{"id":4166,"date":"2025-07-16T08:04:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T08:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/?p=4166"},"modified":"2025-07-16T08:04:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T08:04:24","slug":"going-the-distance-zisiwe-mnothozas-comrades-marathon-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/2025\/07\/16\/going-the-distance-zisiwe-mnothozas-comrades-marathon-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Going the distance: Zisiwe Mnothoza\u2019s Comrades Marathon journey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Junior Librarian Zisiwe Mnothoza is not only a dedicated member of the Library\u2019s E-resources team but also an accomplished ultra-marathon runner. With seven Comrades Marathons under her belt, she exemplifies focus, resilience, and determination. I spoke to her about what it takes to prepare for South Africa\u2019s most iconic long-distance race while managing a full-time career.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4175\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-580x773.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-580x773.jpg 580w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-940x1253.jpg 940w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-676x901.jpg 676w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>How many Comrades Marathons have you completed so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have completed seven Comrades Marathons.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What does your training programme typically look like over 12 months?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Comrades Marathon training requires careful planning and consistent effort over many months. My 12-month programme includes a mix of base-building, speed work, long runs, and recovery phases. As race day approaches, I gradually taper the intensity and volume to avoid fatigue.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you follow a specific eating plan or nutrition routine while training?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t follow a specific eating plan, but I make sure to eat foods that support and boost my overall health.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you work with a coach or follow your own plan?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have a coach who gives me structured guidance and training programmes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you train alone or with a group?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the week, I usually train alone, but on weekends, I train with a group.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you experience this year\u2019s Comrades?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the 2025 Comrades, my training route had to change due to time constraints, which made it more challenging for me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did your 2025 time compare to previous years?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Technically, I was faster. In 2024, the distance was 88 km and I finished in 8 hours and 28 minutes. In 2025, the distance was 90 km, and I completed it in 8 hours and 29 minutes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will you be doing it again next year?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, I plan to run again next year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you stay motivated after such a major event?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My desire to improve every year is what keeps me going.<\/p>\n<p>I<strong>\u2019ve noticed you strength train in the mornings\u2014does that help with recovery and preparation?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, strength training definitely helps. It enhances performance and reduces the risk of injury.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We salute Zisiwe for her unwavering discipline and look forward to cheering her on in next year\u2019s race!<\/p>\n<p><em>Author: Theresa Schoeman<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4178\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4178\" class=\"wp-image-4178\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1-580x773.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1-580x773.jpg 580w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1-940x1253.jpg 940w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1-676x901.jpg 676w, https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/files\/2025\/07\/Comrades2025_1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-4178\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Race Day Moment: Zisiwe Mnothoza captured mid-race during the 2025 Comrades Marathon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Junior Librarian Zisiwe Mnothoza is not only a dedicated member of the Library\u2019s E-resources team but also an accomplished ultra-marathon runner. With seven Comrades Marathons under her belt, she exemplifies focus, resilience, and determination. I spoke to her about what it takes to prepare for South Africa\u2019s most iconic long-distance race while managing a full-time [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1292,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9tu3H-15c","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1292"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4166"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4190,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4166\/revisions\/4190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/libraryresearchnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}