Quick Stats

Name: Myrette Filmalter
Age: 33
Height: 1.70 m
Weight: 54 Kgs
Current city: Pretoria, South Africa
Where do you train: Tuks, (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
Occupation: Professional sales person/Professional ICU sister

How long have you been running for and what got you started?

I love the nature, and I started running when I was very young. I won my first prize when I was 5 years old and then started running seriously from grade 12. I come from a very sporty home and both my parents encouraged me to be versatile and running seems to be in our genes.

How do you manage to stay motivated?

Set goals for myself and try to stay focus on those!

What is it about running that you love?

Being with yourself and spending time with God. I love the outdoors and admire the nature!

What do you feel is your most notable achievement?

“Being selected for South Africa on several occasions and managed to do that with a busy schedule and working full time.”

What are your future plans?

It is all up in the air! Competing in the SA team for cross country and hopefully 21 Km which is next month in Denmark. Career, I am working and loving it!

Take us through an average day of yours:

• “Well” this is me” Bark bark! (this is my Yorkie indicating that she is hungry and it is almost like an alarm, 430 in the morning.)
• I will get up, get a nice cup of coffee, make Pixel and myself breakfast. Check that all running gear is in order. Garmin is fully charged and ready to go! Check the correct running shoes dependant on the plans for training.
• 5h15 out on the road!
• When I get back, eat a sandwich and drink a cup of tea.
• I then shower and get ready for work. Mostly, I am at work from 7h00 – 17h00. During work, different things can happen. You won’t always have time to eat at the preferred times and in between snacking is a given. I love to eat!!!!
• At 17h00 I get back home, take my yorkie for a puppy-trail around the block, feed her and then it is time for me again! Take my running shoes and prepare for my afternoon session.
• I have dinner at 19h00.
• After dinner have to manage home tasks and continue with finishing daily chores.
• Sleeping time is between 22h00 -23h30.

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your diet

I don’t have any philosophy on diet, however, just don’t try something on the day before a race! Eat at least 6 times a day and include as much colour to your plate as possible!

What are your top Nutrition tips?

• Never skip meals!
• Eat healthy, but allow for treats! (like biltong and chocolates!- hey we can’t live in South Africa without it, and we have to share in that good taste of dry wors and biltong!)
• Include all 5 food groups in your diet and a colourful meal is relevant for your intake of the best vitamins and minerals.

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your training

I believe that each person is unique, however the basics remain! More training is not better! A busy daily schedule sometimes pushes you to rest!

“However, the aim should be that you don’t train harder, but smarter!”

I do not do weight lifting, I am a runner, not a body builder! I train between 7 – 12 times a week depending on my schedule.

Treadmill versus road running?

I can honestly say that the treadmill is not the road! Hence the road is the preferred way. However, I will not underestimate a treadmill. It is a good replacement once in a while.

Do you use any supplements?

Yes! 32 GI

What sort of training shoes do you use? What do you look for when buying a running shoe?

NIKE! Just do it! Stability and comfort is the qualities that I look for. Light shoes are also in my preferences.

Many times during a long distance run, people start to feel very tired and want to give up and start walking. How do you combat that feeling and keep pushing yourself?

This is a given! There are 3 things that are very important and contribute to tiredness during a race.

1.  Temperature
2. Running over threshold
3. Dehydration

“I hydrate myself a lot pre and during a race. I keep my thoughts on the end and stay cool with cold water.”

Advice for someone wanting to start running outdoors?

Do not buy the most expensive gear, but the gear that fits you best! Stretch!!! Get a training partner and enjoy every km that you are you covering. Change routes every week. Re-hydrate enough!!

Enjoy the freedom!!!!!!

Favourite female fitness icon(s):

I would say Paula Radcliff! She is dynamic and versatile and yet a honorable athlete, and a mom.

Favourite Quote:

“Live in the moment!”

Advice for someone training for their first marathon?

Take small steps and build up to that 42.2 km!! Don’t think you can do it within a week’s time! Give yourself time and allow space for long runs!

Have you run the BestMed TuksRace before? What is your message to everyone participating on the day? Athletes and social runners?

Yes I did! At the time I was still a TUKS student. It is a very good and organized event! The atmosphere is vibrant and the crowd’s support is amazing! There are a lot of entrants on that day! So be early and enjoy the spirit of all the positive energy! Run at your own pace and enjoy the great event!

Competition Results:

2014    

• Filadelfia 10km| 1^{st |} Time: 36:13
• Dischem 21km | 4^{th |} Time: 1:22:32

2013

• Agn Mccarthy Toyota (agn) 10km | Time: 00:37:49
• FiladelfiaGardens (agn) 10km | Time: 00:36:39
• Two Oceans 21km | 8^{th |} Time: 1:19:14
• Spar Ladies Durban | 6^{th |} Time: 35:01
• Spar Ladies Pretoria | 7^{th |} Time: 35:32

Where can people get hold of you?

• Facebook: Myrette Filmalter
• Twitter: @myrettef