such a traumatic accident, many people resign themselves to life with very little physical activity, but not Heinz Mueller. He vowed that his physical disability would not affect the way he lives life. And it hasn’t!


LIFE AFTER THE ACCIDENT
Today, Heinz (53) is the owner of a successful business, High Performance Limbs (HPL), which he manages from his home in George. He sources and imports prosthetic products and components from all over the world and distributes them in South Africa. He has also become an avid road runner. After nearly 25 years of using various prosthetic legs and feet that were fitted as his stump changed and technology advanced, he got his first running blade in 2007. That changed his whole life, as a new world of opportunities opened. “Suddenly I was freed from bondage and all the strenuous activities which previously seemed out of reach were suddenly doable.”


Heinz says immediately after the accident, he had to adapt to not having a leg with which to carry on with his day to day activities. “My recovery was rapid due to bloodless surgery and being strong-willed, but all of a sudden I had to wear a prostheses, a device that I knew nothing about. Suddenly I realised how important it was to have the support of family and friends. Emotionally, I was devastated at first. But through determination and positive thinking, I could see my life continue as normal as possible through the eyes of my three beautiful children.”


He was released after 10 days in hospital, and to his surprise, his first prostheses was fitted only two months later. Unfortunately only nine months after the accident, he had to have an operation for a further amputation higher up, as the wound had turned septic.


GETTING PHYSICAL
Though Heinz decided to continue life as normally as possible, his sporting activities came to a halt. Before the accident he enjoyed a game of squash and tennis with friends, but the accident left him falling into self-pity. Then gradually he started cycling, as it was less impact on his stump and went on to complete the Cape Argus Cycle Tour four times as well as the Karoo to Coast (a gruelling 100km over the Swartberg pass from Uniondale to Knysna.) “That was one of the highlights of my sporting career and one of the toughest mountain bike challenges I’ve done.”


Then he got his first running blade and a whole new world of sporting opportunities opened up. “I was introduced to a running club by a good friend. The blade was comfortable to run with and I suddenly realised the freedom running holds. I always used to do things slowly. Now I could get to places so much faster. My first experience with the blade was like walking on clouds. There was so much more give and response. One must remember that the blade is only as comfortable as how your residual stump fits into the purpose-made socket. You cannot perform or run well if the socket to your remaining leg fits badly and hurts. Luckily, I was fortunate to have my socket sorted and fit well.”


His first day at the running club was a mixture of happiness and disappointment. “I started off with high expectations, but quickly realised that my fitness was lacking and my technique non-existent. I had to walk most of the 3km time trial.” Since then Heinz has completed several road races and tackled his first marathon only six months after starting to run.


THE NITRO RUNNING BLADE
The Nitro Running Blade from Freedom-Innovations is engineered for jogging and running. The blade is individually handcrafted with carbon-epoxy lay-up techniques and is manufactured in the shape of a ‘C’ for comfort and the right alignment to propel the wearer forward. It took Heinz some time getting used to his blade and took a lot of adjusting and alignment tweaking. “It also takes a lot of perseverance to get used to it and to get on track.”


Running with the blade, Heinz gradually built up his running fitness. He started with 3km, building gradually to 5km, then to 10km and 21km. “There will always be some discomfort and pain with longer distances and time spent in the socket, keeping in mind that perspiration is a big factor. Your prostheses, or whatever you use to run with, can only do as well as the trained or sound leg!”


He tackled the Two Oceans Half Marathon for the first time this year and after a difficult start in the darkness, he got into a comfortable stride and finished the race just outside of two hours. “Although the route was crowded all the way, the camaraderie was awesome and I decided to do the 56km next year, where I should have more freedom of space.”


TRAINING
His training week starts with a 6km jog on Mondays on a gravel road into the forest near home. Tuesdays are reserved for time trials at the local Nedbank Running Club in George ,followed by an hour’s workout in the gym. “On Wednesday we take our bikes for an adventuress and scenic 15km route around the George Dam, and on Thursdays I either run a 10km circle route at the Botanical Gardens with club mates, or do a spinning session at the gym.” Friday is rest day and Saturday Heinz will spend with his club doing a long run at different venues, then Sundays it’s back to the gym for some weight training. Heinz also regularly swims, goes on motorbike trips and has even climbed Kilimanjaro!


Heinz remembers when only 10 to 15 members pitched up for time trials in 2007. These days there are on average 65 each week, and the club even boasts its own chip timekeeping system, which gives runners accurate time trialling results. “It is truly a pleasure to belong to such an up-and-coming enthusiastic club and group of people. My running partners are strong, dedicated runners who have also become my personal friends.”


GIVING BACK
Heinz strongly believes in giving back to people in similar situations. “After a visit to an accident victim at a hospital, I realised nothing gave me more joy than to see the encouragement I can be in that person’s life when they see me walking normally with my prostheses and listen to some of my achievements. I will never forget my visit to two partially blind tandem cyclists who ‘looked’ at my motorbike through touching. They felt their way with their hands from the front wheel to the back mudguard whilst expressing their excitement. After starting up the engine they exclaimed: ‘Oh, how we would love to ride with you!’”


Unsurprisingly, he decided to make this a future project. “Our motorbike club will attempt to take each of our blind friends for a ride out in the wind so they can also experience the freedom we so often take for granted.” Heinz also donates prosthetic products through HPL to less privileged people.


Something Heinz feels strongly about is separate starts for disabled athletes at races. “I would love organisers to give thought to a separate category for disabled athletes to compete against each other within a race in some of the bigger marathons, such as the Comrades, Two Oceans and the Knysna Forest Marathon, to name but a few. There are a few blade runners that I know of who would welcome such a change, which would not only give them a chance to run, but also chance of winning or doing well in their respective category.”


AN INSPIRATIONAL LIFE
Heinz believes running is what leads him to discover new places, experience nature and meet new friends. And apart from the fact that he is leaner and fitter since starting running, he feels healthier now than in his younger years. One of his fondest running memories is doing a wheelchair challenge a couple of times, pushing quadriplegics in their wheelchairs through the streets of George. “For me this is a real privilege, to acknowledge that I have only lost a limb.” Another fond memory is receiving the trophy for the most inspiring runner at the 2007 Nedbank Club annual prize-giving.


