Melissa Abrahams (35) of Paarl will be tying her shoelaces in two weeks time before taking on her very first full marathon, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, on 16 October.
Even for experienced runners, a marathon consisting of 42,2 km of gruelling road running is an immense challenge, and not least for a first timer who two years ago had barely started her running journey.
Abrahams said this was an adventure she had never expected, anticipated or even dreamt of.
She says she has always believed in looking after her health, and before the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic she and husband Dameon regularly visited the gym. But when lockdown restrictions basically shut the country down they started very short distance runs, just to keep a little bit in shape.
“Running is hard,” says Abrahams. “At the beginning I would run from one lamp post to the next, then walk a bit and so on. On the next run I would try to go a bit further than just one lamp post before walking. And soon distances got longer, enabling me to build more self-confidence.”
She said she persevered until being able to run a stable 5 km.
Once confident about her running, and wanting to improve her capabilities but with no official running challenges during the pandemic, Abrahams found the Adidas Running Community and Rise Women, and joined their virtual runs and challenges. This combination of community and accountability, she said, had changed her life. Also mentioning the great help from her coach, Kathleen Shuttleworth.
Her running journey has, however, not been without its health challenges. Abrahams was diagnosed with PCOS, a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on them.
These issues often led to uncomfortable and painful runs, but armed with the correct coaching and fellow runners’ support she was able to conquer many of her challenges.
“Countless doctor’s reports said I would never be able to run long distances, but with perseverance and the necessary support nothing is impossible.”
Abrahams said running made her feel strong and confident; it was her coping mechanism with everyday life, aside from her quiet time with God.
Running gives her purpose, and doing so with a vision and goal made her happier and healthier as an individual.
To her astonishment this year Adidas invited a group of 11 women to come together, go beyond the impossible and run their first-ever marathon, and included Abrahams among them.
During a 14-week intensive training, fitness and support period Adidas has been guiding these incredible and inspiring women from all walks of life through a holistic programme leading up to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
Abrahams describes herself as a devout Christian on a journey of crazy faith. She believes “nothing is impossible.
And recently she had a setback when she sustained stitches to her head after a freak accident, but despite this she is determined to run the marathon.
“What running has taught me is that one takes things one step at a time, and if one falls, one gets up, dust yourself off and keep going.”
Paarl Post wishes all the Drakenstein participants in this year’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon all the best!
