Fikile breaks own record at Comrades
Fikile Mbuthuma says she sees running as something the mind has to conquer before the body endures.
IN celebration of a decade as a Comrades Marathon participant, running enthusiast Fikile Mbuthuma, challenged herself to make it to the top 10.
Although the Malvern Medicross Clinic receptionist admitted that preparing for the race wasn’t easy, she said it was all worth it. “Training for the Comrades is not easy but it was easy to run it. I enjoyed myself on the road as the weather was not too hot or cold,” she recalled.
Mbuthuma was the first woman in KwaZulu-Natal to cross the finish line and the eighth overall in a time of 06:56:32. She said having her family and friends as a support system was great, however and knowing that her colleagues were with her every step of the way helped her to push herself even further. “The idea of making it on to the top 10 actually came from my colleagues. In preparation for the race, I had to take two weeks’ leave and so I had to work hard because I had more time to focus on my running. I am grateful for the support my colleagues gave me, they even threw me a surprise welcome back party,” she said.
While most athletes follow a strict diet plan, Mbuthuma said she does not limit herself when it comes to eating. “I eat whatever I like and that has not affected my running in any way. I do it for the love of it.” She said she sees running as something the mind has to conquer before the body endures. “You have to be mentally fit and prepared before you attempt to run any race and you also have to have the love for it, this is how you push yourself to becoming even greater.”
Manager at the Medicross Clinic in Malvern, Roshan Ramparsad, congratulated Mbuthuma on her achievement and said he hoped his staff members would follow in her footsteps. “We often joke with our patients and tell them that Fikile is a celebrity, but it’s true. She is very involved in races and is an inspiration to us all. We are extremely proud of her and her achievements. A lot is said about the person who wins the race but I think the Comrades should also put emphasis on the first person to cross the finish line for their province,” he said. Ramparsad said he hopes Mbuthuma pushes for the top five next year.
