“My childhood was rough. It was always a bit of a gamble if we would have enough money each week to pay bills and stuff. When you come from nothing, I think it makes you determined. I was determined to be the best version of myself and create a new, more positive lifestyle.
Running initially wasn’t a part of this plan and I came across running in a sort of weird way. No one in my immediate family exercises, I grew up in Rotorua, but had barely spent any time in the forest. I used to be the kid in P.E that would be wagging and I’d have a note from home excusing me from every school cross country.
When I was 17, I had this weird epiphany – I thought to myself, you should be the fittest you’ll ever be in your life, and you can’t even run around the block. So I kind of challenged myself. When I first started, I couldn’t even run for a kilometer without stopping, but this is where that determination comes in and running became my new challenge.
At the time I never really considered how much running would help change the direction of my life, but I feel as if I owe the sport a lot! Running has opened up a new world for me and grown me so much as a person. I’ve been lucky enough to run half marathons all around the country. I’ve met some of my best friends running, and running has been a gateway into other exciting hobbies like mountain biking and rock climbing. Being fit and healthy opens so many opportunities in life and really changes your mindset!
In 2019 I moved back to Rotorua and joined Lakes City Athletics Club. I decided I would try for a marathon with their marathon clinic. I completed my first full marathon that year and have stayed running with the same group of people since – we call ourselves the Marathon Weapons. We are like a little family. Without running I would also have never met my partner, Michael. I used to stalk him on Strava and see him at events. I crushed on him hard. Meanwhile he had no idea who I was (haha!) Three years later, I’m still a Michael Voss fan girl at heart. We run together sometimes, but he’s hard to keep up with!
Running came into my life by surprise. I never saw it as a vehicle to help me move away from the struggles I had growing up, but it’s probably the best thing I ever started doing. It has linked me with some amazing people and opportunities and has really shaped who I am as a person today.”
Michaella @mickmagpie
(Rotorua)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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