“I’ve always been someone who wants to excel and achieve things that not everyone does. That’s where running first started for me. During school years running is used as a form of punishment, so when I was moved into high school I thought, hey I am going to change that.
I ran my first half marathon in 2015, and first full marathon in 2018 and after both of these I was hooked and could not wait to do the next one!
My reasons for running have changed since high school. I now work in a profession that involves stress, crazy shift work and always being on the top of my game.
Now for me it’s about leaving work and going out for an hour run, to turn off my brain and reset afterwards. It’s not a chore or something I ‘have to do’ – it’s a blessing. Running is an individual accomplishment, and it’s always me vs me.
I feel that the road is always there for me, and regardless of whatever else is going on in my life I know I can step out onto the tarmac and I will come back feeling better and with a more clearer mindset from when I started.”
Samantha @running_freee
(Cambridge)
Photo taken at Taupō Marathon
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
