Setbacks encourage Debbie to keep running forward
Debbie has been bouncing back after all the hardships she endures in life and she is hoping to encourage other people to keep moving.
Running grew from a place of pain for Debbie Ivins (44), from battling with infertility and miscarriages that left her broken, she set challenges for herself every year as a way of helping herself come out of the dark hole she was in. “During this particularly painful time, to help me climb out of the deep pit, I decided to enter the sporting world as my next challenge,” she said. ” I usually defaulted to the cultural activities but took a decision to change that and start being an athlete.
“I was never a natural athlete growing up, so this was completely out of character but from a place of pain and despair, I discovered my love for running that I never knew I had. It became more than a hobby for me. Running became a journey to a state of health and fulfilment and improved my emotional well-being too.” Running introduced her to a lifestyle and a community of people she never knew she needed. “The people I met helped me stay motivated, positive and excited about life.”
She set herself a goal to run the Comrades Marathon and she did so twice, earning her back-to-back medals. “I grew up in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where I watched runners run through our neighbourhood. I have so many fond memories of standing outside in the early hours in my gown and slippers cheering for the incredible athletes taking on the ultimate human race.” She never thought she would be part of the group she was cheer-leading as a child.
“I knew to finish the Comrades was a miracle and my debut race saw me crossing the finish line with just 13 minutes to spare. It was a challenge like no other. Not only on the day itself, but the months of training and sacrifice beforehand, to prepare physically and mentally for the 12-hour journey that lay ahead of me.” Ivins said it took consistency commitment, patience and believing in herself. She pushed herself to run a distance she thought was impossible. “It was not only the distance I had to conquer, but myself. I learnt how to keep the faith through the lows that came during this season, the same applies in life, if we don’t give up eventually the finish line will come.”
Ivins has ran and completed six Comrades Marathons, the last one being in 2018. She has also explored trail running too. “Little did I know at the time, my health would soon take a complete turn and with it, my dreams once again, would be shattered,” she said.
“I became critically ill, with internal bleeding and ulcers, eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, Chron’s disease, which in turn, depleted my body from head to toe. My frail state and crumbling bones have limited my ability to be the athlete I once was but I am trusting the athlete I will now become will still be someone who can use her story to bring hope and encouragement to others.”
She moved to Johannesburg three years ago and immediately joined the Fourways Road Runners and a social running group, JP Runners. “The two groups provided me with friendships, fun and they all began to be family to me. They were very supportive of the hard times I was going through. After being told I would never run again, I am returning to the sport I love once again optimistically cautious but full of faith that there will be many more kms and smiles in the future.
“My body may have failed me in many ways during my life but I make a daily effort to be grateful and realise how there is so much I am still capable of. I do not like dwelling on the negatives. Everyday is a new day and I wake up and make the most of it. I want to encourage others that even if things don’t always end up the way you hoped they would, you can still choose to enjoy your life and make the most of new experiences.”
Ivins said a long run teaches a person how to handle suffering. “We are stronger than we realise and the Comrades taught me many times over, that life lessons from the past all serve as stepping stones and we grow in our grit, determination and strength. My running stamina came from past hardships that I had overcome and in turn, I can apply many lessons from hours on the road, to my life today.” She encourages everyone to keep moving and look forward to the next day because you cannot rewrite history but you can give meaning to the next chapters.
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