The cycle cure

Judith Fick shares how exercise helped her cope with loss

Age: 48 Location: Pongola, KZN Achievement: Completed the Pick n Pay Cape Argus cycle race

On December 29, 2007 my life fell apart. The sun went down for me when I lost my soul mate, the love of my life in a fire. We had a wooden holiday home in Ponta du Oura, Mozambique, and had just opened a holiday resort on the same piece of land a month earlier. We had finally made our dream real; we were going to take it easy in Mozambique and focus on enjoying the rest of our lives together. We had no inkling just how short that time would be.

Our house caught fire, and as Rico was hurrying away from the flames, a gas container that was in our garage fell over, exploded, and hit him from behind, killing him instantly. I stood there on that Saturday afternoon with the sun setting and realised I’d lost everything. My partner, my home, everything. I couldn’t face life without Rico and it felt as if I’d lost my future too.

Depression took hold and my zest for life just disappeared. I had been an aerobics instructor for 20 years and loved running, but despite being an exercise lover (and my doctor telling me I needed it) I just couldn’t bring myself to work out. I didn’t want to exist, never mind exercise.

Eventually I had to get back to work though, so I had no choice. My running partner also started arranging for us to run, and another friend convinced me to start cycling. I had never really cycled as a child and was petrified of falling off my bike, especially in the traffic. But by October 2008 I was giving it a serious go. Over the next four months I had five hard falls and cracked my ribs. After one of the falls I realised that life is a little like cycling: we fall off occasionally in our daily lives, but eventually we have to pick ourselves back up and carry on, even if we are in pain.

My friend and I entered a 40km mountain-bike race in the Drakensberg. It was a difficult but beautiful experience. For the first time in ages I noticed nature and the beautiful countryside while riding. I became thankful for everything I had in my life and for all the people who had been there supporting me throughout.

After that we entered the Pick n Pay Cape Argus race and rode in extremely windy conditions. I was terrified! I have climbed Kilimanjaro and completed six Comrades marathons but this was far worse. I prayed all the way and finished in five and a half hours. Yet again I experienced a little light bulb moment: life is like a race, and we have to complete it no matter what the conditions.

I have come to love cycling. I love feeling the wind go by and being close to nature. Some days are still difficult, but I’ve found that exercise — especially when you do it with friends — really helps to fill those empty spaces, whether they be depression, being overweight, feeling lonely, having relationship problems, or dealing with grief and heartbreak. Exercise is a light that shines in my darkness and I highly recommend it to anyone who feels they need a little more light in life.

Motivational Tips:

-Be thankful for everything you have and everything you’ve had.
-Live every day to the full because you never know when things could change dramatically.
-It’s ok to feel low, but don’t let yourself stay in it for too long.

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