He is very close to his three children, Imke and Kyle, who work for Emirates in Dubai, and Wernher, who works in Mauritius. “Family can guide you, but you are responsible for your own true power and will to excel. The fact that I can do more than the average person motivates me to carry on. But anyone can compete in sport. By just starting with a gentle 3km walk, you can progress to anything. The sky is the limit. You need to decide, commit, execute and succeed.”


Any blade runners who would like to make contact with Heinz can log onto his BlogSpot www.bladerunners-sa.blogspot.com to chat about common issues which will help improve ‘blade running.”

Retiring on a Comrades High

Kovsie Camaraderie

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) athletics club has been quietly going about its business since it was founded in 1921. In their 90 year existence the club has produced many a national champion and the odd barefoot sweetheart, with a total of 60 athletes representing South Africa. But what makes their athletics team stand out is not the amount of trophies in their trophy case or their medal tally at various championships. It’s the camaraderie, loyalty and tradition that have become synonymous with Kovsies.


HISTORY
Athletics is one of the oldest sports to be presented at UFS and throughout the years they have built a proud record of producing top athletes. The first Kovsies to represent South Africa internationally were sprinter Billy Legg and shot put and discuss thrower Harry Hart. They both represented the country at the Olympic Games in 1928 and 1932 respectively.


Up until the seventies Kovsies didn’t perform as well as they would have liked, but that changed with the arrival of legendary coach late Ivor Potgieter in 1976. Ivor coached the national team for several years, managed several top flight athletes and was appointed chairman of the Free State Amateur Athletics Association as well as vice chairperson of the South African Amateur Athletics Union during his time at UFS. He took the club’s crop of coaches at that stage under his wing and it was under his guidance that Kaai Preller, Hennie Pretorius, Div Lamprecht, Abrie de Swardt, Jopie van der Walt and Leon Botha developed into the top class coaches they are today. Kaai is still involved with the club to this day and have since been joined by Ans Botha, Andr? van Heever, Van Zyl Naude and Nico Nicolaisen. Currently Kaai, Ans, DB Prinsloo, Sarina Cronj?, Frans Human, Johan Human, Kennie Jooste and Sidney van Biljon form a formidable coaching team, all of them having coached athletes who represented the South African team at some stage.


ALUMNI OF NOTE
In 1980 the university became the proud owners of their own athletics centre when the Carl Preller Athletics Centre was completed. The seventies, eighties and nineties can be seen as the club’s heydays when a young Zola Budd (Pieterse) burst onto the scene but she was by no means the only quality athlete to hail from Bloemfontein. Sarina Cronj? (middle and long distances, late Jaco Reinach, Hendrik Smit (both middle distances), Sandra Barnard, Elinda Vorster, Ansie Basson and Johan Rossouw (all sprinters) all excelled during this time and some of them are still ranked in the top 20 of their respective events. Sarina also held five national records in the 800m, 1 500m, mile, 3 000m and 10km road race events. More recently the most successful Kovsie athletes were long distance and cross country runners Hendrik Thukwane, Enoch Skosana, Madele Naude, Sandra L?tter, Jurgens Kotz?, Stephen Phofi, Anton Nicolaisen, Georgina Fourie, walker Barry Badenhorst, and world champion and Olympic medallist Frantz Kruger (discus and shot put).


YOUNG KOVSIES
Currently the university can boast with some exciting talent in the form of Boy Soke (half marathon), PC Beneke (400m and 400m hurdles), Windy Jonas, Johan Cronj?, Ratlale Mokone, Dan?l Prinsloo, Rynardt van Rensburg (all middle distances), Marionette van der Merwe (heptathlon), Thuso Mpuang (100m, 200m), Janette Siebert, JVA Steytler (high jump) and Marizette Badenhorst (hammer throw). They are especially excited about Thuso’s participation at the IAAF World Championships later this month and all Kovsies will definitely be supporting him from a cold Bloemfontein when he gives his all in Daegu.


The UFS have ended fourth at the USSA Championships in the last two years and even though they did not win as many medals this year as in 2010 they are confident that they will be able to build on this year’s performance in 2012. Of their team of 49 athletes, 14 were first year students and with another year of experience and training chances are that UFS will feature on the podium at next year’s USSA’s.


According to the university’s Director of Sport, DB Prinsloo and Athletics Officer, Sarina Cronj? sport at UFS is still one of the cornerstones on which the development of students is built. DB says it is through quality coaching, facilities and competitions that Kovsie athletes have the opportunity to develop their talents and excel in their discipline. It is not all about the elite athletes though and the university has been presenting an inter-residence cross country league since 1975 and an inter-residence athletics league since 1980. These events still take place till this day and have helped identify many unknown talents throughout the years.

Running With Heartache

A New Challenge

I have been battling infertility for many years and have tried everything. I needed to shift my focus and find a new challenge to distract myself, so in December last year I thought I would try running. I didn’t do sport at school, but thought it’s never too late to become an athlete! Well, all I can say is that I love everything about it (especially receiving my T-shirt at the end of a race, but my club tells me the novelty will wear off soon).


Despite the heartache and pain that infertility brings, I want to inspire and encourage other women in my situation that it’s important to keep having fun and enjoying every moment of your life, while waiting and remaining hopeful. Running is one way of doing this, and I know it will help me be a healthy, energetic mom in the future! – DEBBIE IVINS, PINETOWN



My Running Dream
I am a relatively new runner and amazed by the Comrades Marathon, which I ran for the first time this year. For most of my training I ran on my own, but I have met a lot of good people along the way. Several fellow runners gave me valuable tips on running Comrades and their advice has helped me a lot, as they are all long-time runners. In the process, these runners have also become my friends.


