Meet Luis De Deus, one of the “Mulungos” team members and our TOP runner of the Kanimambo Challenge who ran an amazing 1640 kms in just 90 days!
- In how many Run4aChild editions/challenges did you participate?
Until now, I have participated in 2 challenges: in the Kanimambo Challenge and in the first one related to “Casa de Formação Cristã da Rainha Santa”.
2. Do you enjoy participating in the Run4aChild initiatives?
I like to participate in this kind of initiative, especially when they aim to support causes as noble as this one, in particular, promoted by Run4aChild. Furthermore, I enjoyed participating in this initiative because I felt that every km I ran would be converted into anti-covid kits for schools and food baskets for children in Mozambique.
3. Tell us about your personal experience in the Run4aChild challenges.
Initially, I accepted the challenge to join the “Mulungos” team with the purpose of supporting the children of a Mozambican village, thus giving my modest contribution. On the other hand, with having completed the kms that were individually allocated to me, I gave myself a much higher personal challenge and the overcame it.
4. You are in the first place of the individual ranking! How do you push yourself so far?
You have to like running and you have a well-defined target along with discipline, regular training and desire for personal improvement.
5. Do you think Run4aChild has a positive impact in your life?
Yes, definitely! When I accepted this challenge, I had just come out of an 8-month period of inactivity for health reasons. Starting over with the goal of contributing with 80 kms made me aware that my physique was responding and so I took advantage of the moment, my well-being and motivation to go as far as possible.
6. Were there any changes in your lifestyle thanks to your continuous participation?
Of course there was. As I said before, I was out of shape for 8 months and this brought bad habits and eating carelessly. My body paid a price for that. My participation in this last challenge helped to regain my fitness and I lost 10 kgs!
7. What is your biggest motivation to run?
When I walk or run, I feel a sense of freedom, of escape from the stress of my routine. I can say that this feeling of freedom is my biggest motivation to walk or run.
8. What tips can you give to people that are about to start running?
I am not the best person to give advice on this matter, but I can say that I started running about 8 years ago. I discovered running in a late in my life, after I got an invitation to walk/run with a group of runners in Algarve called “Friday Running”. I was amazed with the number of people who gathered on a Friday night to walk and run. From then on, I only stopped due to the pandemic and due to health problems. As such, it is never too late to start, however, it is necessary to know our body well. Sometimes, there are mistakes that can bring us serious health problems.
9. Can you share your running routines? For example, at what time do you prefer to run?
My training routine during this last challenge was divided into two, depending on the number of kilometers I wanted to complete. As such, one part was in the early morning and the other in the late afternoon or after dinner. The training strategy will always depend on the kms you intend to walk and/or run.
10. Which types of places do you prefer to run?
Due to my place of residence which is in Algarve, my preference is directed towards the cliffs along the coast with a privileged view of the sea.
11. Will you join us in the future challenge? What would you like to see in the next challenges?
Of course I will! I have already signed up for the “Asha” Challenge. But this time, it will only be to fulfil the individual objective and thus contribute to supporting Caritas India. What I would like to see in this or the next challenges will be the continuity of the Run4aChild principles: the spirit to help those in need, and to make people leave their sedentary self-indulgent lifestyles and interact with others, through the practice of exercise.
May this testimonial be an inspiration for the Asha challenge. Keep going Runners! The Challenge finishes on the 30th of August! There is no time to lose!
Run4aChild Team