'No fear' Johannes
Namibia's running gem, Helalia Johannes, will go to the upcoming world marathon championships in the form of her life.
Helalia Johannes' coach Robert Kaxuxwena says her secret is that she has rid herself of the fear of running against top Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes.
Kaxuxwena said many athletes fear running against the best distance runners in the world, but Johannes has shrugged off this fear, and is blossoming.
“Because of her hard work, she has hit the kind of brilliant form which puts her on that top level; now Kenyan and Ethiopian runners fear her. Before that she feared them, but with encouragement she shrugged off that fear and only focuses on her performance,” he said.
Johannes still has a lot to deliver in long-distance running before she decides to call it quits. Many Namibians don't want to see her retire, as she continues to fly the country's flag high. Her coach said before that happens, he wants to rope in a young runner so that she can learn from Johannes. “There are aspiring young runners. I also have the likes of Martha Shivolo in my team, who just won the 10km challenge in the Old Mutual Victory Race. I want someone to train closely with Johannes, and instead of hearing stories from others, they need to see the amount of hard work she puts into her training.
“Long-distance running is not easy. Many male runners fail to come to Johannes' level. She is really in a class of her own, because she works extremely hard and local runners should be motivated and work hard to match her,” Kaxuxwena added.
Johannes broke another record in the Spar Women's 10km Challenge on Sunday, running a time of 32 minutes and 23 seconds.
She has successfully broken five records now in the challenge and is eyeing the Doha world marathon championships in September, the Joburg Spar Challenge race in October, as well as the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games in July next year.
This past weekend she was followed home by Ethiopian junior Tadu Nare, who ran a time of 33 minutes and six seconds, and last year's Spar Grand Prix winner, South African Glenrose Xaba, who came third with a time of 33 minutes and 41 seconds. Johannes said she had a persistent headache before the race, so she was very happy to have done so well.
“It was tough at the start, but the hills didn't affect me, as I train in hilly terrain. The weather was perfect for running, as it was quite cool,” she said. Johannes remains her nation's hope for glory at the marathon championships and in Tokyo next year.
“The qualifying standard has become tough. The 10km race in South Africa will also be tricky because the route is difficult. The 42km challenges are not that fast, but very tactical. The time and altitude difference will also come into play.
“This means that we have to change our training tactics. We also have to change her diet and sleeping patterns, so that she adapts. We have to also prepare thoroughly, because these races are all about tactics,” Kaxuxwena said.
“One needs strong legs to break away from the pack and keep going, and so far we have seen the quality Johannes possesses, and if she continues on the level she is at right now, I'm positive that she will do well. We are really looking forward to see what she can do. Whatever happens, we want a top 10 finish.”
The Namibian will take on the 42km challenge at the Doha world marathon championships and then see how her body feels before the 10km race in South Africa in October.
“She will meet familiar faces in Doha, because most of the ladies she ran against in the Bogota half-marathon in Colombia, where she came second, will also compete,” Kaxuxwena added.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Kaxuxwena said many athletes fear running against the best distance runners in the world, but Johannes has shrugged off this fear, and is blossoming.
“Because of her hard work, she has hit the kind of brilliant form which puts her on that top level; now Kenyan and Ethiopian runners fear her. Before that she feared them, but with encouragement she shrugged off that fear and only focuses on her performance,” he said.
Johannes still has a lot to deliver in long-distance running before she decides to call it quits. Many Namibians don't want to see her retire, as she continues to fly the country's flag high. Her coach said before that happens, he wants to rope in a young runner so that she can learn from Johannes. “There are aspiring young runners. I also have the likes of Martha Shivolo in my team, who just won the 10km challenge in the Old Mutual Victory Race. I want someone to train closely with Johannes, and instead of hearing stories from others, they need to see the amount of hard work she puts into her training.
“Long-distance running is not easy. Many male runners fail to come to Johannes' level. She is really in a class of her own, because she works extremely hard and local runners should be motivated and work hard to match her,” Kaxuxwena added.
Johannes broke another record in the Spar Women's 10km Challenge on Sunday, running a time of 32 minutes and 23 seconds.
She has successfully broken five records now in the challenge and is eyeing the Doha world marathon championships in September, the Joburg Spar Challenge race in October, as well as the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games in July next year.
This past weekend she was followed home by Ethiopian junior Tadu Nare, who ran a time of 33 minutes and six seconds, and last year's Spar Grand Prix winner, South African Glenrose Xaba, who came third with a time of 33 minutes and 41 seconds. Johannes said she had a persistent headache before the race, so she was very happy to have done so well.
“It was tough at the start, but the hills didn't affect me, as I train in hilly terrain. The weather was perfect for running, as it was quite cool,” she said. Johannes remains her nation's hope for glory at the marathon championships and in Tokyo next year.
“The qualifying standard has become tough. The 10km race in South Africa will also be tricky because the route is difficult. The 42km challenges are not that fast, but very tactical. The time and altitude difference will also come into play.
“This means that we have to change our training tactics. We also have to change her diet and sleeping patterns, so that she adapts. We have to also prepare thoroughly, because these races are all about tactics,” Kaxuxwena said.
“One needs strong legs to break away from the pack and keep going, and so far we have seen the quality Johannes possesses, and if she continues on the level she is at right now, I'm positive that she will do well. We are really looking forward to see what she can do. Whatever happens, we want a top 10 finish.”
The Namibian will take on the 42km challenge at the Doha world marathon championships and then see how her body feels before the 10km race in South Africa in October.
“She will meet familiar faces in Doha, because most of the ladies she ran against in the Bogota half-marathon in Colombia, where she came second, will also compete,” Kaxuxwena added.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article