“My why, firstly – my Dad. He’s always run or played volleyball and has always encouraged me to keep fit! Even in adulthood he always asked when was the last time I did some exercise or went for a run. Nowadays he doesn’t need to ask – as we’re Strava buddies!
I ran because of my Dad and now I run for me. My running isn’t pretty or brilliant, but I run! Whether it’s slow or long or short, it’s running I enjoy it; even when I’m questioning my life choices hauling ass up a steep hill and sweating my tits off – it’s still fun.
How I got started? It was about 2014 when a friend and I entered the local Manawatu Strider’s Sevens Series, and things spiralled from there! After our first 7km we decided we’d run the 13km at the Tussock Traverse the following Saturday – which we did. After that multiple Tough Guys and Girls challenges ensued, followed by a couple of half marathons and the next year’s Tussock this time 26kms! Albeit walking due to an Achilles injury. I did a few more events after that but running kinda petered out for a while, until September 2018 when I decided fuck it let’s do 50km at next year’s Tarawera Ultra Marathon. When I entered I wasn’t running, but surely 6 months is enough time to train for an ultra?! It was, kinda… 8 hours and 12 minutes after I crossed the start line, I finished. Super stoked and super sore.
Since then running has become a regular for me. Running keeps me Me; in a world full of noise, going for a run in the hills takes all the crap away. The social aspect and community of running is brilliant and I have made some great friends through it. And I love the post run beers and chips – in it for the snacks!”
Ella @shellantyne
(Palmerston North)
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All Runners. All Stories.
@RunnersNZ
