RUNNING JOURNEY:BLANCHE MOILA OF SOUTH AFRICA GIVE S ATHLETICS A TRUE DEFINITION

Mr Pace Show Questions and Answers 

Presenter: Collen Makaza

Guest: Blanche Moila 

Date: 18 June 2021

Time: 1800hr to 2030hr

Venue: Chitungwiza Harare Zimbabwe 

Contacts: +263733741960/+263 7769685

Email: mrpacemakaza@gmail.com 

Good evening to all our group members of Mr Pace Show

Welcome our Geust Mrs Blanche Moila 

Please acknowledge your presence Madam

Good evening group from warm Durban South Africa..thank you for the invite to share my running journey. I Was born in a small village Sengatane  in 1956 on the outskirts of Polokwane . I am the youngest in a Family of seven

*2.Q- Do you still remember the person who helped you to start running?*

Oh yes l remember my running  mentor .,the person who got me started was Dr. Dr. Shorty Moolla during.my Psychiatric Nursing Block. The institution had a fun day of sport activities for Patients and Personnel,  l participated in the 400m race..Dr. Shorty who had  couple of Comrades marathons under his belt was impressed with my form though l had. Not trained at all..he got me started..prior to that l had never run  competitively all .

*3.Q- When did you start running and how it started?*

I started running in late 1980..at a sports day for Patients and Personnel in a Psychiatric hospital  but competitive running in 1981

*4.Q- What inspires you to be a runner?*

When l first started running, l was inspired by the good feelings running gave me, l was an introvert most of my youth years, and running kind of liberated me. I gained confidence,   had a healthy concept of who l am and what l can achieve besides  academics made friends from diverse communities, met interesting people and ofcourse enjoyed travelling. Now I am more  driven to mentor and motivate more women to participate in sports with a purpose. I visit schools to get youth active,  driving thr "achieve befor you conceive "campaigns and other social ills that plague our country

When l first started running, l was inspired by the good feelings running gave me, l was an introvert most of my youth years, and running kind of liberated me. I gained confidence,   had a healthy concept of who l am and what l can achieve besides  academics made friends from diverse communities, met interesting people and ofcourse enjoyed travelling. Now I am more  driven to mentor and motivate more women to participate in sports with a purpose. I visit schools to get youth active,  driving thr "achieve befor you conceive "campaigns and other social ills that plague our country

*5.Q- Tell us how was your performance in athletics during your primary and secondary levels?*

Aaaah that is an interesting question...besides the odd inter-house sports day...at both primary and secondary schools l attended..my performance in running was non-existent. I was a bookworm. And anyway because of social structures of the 80's the girl child was not encouraged to excel at sports

*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*

When l started running ,South Africa at the time had  diverse Social challenges   so l had no regular  training partners.  It was just me,myself,and I.only met others during competition.

When l started running ,South Africa at the time had  diverse Social challenges   so l had no regular  training partners.  It was just me,myself,and I.only met others during competition.

*7.Q- What motivated you to take running as part of your life?*

Running became part of my daily routine,  when l started realising all the social and health benefits,  when l started improving my times l enjoyed the satisfaction of my personal ACHIEVEMENTS,  l became kind a driven to push thru barriers

Running became part of my daily routine,  when l started realising all the social and health benefits,  when l started improving my times l enjoyed the satisfaction of my personal ACHIEVEMENTS,  l became kind a driven to push thru barriers

*8.Q- Name your first running club and how many clubs did you ran for during your days?*

My first and only running club is Savages Athletic Club..which was one of the first in Durban to welcome runners from diverse communities.   It catered for the social and the competitive runner..

*9.Q- Do you ever compete or won medals in any S.A national champs?*

YES ,In the 80's and 90's  l won a few National titles over 10km,15km, 16km and 21km...had a record or two.at some stage.. received my National colours in 1984. Likewise  at PROVINCIAL level..l had titles  from the 1500m ,3000m,5000m ,XC,and the road distances. Competed in

*10.Q- Do you ever represents S. Africa at all Africa games or World Championships?*

I have not been to Africa Games, l have represented S.A at X.C  , Women's international road relays in Seoul  and Yokohama and  The marathon world Cup in Spain.

*11.Q- At what age did you start professional running in your career as an athlete?*

I started running in my early 20's   post grad from.Nursing College

*12.Q-  Who was your best coach and manager in your career as an athlete?*

Another interesting question,  l did not have a professional Coach or Manager. I was blessed with a couple of people in my corner  who had an impact on my journey.  Dr. Shorty as mentioned was my mentor and l also had advice and guidance from fellow club mate st Savages..Trevor Smith..and a huge appreciation of Prof. Tim Noakes who should interest in.my bio-physio profile  and invited me to UCT.to have several tests done  gratis.. Muscle biopsy, VO2 max , etc..and advices on how best to enhance my natural attributes

*13.Q- What is your best shoe brand as an athlete?*

I have been using Nike shoes since 1984..l am so comfortable in the brand . Every Nike  l fit on l believe was designed just for me ..😊

*How do you compare sponsorships before and  after  the  Apartheid*

Sponsorships have been a huge challenge especially for Women in general,  but personally l had the bar shifted  a few times before l was offered sponsorship. I remember being promised sponsorship if l ran sub 80min for 21km..when.l did..l was then asked to run, sub 77..and so forth..fortunately Nike came on board ..yes l did break thru those limits at some stage...after  1994 ..sponsorship gradually improved for women ...but we still have a long way to go..to receive sponsorships at par with  our Male counterparts .