I was very excited and nervous at this year’s Comrades, especially seeing so many new people. But it was ‘Ayoba’ for me and from now on I will always run! I have realised running and staying in shape leads to fitness, and fitness leads to a healthy life. It is my dream to become one of South Africa’s best runners and I believe that dreams can come true. – LUDWICK KGOMO KOLOBE



Don’t Forget Cross-country!
I am surprised that what is regarded as the core sport or the central tenant of future champions remains sponsorless. Cross-country running has for a long time produced some of the top runners all over the world. Who can forget Paul Tergat, Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and our very own Hendrick Ramaala? All these athletes share one thing in common: They were all good cross-country runners who progressed to world class times in their respective distances.


On 25 June I attended the CGA Cross-country meeting in Daveyton. It was well attended, but it was evident that most of the elite athletes were absent, the reason being there is no financial reward at the end of the road for these athletes. Something should be done about sponsorship of cross-country races. I think it is up to the corporate world to intervene and athletics officials to act decisively on the matter, in the interest of athletics development. We are preaching development for big and international events but forget to put a strong and uncompromising development policy and structures in place to achieve the maximum results at respective international events.


I would love to see more athletes follow in the footsteps of both Elana Meyer and Hendrick Ramaala, or even achieve more than they did. Cross-country is the core of running and should not be a forgotten discipline! – DONALD MATHIPA



Running Educator
I am a proud primary school educator and the year 2011 marked my 20th successful completion of the Comrades Marathon. Over the years I have learnt that there are many similarities between running and education.


In both you need to control your emotions daily, you need to keep on reminding yourself to stay positive and goal-orientated, and to never give up. In education, you encourage learners the same way runners encourage each other on the road, and sometimes in education we experience results that can be disappointing, as in running. I have to constantly adjust my teaching strategies as well as my training schedule to achieve the results I desire.


Runners and educators often face ‘up hills’, and sometimes it is those few seconds of hesitation and thinking of giving up, that can make the difference in finishing the Ultimate Human race or changing a learner’s life forever. Gratitude, love and being an inspiration are key elements of good educators and athletes. To all educators: Enjoy teaching, and to all runners: Keep on participating, as running has taught me to be humble. The completion of many marathons has empowered and motivated me for every challenge I have to face in life. – Maylah Pieterse


Running my Mouth Off…
I have always been an occasional runner, without much besides big talk in small circles justifying owning a pair of racing slicks! Since then, however, I have come to find just cause, or possibly rather the motivation needed, to spend more time dodging traffic and potholes whilst gaining a more intimate knowledge of the roads of South Africa.


It all came to pass one night while enjoying a few sedate single malts. It was then that my tongue, possibly urged on by the accumulating listeners, dug me the hole in which I as yet have to dig my way out of. This hole being the completion of Comrades 2012, without which I (and a few others foolish enough to stand behind me) shall have to donate a sum of money to a charity that we all happen to already support.


Now I know giving money to a charity is not a bad thing, but in my experience, placed in situations like these, it’s more about the manner in which the money is given and the inherent pride that is forfeited at the same time. I do happen to be fairly attached to both my mouth and my pride, unfortunately, which means that I have no choice really but to stand behind them.


This brings me now to the point in my story where I stumbled onto your magazine, having first got directions to a running shop. I can fully say that I am learning and I definitely find it easier to train with your magazine on a cold morning, as opposed to leg time! OK seriously, I am loving running. Hopefully one day I can earn my ‘I’m a hardcore runner’ badge, but possibly only in summer, though! And yes, Comrades will be beaten! – ZANE LIEBETRAU

SIMONAY SURGING AHEAD

Trailing It Up

GAUTENG WINTER TRAIL SERIES, 5 JUNE – 3 JULY


Four years ago, the Wildrunner team, organisers of the summer and winter trail series in Gauteng, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, struggled to get 80 runners together at their first trail run in Gauteng. Four years on and how things have changed! At the first leg of this year’s Gauteng Winter Trail Series, the organisers were overwhelmed when more than 1 000 runners turned up to hit the trails. And though the sheer number of people caused a few registration glitches, they were sorted out quickly, and before long, the runners were on the trails, enjoying the fresh air, views and everything else that trail running offers.


LEG 1: GROENKLOOF NATURE RESERVE, 5 JUNE
This first race can be described as challenging and technical, but still quite manageable for the average athlete. It was clear that some runners were venturing off-road for the first time, while others were experienced mountain goats hopping along at the front of the field – but they all had to contend with the same terrain. As with most Wildrunner events, the route was challenging, but always rewarding.


The Groenkloof race started with a nasty uphill, separating the wheat from the chaff early on, but a few bottlenecks later in the course evened things out again. The technical sections caused the ‘mortals’ at the back of the pack to slow down, but the front runners seemed to have no fear as they actually increased their pace while dealing with steep descents, loose rocks and cliff edges without hesitation. Me? I walked down. I like my limbs attached to my body, thank you very much.


LEG 2: HENNOPS RIVER, 12 JUNE
The second race at Hennops River is widely regarded as the most difficult in the series. It started with two not-so-friendly hills and ended with two ‘baby’ hills, but the never-ending climb slap bang in the middle of the route made those ‘baby’ hills seem like two miniature Kilimanjaros, not your average Magaliesberg koppies! But as they say, what goes up must come down, and it was a pleasant run down to the river crossing before we could run the last few kays on a soft bed of leaves, meandering along the Hennops in the shade of huge blue gum trees. Gone were the cursing, crying and stumbling as I remembered why I was doing this.


That said, as most motor accidents happen 20 minutes from home, so too you have to keep concentrating right until you cross the finish line. Time and again I rolled an ankle or caught my foot on a blade of grass the moment I lost concentration, almost causing some serious damage to myself and the person in front of me. I learnt that you have to concentrate as hard when running trails as you do when running on roads in Gauteng, but for completely different reasons.


