This is the fourth Comrades Marathon for Dr Lauren Ann Hillermann, a senior lecturer in the Department of Nursing at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Dr Hillermann considers it a very special one, as it’s her first time running it in six years, and her first since giving birth to her two boys.
“Coming back after such a life-changing journey makes this race deeply meaningful to me,” she happily relayed.
Born in Cape Town, Dr Hillermann had moved to Durban on 1st May 2011. As the senior lecturer in the Department of Nursing, her primary role involves teaching undergraduate nursing students, where she facilitates both theoretical and practical learning. In addition to teaching, she also contributes to curriculum development, supervision, and academic support, and ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the nursing profession.
In terms of her preparations for gruelling Comrades Marathon race, she confessed that preparations have not gone exactly as planned.
“I gave birth about eight months ago, and naturally, nurturing my second-born has been my top priority. The physical demands of motherhood, coupled with the challenges of being overweight, made training more difficult than usual. Despite that, I remained determined to take on the ‘ultimate human race’-the Comrades Marathon,” she said.
For her, the challenge of balancing training with caring for a baby has not been easy, but she wanted to prove that it can be done when one sets one’s mind to a goal. “I’m definitely nervous this time around, particularly because I’m heavier and not as well-trained as I’ve been in the past. Previously, I was consistently finishing in the Bill Rowan medal category, but this year, I’m aiming for a bronze. More than anything, I want to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the spirit of the race,” she explained.
As a long-distance runner, the emotions one experiences during a race are incredibly layered. “In the first few kilometres, I often catch myself thinking, ‘Why am I doing this?’ There’s a mix of self-doubt, anxiety, and fear-especially early on. Those negative feelings are always outweighed by the drive to reach the finish line. There’s something deeply rewarding about pushing through the mental and physical barriers, knowing that each step brings you closer to your goal. It’s that sense of achievement and purpose that keeps me coming back,” she expressed.
The training regime that Dr Hillermann follows is four times a week.
“My mileage has not been where I wanted it to be. Balancing motherhood and other responsibilities made it challenging to stick to my ideal routine, but I’ve done my best to stay consistent and focused on the bigger picture-just getting to that finish line,” emphasised Dr Hillermann.
When it comes to the food, she eats in order to prepare her body and mind for such a race, Lauren indicated that she honestly does not follow a strict diet, especially since she is still breastfeeding. Her main focus has been on ensuring she eats enough to sustain both her energy levels for training and to support her baby. “I’ve mostly been eating what I feel my body needs, without restricting myself too much,” she shared.
Her main goal is simply to finish the race within 10 hours. Given the challenges she had faced with training and balancing motherhood, crossing that finish line in under 10 hours would be a huge personal victory for her.
Her advice she imparts to the runners who are participating in this race is to go into the race with a positive mindset and stay focused on one’s end goal. “There will be tough moments, but remind yourself why you started. Trust your training, pace yourself wisely, and most importantly, enjoy the experience,” she added.
Pictured: Dr Lauren Ann Hillermann, with her medal achievement at a previous Comrades Marathon race.
Waheeda Peters
