“My love of running started way back at primary school age. I would go for jogs in the forest before and/or after school, finding new trails, and seeing how long I could go for.
Since then, I have found a passion for training and racing the longer distance events. Starting from when I was old enough to enter half marathons, I have progressed through the years, now having a few half and full marathons under my belt, and a 100k ultra at the start of next year.
I still get the same feelings now, as I did back when I started. A sense of accomplishment, reaching my goals, and sometimes putting myself into an unknown territory. Whether it’s running 180km a week, or at the front in a race where you’ve never sustained that pace in training still gives me excitement. Sometimes it pays off, other times it doesn’t, you get injured, or blow up mid race. I never regret it. It just makes it taste sweeter when it does go to plan.
The people you get to meet on the way, is also a great aspect of this sport. I have made many friends, who are the most supportive, encouraging and genuine people you will ever meet. I see it as a team sport, we all have a similar goal on that start line, and come together at the end and celebrate one another’s achievements.
These are the reasons why I run, for my mental health, the overall challenges you get to face, and the people you meet on the way. While also not feeling guilty for eating fast food on the daily!”
Michael @michaelvoss6
(Rotorua)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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