Wanted: unsportsmanlike people who want to run. With this remarkable call, the Singelloop, which will be held in Breda in October, wants to get more people moving. The 41-year-old Shama from Breda-North responded to that call. She has now been training for two months under the guidance of a coach. She went from being an unsportsmanlike woman to a motivated runner. Shama has thus become the figurehead of the Singelloop and she must also inspire other people to start exercising.
On Sunday morning, under the watchful eye of her husband and two daughters, Shama puts on her running clothes. Time to start training under the guidance of her coach Guido. “I didn’t see the point of running at first, but now that I’m doing it, I really enjoy it,” says Shama. “I find that I can change my mind and clear my head.”
Coach Guido Tap is a great support. She tells her how to deal with it. “Not too fast, pay attention to your breathing: those kinds of tips and guidance do help.” The main motivation for Shama to participate is her health. “That I feel good about myself, that I stay healthy and can continue to enjoy it for a long time.” She also feels a lot better after running. “Then I think, I’ve done something again.”
A family, work and study: Shama’s life is busy. And to still find time to do sports is a challenge for Shama. “It’s a bit of a puzzle. But if I say I’m going to train, I’m going to do it,” she says firmly.
“It has to come from within yourself. You have to be motivated,” says coach Guido. He is convinced that people who prefer to hang out on the couch do not just play sports. At Shama, there is a problem with motivation. She thinks she will be able to run the five kilometers during the Singelloop on 2 October without any problems. And even after the Singelloop she plans to keep running.
The Singelloop hopes to attract as wide an audience as possible, says Olivier Stulemeijer of the organization. The participation of a busy mother from Breda-Noord fits in perfectly with this. At the Singelloop they hope that more people will follow her example. Shama is living proof: almost anyone can run.
You can see how Shama’s first training went in this video of the Singelloop: