“I got into distance running and Athletics at the age of 8 when ‘beating the boys’ at my school was a common occurrence for me. I loved the challenge of individual sport and got a real kick out of the self-achievement. From childhood, running has really shaped my entire personality and identity; I’ve just never really stopped!
I ran through my teens to a higher level before succumbing to RED-S and its related health issues and injuries, which saw me drop back from the competitive side of the sport for some time. RED-S, or relative energy deficiency in sport, occurs when an athlete is not taking in enough nutrition to support their energy expenditure, leading to an array of health issues. For me, RED-S led to decreased weight, loss of menses, repetitive injuries and mental health struggles. Today the syndrome is more widely recognised and better managed, however during my time in the 2000s and 2010s many women with the health issue were quietly swept under the rug.
My personal experience with the challenges in the sport brought to light the lack of support many women face and it lit a fire in me to advocate for women’s running at all levels, for all wāhine, and in a holistic health approach.
Returning to Dunedin after several years in the North Island, and having had my daughter Ellie, I threw myself back into competitive running. I was shocked to find womens numbers in the region had dramatically decreased from what I had previously known, which didn’t sit well with me. Being a busy working mother and a competitive runner has always been an incredibly daunting task, but I felt I needed to use my circumstances to also show others that with the right support and meticulous planning, it can be achieved.
From this approach and in conjunction with my position as Vice-President of Leith Harrier & Athletic Club, I spearheaded the creation of our, now burgeoning, women’s running community, lovingly named ‘Leith Lasses’. Leith Lasses focuses on breaking down the barriers and attitudes women face in our sport. We create an inclusive, safe and healthy space for all female runners to thrive. We are now seeing a huge growth in Dunedin’s female running population where local races are growing to a near 50/50 gender split in entries which Leith Lasses has been a huge part of.
In my own running pursuits I am working on building my ability in trail and ultra racing – as best as I can fit it all in! I love the long plod and being out in nature. I also love being involved in much of the behind the scenes administration of Athletics and Distance Running and the Leith Lasses injects me with motivation to continue to further enhance women’s running in our region and beyond.”
Lydia @lydiarose_nz
(Dunedin)
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