“My friends and family probably didn’t know, but I was battling severe depression for years. I spent those years trying to fix myself or find something I may have an interest in, in hopes that it makes me smile at least. I had no luck at all.
One day my cousin came up to me and asked me if I would run with him in “Round the Bays 2019” in Auckland, which was 8.2km. I’ve never been in any sort of running event at this point but I took on his offer. Nervous as hell at the start, but once I completed that event, receiving the medal at the end gave me that sense of achievement. It was the first time I ever felt proud of myself. I thought ‘Wow! That was a pretty awesome experience, I’d love to do that again…’
So later on in that year I carried on to complete 8 more events for 2019. Both obstacle and marathon events.
My reason for why I run? It’s good for my overall health, I found out I love it, and it’s changed me into a proud and better version of myself. I will continue to run.”
Patrick @patrickmoale93
(Rotorua)
–
Portraits of Runners + their stories
@RunnersNZ
