Caster and her wife have been too good to me – Glenrose Xaba

SPORT

With national championship titles in the 10km cross-country, 10km road running and 10 000m track, as well as in the half-marathon distance, Xaba is aiming at breaking the national half-marathon record – 1 hour, 06 minutes and 44 seconds (66:44) – held by Elana Meyer. Her half-marathon personal best of 69:44 places her third on the all-time South African list.

With versatility to match her level of excellence, Xaba is a multiple national champion with titles in 10km cross-country, 10km road running and 10 000m on the track, as well as at the half-marathon distance. Photo: Supplied

“My best time so far is three minutes off the record. To achieve this goal I need to keep pushing and work very hard on my last 5km through to the finish,” says Xaba.

READ: The secret behind Xaba’s big win

The 26-year-old from Embalenhle in Mpumalanga recently signed a partnership with sportswear manufacturer Puma.

What makes you unique as a person and as an athlete?

As a person, I am caring and kind. As an athlete, I am serious and make sure that I stay in the correct direction while remaining humble with everything I achieve. I am disciplined, respectful, determined, hard-working and put God first in everything I do.

You have won national championships on track, in cross-country and on the road at 10km and half-marathon distances. Do you plan to specialise?

I will continue to compete in a variety of events. The 10km on track is for keeping my speed and rhythm, and the cross-country is for power and endurance. All of these enable me to excel at the half-marathon distance. When I finally move to the marathon I will use the 10km and 21km runs for speed and endurance.

What makes you most proud?

When I look at my life so far, I feel proud for having won multiple national titles, for winning the Spar Women’s Challenge in 2018 and for being the third fastest South Africa woman in the 21km.

READ: ASA gets an idea of task ahead after unprecedented medal-less Olympics

What life lessons has running taught you?

I have learnt that you can be successful through sport and become the person you want to be in your life. Another lesson is that sport can be painful, like when you get injured and are forced to stop. You also need to accept that you cannot win all the time so that you can continue to enjoy what you love doing.

The Olympics must have been bitter-sweet to watch with you having narrowly missed out on qualifying.

I started my year with a serious injury, so that made me shift my focus away from qualifying for the Olympics because I needed to focus on getting better and not force things. I will try to qualify for future Olympics.

What do you enjoy about competing internationally?

Experiencing different cultures and their love and respect for sports.

What shoes do you run in?

I like the new Puma Deviate Nitro, especially for distance racing as they are supportive and comfortable for my legs. They save me energy and I recover more quickly after having run long distances.

– PUMA South Africa and Glenrose Xaba have signed a partnership that will see the sports brand supplying the multiple national champion with technical running product including apparel, accessories and footwear to carry her through to the next Olympics. Photo: Supplied

Tell us about your coach

My coach, Caster Semenya, is a great and serious person. Caster likes to work with athletes who work hard, who are focused and who have a clear vision because she is someone who works hard and believes in her capabilities.

READ: Fear has cast a shadow over Caster’s genius

On a personal note, I thank God that I got to meet these two people [Semenya and her wife, Violet Raseboya] when I first arrived in Pretoria as a 20-year-old. They have supported me financially and taught me how to become responsible, loving and caring. They have become my family and show me love in good and bad times.

As an athlete, they play a very important role by encouraging me to never give up on my talents. They support me with running equipment, transportation and they even pay for my physiotherapy. [They have] ensured that my life becomes less stressful so that I can keep my focus on the big picture, achieve my goals and make my dreams come true. I could write a book about all they have done for me.

Xaba runs in Deviate Nitro, part of Puma’s new running shoe range which includes specially engineered designs for female runners

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