Running saved my life

It all began in 2011 when her world was shattered by the sudden passing of her husband. Just a week after that, Shahieda received another devastating blow - a skin cancer diagnosis. Battling grief and illness, she found herself in a dark place. In a moment of desperation, she wanted to end her life, but thankfully didn't follow through. Instead, she sought solace in taking long walks to clear her mind and find inner peace. "I felt lighter," she says. Those walks soon turned into jogs, and the more she ran, the lighter she felt. Running became a safe space where she could process her emotions and find strength.

A promise to always run with someone

Soon Shahieda ran her first marathon in 2015, the 42km Johnson Crane, to qualify for the 56km Two Oceans Marathon. She did it untrained, underprepared and feeling alone. "That race clobbered me proper! I didn't know anything about nutrition or hydration. I made a deal with God: If you can just take me to the finish line, I will never let someone else run by themselves. You know, I will always accompany someone. I guess that's where it all started," she says.

Becoming the "bus driver" for others to finish Comrades

Makhi (short for Makhelwane meaning neighbour in isiZulu), as she's fondly referred to in the gym spinning circuit, unwittingly became a "bus driver" when others recognised her ability to motivate others, and began following her during races. The term "bus driver" is used to describe someone who is responsible for pacing runners to finish at a certain target time. She mostly paces the sub-finish, which is just before the cut-off time. "They don't want prize money or anything like that, they just want to finish. So, for instance I'll drive the sub-12 hours bus at the Comrades and bring them in just under 12 hours."

Embracing her new calling as a bus driver, Shahieda became a passionate volunteer pacer, leading runners at various races, including the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons. She has a devoted following. While she wasn't an official pacesetter at the Dubai Marathon, people recognised her and followed her. But she's humbly reluctant to accept the word "famous" to describe her status in the running community.

Part of a team and taking herself to new heights

Her journey wasn't just about physical accomplishments. Running became a vehicle for self-discovery. With each step, she shed the weight of grief and depression and emerged stronger, more resilient, and content.

As a member of Team Vitality, Shahieda embodies the ethos of not leaving anyone behind. She takes pride in representing the team. Her presence ensures that no one feels alone and that they, too, can cross the finish line and achieve their goals. Her 19-year-old daughter's unwavering support and a heartfelt notes written before races serve as constant reminders of Shahieda's Why [she runs] - a driving force to keep moving forward when the going got tough.

Her running journey has taken her to remarkable feats, including completing the gruelling Washie 100 Miler in 2018, a 161km ultra-marathon that only a fearless few have the courage and madness to take on. "You always need to have a Why," she says. "I ran the Comrades and other races in commemoration of my late husband and my late mother who had diabetes and passed away in 2016. She was one of the people who stood squarely behind me after my husband passed and I was going through chemo. So, I wanted to do something for me, something that would truly test my limits. My next goal is to do the Full Ironman," she says laughing.

Running saved Shahieda's life, transforming grief, illness, and depression, to hope, resilience and joy - and it might just change yours too. Take a look at Team Vitality and how this team forms community to run for more than just physical health.