FOR someone who is always on her feet, one would think that running in the Comrades Marathon would be the last thing on her mind, but Desre Winn, a hairstylist from Glen Hills, says she can’t wait to hit the open road.

“I ran my first Comrades in 2019 before Covid-19 came along and stole my joy, which is running. I’m really looking forward to my second run which I’ve been religiously preparing for. It takes months of preparing your mind, body and soul for The Ultimate Race,” said Winn.

READ ALSO: Market in Sunningdale has everything to offer

Although running has always been her happy place, Winn said she only became interested in running the Comrades after marrying into a family who not only ran the race but worked for the Comrades Marathon Association, too.

“My parents-in-law were both chairs of the Comrades so it’s always been a huge part of my husband’s life. After marrying, it became a personal achievement for me, as well, and I decided to enter,” she said.

“It’s a race that demands respect and is not your regular five or 10K run. It’s not a race that you take lightly,” she added.

Winn is a member of the DHS Old Boys Running Club, which she joined about three years ago, but running has been a part of her life for 13 years. During Covid-19, when restrictions were in place, she joined a social running club aptly named the Covid Runners Club.

“I run with both clubs and have formed friendships to last a lifetime,” said the runner.

When it comes to training, she does not miss her morning runs. On weekends, Winn ups the time from an hour to an hour and thirty minutes and even three hours.

“This time around, I’m training with Justin Hand. Prior to that, I had an online coach. Now, I can see an improvement in my time. The people I train with are also a separate group of people, so again, more valuable relationships are formed,” said Winn.

Her training started in January, and this time, she’s hoping to improve her initial time of 11:33.

“As long as it’s better than the first time and a definite improvement, I’ll take that,” she said.

Part of her training includes being very disciplined, meaning an early night’s rest, no alcohol and no socialising.

“I run every morning from 05:15 to 06:15. Then I get ready for work where I’m still on my feet because I’m a hairstylist. On weekends, I run for longer – up to three hours on Sunday,” she said.

Her eating plan involves loading up on unrefined carbohydrates and eating a balanced diet.

“I do crave junk food which I don’t deprive myself of because when you’re training that hard, your body burns it off anyway. Now, as my training has slowed down because we’re close to the Comrades, I watch what I eat because I can’t put on weight. Extra weight will slow me down,” said Winn.

Her recovery process involves sitting, or in her case, napping in an oxygen chamber. She also goes for sports massages with Demi Botha at DB-Sports.

“I’ve been for two sessions so far to Oxygenate in Durban North. I basically breathe in oxygen which helps repair my muscles. I’ve been twice, and both times I’ve fallen asleep and woken up feeling so fresh and relaxed. I would highly recommend it to any athlete,” said Winn.

Speaking about what she loves most about the Comrades, Winn says it’s the social element, whether it’s the conversations she has with other runners or eavesdropping as she passes a group.

“The conversation and the comments are the motivation I need. When you get to the last 30kms, you need the crowd’s support to motivate and cheer you on,” she said.

“It’s a huge commitment, but it’s absolutely worth it. When I hit that finish line and realise that I made it, it’s something that nobody can take away from me. That’s how I felt after my first Comrades. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t because I had no water left in my body,” she said with a laugh.