Monthly Archives: October 2013
Run Talker of the Week – Grant Schuleman
How did you get into running? I spent a year working in London and on my return in 2009 I found myself 10kg heavier than when I left. I found running to be the cardio exercise that burns up the most calories; after a few months of running on the treadmill at gym I decided to get out onto the road. I eventually started entering races; 5km and 10km, before long I was doing half marathons. I have now done over 30 half marathons and 2 full marathons.
How long have you been running? For 3 amazing years.
What is your favourite distance to run and why? The half marathon. I find this distance just far enough to experience some muscle fatigue and lactic acid build up and short enough to not feel like wanting to give up.
Who is your biggest running inspiration and why? I have to say the legend that is Bruce Fordyce. When I was a lot younger I remember watching the Comrades Marathon on TV and seeing this guy win so many times was just remarkable. And now having run in his company on a few occasions I have to admire the man.
What is your biggest or best running achievement? What are you most proud of? My first marathon – the 2012 Jacaranda City Challenge – having finished this distance just within the cut-off time – did it in 5h25 – for me was an amazing accomplishment.
What is your favourite running quote? Wherever you go, go with your heart.
Where is your favourite place to run and tell us why? On holiday in 2011 at Elysium, KZN South Coast I went on a “short” run on some dirt roads without knowing the area – in the middle of nowhere and not knowing exactly where was – I found it totally exhilarating. Continue reading
Share This Post2014 Two Oceans Marathon and when should you experiment with gear, shoes & nutrition for Comrades 2014
It is hard to believe we are into episode 21 already. It seems like just yesterday that we were launching the show. When we did it was a week to go until Comrades 2013. This week on Run Talk SA we are chatting about Comrades and the 2014 Two Oceans Marathon:
- Parky and Brad spoke about the 2013 Soweto Marathon and as discussed here is the link to James Evans and Banele Sindane Interviews regarding the 2013 Soweto Marathon
- Brad attended the media launch of the Old Mutual 2014 Two Oceans Marathon and managed to catch up with Karen Thomas, Marketing executive for Old Mutal, about their relationship with the race as well as the cash injection for the winners should they break the record. The Put Foot Foundation has been added as a beneficiary for the 2014 edition of the race and Mike Sharman tells us about what they do. Lauren Haarkman, Brand Marketing Manager for Performance for Adidas South Africa, spoke to us about their relationship with the Two Oceans as well their plans for 2014.
- Lindsey Parry and Brad Brown hosted the Journey To Comrades Webinar on 9 October 2014 and on the show this week Lindsey tells you when you should experiment with gear, nutrition and running shoes in the build-up to Comrades 2014 as well as when you should look to qualify.
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Share This PostJames Cunnama on his 4th in Kona, ISM Saddles the most used at Ironman World Championships and Kyle McConnach tells us about the new national sprint traithlon series – Tri Talk SA Episode 15
James Cunnama & Jodie Swallow after Kona 2013 (Courtesy of Nic Lamond at http://www.nictwohands.wordpress.com)
What an amazing weekend it was in Kona this past weekend. From a South African perspective it was probably the most successful race we have had as a nation. This week on Tri Talk SA we:
- Caught up with James Cunnama, who finished fourth on Sunday in a top elite men’s field. James spoke to us about his race, how he had vowed to not come back to Kona until he was ready and also about what is next on his agenda. James also told us a little bit about his girlfriend Jodie Swallow’s race.
- Spoke to ISM South Africa’s Marc Price. The most used saddle at this weekend’s Ironman World Championships was the ISM saddle and we asked Marc why. We also spoke about what makes ISM saddles unique and the importance of getting a correct set up when purchasing an ISM saddle. As discussed on the show to find a dealer near you or to find out more about the ISM saddle range you can contact ISM SA via .