*14.Q- What was your best meals before and after the race?*

I am a vegetarian..l enjoy pasta and lentils,  or sample and beans my meal doesn't change pre or post race.. l love peanut butter and honey with bananas..(.my staple snack)

I am a vegetarian..l enjoy pasta and lentils,  or sample and beans my meal doesn't change pre or post race.. l love peanut butter and honey with bananas..(.my staple snack)

*15.Q- What's your best times in the following distance from: 5000m 10km, 21km, 42km, 56km and 89km comrades marathon?*

5000m   16m17s, 10km  33m58s,     21km initially 74m56 ( then was told short course) later  recorded 75m,       42km  2h41  , 56km 4h20 and 89km 7h40...87km  7h20(silver medal )

*16.Q- What is your best and worst race in your career as an athlete?*

I had a plethora of bedt races  for me..difficult to choose...but worst race probably  my 2013 Comrades marathon...I had alot of self doubt during the journey even contemplated quitting..but l knew l was running with a goal to raise much needed funds for HACT(Hillcrest Aids centre Trust) the Charity l support.. because  of the hash harsh weather l was  finding it really tough..but there is a spirit of tenacity that lives within all of us. That spirit took over..l finished in about 11h15...

I had a plethora of bedt races  for me..difficult to choose...but worst race probably  my 2013 Comrades marathon...I had alot of self doubt during the journey even contemplated quitting..but l knew l was running with a goal to raise much needed funds for HACT(Hillcrest Aids centre Trust) the Charity l support.. because  of the hash harsh weather l was  finding it really tough..but there is a spirit of tenacity that lives within all of us. That spirit took over..l finished in about 11h15...

*17. Can you name your best road race of all time and why?*

My best road race of all time is the Comrades marathon,  l eas attracted to Comrades because of the qualities within the distance itself, and that demands it places on the mind .  The camaraderie experienced, I run with a goal and purpose, trying to reach my own perfection.

My best road race of all time is the Comrades marathon,  l eas attracted to Comrades because of the qualities within the distance itself, and that demands it places on the mind .  The camaraderie experienced, I run with a goal and purpose, trying to reach my own perfection.

Most of comrades runners says these strong words

I like the spirit

*18.Q-  What setbacks have you encountered in your career as an female  athlete?*

Like many women in Africa, Societal norms inhibited most women  from participating in sports,.Traditional barriers and Patriarchy were a hindrance. THE view that taking part in sports detracts from femininity,  the lack of adequate safety and security whilst training,.The Duplicity of our Society.just to name a few setbacks.

*19.Q- How are you copy to the situations of Lockdowns where is no races or events?*

Lockdown has been a necessity to curb Covid pandemic. However  it  has been a huge challenge for many..especially those relying on races to augment their finances...l coped because l focus  mainly on the health benefits . I am currently not racing fit but healthy

*20.Q- As a women in sport, what words of encouragement and motivation can you give others women out there?*

To all women out there..please  choose to be active .... contrary to commonly held beliefs in some of our communities...participating in sports  does not detract  from femininity,   it is liberating and has lots of health benefits. Let's do it for holistic health..mentally  physically and spiritually. Impossible is nothing..we never outgrow the need to play..l still find self expression thru.running Age has no penalties.. we live in an eternal present.

*21.Q- Your words about age cheating and drug use in sport?*

I advocate for clean sports..l believe in.fair play.. l mentor youth to be proud, clean and drug free ..there should be no place for age cheats in sports.. just like drug cheats..they should be suspended..in the 80's  I was the most tested female Athlete and proudly clean..let's keep sports clean. There are no short cuts to success..

*22.Q- Your future plans in sport?*

To continue  mentoring youth especially the girl child who is more vulnerable. I want to equip them with strong mindset, confidence,  and belief that limitations usually set in only if you allow them. Impossible is nothing.

To continue  mentoring youth especially the girl child who is more vulnerable. I want to equip them with strong mindset, confidence,  and belief that limitations usually set in only if you allow them. Impossible is nothing.

*23.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*

I come from a close knit family, Dad an educator,  Mother professional Nurse..blessed with Parents and Siblings who have always been supportive  yet unintrusive of choices l have made in running  as a hobby....l am the youngest of seven...l also enjoy the support of  extended family...lots of nieces and nephews.

THE END

FINITO