It was like a recording, “I am in no way interested in doing 21.1km. I am comfortable doing 10km, and that’s where I will stay”. Boy, did I happily eat those words on Sunday!

Najmah with the end in sight!

When everyone was entering the Peninsula half and full marathons, the thought did cross my mind to enter, because somehow I felt I was ready. But, for some or other reason, I just never got round to entering, and before I knew it, online entries had closed. That was a clear message, I believed, that I should not do it.

Then, on Tuesday, 14 February, Feroza Salie spoke to Coach Farouk in my presence, asking him how to go about upgrading to a full marathon. Immediately I asked Feroza for her half marathon number, which she gladly gave me. No, I did not wonder whether I was going mad! Somehow I was just so positive that I was able to do it. I checked with Yassien and with Coach and they both agreed that I was ready. Yassien, being the sweet, kind soul that he is, volunteered to sacrifice his running time in order to stay with me.

Sunday morning arrived and there I was at the start – I felt I deserved a medal for simply being there! The gun fired and we were off, with Yassien and Ammie as bus drivers, we were on our way. I could not believe how quickly the km’s passed by. At 15km my ever-supportive husband was there, with Energade and cold water (the water station had no more!) and I remember him saying to me, “You have only 6km to go”. I then replied, ”And I am feeling good”.

The last 2km were extremely long, but as I turned the corner, I saw Yusri Frielaar, and he started to cheer, and immediately afterward came the traditional Itheko ROAR. I was home! I had done a half-marathon! “I did it! I did it!” I shouted, with my hands in the air! What a feeling!!!

I know that the Almighty makes all things possible, but He sometimes sends us Angels to guide and help us along the way – thanks to my Angels, Feroza Salie for the number, Coach for believing that I could do it, Fuad for encouraging me and for being there on his bicycle to cheer us on, Zulpha, Shafieka, Baheya, Razaan and their cheering teams, Sharmil for the Bar One, all the members on our bus, for your encouragement, salt crystals, etc. A special thank you to Yassien Salie, my personal bus driver and best of all, my husband, Naashied, without whose continuous support and encouragment I could never have achieved the impossible!

You guys are SIMPLY THE BEST!!!

Najmah Mallick