Inspired to get active, now dreaming big

Nic Yiangou, a 38-year-old local athlete who has completed two half and one full triathlon as well as the Comrades Marathon since the beginning of the year strives to inspire others. He reckons age is only a number and one is never too old to start running.
Being overweight and pushing the scale to 135 kg until six or seven years ago Yiangou, a heavy smoker at the time, decided one morning that enough was enough. “My wife, René is an active athlete and gym instructor. I usually accompany her to the Comrades and local races and her energy just motivated me to live a better life. I ran my first Comrades last year and I will admit it was hell. But I motivated myself by saying if I can do the Comrades I can do anything,” Yiangou said.
A friend suggested that he should enter the Ironman triathlon. Initially he took it lightly but suddenly became so inspired that he forced himself to start preparing for the event. He first learnt to swim in September last year and did his first half triathlon in East London in January. This was followed by a full triathlon in Port Elizabeth in April and another half triathlon in Durban a week before competing in the annual Comrades which he finished seven minutes before cut-off time.
A triathlon consists of a 3,8 km open water swim, 180 km cycling and 42,2 km run.
Now that Yiangou has conquered the code his dream consists of a two year plan to enter an ultra-man endurance competition. “This is a three day event and entails 10 km of open water swim, 430 km of cycling and 84 km of running. I want to do it for myself. I have proven to myself what I am capable of and now I want to push myself harder. I never thought being active would provide so much pleasure,” Yiangou said.
According to him running is his strongest item and he has run every single race hosted in the city over the past two years. “I really hope to be an inspiration, especially to youngsters. I have noticed how things have changed – they sit on their cell phones or tablets day in and out. They are not social any longer and less active than when we were young,” Yiangou said.
His motto is to have fun, and you will do well. “Make practising fun, but do not over-practise. One has to learn to listen to your body to prevent injury. Success will come in time – just never give up.”
Yiangou’s next Ironman competition is the 5150 Bela-Bela Triathlon in August.

Story and photo: RC Myburgh
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