In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we sit down with Shafeeqah Gordon, a passionate trail runner from Cape Town, South Africa. Shafeeqah shares her journey, from playing netball as a child to discovering the freedom and challenge of running through her university cross-country club. Over the years, running has become an integral part of her life, and she hasn’t looked back since.
As a leader for Tuesday Trails, a group dedicated to the joy of trail running, Shafeeqah is all about building community and encouraging people to get outside. Her work as a mountain guide and sports scientist has equipped her with invaluable skills for tackling challenging terrains and pushing the limits in her races. From competing in prestigious races like the Ultra Trail Drakensberg 65km and the Ultra Trail Cape Town 55km, to conquering technical trails with a focus on strength and conditioning, Shafeeqah gives us insight into her training, race strategies, and the mindset needed to overcome physical and mental battles during ultra races.
In this episode, Shafeeqah opens up about inclusion in the trail running community, the power of running to clear the mind, and her personal battles with self-doubt during tough moments in races. She also talks about her involvement in outdoor education through her Outdoor Education Hub, which will be relaunched in 2025 after a brief hiatus.
Tune in to hear Shafeeqah’s thoughts on trail running, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her final advice for anyone looking to take on their own running challenges!
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Show notes
Who is Shafeeqah Gordon
Group Leader for Tuesday Trails IG @tuesdaytrails
Being sports and playing netball from a young age
Getting into running via the cross-country club at university
How running became apart of her life
Never regretting a run
The difference between cross-country and trail running
Mountain guide, outdoor educator and sports scientist
Studying sports science at university.
Specialising in strength and conditioning for running and netball players
The outdoor education hub
Working a full time job in retail
Getting qualified as a mountain guide
Why the marathon distance is the sweet spot. 42km
Training for technical trails
Bullet proof ankles
Working with a strength and conditioning coach and a run coach
Running mojo
Calling a friend to schedule a run together
Running the Ultra Trail Drakensberg (UTD) 65km
The challenges of running further
Figuring out nutrition and fuelling for the longer runs
Fitting in training around life
Recovery?
Trying not to take running too seriously
Race strategy and wanting to get a better time than last year
Future dreams and races
Running at night
Running thoughts - thinking about everything and nothing
Being at war with herself during a tough race
Inclusion in trail running
Outdoor Education Hub (on hiatus for the rest of 2024) but coming back in 2025
How you can connect with Shaf
Final words of advice
Don’t listen to the demons
Why it’s just important to get out there
Social Media
Personal Instagram: @shafgordon
Outdoor Education Hub - We're an initiative focused on equipping people with knowledge & educational tools for the outdoors - making it a fun & safe space for all to enjoy
Instagram: @outdooreducation_hub
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