“I actually started road running years ago as a way to keep fit and keep myself accountable. I did a sort of couch-to-5K, but for me, it was never about pace; it was about enjoying the moment and taking everything in.
For the longest time, I only ran on the treadmill because I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to breathe outside. That was just my thing all through uni — my happy place. Eventually, I went for a run outside with my dad, and I genuinely thought I was going to die because I couldn’t breathe, but I stuck with it. And slowly, I started to see progress. Not just in my pace or technique, but in my mental health too — which is way better when I keep running consistently. As soon as that drops off, everything goes back to chaos!
I was diagnosed with ADHD about a year and a half ago. My brain is constantly on — it’s like a motor that never switches off. Running is the only time it goes quiet. When I’m out there, I’m completely in the moment, noticing everything around me instead of thinking “you should be doing this” or “you haven’t done that yet.” My mind is still. It’s genuinely therapeutic. Especially trail running, it’s the best escape I’ve found. If I can’t run because of an injury, my mental health really takes a hit because I lose that clarity and sense of calm.
When I first started running, I didn’t even know I had ADHD. I honestly thought everyone’s brain worked like mine — all that chaos going on in the background. I started for fitness, but it ended up helping me in ways I never expected.
At first, it was all road running. I built up to 10km and eventually hit my peak with a half-marathon. But everything changed when we moved to Queenstown and discovered trail running.
What I love most about the trail community is how supportive it is. The focus isn’t on pace or distance; it’s about connection. The first questions people ask isn’t “How fast did you go?” but “Did you enjoy it?” or “What snacks did you bring?” or even “Where did you get those socks?” It’s such a beautiful, welcoming community.
Because I struggle with accountability (thanks, ADHD), I started joining different run clubs — sometimes running with groups three times a week. When we moved to Queenstown, it became a great way to meet people and make friends. I think we joined six different run clubs when we got here! My physio couldn’t believe it — I was injured at the time and she just looked at me like, “What the hell?”
Now, I’m actually the run lead for Her Trails in Queenstown. The goal is to help women get into running and find that same sense of community, which I think is so, so important.
I used to see the half-marathon as my limit. I was scared to go further because I didn’t think I was “good enough” — like, “I don’t run as fast as that person, so why would I even try?” But the trail community here changed that mindset completely. No one ever made me feel like I couldn’t do something. When I decided to take on my first 100km, I genuinely believed I could do it because everyone else did too. No goal is ever too big.
I finished the 100K recently at Naseby. Would I do another? Maybe. It actually surprised me how much I enjoyed it — so yeah, maybe another one someday.”
Lauren @neuroduo
(Queenstown)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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