Me: Nadia, you often win races and almost always podium. Have you considered giving others a chance or do you enjoy crushing your competitors?
Nadia: Hahaha who doesn’t enjoy crushing their competitors? Although my biggest competitor is myself and the rest is a bonus.
Me: What inspired you to start running? Was it for fitness, fame or because you were late for something?
Nadia: I am running away (laughter) from responsibilities. I used to take part in sport at school but when I left, I discovered partying. A few years later,my Dad then got me back into running. We went sailing with my dad overseas often and their way to explore the quaint towns was to put on their running shoes in the morning and set off. No one knew how far or long or where, it was just one big adventure. So we would often have breakfast with locals, then explore more, find a cool spot for a few drinks and lunch and then think about heading back to the boat so that we can sail to the next bay. It was lots of fun and the best way to get back into running, plus we kind of had no choice. But such fond and special memories. so that we could explore, reward ourselves with a few beers and then get back on the boat. Then he entered me in a trail race, Bottelierskop which was amazing, in the game reserved with gemsbok blitzing past you, zebra to your right, crossing rivers, another amazing experience. and when we moved from Milnerton back to the Southern Suburbs we became involved at VOB. First with the Old Toppie group at 5.30 (who I grew up with as my dad has been a member of VOB since I can remember, with most weekends spent supporting him on races) and then slowly infiltrating the more serious running groups. The bug bit. (Aside: I would say it took a big chomp). It has to be fun, and it is fun (Aside: I don’t know how running that fast can be fun?).
Me: You are in amazing shape. Do you have a secret diet, or do you just avoid anything that tastes good?
Nadia: (lots of snorting laughter). I eat like a machine (Aside: maybe that is why she runs like a machine?). My husband Steven has put a sign up in the kitchen that reads “Nadia, you are not hungry, you are bored. Get out of the cupboard.” We used to have a painted floor, and I had actually worn a path through the paint through the kitchen, to the fridge and into the pantry. (Aside: it sounds like someone runs to keep up with eating!). If Kristen’s Ice Cream (vegan) could be my staple diet, it would be. My only dietary restriction is that my meals are gluten, dairy and egg-free. I often subject friends and family to “experiments” which is me trying to bake some delish treat, that often only I like – secret – I don’t care cause then I dont have to share and there is more for me hahaha.
Me: What’s your favourite part of running? The endorphins, the medals or the joy of leaving others in your dust?
Nadia: All three (laughs). It’s the challenge. It never gets easier, and it’s exciting to push harder and challenge myself more. I feel blessed to be able to run, even on a bad running day, and no matter how I feel. It’s so beautiful here where we live, especially the golden hours of the morning. I also enjoy a walk the day after a hard run, nothing beats that feeling of your muscles stretching after a few hard training days.
Me: Do you listen to music when you run? Is there any music fast enough to keep up with you?
Nadia: Not when I run outdoors. If I run short sprint sessions on the dreadmill (Nadia’s name for the treadmill) I will pump up the music as hard as I can.
Me: If you could run any distance anywhere in the world, where would it be? Would it be for the natural scenery or the local eye candy? Remember though that your husband will read this.
At this point, an eavesdropper from the next table added his ten cents worth:
Third party: Go to Amsterdam (Nadia did check that this meant eye candy for her and not for him). Sorry Steven, but the locals are all tall, blonde and very well built. (Aside: Nadia and I have booked a little road trip, a research journey if you will.)
Nadia: I love running next to the ocean, the scenery on a trail run & also just around Tokai, Constantia, the vineyards, green belts, so many options. We are truly so fortunate to live where we live. Ok, so we have settled on Amsterdam then. But if I had to do a MARATHON it would be a destination marathon and Bordeaux marathon, which Nikki told me about. You run from wine farm to wine farm, sampling the output. I would want to go with Nikki though, because she knows how it’s done & has the experience.
Nadia decided to ad-lib a bit here, even though there was no question:
Nadia: I really love the thrill, excitement and anticipation at the startline of the race. All the nerves and most of all seeing my competitors and having chats & catch ups. Congratulating each other at the finish line and chatting about the race, it is special. Such a cool community and camaraderie. Also chatting to other VOB members and the tent after a race and sharing a few beers celebrating everyones wins and PB’s, and just the fact that we woke up, got to the start line and was able to run!!!
