“Our journey the past few years feels a bit surreal when you take the time to sit down and to reflect.
In April 2019 we sold everything we owned, except for a suitcase of clothes each, and moved to New Zealand from South Africa. Finances were very tight in South Africa and even though we wanted to enter a bunch of races, we unfortunately didn’t have the money for it. But luckily you don’t need a lot of money to just go out and run! So that is what we would do, everyday after work, we’d put on our running shoes and head out for a run. Running has always been a big part of our marriage and a great way to catch-up and to connect after a day at work. Running together was an important way for us to chat and to keep on dreaming big dreams.
Then we moved to New Zealand and not having any friends or family here, running was just a fun way to keep ourselves busy over weekends and to explore our neighbourhood, parks and trails on foot. It is difficult to make friends when moving to a new country and it can feel quite isolating. Funny enough, running has become a great way for us to meet people through the big running community in Welly. By joining a few group runs with WoRM, Hardus has rediscovered his love for trail running. He has ventured into this way more and has set great goals for himself with this. I prefer road-running and for me a run next to the water along the waterfront has become the perfect way to deal with anxiety.
We may not run together so much any more, but it is still a love that we share and a way to motivate and support one another.”
Frieda & Hardus @frieksie @hardstes @trailathlete
(Wellington)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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