LEG 4: PELINDABA, 3 JULY
Being the winter series, the inevitable happened and I missed the third race at Segwati Game Ranch because of flu, but I was back for the last race, and my favourite, in the series. Starting on a gentle downhill, the field spread out and by the time I reached a gentle uphill, the muscles were nice and warm and it didn’t seem half as bad as I remembered the Hennops River hills. That was either because they weren’t half as bad as Hennops, or because my legs were aching to run again after the flu lay-off.


Just when I thought I was superwoman, however, there was a final farewell in the form of, you guessed it, something that looked like the Sani Pass! As everyone trudged up the hill, once again cursing under bated breath, I realised that trail running doesn’t get easier, no matter how many you do. But that’s what it’s all about, the challenge of scaling what seems like an endless hill, standing for a second at the top, taking a big gulp of fresh country air, savouring your victory and getting on with the race… it’s not supposed to be easy.


THE SUPER HUMANS
For most of us, trail running is about the experience, not the times we run, but a select few are not afraid to run as fast as they can, no matter how treacherous the route may seem for the rest of us. Like Thabang Madiba, who proved himself the fastest trail runner in Gauteng this winter, taking top honours in all four of the long races and walking away with the championship title for men. In the women’s championship, things were more even, with no one able to win more than one race, but Michelle Chong was eventually crowned the top woman based on her series performance. The top veterans were Trevor Toerien and Vanessa Bowman, while the top masters were Jose Rebordao and Angela Heyink.


The open categories in the short race challenge were won by Willem van der Merwe and Tarrin Dreyer, but it was the performances of the juniors (15-18 years) and minimees (11-14 years) that really impressed. Patrick Colborne was first in the junior category and would have taken the open category if he was allowed to compete as a senior. He finished first overall in two of the races and second overall in the other two, beating runners much older than him. In the minimee category, Simonay Weitsz seemed to get stronger as the series progressed and she took first place in her category ahead of boys and girls two years her senior. Her best result of the series was an overall fourth place in the third race at Segwati Game Ranch. KC Boshoff was the winner of the Peewee category (6-10 years).


The Gauteng Summer Trail Series kicks off on 16 October and promises to be as much fun as the Winter Series. Pack the cooler, load the kids in the car and get the whole family to experience trail running in Gauteng. Visitwww.trailseries.co.za for more info.

RUNNING SOLO

The Trail Brothers

UMGENI RIVER RUN, 85KM, KWAZULU-NATAL, 18 JUNE


SO, WHO ARE THESE ‘CLOWNS’?
Well, the plain truth is; we are average heroes. We have no trust funds, no long-standing wealth or heritage, and certainly no large corporate expense accounts. What we do have in spade-loads, however, is a passion for the land in which we live, a passion for running on trails, and most importantly, a desire to make a difference wherever we can. We are a tight-knit ‘family’ of dirty-legged, trail-worn fathers, husbands and sons, that will climb any hill, cross any river and charge through any bushy scrub to put a smile on someone’s face.


You see, between the three of us, there are over 110 years of warm beds, solid education, clothes, meals, comfort and family. It’s these things that we can so easily take for granted. But now it’s our turn to give something back. Our model is simple: We run for those who can’t, and with the help of the generous folks around us, we aim to raise money for specific areas of need in the communities around us, be it disadvantaged schools, orphanages or places of safety.


What we rely on, however, is the support of like-minded members of the public and corporate organisations who are socially aware and determined to pass on some love to those less fortunate. The Trail Brothers won’t win any races, but we will certainly help a person, a family or a community in need, and that is the greatest prize of all.


Up to now we have formed a relationship with an organisation in Durban, called the Liv Village, which is a community-based project for disadvantaged youths in Cottonlands near Verulam. We are planning on running some events and staging one of our own, to raise funds for various projects within the village. The Umgeni River Run was the launch for this fundraising effort.


RACE DAY
It was 3:30 on race day and the three of us were left to contemplate just what we had gotten ourselves into. All the talk, all the training and all the bravado seemed to evaporate at the thought of the day that was fast approaching. Nerves were the only constant in our varying morning routines. We loaded up at 4:45 and started the journey down into the Inanda valley, and 35 minutes of hair-raising turns and steep descent later, we arrived at the start near the dam wall. Looking at each other with crazy eyes, we reassured each other that “We are warriors, men of adventure, kings of the mountains, aaarooooaarr!” At dawn, we found ourselves among a shivering tribe of equally nervous adventurers, under starter’s orders.


AND THEY’RE OFF!
At 6:15 we were off on our epic day-long journey. For the first 12km or so, we wound our way around the roads of Inanda Dam, ducking onto beautiful paths right next to the water. The sun was up and we were living the dream! Like early pioneers, we claimed the desolate inlets and beaches of Inanda dam as our own as we ran, by declaring “I hereby name this beach, Trail Brother Beach!” There were a few hills, but nothing too scary, and it was the perfect way to start the journey. We began to push the tempo a bit and had a cracker period through to the 30km mark, with no real problems.


WHEN PAIN SETS IN
Once we hit the 32km mark, however, everything changed. There before us stood a gargantuan mountain of a hill. A shy and forgotten Everest tucked away in the folds of the Inanda Valley. Do people actually live on this thing? Will there be enough oxygen up there? It was ridiculous! This saw us having to climb the equivalent of 600 vertical metres in 6km. Comrades only climbs 600m in 40km! Guy made up for the lack of running with swearing, Richard mumbled bad jokes, and Michael had no breath to speak at all.


Our legs took a hammering on the way up but got pulverised on the way down the other side. The entire descent to Nagle Dam was done on single track and weaves its way down through smallholdings and properties that are dotted all over the countryside. Once down on the valley floor, Nagle Dam awaited, and we had a beautiful jog around the shore on the soft sand, which helped the feet a bit, but annihilated the calves. The combination of the past 10km ascent, descent and soft sand took its toll on all of us and as we trotted to the 50km water table, it was evident that the first signs of real pain were setting in.


