“Apart from high school runs around the block, which I didn’t enjoy, and running on the netball court, I didn’t run or think I was a good enough runner to even try growing up. Until 2012 I went to Saudi Arabia to experience the sandy and hot Expat life for 3 months with my Sister and Brother in Law who were living there. They were involved in a running group on their compound which I was gently persuaded to join too. I joined the slower group and I learnt that I don’t have to run fast or win to be a runner or to enjoy running.
I met my husband in that running group so I have a lot to thank for running.
So I started to enjoy running and the feeling that running gave me. Since that first experience of running in Saudi Arabia in 2014 I have married, moved countries several times, worked as a Registered Nurse, had three children close together (these pregnancies were all high risk and I suffered terribly from a physical and medical perspective). I had traumatic births but thankfully our babies came out safely and we moved on with life, finally arriving back in my hometown of Napier after 12 years abroad.
Throughout all of this I dabbled in running 5, 10 and 21k fun runs. I have recently started running with Sunday Long Run here in Hawkes Bay. The people are fantastic! I really enjoy this group. We run 10-15k on trails or tracks around the Bay.
I have held a belief for so long that I don’t have a runners body and that I’m not a runner. I’m too heavy, not fast… You know, all that self doubt talk. But actually that belief isn’t going to help me, it’s going to stop me from doing cool stuff! Like getting up at 5am and running over Te Mata peak in Havelock North with my head torch on and feeling truly alive. Saying hi to other runners – it’s awesome. I love the feeling of belonging to this trail running community.
Running helps me to feel alive, our bodies are born to move. It doesn’t matter what our bodies look like. Just move, and feel good. Running is also a bit of time out for me away from my family as I have been a stay at home mum for nearly 6 years now and I give so much to our boys. Running gives me a purpose and sense of achievement different then how I feel with my role at home with our children.
I have been training for the Spring Challenge in Napier, but that has been postponed until October 2022 so when I saw the Outfoxed Backyard Ultra advertised on Facebook I decided to turn up and see what I could do. I surprised myself and ran 53.7k. The longest I’ve ever run before is a Half Marathon so this feels like a huge achievement for me.
Running is up to me. If I don’t do the training, I won’t get far up the hill! I love that it’s a sport which requires very few pieces of equipment and can be done anywhere. Put clothes and shoes on and get out the door. Obviously I have invested in trail and road shoes, head torches, hydration packs, watch, running clothes, nutrition. But in essence it’s a simple sport.
I run for the views, nature, quietness, solo achievement, the friends, to feel strong and fit, and to demonstrate to my loved ones that one foot after the other does get you places.
I also run for my spaniel, Manu. He loves to run and he’s a great companion.”
Rose @rs_bermudez
(Hastings)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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