Beloved running coach knew no limits
Penney always motivating others and spreading kindness
As a journalist it is our job to put words on a page, but sometimes in rare moments we find ourselves struggling. Simply, because no words make sense in the given circumstances.
The news of beloved Eastern Cape athlete Terri-Lynn Penney’s passing, is one such circumstance.
I met Penney in 2017 when I was a journalism student at Rhodes University in Makhanda.
I remember wondering who this astonishingly fit and strong-looking woman was that I would often see in the gym. I had the privilege of meeting her more formally when I enrolled in one of her infamously tough bootcamp programmes that she offered weekly on the university sports fields.
Her training programmes were hard, but she never failed to motivate those of us brave enough to do them.
It never mattered what we looked like, how fit we were, or where we came from, Penney supported and encouraged everyone the same, without any prejudice and always with a smile.
Penney was a die-hard road runner, with many successes to her name in both long and middle-distance running. I never intended to become a runner but when you’re training with one of the greats, you don’t always have a choice.
Her passion for the sport was deeply infectious, and soon enough I was hooked. What started off as a 20minute awkward jog up and down African Street soon enough became a personal best at the 8km Makana Brick Nite Race, then the GBS Mountain Drive Half-Marathon and finally the 27km Pineapple Run.
Penney coached me through all of it, and never once questioned my abilities or performance.
She even gifted me with my first pair of proper road running shoes.
She was at every finish line with a smile, welcoming her athletes in and always wanting to pose for a few photos in her Nedbank kit before she claimed her spot on the podium.
Even during injury, she invited me
to swim laps with her at the pool while she trained for another half Ironman.
She gave me countless lifts to local races and workout sessions, and often joined for part of our weekend long runs. She is well-known for her stunning photos that she would post on social media, along with beautiful and inspiring captions about being an athlete and making the choice to get up, get out there and do it.
Kenyan record-breaking runner, Eliud Kipchoge says that no human is limited. He was, for those that don’t know, the first person to run the marathon distance in under two hours. Penney also practised the same mantra.
She continued to push herself above and beyond what anyone thought was possible. Whether it was on the bike or on the tar, she was always in the midst of a personal challenge, to constantly go above and beyond her own limits.
Her last logged run on Strava was Monday March 4. It was her 94th consecutive day of running to raise awareness for cancer, covering 1.380km. Similarly, her kindness and thoughtfulness towards others endured as much as her athleticism.
There is an old mug that I use several times a week for a cup of tea before my morning runs. It’s an Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon mug that was gifted to me by Penney in 2018. She gave it to me after returning from Cape Town after another massively successful 56km ultra race.
I took the mug as a sign that I needed to finally enter the Two Oceans half-marathon, despite not having run this distance (yet).
The irony behind the mug? I’ve still never run this exact race. But this year I will run my second Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, and will once again have a cup of tea in this special mug.
This mug is a constant reminder of the unwavering faith Penney had in me. It is a symbol of the beauty and passion for running that she shared with those she coached, and the motivation to continue to dream big, conquer challenges and push the boundaries.
To my first running coach, TerriLynn, thank you for giving me the gift of running, and for your unwavering support and motivation. I hope you rest peacefully knowing you have touched countless lives in this community and country, through your passion and commitment to this beautiful sport.
May you continue running the greatest race of all in heaven.