From couch potato to Comrades – a Robindale resident’s transformation
ROBINDALE – Will Addison shows that anything is possible when you have an indomitable spirit.
Until nine months ago, Will Addison (39) had never given much thought to running.
But, being overweight and living an unhealthy lifestyle, the Robindale resident knew that something had to be done.
“I woke up on the morning of 15 September and weighed myself. I was heavier than I had ever been. I knew I had to do something with my life,” he said.
“I always watched the Comrades Marathon on TV as a child; it became a big goal for me to do.”
So great was his resolve and discipline in running regularly and watching his food intake, Addison was able to cover 2 500km in road running, including three marathons and two ultra marathons, in the next nine months. He dropped from 96kg to 76kg in seven months.
Listening to his story, one might think he was going to advertise the latest diet pill or self-motivation book. But Addison put it all down to willpower.
He hit the treadmill immediately but it was very difficult at first, so he joined the Easy Equities Born2Run running club and took part in 5km morning runs.
Next up was a 10km night run at Jackal Creek Golf Estate, then the Tough One – a 32km run.
“I nearly died afterwards. My body shut down and I lay down and wondered why I was doing this. But I had to get up and keep going.”
READ: Born2Run the Comrades Marathon
Addison never gave up, even though in order to qualify for the Comrades, he would have to conquer more runs.
Only four months after starting to run, Addison took on the Johnson Crane Marathon in January, then later the Pick n Pay Marathon, Cape Gate Vaal Marathon and the Old Mutual Om die Dam ultra marathon with his fiancé, Caryn Wilson.
“Life was getting better and better as I ran.”
When the Comrades came, Addison was “nervous as hell” but having come so far, he could not back down now
“From 70km it became really difficult. On Polly Shortts people around us were collapsing and throwing up. But at the back of my mind I said I must keep going.”
Addison finished in 10:40:50, and earned a bronze medal.
“I hope my story will motivate people that anything is possible.”
Addison now aims to take part in the Telkom 94.7 Cycle Challenge in November and the Cadiz Freedom Swim from Robben Island to Cape Town next year.
