Kim van Kets

Izimvo has the great pleasure of introducing trail runner and extreme athlete, Kim van Kets.

Kim has recently completed the 250km, 7 day,  Augrabies Extreme Marathon and is preparing for a 5500km run, cycle and paddle around the perimeter of South Africa in May.

Her husband, Pete, has recently started the Woodvale Challenge crossing the Atlantic Solo. Pete has previously won the challenge as pairs in 2007/8.

Location: East London

Kim was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: (Robyn) Kim van Kets, 37 years old, non practising attorney working (just enough to stay out of the poor-house) as a consultant and corporate trainer. I am self-employed but am associated with Global Business Solutions.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: mmm, I have the worst singing voice in the entire universe and would rather take my kit off than sing in front of an audience. Even my daughter has been known to say “don’t sing, Mama”. Also I am a very bad swimmer and am being coached in secret so that I can stop being too afraid to do the Ironman (ironperson!) The 4km swim has always completely terrified me.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: As bizarre as it may seem, my ultimate getaway is a multi day race like the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon. There is enormous relaxation in the single mindedness of getting up every day and focusing entirely on getting from A to B alive against a beautiful and remote backdrop. No juggling priorities or multi tasking, no interruptions! Bliss!

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: I am quite happy with the house I have. However I did once spot a group of mud and thatch huts on the Transkei Coast near Brazen Head with a thriving mielie field, a full kraal and the best sea view I have ever seen. Peter and I often fantasize about moving there!

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Extreme Adventures

Q: How did you first get into extreme sports?

A: I started road running when I was still at school and had run all of the long road races by the time I finished university and was anxious to “go further”. Also, I hated the crowds and the jostling at the big events. So trail running seemed like the obvious next step – very long races, beautiful and (usually) remote venues without the crowds!

Q: You recently completed the Augrabies Extreme Marathon, a 7 day, 237km race limited to 100 competitors. How did you approach the 2009 event after failing to complete the race in 2008?

A: I was extremely well prepared for the race in 2008 but simply did not handle the extreme heat. Members of the crew measured a temperature of 52′ on the first day in one of the river gorges! By the third day the temperature was still in the high 40′s. I was unable to cool down or stop vomiting and was retired by the race doctor. I was completely devastated and comforted myself by driving home to the E Cape through the night in time to run the 100km Amatola Trail Run.

I was very afraid to try the race a second time but had some demons to lay to rest and couldn’t get it out of my system. I did some things a bit differently in 2009 in that I did some additional core strength training with Caren Williams, I handled my hydration differently, and most of all I didn’t try to race at all – my only aim was to survive (and if possible have fun!) I was very fortunate that (as a result of fervent prayer!) it was cooler in 2009.

Q: Your next challenge is a 5500 km run, cycle and paddle around the perimeter of South Africa. Can you tell us about the preparation and support needed for a challenge of this magnitude?

A: I have spent my whole adult life preparing for this challenge without knowing it. I will continue to train and race as normal during the year with some additional focus on cycling and paddling as well as strength and core. I couldn’t embark on challenge like this without the support of my husband Peter (Peter and my daughter Hannah who is 4 will accompany me on the journey) and some amazing backup crew (hopefully the legendary Calif Coombe and Oscar Miller). I will also have a visionary sponsor which I am not yet at liberty to name. The trip will require an enormous amount of planning and project management over the next 6 months.

Kim and Pete

Q: Your husband, Pete, is currently rowing solo across the Atlantic in the Woodvale Challenge. How did you meet and were you both extreme athletes at the time?

A: We met in Cape Town 11 years ago. We were both athletes who liked to push ourselves, but have probably become more extreme with age and with each other’s support.

Q: As a mother, legal consultant, corporate trainer and an extreme athlete, what advice would you offer parents wanting to continue with their sports after having children?

A: If your sport is your passion you will find the time to fit it in. It is certainly not easy, but I have run at 4am and at 10 pm with a headlamp, I have run round and round a rugby field until I am quite dizzy, with Hannah lying in the middle on a blanket. I have run up and down sand dunes with her in a backpack and in an off-road pram. It’s certainly not easy but it can be done. Things are easier now that I have flexibility in my job – for years I worked for a large corporate with no flexibility at all.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: No, I live in an area where I leave my car unlocked and my front door open.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I honestly havent considered leaving, this is my home. I am passionate about South Africa and its people. There is a reckless courage and optimism here that I have never experienced anywhere else in the world.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: I would suggest he spent a lot of time on his knees praying for wisdom! I certainly don’t envy him his job!

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: Its people, its sense of humour, its wine!

Life in East London

Q: What are the benefits of living in Cape Town for an extreme athlete?

A: It is the perfect playground for extreme sport and adventure racing. I train on beautiful farms, pristine beaches and spectacular estuaries and am surrounded by the wonderfully warm, generous and down to earth people.

Kim and daughter Hannah

Q: What are the must-visit places in or around Cape Town for families with young children?

A: Murambi Tea Garden, Lavendar Blue, Tea in the Trees and Yekelela. And obviously all the great beaches!

Q: Favorite restaurant for a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch with the family?

A: Cintsa West Pub.

General

Q: A single piece of advice for anyone looking to set out on an extreme adventure?

A: Remember to have fun – its more important than winning! Make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for and equip yourself with the basic gear.

Q: Favorite snack after a long training session?

A: Masses of homemade cottage pie.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: Frontiers written by Mostert. It’s a magnificent history of SA which would make for a lot more understanding and tolerance.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

Q: In the cabin of Nyamezela (my husband’s boat, currently n the middle of the Atlantic). I would like to go home immediately after breakfast though! I prefer the edges of oceans to their middles.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you like to ask them?

A: Ryan Sands.  How on earth do you run that fast?

We’d like to thank Kim for taking the time to answer our questions and wish her every success for her next challenge, a 5500km run, cycle and paddle around the perimeter of South Africa.