“Just over a year ago I thought it would be a good idea to set a goal to run 5km. I joined the Life in Motion Run Club 0-5km series on the back of the football season, hoping to utilise the fitness level I was at. I found it really hard. I didn’t enjoy it, and 5km seemed a long way. However, being the stubborn person that I am, I continued the 6 weeks of training and completed the final 5km celebration run happy and wondering what next?
I thought that I’d give trail running a go just to see if I could find this joy that I could see others had. The first half of my first trail run was awful. I was too busy trying to breathe to enjoy the scenery. The plan was to walk back, which I did, but thought “hey, I could run some of this”, and I did and something clicked. I relaxed. I took in the scenery and took the pressure off myself. Running soon became another way for me to connect with nature. To do this successfully I needed to make sure I prepped my body and made it stronger for running.
I use the Run Club programme to gain strength, power and stability. The prescribed runs helped me get better with my hill running. The best runs are those with a hill so that you get an amazing view! I’m also a huge fan of going downhill fast. What a feeling!
Through Run Club I have met so many amazing people who I now consider my friends. I have given up Sunday morning lie-ins for adventure and friendship as I hit the trails with my crew!”
Leanne @leanne_outside
(Wellington)
–
All Runners. All Stories.
@RunnersNZ
