Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 94, May 2017 | Page 30

Balancing Act
G
N
I
L
G
JUG
Challenging as it can be, fitting in
marriage and motherhood, work
and running is ‘business as usual’
for me these days, because I love
to run! – BY MARY MUTLANYANE
A
it All
friend once said, “You’re a runner when you
wake up in the morning and plan your day
around your run.” This is exactly the case with
me. My day is planned around my running
activities. Before I agree to meet for coffee, I first check
if I don’t have a run or gym session that afternoon.
I’ve been a runner for seven years. Like many others
I started running to shed the kilo’s, and a few years
later I ran my first marathon, and in recent months I
have been training for my first Comrades Marathon,
but unfortunately, at the beginning of April, I had to
withdraw my entry. But there is always 2018 to work
towards – I can always catch the next one. I have run
a few marathons now and have moved into ultra-
marathons, because I believe the body needs to be
ready for the extra-long distance of the Comrades.
When I met my husband I was a runner, and he
introduced me to mountain biking, and I started
enjoying more adventures like cycling and hiking. I
later became a duathlete, and I am currently looking
into starting swimming so I can move into triathlons. I
well. My morning runs are at 5am whilst my son is still
sleeping and I get back in time to get ready for work
before he’s up. On other days my husband and I take
turns. He goes for his run first, and once he’s back I
can then go.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
I have been working for Momentum for four years
now and one of the things I like about the company is
the culture that encourages me to continue enjoying
my active lifestyle. We have an active sports club
that supports different sports, including running and
cycling, so there’s plenty for me to get involved in.
My running journey highlight was last April when I
was the first Momentum lady to finish the JP Morgan
Corporate Challenge, helping to place Momentum
second in the mixed category, along with my three
club mates. This was my best result to date, and I was
elated – and then on 30 March this year I did it again,
first Momentum lady home in 27 minutes!
Through Momentum I belong to a great wellness and
rewards programme, and I get discounts and rewards
for doing what I love. I can go to the gym, run,
walk, cycle… in fact, any activity that can be tracked
can earn me points. So, whether