Her 2017 up-run Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 4 June will be run for a charity that creates cancer awareness in both men and women.
Beginning her journey to Comrades in 2010, Theresa joined Run/Walk for Life in Amanzimtoti with Lizette and Jan Botha. As with most, Theresa started running to lose weight.
“I had quit smoking a year-and-a-half before that and after picking up at least 10kgs, I was feeling awful about myself.” said Theresa. With constant support, she improved on her times and distances. While some run to lose weight, others enjoy the thrill of the endorphin rush. Theresa enjoys getting up in the morning and seeing all the friendly faces of her Crazy Cool Running Group.
“The camaraderie among the running community is absolutely amazing – you feel like you are part of one big family,” said Theresa.
“The added bonus is that despite having a healthy appetite, running helps maintain my weight.”
While watching Comrades on TV in 2013, Theresa realised this was a challenge she’d love to accept.
“Seeing all shapes and sizes on the road sparked a fire in my soul. If they could do it, then so could I,” said the avid runner.
After challenging two fellow runners, Janine and Lucy to accompany her in the following year’s Comrades, Theresa joined Stella Athletics Club and the preparation began. It was only this year that she officially joined Amanzimtoti Athletics Club, after living locally for 10 years.
“After receiving my ‘back to back’ medal on completion of my second Comrades Marathon, I thought I was done,” Theresa admitted.
“I was then challenged to improve my time. Not much twisting of my rubber arm was needed and I was entered for the following year’s marathon.”
Theresa’s goal at present is to complete 10 Comrades consecutively and she dreams that her son will eventually run the marathon beside her. Leading up to each marathon, she was plagued by a few health issues. Planning to run her first marathon, 2014’s downhill Comrades Theresa picked up plantar fasciitis, a condition involving injury to the sole of the foot that results in heel pain.
“With Comrades training you cannot catch up on your mileage, so I stood on the side lines supporting fellow runners,” she explained.
“In 2015, six weeks before Comrades I picked up Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB), one of the most common overuse injuries among runners,” said Theresa.
“IT band pain can be severe enough to completely side-line a runner for weeks or even longer. With treatment and daily foam rolling, I was ready to start the 2015 Up Run.”
From the months of training right up to standing on the start line, the passionate runner loves the Comrades experience.
“When at the start line, singing our national anthem with 16,000 fellow runners, hearing Chariots of Fire being played, the experience never ceases to bring tears to my eyes, sending goosebumps throughout my body,” reminisced Theresa.
“As you come to finish, knowing that you have just conquered the world’s toughest race is a euphoric experience – no-one can take that away from you.”
Pink Drive is a non-profit organisation which offers services to those who are medically uninsured, offering free mammograms and papsmears, the two most prevalent cancers in women. The organisation not only focuses on women, but also on men with regards to prostate and testicular cancer.
“On a personal level, after my mom died in 2008 we discovered she had cervical cancer. My best friend’s dad died from cancer in 2014 after a 17-year-long battle,” explained Theresa.
“As I meet people along the way, there is always someone who knows someone who has suffered at the hands of some form of cancer.”
The runner’s family and friends often question her sanity after hearing of her goals and seeing how she pushes herself, but not for a second does Theresa feel their support wavering.
“This year I’m not only running Comrades in memory of my late mom and dad, but for all those who have suffered at the hands of cancer and to those who have survived,” said Theresa Machado.
Help Theresa raise funds for Pink Drive by sponsoring her Comrades run. The minimum amount she needs to raise for Pink Drive is R5,000, her deadline is 2 May.
Anyone wanting to make a contribution can click here
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