- Also chatted to Kyle McConnach about the new XDirt National Sprint Triathlon Series that they are about to launch. We’ve spoken about it at length on Tri Talk SA that there is a desperate need for a national sprint series since BSG pulled their sponsorship and Kyle joins us to share the good news. The first race in the series gets underway at the Buffelspoort Dam in the North West province on the first of December 2014 and a few interesting additions have been made, including an off road bike and a team aspect to the series. To find out more you can or .
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Share This PostDavid O’Sullivan rides with Daryl Impey & the City Cycling Club with Graham Ward – Cycle Talk SA Episode 12
David O’Sullivan
Into yet another episode of Cycle Talk SA and this week:
- We caught up with Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk’s David O’Sullivan who is very new to the sport of cycling. David is riding the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge for a great cause this year and he is urging you to do the same. You have the opportunity to ride alongside Daryl Impey just by donating R1000 to the Teddy Bear Clinic. We chat all about that on this week show and as discussed if you want to contact David you can on
- We also spoke to Graham Ward from the City Cycling Club about the club’s history, what they do as well as where and when they ride from. If you are ever in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town look them up by visiting their website.
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Share This PostRun Talker of the Week – Sphiwe Mweli
How did you get into running? As a part of my 40th birthday celebration I thought running Comrades Marathon would be a fitting present to me. I was also struggling with losing weight so I needed something long term which would help me to be on the safe side when it comes to my health.
How long have you been running? I started on 14 August 2010, will never forget that day when I ran my first 3km, it was the longest ever in my life. Before that I used to run up to 200m sprints but that was way back when I could at primary school.
What is your favourite distance to run and why? Comrades Marathon for me is the best and as they say, the ultimate human race. It provides me with time to be in touch with my inner being, I get to understand myself better in terms of the process I go through in decision making on a daily basis. It makes me appreciate the gift of life God has given me, just to be able to run it’s a miracle. To have an able body, fully functioning and good health – it’s one of the greatest blessings.
Who is your biggest running inspiration and why? The guy who suggested we wake up that Saturday morning of 14th August, Nat Mabetwa, a brother and dear friend. He took me along up to my first official 10k race that was CSIR Half Marathon & 10k in Pretoria right up to our first comrades in 2011.
What is your biggest or best running achievement? What are you most proud of? Comrades 2011, my first and my best 40th birthday present, with all the challenges I had building up to the race, almost three months injury lay-off. By the grace of God I still managed to finish. I am proud that I managed to convince myself, with far less training that I was going to have a successful race. I won the biggest battle of any runner, the battle of the mind. Continue reading
Share This PostDan Hugo & Kris Fesel in Kona, Paul Kaye on which South Africans to look out for at the World Champs, Ryan Landy talks 11Global at Sun City and Alec Riddle talks Ironman World Champs – Tri Talk SA Episode 14
We have a bumper edition of Tri Talk SA for you this week. The Ironman World Championships take place in Kona, Hawaii and we chat extensively about it on this week’s show. Episode 14 of Tri Talk SA sees us visit 3 different continents as well as the big island, in this week’s show:
- Dan Hugo joins us from Kona as he prepares for the Xterra World Championships in Maui at the end of October. Dan talks to us about living and training in Boulder, Colorado as well as his past season and his hopes for the future. You can or visit his website here.
- Kris Fesel, who we chatted to extensively last week, touched base with us to give us a small taste of what it is like to be on the big island. Be sure to have a look at some of the photo’s he’s taken on his first couple of days in Kona. .
- Ironman race announcer Paul Kaye joins us from Europe to preview this weekend’s race and tells us who the South African’s are to look out for in the field. You can .
- We catch up with Ryan Landy from 11Global about the upcoming race at Sun City. You can or . Find out all the info you need to know about the race and you can enter here.
- South African age grouper Alec Riddle spoke to us on our sister podcast MTB Talk SA this week and Brad asked him a few triathlon related questions which we’ve included in this week’s show. Alec is also on or visit his website here.
- And finally the last chance to win an entry into the Prime Jailbreak Triathlon. All you need to do to qualify is answer the simple question Brad asks on the show this week and submit you answer here.
