On Sunday, I will be at the start of the Comrades Marathon, like so many times before. But this time it will be different. For the first time I will be lining up as a runner. 

It all still feels a bit surreal. 

I have come a long way in the last year but I can tell you that it has not been a short or easy journey.

What many people don't know, is that this has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I recall following the Comrades on TV as a child, already believing back then that I would run it one day.

I even went as far as making a bet with a friend that I would conquer the Comrades in 2005. Ironically, that was the year I was appointed as the Comrades Race Director. Organising the event was a great way to experience a part of that dream. And yet… this little voice stayed in my head, saying that I had to run it one day.

In 2009, I decided that it was time to move into a different direction with my life and to start a family.  I left Comrades on a high note, after we had completed a very successful 2010 - 85th Comrades campaign.

I moved to Cape Town with my husband and we started a family. Our daughter Jeanne-Marie was born in August 2011. Having a new baby in the house was a blessing and a joy, but it also came with many challenges that resulted in sleepless nights, zero energy and no time to exercise.

I gained a lot of weight during this time, leaving me frustrated and negative and wondering whether I would ever be able to realise my Comrades dream. At around the same time there was a TV commercial with a message that went along the lines of “every time you give up on a dream, a little piece of you dies.” That’s how I felt – that a little piece of me would be left unfulfilled forever, if I didn’t run Comrades. What once felt so achievable suddenly felt impossible.

This was my turning point. I made a commitment that I would run Comrades when I turn 40. At the time I was 15kg overweight and my fitness levels were non-existent. 

Tackling my weight first, I lost 10kg and started to feel healthier. I was ready to start my training. 

But I needed help. I have started training programmes so many times before, only to lose interest or get injured. I knew that my approach had to be different this time around. I decided to get a coach and that’s how I discovered Candyce Hall. A Comrades Green Number runner herself and a qualified Biokineticist – I knew I was in the right hands. 

I will never forget our first meeting. When I told her about my plans, she didn’t laugh it off or gave me that “aren’t you a little out of shape for this” look I was so used to getting. Instead, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Great! Let’s get started!”

Her encouragement and positive attitude became the foundation of our partnership. She has guided me, encouraged me and believed in me - even at times when I didn't believe in my own ability.

I started with baby steps by walking, and gradually moved up to running a 10km in May 2014. Then I ran a half marathon and in February this year I ran my first ever marathon and qualified for Comrades!

As a working mom, I had to train in the early hours of the morning, before my daughter would wake up and I still had to travel to work. The only thing that kept me going was that childhood dream and the goal of running the race in 2015. 

My advice to anyone who wants to realise a dream is to set that goal and constantly work towards it. Often people would say it’s better to set smaller – more achievable – goals and use those as stepping stones to reach a bigger goal. That doesn’t work for me. 

My goal was never to run a 10km, Half or Marathon… my goal was Comrades, and I had to work myself up the running distance ladder all the time. Every walk, every run was for Comrades. The end goal kept me going.

This journey has changed my life. As my weight came off and my fitness increased, I started to feel better mentally and physically. I loved myself again and rediscovered my confidence. I discovered Renee - the Real Runner.

But I didn't achieve this on my own. This journey would not have been possible without the support I have received along the way. 

Thanks to my family, friends and club mates for all the support and encouragement and the medical team who got me through my injury. No matter how you contributed to my journey, THANK YOU.

Then my biggest thanks must go to my husband Eric, an amazing father and my pillar of strength, who gave up so much – even his goal of doing another Ironman – so that I could fit in long runs and races, and work towards my dream. 

I also need to single out Candyce Hall, who believed in me from the beginning and got me on the long road to Comrades. She coached me, fixed me, and taped me together to run faster and further than what I ever thought possible. 

I will start the 90th Comrades Marathon with the goal to finish. But whatever happens on race day, I will always take pride in knowing that I gave my dream a chance and that I gave it my all.