Feeling Good, Feeling Positive

One of South Africa's top comedians tells us how running enriches his everyday life and provides the perfect space for creating new stand-up material.

- By Ryan Scott

During the first weeks of the 2020 Covid lockdown, a Gauteng provincial official asked Schalk Bezuidenhout to assist in keeping people entertained and to share the message to stay positive with his followers. His hilarious antics and perspective quickly gained momentum, becoming a highlight for many in those tough times. Runner's World's Ryan Scott pinned the comedian down for a chat - and found that running has always played a role in his life.

Runner's World: We saw some running action on your Instagram handle recently. Is this a new thing for you, or do you label yourself a runner already?

SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT: Jaaa... I think 'jogger' is more accurate! Because I run almost every day, but I definitely don't chase times or PBs. I don't do races. It's more on the recreational side for me.

Currently, I do about 40km a week, and I try not to do less than 7km on each run. But I don't monitor the data to try and improve every week or every month. For me, it's for switching off and relaxing.

I used to run with a heart-rate monitor strap and watch, but I was on tour once where I must have forgotten the gear somewhere, so I just went for a run without. And I realized I much prefer running without music. And if I have music, that means I have my phone with me, which I always have on me. So I've decided, that this will be the one hour in the day when it's just me and my thoughts. I can switch it off, and no one can reach me.

That's also why I don't chase PBs and things. I mean, pushing for a 10k and trying to better your time is not very relaxing. You get kak tired, your lungs are burning... I try and stay under that threshold of exertion.