A confident 56-year-old cyclist from Joburg, Lucy Balona usually struggled to finish her first 5 km parkruns. But thanks to the dedication she has put into being a Team Vitality Champion, she now plans to run her first 42 km marathon before the end of the year.
Finding her confidence
Lucy Balona Head of Marketing and Communication at the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), has always been active. Identifying as a cyclist first, on her bike she felt confident and strong but as a runner she felt insecure. Then she got a second opportunity to cycle with a group of friends from Joburg to Cape Town. She had done the race eight years earlier but felt a little rusty this time around. Not one to allow a little fear to get in the way, Lucy agreed to do the race and set out to achieve her goal. While training, she realised running could help her fitness and endurance levels, even though, "I thought as a cyclist I can't run; running isn't for me. I don't know how to do it and it's just too much hard work."
Her first run was a 5 km parkrun at Rietvlei in Alberton. Lucy walked and ran that race as best she could but all she kept thinking was, "Why didn't I bring my water?" Out of breath and exhausted, she stayed committed and finished her race. Today Lucy is a confident runner, regularly doing 10 km and 15 km runs. "I can run a comfortable 10 km and not need water. My regular runs during the week, and long runs on weekends, keep me having fun," says Lucy. She gives all the praise to the Team Vitality Champions for keeping her motivated, "The Team Vitality Champs running group is the best support and inspiration to keep staying strong and fit," says Lucy. "I've actually run over 35 km. It's the longest I've run to date. My goal is to try and run a marathon," adds Lucy.
Encouraging diversity
Being part of this running group has enriched Lucy's life in ways she never expected. She often finds solutions to work-related matters while on a run, and she credits the group with expanding her worldview. "I run with people who are black, Indian, coloured, white. Nobody cares about your economic background; the most common thread is that we all love running and we support each other. That's what I love," says Lucy. "When I go to a race and look, everybody is the same, they might have better shoes or gear, but when they run it's just you and your body and what you know.
"I'm now socialising with people I may have never have had contact with before. And I think that's what helps me; it's teaching me to embrace diversity, how to be inclusive - how to include new runners and make them feel special."
The group also welcomes runners of all ages and levels, "We've got a nice diverse group: the youngest in our group is 27 and the oldest is over 65," says Lucy.
Along with being a diverse group, the team also tries to keep things interesting for their weekly runs by consistently planning new and challenging routes to make it fun to be outdoors.
Motivating newcomers
Lucy has had people cry during a run and she's also cried, but she tries to remind runners to have fun because, "Life is like a run. You have your great days and on other days you struggle, the point is to keep going." When asked about advice for people who want to join the group but are hesitant, Lucy says, "Join one of the Team Vitality Champs in one of the running zones, for example in Joburg's West Rand. There's one in Honeydew; there's also Cape Town and Durban. On a Saturday there's a 5 km and 10 km run. You won't be alone; the whole point of the champs is that we're there to embrace new runners and get them involved," says Lucy.
She adds that new runners won't be left behind and women, especially, won't feel unsafe. "We particularly make sure that runners are together, that they start together and finish together," adds Lucy.
The group also makes sure they have yearly goals and support one another's personal goals, "Right now we have a couple that are training to qualify for the Two Oceans Marathon," says Lucy.