“From a very young age, sports were for me the best way how to spend free time. Given its prevalence in nearly every team sport, running was never too far from my activities. At the age of 7, I immersed myself in floorball – a popular sport back home in Czech Republic, something like field hockey, but indoors. It was mostly as a hobby but occasionally participating in league competitions. After a decade, I bid farewell to floorball, realising that the frequent directional changes and rapid court movements weren’t doing any favours to my legs.
Seeking an alternative to fulfil my passion for sports, a friend and I dabbled in triathlons. However, we soon discovered the demanding time and financial commitment required by this sport, leading us to settle on running. Starting with 5-10km distances, we progressed to half marathons and eventually embraced ultra trails, which, in my opinion, offer the best that running has to offer.
While I don’t consider myself a professional runner, I strive to run as frequently as possible and explore as many places as I can – my running shoes are a staple in my luggage on every local or international trip. It’s the best and quickest way to discover a new city and its surroundings (especially when I find myself lost).
One of my proudest achievements is completing the B7 race (Beskydská sedmička) twice – a challenging 105km race with 5500m elevation gain in the Czech Republic. This race holds a special place in my heart, mainly due to the enthusiastic fans and the overall atmosphere.
So, why do I keep running? I have several answers: to stay fit, enjoy shared runs with friends and simply because I love exploring new places in my running shoes. Running has become more than a sport; it’s a journey of discovery and personal fulfilment.”
Išek Hurt @isek2
(Wanaka)
Photo taken in Fiordland
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