Val leads the way at diabetic walk
Her focus is to create public awareness of diabetes.
WARNER Beach’s Val Opperman, a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic for 30 years, was the first walker to cross the finish line at the Global Diabetic 5km walk in Durban three weeks ago.
She completed the walk in 39mins,17 seconds and for her efforts received a first prize of a R5,500 holiday from Gooderson Leisure from the KZN MEC of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
The race on Saturday, 29 November attracted some 1,000 diabetics. After the race some of the walkers, including Val, had an intense 45-minute aerobics workout with Dhlomo.
Having being diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 19, Val’s mission is to create awareness of the disease. “A lot of people may have it, but don’t know it. Awareness is the key, along with a healthy lifestyle which includes good eating habits and exercise.”
Val is more of an ultra distance runner having completed two Comrades Marathon and a Two Oceans Marathon. She only took up running four years ago and on completing her first half-marathon in 2013, the running bug bit.
A member of Run Walk for Life Pietermaritzburg, Val’s motto is ‘breaking the stigma and building the bridges of awareness’. “I have taken care of myself, I want others to be able to do the same. Diabetes does not pick and choose, it is prevalent in all communities and some 600 million people worldwide are living with it. Check your blood sugar, it takes two seconds to do a test, which could save you years of suffering.”
She advises everyone to keep fit and to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Val is now in preparation for another big challenge, participating in the T1 Diabetics 42.2km marathon along the Great Wall of China in 2016. She described it as the world’s third hardest race, but is up for the challenge on race day, 21 May.
“I am doing three sessions of core training a week and my diabetic diet is brilliant as it includes plenty of fruit and vegetables.”
A sports fanatic, in her spare time Val swims, runs, goes to the gym and enjoys open spaces. She also enjoys family time with her children and grandchildren
