“I run for the workout for the mind… and also because it’s taken my resting heart rate from 77 to 60.
I still feel a little unsure calling myself a ‘runner’. I got panic attacks as a kid doing cross country. I always fancied the idea of running but I expected too much too soon. I think when I became more patient and kinder to myself, I was able to just enjoy it. There’s no ‘right’ way to be a runner.
My first parkrun was the first time I’d run 5ks, and I shed a little tear at the end. I couldn’t believe I’d done it!
What I love about running is how it teaches you to talk to yourself – I spent most of that 5k telling myself I could do it, facing down the fear that I couldn’t, and I did it. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming.
Last week, I did my first 10k and soon I’ll start training for a half marathon.
Anyone can be a runner if they want to. Even with legs as short as mine.”
Felix @felix_desmarais
(Rotorua)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
