“I run when I’m stressed, I run when I’m upset, but I also run when I’m happy. I run because I can. I run because it keeps me focused and motivated. I run because I get time to think. I am the queen of overthinking – my brain never shuts up, always thinking, always analysing, always going through all possible scenarios and what-ifs. Running makes my mind quiet; one of the very few things that work!
It all started when I moved to NZ. I had lots of time and very little money in the first few months here. I used to hate running then, so it felt like I was overcoming a massive struggle each time and that was weirdly empowering. For a few years I’d just pick up running in spring, run throughout summer, and then lay low in winter. Everything changed once I got introduced to trail running!
My friend needed a fourth person for her team for an orienteering adventure run (it also involved mountain biking and tubing down the river!). I bit off a bit more than I could chew at that time, but I discovered the trails and my love of running came into full swing. The views, the terrain, the joy of getting to the top of a hill and then running down… still love that feeling! Things escalated quickly from there. I signed up for one trail race after another, started hanging out with trail runners, and became a member of a running club. The races got longer and more challenging and in the last year I stepped up my game and became an ultramarathon runner! I am currently training for a 100km race in February and it’s both terrifying and exciting.
Running has become a massive part of my life and I’m forever grateful I was stubborn enough to stick to it.”
Marta @life_by_marts
(Wellington)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