Straight after that we had a beast of hill to climb skirting around the upper fence-line of the Nagle Reserve, which seemed like it went on forever, and then just as we yawped with delight at cresting the hill, we were faced with another quad-mincing drop to the next valley floor and our first river crossing. A short jog on the other side and we had our second river crossing – much less painful and infinitely easier than the first, but longer and still severely testing the tired legs and the quality of the tread on our trail shoes.


END IN SIGHT
The final 10km or so were done on secluded single track through a stunning part of our awesome province. Our jokes had now ceased altogether (which was not a bad thing), but finally, with the end in sight, nothing else mattered and we crossed the finish line on Cumberland Reserve, three very tired but happy men. A top 50 spot was ours! Mike came in 20th in a time of 10:03:43; Rich and Guy came in tied 25th in a time of 10:38:37. All in agony, but all as happy as could be.


Special and huge thanks goes out to our trusty Sherpa PJ (The Trail Father) who plied us with food, drink and encouragement, and whose jokes were of a high quality all day.


DONOR DRIVE
As it stands today, we have raised enough funds to help 75 kids. Having said that, we are still pushing for last-minute donations. Thanks to everyone who contributed, your gift of giving will bring an immense amount of joy to those that really need it. If you would like to partner with us, please feel free to contact us so we can share our vision with you. For more info contact Richard on 071 2400 547 or on [email protected].

The Modern Athlete DARE TO TRI Challenge

Lieuwe’s Last Run

DUESOUTH XTERRA KNYSNA PRESENTED BY REHIDRAT? SPORT, PEZULA PRIVATE ESTATE, KNYSNA, 7 July 2011


All the big names in XTERRA and the sporting community were out to compete in this much-loved event, which is also the only XTERRA SA event that does not feature a water discipline, but instead follows a run/bike/run format. The XTERRA full consisted of a 3km trail run, 23km mountain bike and 7km trail run. Forming part of the Knysna Oyster Festival, participants could take part individually or in teams of two. Four-time XTERRA World Champion Conrad Stoltz took race honours while Hanlie Booyens walked off with her second consecutive XTERRA Knysna win in the individual women’s category, crossing the line in 2:03:51.


For Lieuwe, who finished third in a time of 1:42:45, this event was an extra special experience as it was his last professional XTERRA race on home soil. He plans on shifting his focus to mountain bike stage races such as the Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race. “I have been racing at this level since 1998, so it has been a solid 13 to 14 years at the top level. I recently started my own consulting business and it has been going very well. I would like to channel some of the energy I have used on the XTERRA trails into my business and make it as successful. I am also getting married in December and want to spend a bit more time at home with my future wife. At the moment, between working and training, I am not sure what my fianc? looks like in daylight!


HIGHLIGHTS
Looking back, there have been many highlights in his career, but titles are always very special. “My first SA Short Course triathlon title in 2000 was the biggest of these. I was not having a great season and had not won a short course race that year. I rocked up on the start line as a definite underdog with the likes of Raynard Tissink, Glen Gore, the Storm brothers, Claude Eksteen and the who’s who of triathlon at the time. I swam badly but started picking off the guys on the bike. I got onto the run course fourth, but soon found myself running with some pretty quick athletes and then pulling away from them. It was a sprint finish for the line, and I was crowned SA Champ. I don’t think there is anything like winning a race you did not expect to win, especially an SA title. I won two more SA Short Course titles, two SA Student Champs titles, and was crowned SA Olympic distance champ and SA XTERRA champ.”


XTERRA LOVE
Lieuwe says he absolutely loves XTERRA races because of the superb organisation, the courses, the supporters, the athletes and the fact that it is home-grown and proudly South African! Though he would have loved to win the Knysna XTERRA this year, he is still pretty pleased with his third place finish.


“Due to work commitments, I have not been able to spend the time on my racing chariot that is required to beat uber bikers such as Conrad Stoltz, Kevin Evans, Dan Hugo and the like. I thus had to go as hard as I could from the gun and run like the race was only 3km long. This worked like a charm, as I came off the first 3km run first, feeling like a world champion. I was even in front of the team runners! On the mountain bike this feeling quickly evaporated – as expected – as first Conrad and then Kevin powered past me. It was damage control and limiting the time gap from there onwards. I came off the bike with a four-minute deficit and ran myself to within 30 seconds of Kevin. I never saw the Caveman, but if only there was one more kay… second place would have been up for grabs!”


The hardest part of the race for Lieuwe was being overtaken by Conrad and Kevin and knowing he was losing time and could not do anything about it. And the best part was coming off the 3km run first, running hard, the crowd cheering and just loving being an athlete in the moment where life is good. “Those moments are awesome.”


LONGEVITY
Lieuwe made the shift from conventional road triathlon to the more extreme XTERRA triathlons a couple of years ago. “In 2000 I qualified for the Olympics in Sydney, but was not included in the team. I tried again for Athens in 2004, and again was not picked. I thus decided it was time for something new, where your fate was not in the hands of administrators. My only triathlon regret is that I did not start XTERRA in 2000 already.”


He has been one of the top XTERRA athletes since making the move in 2004 and says his secret to longevity in the sport is to love what you do. “If you do not love what you do, and that includes the pain, you won’t last long. XTERRA has been a lifestyle for me, and I loved every second.” He loves running, and specifically trail running, and describes himself as an ‘ok swimmer’ who can swim with the front guys, but cycling has always been his weakest link. “I just do not have the time it takes to spend in the saddle in order to win. I find myself always suffering on the bike, which makes it very unpleasant.”


ADVICE
Lieuwe’s advice to athletes wanting to get involved in XTERRA is simple: “Go buy that mountain bike…yesterday! It is difficult when you start. I can still remember my first year of mountain biking and it was not great. It takes time and you are going to fall. That is just the way it is. But when you get it right and you start taking those jumps, drop your friends on the single track and go ride your bike in places you normally only see in magazines, that’s when it is all worth it.”


He is inspired by people who do not give up, ever! He can’t imagine his life without sport and plans to go overseas for one last international XTERRA, before moving on to the Contego Wines2Whales MTB Race. “Then I am getting married and going on honeymoon…without my bike! I do not think I have ever travelled without a bike and I’m 35 years old!” He is also very grateful to his sponsors for their awesome support throughout the years. “Red Bull specifically has been with me from the start and gave me the wings to live my dream.”

