“I run for me, myself and I. I find it really satisfying getting out for a run and being able to achieve my goals. Running makes me feel fab, physically and mentally – as this is often my thinking time.
So, my love for running has been relatively short. In March 2016 my “runner” sister-in-law Wendy put to some family members, the idea of us running the Taupo Half Marathon. Four of us took her up on that CRAZY idea!
Before that I’d done plenty of walking, but no running. So slowly and surely, I started to run, clocking up the kms. I will never forget that day… Saturday 6th August. We ran in SNOW, SLEET and RAIN! What an outing! Bonus, we all completed it. Awesomeness from 5 awesome people and my 1st ever half marathon completed in 2hours 5mins…Brilliant!
Well that was it, I had caught a running bug and have been running ever since. Many of my friends and family just think I’m straight out weird or mad. Yeah…nah. Do only runners understand runners?
I’m not really big on events, but I went on to run the Mt Maunganui Half Marathon in 2017. 2018 saw me run a 10km in Mooloolaba with my hubby Ken and son Brett. Beat both of them. 2020 saw me do another Taupo Half Marathon with Ken and stepdaughter Brit. Her 1st… Go her!! And in between those events I’ve run several of my own half marathons… just because.
Well, that’s this Nana/Grandma’s running story. Don’t make age a barrier. Just do it… Life’s too short not to!”
Julie @julzmcnz
(Taupō)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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