Fitness is rented: Tumi Motsei's journey from novice to champion

From casual runner to ultra-endurance athlete

Far from the typical path of a high school sports star, Tumi Motsei's fitness journey began by accident. Sparked by her adventurous spirit and an insatiable appetite to try new things, the pharmaceutical brand manager says: "I didn't choose to be a runner. My sister practically dragged me out the door and forced me to go running with her. I wasn't particularly interested, but that's how I started," Tumi says. This casual introduction soon blossomed into a deep passion. At 26, Tumi began running short distances, but it wasn't until 2017, at the age of 37, that she tackled her first major challenge - the Comrades Marathon.

"It was a whirlwind experience," she says. "I had only run a few races before my coach encouraged me to enter Comrades. They got me a voucher for the race since registrations were closed. It was a huge leap, but it showed me that with the right support, anything is possible." Her rapid progression from a novice to an ultra-endurance athlete was remarkable. Within months, she completed several major events, including the Two Oceans Marathon.

Transition to triathlons: Adapting to new challenges

Tumi's transition to triathlons came after an injury from running. "I was doing back-to-back races and realised I needed to cross-train to avoid injuries," she says. Tumi then took up cycling and swimming, disciplines she had never tried before. "I learned to swim as an adult with the help of a coach. Cycling was also new for me. I bought my first bike at 33," she says.

"They say the Comrades is the ultimate challenge, but I kept thinking what next?" With four Comrades marathons under her belt. she decided to try Ironman, a feat she achieved after intense preparation. "My first Ironman attempt in 2022 was a learning curve. I struggled with cycling, but I worked hard to improve. My goal was always to finish, and I wasn't going to let anything stop me." Because the competitions are seven days apart, she alternates between Comrades and Ironman, depending on how she feels. "Last year I did Comrades, this year I did the Durban Ironman."

Joining Team Vitality: The importance of group rides

With the reported increase in hijackings, bike theft and accidents, Tumi says she decided to join Vitality's cycling club in 2023 and this year became a Team Vitality Cycling Champion. Her role involves leading and supporting cyclists in the Centurion Zone. "Every week, we have different groups with various cycling distances, for example, 60km, 75km, and 100km," she says.

"When you ride with a group, you have the advantage of safety in numbers and community. We have captains and bike marshals or support vehicles from Vitality that help manage traffic and ensure a safer ride."

Being a Team Vitality Champion means being a role model, encouraging others, and helping them achieve their fitness goals," she says. This leadership is reflected in her consistent presence and engagement with the cycling community.

Advice for beginners

Balancing a triathlon training routine

To maintain her triathlon training and balance the three disciplines - cycling, running, and swimming - requires careful planning, averaging between seven and 11 training sessions each week, which Tumi structures as follows:

• Cycling: During the week, Tumi uses an indoor trainer for structured workouts. "I use Zwift, an app that simulates different terrains and routes," she says. "Zwift allows me to ride virtually on routes like the Tour de France, with the app adjusting the resistance based on the terrain. It's great for structured training because you can focus on specific workouts without the interruptions you'd face on the road. I lead the Tuesday evening Zwift group at 7pm." On Saturdays, she participates in long endurance group rides, which are crucial for building stamina.
• Running: Tumi runs at least three times a week, incorporating various types of training such as hill repeats and speed sprints. "Running is an essential part of my training," she says. "I do structured training during the week and long endurance runs on Sundays. For Ironman preparation, I typically run up to 21km, while for Comrades, I do long runs of 30km to 50km."
• Swimming: Tumi swims during the week, fitting it in around her other training sessions. "I don't swim on weekends," she says. "My weekends are reserved for long endurance rides and runs."

"I balance my training by sticking to a structured programme that includes both high-intensity sessions and long endurance workouts."

Tumi's outlook is that "fitness is rented". Achieving and maintaining fitness requires ongoing effort and dedication. "You have to work for it consistently," she says. "It's not something you can take for granted."

Beyond racing: Climbing Kilimanjaro

Her dedication extends beyond races. In 2016, Tumi climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with an international organisation called Freedom Challenge to raise awareness about human trafficking. "Climbing Kilimanjaro was a significant personal challenge and a way to support a cause I care deeply about. It was a prayer walk to fight for those who are held captive," she says. This adventurous spirit fuels her athletic pursuits and her drive to push beyond limits.

"I think I'll eventually get to 10 Comrades marathons and get my green number. I don't know when, but I'm in no rush."