Local woman leading from the front
Completing the Comrade Marathon is a feat in itself, but crossing the finish line as the first Limpopo woman makes it extra special
POLOKWANE – Melanie Melville has dedicated the past eight years to marathon running and was rewarded for her hard work on Sunday when she crossed the Comrades Marathon finish line as the first Limpopo woman in a time of 08:04:00.
This was her eighth Comrades Marathon, she was awarded the Bill Rowan medal for finishing between 07:30:00 and 09:00:00.
“I did not even keep track of the log, it was my husband, Mark, who kept track of the log and saw that I’m the first Limpopo woman,” she explains.
Melanie is an athlete at Polokwane Athletic Club and Corrie Calitz, chairman of the club, confirmed this achievement. “We are very proud of all our runners.”
Melanie explains that she started training in December 2016. “I do speed work, running stairs, running long distance and quality training. I also did three marathons this year and completed a 50 km run. I do triathlon as well, but this year I did more cycling with my bicycle clocking about 900 km. Another thing I did was off road running in the game reserve. I believe that this made me a stronger runner. My training is very specific.”
She explains that she runs four times a week and cycles twice a week with only one rest day. “I do not follow a very specific diet. I believe that you should fuel your body with good food. I live a normal life. Good food helps you to perform better.”
She explains that this year’s Comrades Marathon differed from the previous years as her husband and children were not there to support her. “My parents and brother were there to support me and the other supporters were great. I even got support from Comrades Marathon legend, Bruce Fordyce. I was very dehydrated which made the race a bit more tricky. My food and fluid intake during the race was not very good. I am a firm believer that the Lord helped me. As I ran I kept on reciting scripture and I know my ability to run is a gift from the Lord. I use the power and determination what He has given me.”
She says that her dad and brother are also runners and she thinks that she was born with the running gene, but without the Lord’s support she would never be able to do this.
“I tried not to walk, but because of the fact that I was dehydrated, I decided to walk the water points. We also finished at a different venue with a few unidentified hills. I am a better uphill runner and get better times with uphill running.”
Melanie says that the day after the Comrades she feeds her body with tomato and chicken soup and lots of fluids. “I cannot eat a lot, but I crave salt. I also drink lots of milk and take nice warm showers.”
She explains that people should not think that everyone can run the Comrades and that you are only a good runner when you can run the Comrades. “You either love or hate it. You can be a good runner without running the Comrades. How you train determines how you will end.”
