Dream big

Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, says Alta Adendorff

Alta Adendorff, 34 Grootvlei, Mpumalanga Achievement: Comrades 2007 and Ironman 2008

At age 23 I married a man 13 years older than me. We had a solid marriage despite the usual ups and downs, but as the years passed we grew apart. He was an engineer with his own company and worked long hours. There was no nine to five routine in our lives and we did not spend much time together.

He became increasingly withdrawn and it left me doubting and questioning myself. What had I done wrong? Why wouldn’t he talk to me? What could I do to make him happy?

I hated my inner struggles. I have an adventurous spirit and he was the calm one. I wanted to move the earth and he wanted to keep it as it was. I needed him to get as excited about life as I was, but I didn’t know how.

In 2005 we decided to move to New Zealand as my husband had been offered a job there. At first I was very excited, but as the time to depart drew nearer I started having doubts. Our marriage was rocky and I was afraid of feeling alone in a foreign country.

Despite my concerns, we adapted easily and I loved the fact that family is a main focus in NZ (more so than career). I worked as a cleaner at a cinema from 4—8am and had the rest of the day to home-school my daughter and enjoy what the country had to offer.

After nine months we returned to SA as my husband was unhappy in his new job. On our return we decided to get divorced. It was a painful process, but I knew it was for the best. My life changed completely.

It was time to focus on my dreams and live life to the full. My first major goal was running the Comrades marathon in 2007. I had never run a marathon before, but Comrades had been a lifelong dream and I decided to make it a reality.

Training was an emotional escape that helped me cope with everything else going on in my life — and to this day, running is my trusted companion when life gets tough (it’s highly effective and much cheaper than therapy).

My training involved a one- to two-hour run every morning and a time-trial on Tuesday evenings. I also did resistance training every other day and a race of 21km or more on Saturdays. Sundays were my rest days.

I started going to bed at 9pm, made sure I drank two litres of water daily, and ate five or six small, healthy meals instead of three big ones. These changes have become part of my life now and I’ve never felt better.

After completing Comrades, the feeling of achievement was overwhelming and worth every minute on the road. Since my divorce I have done more than I ever imagined possible (including Ironman 2008). I am a more active, healthy, committed and independent person and have learnt that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It’s never too late to pursue your life goals, so get started today and don’t let anyone stand in your way!

Motivational Tips:

> Never doubt yourself. Visualise past achievements to keep motivated and don’t let setbacks get you down.
> Whatever your goal is, make sure you are doing it for yourself and not to please anyone else.
> Attempt the impossible and have fun doing it. You’ll never know what you’re capable of if you don’t try.

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