By setting his running goal(post) high, a rugby coach drop(-kick)s his weight. – By Lisa Nevitt

Age: 40
Home Town: Humansdorp
Height: 1.78m
Occupation: High-school teacher and rugby coach
Time Required: 6 months
Then: 102kg
Now: 79kg

THE WAKE-UP

After college and marriage, I steadily picked up weight on a diet of greasy takeaways and sugar-laden cooldrinks. The fact I was out of shape was most noticeable on the rugby field, at the school where I teach; I felt dizzy, and couldn’t keep up with the under-nine rugby team. That amused them, but when I got home I suffered from painful gastric reflux (stomach-acid damage that causes heartburn. – Ed), and had to take medication in order to sleep at night.

Here’s how to adjust your eating habits for weight loss.

THE SHAKE-UP

At the end of 2012, I decided I’d had enough of those little rascals ridiculing me, and the discomfort I felt at night. I joined a local gym in Jeffrey’s Bay, where I discovered my favourite piece of equipment: the treadmill.

But one day I couldn’t make it to the gym, so I ran outside. It was then that the incredible world of road running opened up for me. At first, I couldn’t run for more than 15 minutes, peppered with walk breaks; given my slow pace and the extra weight I was carrying, I ran when chances of people seeing me running were slim. But I was determined not to give up.

In January 2013, I ran my first official race, which was a 15-K. The bug had bitten, and before long my family and I were taking regular weekend breaks, so that I could take part in even more races.

THE REWARD

I’ve since run three Two Oceans Ultras, and achieved a time of 5:20 at this year’s event. I ran my first Comrades in 9:45, and I’m aiming for a sub-9:00 at the next ‘down’ run.

I still coach rugby, to 16- to 19-year-old boys; only now that I’ve lost weight, they’re the ones gasping for air when they try to keep up with me! It’s a pleasure to run with the boys, and motivate them to become runners themselves.

Inspired to start running? Start here.

Ready to enter your first race? Check out our race calendar and take your pick.

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