Faster and Fitter than Ever

Join the Tribe

As most athletes know, many great ideas are born during training runs and rides – and so it was for Dave Harrington and Steve Pettitt, both avid multisport enthusiasts. The idea for Tribe MULTISPORTS came about on one of their many training rides together, and after discussions with former Ironman winner Lucie Zelenkova and elite age-grouper Samantha Ferreira, they realised there was a huge gap in the market for a multisports store that also catered extensively for women. “With research showing that 45% of multisport competitors are women, with numbers growing, Lucie and Sam drew our attention to the lack of multisport stores that cater for woman – from a lack of gear options to a friendly environment. Hence we got Sam in to design the store and see to the shop fittings, while Lucie’s insights as a professional international triathlete helped us create an atmosphere that will welcome all athletes, male and female, from beginners to pro’s,” says Dave.


LOOK AND FEEL
Tribe MULTISPORTS is creatively designed and decorated with a modern boutique look and feel, with a coffee and internet area where you can hang out between meetings, or just meet up with fellow like-minded athletes. But don’t let the focus on female gear fool you, because the shop, situated in the Hobart Grove Shopping Centre in Bryanston, has something for everyone, and every type of athlete. It has an extensive road and mountain bike offering, stocks all the latest triathlon, cycling, trail and running gear, and has trading hours geared towards sports enthusiasts, including being open from 5am to 6:30am so that morning cyclists can pop in. The store also overhauls and repairs bikes and gear, with a pick-up and drop-off service in the Joburg area taking the hassle out bike and gear maintenance.


THE TRIBE EXPERIENCE
When you walk into Tribe MULTISPORTS, you realise this is not your average sports store. It is rather a funky environment created for anyone from regulars, beginners to super pro multisport enthusiasts, where you have access to a wide range of leading international multisport brands and exceptional service while enjoying a friendly social environment.


The store carries a comprehensive range of multisport accessories, but it is not possible to carry every possible accessory available, so customers can make use of the internet station to find the particular accessory they would like and it will be ordered for them. When it comes to clothing, a streamlined range of clothing is carried ideal for triathlons, Xterra, mountain and road biking, as well as trail and road running. The store also carries a focused range of nutritional products and supplements to cover all these endurance activities. The focus is on leading brands that have a fair following and reputable image.


One of the coolest things about the store is the staff’s willingness to help with everything. They will help you with the installation of all accessories, product set-up (i.e. heart rate monitor, foot pod, etc.) and an explanation on how best to use the products. You can also expect the following when it comes to your prized possession, your bike:
• A full service specialist repair centre with bike service and set-up.
• A free 30-day/250km tune-up with every new bike purchased through Tribe MULTISPORT.
• Quick turnaround on flats, broken chains, brake cables, etc.
• Custom bike builds – the store sells a wide range of mountain, road and time trial bicycles, but strives to carry a more diverse brand selection than the norm and will limit the exposure to already built bikes and try to provide the customer-built bike that best suits the individual’s budget and needs. The store is also linked to Bike Bay to promote the trade-in of bikes and sale of second-hand bikes.


WHEN CAN I GO?
As we all know, work sometimes interferes with our sport and shopping for sporting toys, but Tribe MULTISPORTS’ opening hours are geared towards sports enthusiasts!
• Monday: 8:30am-5pm
• Tuesday: 8:30am-5pm
• Wednesday: 8:30am-5pm
• Thursday: 10am-7pm
• Friday: 8:30am-5pm
• Saturday: 12pm-5pm
• Sunday: Closed
The shop will sometimes be open from 5am-6:30am for morning cyclists to enjoy a cuppa and possibly assist with any purchases etc.


So what are you waiting for? Get out there and go see what Tribe MULTISPORTS is all about, especially during these winter months when we all need new motivation for the sports we love so much. For further details, call (011) 568 0275.


GREAT GEAR FOR GIRLS
FALKE LADIES MEDIUM CONTROL MOISTURE MANAGEMENT RACER BACK BRA
We all know how important a decent sports bra is, and with Falke’s Ladies medium control moisture management racer back bra, you don’t have to look any further! It allows you the total confidence of peak performance, with features that include:
• Drynamix moisture management technology to keep you cool and dry.
• Wide shoulder straps and double-lined front panels for added support.
• Flat seams for a chafe-free fit.
• Mesh inlay panels to optimise ventilation.
• Soft bushed elastic bands that minimise friction and promote wearer comfort.
• Adjustable back fastener.


Available from Small to Extra Large in white, black, pink and blue, at Sportsmans Warehouse and select Cape Union Mart stores.

World Champs Medal Hunt

Troisport: A Home for Triathletes

Troisport is one of the few clubs in the country catering exclusively for triathletes, and whilst they are learning as they go along, their membership has risen gradually and they are now solidly established, with branches in both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. And it all started with three triathlon-obsessed friends who wanted to share the joy of participating in three sports on one day with their South African compatriots.


Whilst participating at the World Triathlon Championships in Hawaii in 2005, Marc Price, Werner Smit and Steve Pratt got talking and decided to launch the Joburg City Triathlon series when they arrived back on home soil. The first of these races was presented in 2006 and it was a huge success. But what the three friends never expected was that from this, the opening of a triathlon shop and a triathlon club would emerge.


The demand for triathlon equipment and advice was so high that they soon opened Johannesburg’s first Troisport shop in Sunninghill to answer this demand. Marc ran the shop on his own while Werner took charge of the race, but it soon became too big a job and they sold the race to independent organisers whilst staying on as official retail partners. Werner has since left Troisport to become race director of the new 5150 Triathlon series, but Marc and Steve are still involved as directors of the company.


The Troisport club was established soon after the shop opened, as the three friends shared all the knowledge they had acquired from competing and training overseas with new triathletes, helping them to train and prepare for their first triathlons. “We had lots of information to impart on people and wanted to encourage the development of triathlon in South Africa. In a short time, the club grew to 150 people,” Says Marc.


