Zaidah is a Spartan South Africa ambassador and has multiple podiums in the Age-Group category who’s determination and drive to be better impresses us every day. Zaidah has been taking part in our weekly workout challenge, having to get up early to complete the sessions before beginning her fast each day. Zaidah has found a way to train smart through injury and we can’t wait to see her race again when restrictions are lifted.
Name: Zaidah Dollie
Age: 40 years old (soon to be 41)
IG Handle: @justzaidah
What is your day job?
I am a pharmacist by profession (also have a law degree but not using that at the moment).
First OCR Race?
It was a group thing my sisters and I entered called "Muddy Princess" ... was an event in support of cancer so we went...obstacles I would laugh at these days but geeze did I have fun...and then I just got hooked and tried finding similar races to enter. I got onto some popular races here is South Africa called Warrior and The Impi Challenge and each of them had different level of fitness required. I just loved it. I'd always seen and watched the Spartan races on YouTube and eventually in 2018 Spartan came to South Africa. I'd never traveled for a race but this was the one event I was going to do come hell or high water. I did the Spartan Super in Kingskloof....I literally thought I was going to die. I walked passed people who had heat stroke and passed out on the route...and I just trekked on...I'd never felt so unfit in my life...I think I finished that race in 5hours and 20minutes but I vowed that when the race happened the next year I was going to be better! In 2019 I did that same race and improved on my time by one hour...I was so impressed with myself and I did that race as Age group for the very first time....best experience of my life. The bug got me.
What keeps you coming back?
the need to do better....to be better than yesterday.
What's your favourite cheat day snack?
who doesn't like Ice Cream? I have this favourite flavour of ice cream that I buy called Tin Roof...it's vanilla ice cream with swirls of chocolate sauce in it and roasted almonds...I buy a tub very rarely because I will eat the entire thing eventually LOL
What change have you made during COVID that you're going to keep?
Over the years I have been building up equipment so that I don't always have to run to the gym when I am working odd hours so COVID and our strict lockdown (where everything is closed including gyms, parks etc) hasn't really changed much of my process other than that I don't train anywhere much other than home these days...I have plenty of mats, some dumbbells, a box, kettlebell, rope, pull up bar and some huge tyres I flip around...sure I wake the neighbours sometimes lol but you gotta do what you gotta do :)
Have you set yourself any personal goals or challenges to replace racing currently?
At the moment I have the lockdown challenges as well as fasting during our month of Ramadan so my training schedule has definitely slowed down and I'm an essential worker so I'm still working many hours. I get up at 4h30am every morning these days to get some exercise in before 6am which is when we start our fasting day. I don't have a personal trainer at the moment (and since I injured my knee) so I probably need to think about getting someone to help me be more focused with what to train etc
How are you staying focused on training with all current events postponed?
I must admit I was really sad when events were cancelled due to the COVID crisis because this year is the one year I actually decided to get a Spartan season pass :*( , had even booked plane tickets for my first two races and accommodation but I'm trying to stay focused. I have been doing the Spartan virtual races (I have done a Sprint, Super and Beast as set out by Spartan South Africa) and catching on to sone inspirational athletes like Jessie to keep me going on the days I run out of ideas for training :).
What is your top tip for sticking to a schedule?
Get over yourself...put in the work and you definitely will see the results. There is no magic pill...ten years ago I weighed in at about 95kg and I was probably on the verge of a heart-attack....these days I feel sluggish if I don't train so I would say...firstly do it for yourself...find that fire and just run with it....you will not be sorry. I feel fitter and healthier than I did at 20years old....I could probably out run my 20year old self.
Favourite item of kit and why?
For training I love my Rehband knee sleeves. I have some cartilage damage and have some knee pain most days...when I know I'm going to do a lot of training which involves squats for example I always have them on. I actually bought them in 2015 when I was doing Crossfit.
Favourite nutrition product and why?
Protein powder (Bar one chocolate flavour)...because who doesn't like chocolate for breakfast?
Favourite fitness book / app and why?
I just love my Sunto app linked to my fitness watch....It really allows you to break down how hard you were pushing so it gives you an idea of how to improve next time.
Do you have any words / advice for people struggling to stay motivated?
Find your why!!! when you do, you won't need much motivation. It will hopefully come naturally.
Any sponsors / brands you'd like to give a shout out to?
I am just an ordinary person who likes to train. Not a serious athlete but passionate about the things I invest my time in, so no sponsors. I just hope to inspire at least one person everyday then my job is complete.
On a side note: last year I entered my first Spartan trifecta and about four months before that weekend I really injured my knee. Had to get an orthopaedic surgeon to drain the fluid off my very swollen knee, had MRIs and found out that my left knee has very minimal cartilage left on the weight bearing portion of it. I was gutted that I was told not to run anymore...in fact I stopped running but then slowly started exercising again. Against my doctors orders I did Spartan Kingskloof Super where I improved on my previous year's time by one hour and the very next day my knee felt okay so I did then Sprint as well. That was the first time I actually climbed a rope to hit the bell and make it through and entire muilt-rig with two different kinds of grips. I was so proud of myself that I decided I needed to get my trifecta medal and do a beast but there were no other races in South Africa. I searched for races and found one in Hong Kong in November 2019. I actually completed an entire trifecta weekend age group and got two third place medals which I am so proud of!!!! These days I limit my racing to Spartan only to try and push the knee as far as I can without completely ruining it before my next birthday (and have in the interim been made a Spartan South Africa ambassador)....so hopefully I get at least another year or two of racing out of my knee before I need surgery.
