“I run because it gives me a sense of purpose and helps manage stress. I love setting an impossible goal, like running 4km every day for a year, or entering events with ever increasing distances, just to see if I can do it.
Sometimes life or injuries get in the way but even if I don’t get to actually run in the event, I will have enjoyed (or loved to hate) all the runs along the way. As one of my trainers loves to say, the training is the fun bit, the event is just the icing on the cake.
Factor in the incredible and inspirational people I have met along the way and running is hard to beat. It always amazes me how quick it is to become friends with other runners, especially trail runners. It doesn’t take long to find injuries, events, favourite craft beers and running yarns in common. I find that something happens when we run on trails together. Somehow in between foot falls, bonds form. I feel so lucky to have found my tribe.
This year I set my most ridiculous goal so far and started training for the Taupo 100km. Now, I’m not a morning person and it turns out that training for 100km involves a lot of getting up in, what I would call, the middle of the night. I’m not going to lie, it sucked. The battle between wanting to stay tucked up in my warm and cosy bed with the cat snuggled and heading out to run in the cold and the dark was hard fought every single time. I would wonder if it was worth it and curse myself for all the life choices that had led to a 4am alarm.
But then. I would find myself running on my own in the moonlight so bright that I could turn off my head torch and run in an alien landscape; or I would hear Ruru calling to each other from across Matairangi/Mount Victoria and it would all be worth it.
I’ve always loved watching the sunset. This year I’ve learned to appreciate the sunrise as well.”
Carolyn @caro_runs_trails
(Wellington)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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