According to Marc, the sport of triathlon grows exponentially every year, and there are about 6 000 active participants in South Africa at the moment. He hopes this trend will continue and that more running clubs will start their own triathlon sections in order to encourage more people to take up the sport. He says there are only about six running clubs in Gauteng at the moment that offer their members this option.


WHY JOIN A TRI CLUB?
Marc explains that the governing of triathlons is a completely different ball game to running and cycling, because clubs for these two sports are incorporated into the governing bodies’ system, whereas triathlons aren’t. Where it makes sense to join a running club, get your licence and race for a year with that number, Triathlon SA (TSA) has no affiliation with triathlon clubs and financially it often makes more sense to simply compete with day licences instead of buying the more expensive annual licence.


Troisport membership gives athletes access to a running licence through the club’s affiliation with the Nedbank Running Club and to a cycling licence through Cycling SA. However, if they do not want to compete in running or cycling races, they do not have to spend money and buy these licences, they can simply join Troisport and learn from the other club members about triathlons.


As things have developed, he says the club has become less and less about training and more and more about information. “Triathletes join us purely on the basis of having access to running and cycling licenses and to have a place they can call their triathlon home. In a perfect world, we’d love people to come ride with us, but triathletes have to find time to train and often our times do not suit them. We are not a training club and not a social club. We can’t teach you how to do the sport, but by hanging around people who know a lot about the sport, you will learn more. We’re information heavy and will always share our knowledge.”


Though information is one of the best reasons to join the club, it is not the only one. Thanks to the close ties between the club and the shop, members get a discount of 5% to 7.5% on purchases at the shop as well as discounted rates at professional coach and club administrator, PJ Delmont. Because there is no rule from TSA that says members of a club have to compete in club colours, and because of the technical nature of triathlon gear, the club does not provide branded tri gear any more, but members do get a Troisport wind slip when they join as well as a bi-monthly newsletter. There are club runs twice a week, 15km on Tuesdays and 10km on Thursdays, and a club cycle on Saturdays, but Marc says because training for triathlons takes up so much time, these events are usually quite small because most club members have to train when it suits them and not necessarily when there is an organised club run.


A SENSE OF BELONGING
“I think the success of our club has a lot to do with the access to our shop. You feel like you belong to the shop and you have a place to hang out and call home. We also have a gazebo at most triathlons, where we have drinks, snacks and servicing for bikes, and the members like that. The fact of the matter is, there is no official reason why anyone should join a tri club if they want to do triathlons. However, people who are new to the sport and want to learn about the ins and outs of training, gear and how the sport works find that the club gives them a sense of belonging, along with loads of information, and that’s what has worked for us.”


Marc says Troisport has a base of about 70 “deathly loyal members,” but membership fluctuates during the year between 75 and 150 members because training is so time-intensive, and not everyone can make a full-time commitment to the sport.  “Most people start out with us and then realise if they want to really progress they should get a coach or join a coaching group, and then they move on, while others stay put. As the sport grows, so will the focus of what the club can offer, but at the moment people who join the club are looking to find other people who know how the sport works, and a sense of belonging. They get that here. This is surely one of the best options available for both established triathletes and anyone who wants to start the sport.”

Saluting Chet

The Argentina Jog: Running 5 115km over 6 Months

Most people would say that Marilu Mathee and Dave Chamberlain are a bit crazy to tackle more than 5 000km of running in a strange country. But their reaction to this definitely puts things into perspective: “I would hate to get to the end of my life and realise I could have experienced so much more out of life if I just dared to get outside of my comfort zone. So I say I would be crazy not to do this,” says Marilu.


Dave describes his motivation as pretty simple. “I think people spend too much time sitting in little concrete boxes, too scared to actually get out there and to do something amazing with their lives. Instead, we spend a large portion of our existence getting frustrated in traffic jams, working for an unappreciative boss and playing catch-up with the ‘Joneses.’”


THE PLAN
Marilu and Dave, who came up with the idea, will be running together as a team, and although there have been many longer runs around the world, this particular route has never been run in this way before and they will be the first to attempt it.


The run starts middle July and the plan is to run 160km a week (roughly 26km a day) down the well-known RN40, a tarred road that spans North to South along the Western flank of Argenitna before it rises to meet the Andes mountain range. They are planning to run six days a week, taking the seventh day to rest and recover. Every six weeks they will take off a further week for rest. The run starts at 3 000m altitude and climbs to 5 000m. To make it even more challenging, they start their run in mid-winter, but they have secured a camper van for the trip.


The World Wide Fund For Natures South Africa (WWF-SA) is supporting their offer to promote awareness for WWF’s Africa Rhino Programme. “The WWF is not sponsoring the trip, but gratefully accepting the offer to create awareness for the rhino programme. Africa is experiencing a ferocious resurgence in rhino poaching, caused by illegal demand for rhino horn from Asia. South Africa, the stronghold of Africa’s rhino population with more than 80% of the 24 000 rhinos left in Africa, is now losing more than 20 rhinos a month. If the current trend continues, the rhino conservation gains of the last decade will swiftly begin to erode,” says Dr Morn? du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer of WWF-SA.


Another charity leg of the run is to create awareness for the jaguar population in Argentina. Locally called yaguaret?, or “tiger,” the jaguar is the top predator on the South American continent. Due to the rapid loss of tropical and subtropical forests, and illegal poaching, the jaguar population has severally declined over the last decades.


MEET THE TEAM
Marilu found her passion for life at the age of 30. With a heart for people and a love for the outdoors and being active, she started her own business called FROM MONDAY Corporate Fitness, focussing on improving employee health and wellness in order to increase overall productivity. Her favourite discipline is running, as it has been her remedy to overcome fears, failures, heartbreaks and loneliness. Running is also her way of celebrating being alive. “Running is so diverse. It creates awareness to possibility.You name it and it all starts with running.”


