Vryheid runner runs the race of life at her own pace

Running did not factor much into the early life of Serine Halforty, as a child growing up in the Dundee area.

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When she made clear her intentions to become a runner later in life, despite her limited athletic experience, the discouragement of others who believed she’d never make it fueled her to train harder and run further.
One of her most harrowing experiences however, was nearly losing her life twice to a lung virus in 2004.
“I was in ICU for a week, with my left lung collapsing twice in one week. Recovery from this took months and years. I wasn’t even able to run across the road in a hurry to get to a shop, without my legs feeling like jelly and wanting to collapse I was so out of breath.”
It was around 11 years before Serine pursued running.
It started steadily enough with the family at parkrun on Saturdays, challenging herself to improve her times with each week, and by 2018, she felt confident enough to enter into the Comrades Marathon.
Unfortunately, a knee and hip injury ruled her out for the race.

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Later that year, Serine and her son entered the Blood Buddy Memel to Newcastle Walk for the first time, but underestimated the cold weather in the small Free State town and both suffered a mild form of hypothermia.
“Despite being in the top 10, my son finished 13km before the end. His father insisted he stop as his muscles were in extreme contraction due to the cold weather.”
This year, Serine came prepared.
In her fourth year as a runner, she balanced nutrition well, dressed warmly and overnighted at the Memel Hotel, and was thus well rested when the starting gun sounded early on the Saturday morning.
To her surprise, the weather conditions were warmer than she had anticipated.
“The vibe at the start was electric, as music was going and people were taking their last pictures before the start. Even though it was not as cold, race officials had to wait for a ‘all-clear’ from traffic officials and SAPS due to poor visibility due to fog. We had a slight delay as a result, but at 6.20am, it was all systems go.”
Serine joined the first set of athletes taking on the full 51,2 kilometre route.
She let the nerves and excitement propel her in the beginning and once the weather started warming up even more, Serine had to strip back some of her clothing layers to avoid overheating.
About 35km into the race, the going got tough.
“Light rain came down which made the slight breeze chilly to the bone. But as Newcastle got closer and the realisation of finishing hit at around 40km into the race, I started to warm up again. The rain subsided and even slight rays of sun were in sight. It gave me that second breath needed to push through to the end.”
Through a combination of preparation, persistence and perseverance, Serine finished the race and described herself as ‘extremely happy’ to have achieved a life goal, especially after her lung problems.
She believes the Lord gave her the lung capacity needed to fulfil this running dream.
“I would like to thank: my biggest supporter, my husband, who stood by me every single step, just knowing when and what was needed during the race; my children, who are always willing to give up their time while training, especially on a Saturday morning when mom is on the road doing those inevitable long runs; my support along the way, my mom, for encouraging me and having the faith in me being able to do this; my father-in-law and his wife, who supported me all the way and cheered me along as I went.”
Serine also thanked the Vryheid Athletic Club, whose members supported her journey and cared for her well-being, despite her not being a member of the club.
“We only die once, but we live every day! Why not do it running?” she concluded.

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