I have so much admiration for every single person out there running, knowing that it takes perseverance, grit and dedication. People who run no matter what and never give up, it is inspiring.
Me: When you are not running, are you sprinting from one task to the next?
Nadia: Lots of laughter. I procrastinate. Contrary to popular belief, I DO work (Aside: Again, your husband is going to read this.) for Turton Designs, my husband’s company, but I do like to start the day on a beach and to pretend that I don’t actually have a job, until about 8:30am. Then I am off to work at a coffee shop somewhere. Any suggestions for great coffee shops with fast WIFI, amazing coffee and perhaps a view would be much appreciated.
Me: What advice would you give someone new to running, besides buying expensive shoes and how to tie the laces properly?
Nadia: Ironically (my word, not hers), I bought my first trail shoes last year, after running trail for years in retired running shoes, and it was a life changer. But for new runners, just go out and do it, feel the wind in your hair (Aside: Not hard to do in Cape Town.). ANY run is always better than no run, you’ll feel amazing after, I promise, (Sometimes I have to pep talk myself for hours hahaha). No matter how short, far, fast or slow, it all counts and adds up. Consistency is key. and although it doesn’t get easier, you do get better at it!! Just have fun and enjoy the journey.
Me: What’s your ultimate running goal? Is it to break personal records, break your shoes or just to be able to run faster than the next guy if you are attacked by a lion?
Nadia: All of the above! Break my shoes? Haha, that is a challenge. I will try to smash as many of my own personal bests for as long as I can. If this gets me on the podium, it’s an added bonus. I do get a good dose of gemoedsbekakking (very nervous) on the start line though. I am naturally competitive, with me being my own biggest competition. I do challenge myself by seeing what my overall position is in a race, both men and women. My upcoming races are Milkwood, the Spar Ladies, Langebaan and Two Oceans, where I all have targets I would like to smash.
Last year I felt bleak because my Two Oceans time was 20 seconds slower than the year before, but it was a tough day in the office from the start. At about 7km’s I wanted to bail because of terrible back pain, and at this point I gave myself a little pep talk to calm the farm, come to terms that I am not going to smash my goal and just enjoy the race for what it is, absorb the gees and run as far as I can. The gees was fantastic and what kept me going. At 18km ITB set in, but I was still able to run and finished 20 seconds slower than the previous year. When I saw Jojo at the finish, I did cry a little – I think from relief that I actually made the finish and the race was done and also just because it was a super tough day and “the other run” that broke me (the first was the divorce route).
Me: What run would you not do again?
Nadia: The Divorce Route. This is the first run that “broke me”. The guys all did the route one Sunday as part of training for UTCT and by the end, as it took a few more hours to finish and for them to meet up with the wives, some husbands were not very popular! Also, I think if some friends could be disowned, that might have happened too hahaha. A while later, Steven suggested that we do that route again, and he & Crappie assured me it would only be an hour, and a half trail run. Needless to say, 3 hours later….. & coming down Kasteelpoort, I was FINISHED, but then I hit the pipe track and it was like a switch flipped, I was happy as Larry and cruised all the way back to the car in Gardens. But I vowed – Kasteelpoort – NEVER AGAIN! Kasteelpoort 1 – Nadia 0.
(Aside: Oh Steven, what were you thinking?).
Me: What are your favourite runs?
Nadia: Bay to Bay, Milkwood, Grape Run, Knysna and any trail run and Slave route because it starts in front of the Town hall and it is always so beautiful in town that time of the morning andyou get to run through the Castle.
Me: Who would you most like to meet and talk to on a training run?
Nadia: Gerda Steyn, I would love to hear about her running but I very much doubt I would be able to talk much, think I would need to run with question flash cards.
Me: What is something we don’t know about you?
Nadia: I am an ocean baby! No day is complete without a surf or a dip – Summer or Winter :). Oh and did I mention – any excuse to reward myself or be rewarded with coffee and an awesome Smoothie Bowl (Aside: The smoothie bowls were divine!).
Me: Thank you Nadia, this has been such fun, and congratulations on the past year of personal achievements and podium finishes.
THANK YOU!!!! And thank you for the honour of being your first to be interviewed for the blog! I am so grateful that I was able to join a running club like VOB, the people are amazing and we have made such incredible friends through the running club.
Happy running and moving peeps. xox
