“I had moved back home to Westport after uni for work and was finding it really hard with no friends left in town to hang out with. I had always been a netball player, never really a runner, but I began ‘running (or run/walking), a few times a week as a distraction for the crap time I was having.
A friend was coming to visit a couple of months later for the Buller Half Marathon. On the Wednesday before she arrived, I ran/walked 10km and thought, “if I can make it 10km, I can do 21km!” So I entered for the race on the Saturday and was stoked to finish!
The next year was much the same. I entered the half with little-to-no training and finished it 10 mins faster. I found running made me all round happier and gave me a hobby – but I needed a bigger goal to work towards… something I’d be scared of so I would HAVE to train for it and actually get myself out the door every day.
In typical Hannah “go big or go home” fashion, I skipped the marathon distance and found myself entering the 2020 Old Ghost Ultra… which absolutely terrified my poor Mum! I trained for 8 months and loved (almost) every second of the race – so much so, I’m going back for 2021!
I started running to tick off the bucket list but I kept running because I fell in love with it. Running has made me happier, healthier, and has given me so many experiences and friendships I otherwise would never have had. I’ll never be the fastest, but even after the worst of running events, I can guarantee I’ll cross that finish line with the biggest smile.
My friends think I’m crazy but I wouldn’t change a thing. I know I am so lucky to be able to run like I do and truly hope I am able to run forever.”
Hannah @hhannahmmartin
(Taupō)
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