“It started in 2013 when I was suffering from PND for the second time.
I hadn’t been a runner growing up at all, but had started giving it a go before getting pregnant with my second child. So running was put on hold while I was pregnant and it was a year after my boy was born that I could run again without pain. Still, I couldn’t get past the 6km mark, so I decided to enter an event to help me out. The local Manawatu Striders had their winter series coming up… so I entered all three! 10km distances for the first two and then the longer 15km that was offered for the final run.
It was after all this the thought of running a half marathon entered my mind and sharing this idea with others got some rather mixed responses – including being told it was out of my reach so earlier on. That made me more determined than ever! I really wanted to be able to turn around and say, ‘see I told you I could do it!’
So 5 months after my first 10km event I ran my first half marathon and the running bug was well and truly alive within me. I have now run ten half marathons, two 25km events and completed my one and only full marathon last year.
I have learnt so much through running about myself and believe I can achieve so much more that I ever thought I would. I am so much stronger in mind and body now.
Running totally is what keeps me sane… and a nicer person to be around!”
Sonia @just.sonia.79
(Feilding)
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Portraits of runners + their stories
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