Dave describes himself as a slacker, scuba dive instructor, farmer, plumber, barman and traveller. He sees himself as an amateur/fun athlete with no desire to compete in races, but humbly admits that he has hiked in the Andes, Alps, Pyrenees and Drakensberg, and across Iceland! “To watch me running is like watching an epileptic jellyfish. But if I can do this, then there is a whole bunch of other jellyfish out there that can also do this! Basically, I want to try and get people to be more proud of themselves than of their Rolex watches.”


AN UNKNOWN ADVENTURE
They realise that to most people their adventure sounds completely crazy. “What we are about to do resonates with who I am and my values, my passions and my desires for my life. I am frightened by the task ahead, but I know I can do it,” says Marilu.


Dave wants to convince normal, average people that they can also go out there and stretch their personal boundaries. “Then I think that a lot of the issues we face with regards to the health of the planet and society would be addressed simply because one’s perception of what really is valuable will guide us to more sensible solutions to our needs as a society. I’m not asking people to run 5 100km. I’m hoping to challenge people to say to their bosses ‘sorry mate, I’m taking time off to do something fantastic. I want people to do something that they can one day turn around and be proud of, and say; ‘At least once in my life, I experienced something amazing, and I made a difference.’”


FOLLOW THE JOURNEY…AND BECOME INVOLVED
A journalist in Argentina will be covering Marilu and Dave’s journey along with a TV crew who will be filming it. The team would love more exposure and would welcome any company that would want to be involved in this project, which will yield excellent results for the conservation initiatives they have chosen to support.


Via their satellite connection, the team will be in contact with a South African project manager who will be doing weekly blog updates on http://runargentina.wordpress.com and www.frommonday.com. At both sites there will be a Facebook link where you can follow their progress. For more info, or to become involved, contact Marilu at [email protected].

Richard the Lionheart

Arm Warmers

Training and competing in the winter months in South Africa is perhaps not nearly as harsh as countries that lie further from the equator and thus have much colder winters, but it still gets very cold here, specially in the early mornings or evening when most of us do our training. Thus you need to dress warmly when you hit the road or trails – especially if you’re going to be moving fast. Whether you’re a runner or a rider, the wind chill factor can come into play, where exposed skin is cooled rapidly by the wind passing over it, causing the body to lose heat. The faster the wind, the more heat lost, and the more heat lost, the less efficiently your body works, since it will divert energy to the skin instead of your muscles, in an effort to warm you up again.


For that reason, dressing warmly and covering exposed surfaces is important when training in cold temperatures, at least initially, before you warm up properly, which is why arm warmers are such a great product. Aimed more at cyclists than runners, because a rider’s arms are more immobile and less likely to warm up, and also endure faster wind and a higher wind chill factor, these slip-on sleeves can easily be put on early in a ride and then removed and tucked into a pocket or a waistband once you are warmer. However, even runners can benefit from arm warmers, especially for early morning starts in races when we tend to wear sleeveless running club vests. Here are a few arm warmers we found for you to look out for in sotres and online, and we’ve also thrown in one or two sleeves to consider for the coming summer months, as they are designed to protect your arms from harmful UV rays.



Nalini Manicotti Ventimiglia & Manticotti Pippo Arm Warmers
Nalini has been manufacturing quality Italian cycling sportswear for over 30 years, and several professional cycling teams riding in the Tour de France wear their products. These high-quality thermal insulation warmers have a fleece inner and seamless design for superb warmth and comfort.
R290 – available through Tifosi Cycling Agency, call 011 326 6449 to find your nearest stockist.


CAPESTORM UV Arms
With a UV protection factor rating of 50, these arms will protect you from the harsh summer sun while the wicking fabric helps keep you cool on those long training rides. There are two designs available, plain white and a slightly more expensive but eye-catching white with blue or green print near the wrists.
R195 and R235 at CAPESTORM stores, or call 021 761 2021for more info.


First Ascent Thermal Arm Warmers
A snug-fitting thermal fleece spandex design with gripper elastic to prevent the warmer from shifting while riding or running. Also features a reflective logo as well as three strategically positioned reflective dots to improve your visibility in darker conditions. Available in a variety of sizes.
R199 at First Ascent stockists, or call 021 787 9380 for more info.


First Ascent Sun-Off Arm Protector
Tired of coming home with a typical ‘cyclist tan?’ Then preserve your skin – and social standing – with these arm protectors. Made from a densely knitted elastane fabric that provides a UV sun protection factor of 50-plus, this porous nylon/spandex combination still allows natural breathability and moisture management on hot days. Gripper elastic bands at each end then prevent slipping.
R199 at First Ascent stockists, or call 021 787 9380 for more info.


Primal Wear Thermal Arm Warmers
The American Primal Wear company makes these warmers from Gavia thermal micro-fibre, which provides not only warmth but also factor 50 UV protection, and Influx Gripper seams ensure a snug, comfortable, non-slip fit. The Team Eleven model has a more conservative style, whereas the Tattoo model’s distinctive look will really make you stand out from the crowd!
R349 at www.buycycle.co.za as well as selected cycling stores – see www.tura.co.za for a full listing, or call 083 230 8573.


Salomon XT II Sleeve
Lycra is designed to provide a snug, warming fit but still offer great flexibility and movement – up to 600% stretch – so these arm wamers will fit any arm. The actLITE properties of the material wick moister away from the skin to make sure you don’t get damp and cold on your winter ride or run, and the wamers also provide factor 50 UV protection.
R369 at Salomon Concept Stores, or call 031 313 1400 for more info.


Continental Team Cycling Arm Warmers
A Swiss-made arm-warmer imported by the online cycling retailer Buycycle for the South African market, these well made arm warmers feature silicone top grippers to keep them securely in place, and the stitched orange panels of the forearm provide superb visibility in all light conditions.
R215 at www.buycycle.co.za, or call them on 086 199 0001.


Note: Prices listed are only recommended retail prices supplied by the various manufacturers or importers, and thus may differ from one stockist to the next.