Download your FREE triathlon checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything when heading to your next race.
If you would like to subscribe to our weekly podcast on iTunes you can click here or on the RSS feed by clicking here.
You can also be in touch via or or Continue reading
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Share This PostMichael Bailey & Photographer Jacques Marais – Trail Talk SA Episode 11
It has been another busy week at Talk Media HQ and on Trail Talk SA week:
- We caught up with Michael Bailey who finished 7th at the recent Otter African Trail Run. Schooled in the Eastern Cape and a pretty decent tennis player Michael moved to Cape Town where he discovered trail running. Brad spoke to Michael about his childhood, love for trail running as well as his year this year and what he has planned going forward. Michael is fairly active on Twitter and you can or check out his blog.
- Brad managed to interview one of the leading photographers in South Africa, Jacques Marais. Jacques has shot many iconic races including the Otter. Brad chatted to Jacques about what he does and how he captures some of the amazing images that he does. You can , visit his website or pop onto to see some of his amazing work.
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Share This PostSibusiso Vilane & Alec Riddle to ride the 2013 Wines2Whales and Tony Cook tells us about his mountain biking tours in Knysna – MTB Talk SA Episode 11
Another week of MTB Talk SA which means we have a few more fascinating guests to speak to. This week:
- Alec Riddle joins us to chat about his entry into the sport of mountain biking. Alec is a very competitive age grouper triathlete and will be riding the FNB Wines2Whales in a few weeks time. Alec told us how he gets the balance right between work, family and training. You can or visit his website.
- Mountaineer, adventurer and Everest summiter Sibusiso Vilane also chats to us about his decision to ride the FNB Wines2Whales. If you have the desire to take on a crazy adventure, Sibusiso has some great advice for you. You can or visit his webiste.
- We look ahead to our year end holidays and chat to Tony Cook from Tony Cook Adventures about their mountain bike tours that they run in Knysna. If you are heading down to the Garden Route you really need to look Tony up and go for a ride in the Knysna Forrest. You can call Tony on , or visit their website.
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Share This PostThe Energy Gel Debate with Dietician Louise Bembridge & The Congo Marathon with John Addison – Run Talk SA Episode 20
Can you believe it that we are into episode 20 of Run Talk SA already, 6 more weeks and we are 6 months old! This week on the show:
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Brad tried to shed some light on the energy gel issue. There are so many conflicting messages about whether or not gels work and if you use them, do you actually know what is in them? Brad caught up with the Run Talk SA resident dietician Louise Bembridge about those issues. They look at reading the labels on the back of the packs, what to look for, which are the important numbers to look out for and which are not that important. They also look at alternatives to using gels on runs.
- On last week’s episode of Run Talk SA we spoke extensively about the Berlin Marathon and many South Africans head to Europe every year to run big city marathons in Europe and the United States but not many venture north of the Limpopo into Africa to run marathons. This past weekend 4500 runners took to the streets of Kinshasa for the Congo Marathon and Parky caught up with John Addison about it.
If you would like to subscribe to our weekly podcast on iTunes you can click here or on the RSS feed by If you have an android device we have also been added to Stitcher and you can listen to us or download the podcast here
You can also be in touch via or or
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Share This PostJourney to Comrades Webinar – October to November, What should I be doing now?
The first webinar in the Run Talk SA Journey to Comrades 2014 webinar series, took place on Wednesday 9 October 2013. If you missed the live broadcast and Q&A, Brad Brown and the Comrades Coach Lindsey Parry spoke about the following (And you can watch a rebroadcast of the webinar below):
- What should I be doing from a training perspective right now?
- What should I be doing from a training perspective for the next month?
- When is the right time to experiment with shoes, gear & nutrition?
- When should I look to qualify?
- Where can I access training programmes?
As discussed in the webinar, this is where you can get the Comrades Marathon Training Programme. The next Journey to Comrades 2014 webinar will take place on 11 November 2014 and you can register for it here.
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