“After completing my first ever half marathon I just got hungry for more, and from there, I knew it was only the beginning. Before I knew it, I had signed up for another 3 half marathons and the infamous 27km Luxmore Grunt Mountain run, with many more upcoming runs in 2023.
Being new to embarking in the running game, I don’t consider myself a serious runner, so I was taken by surprise when I was asked to have a run profile on me.
I previously dabbled in multiple sporting activities growing up; from high school hockey, summer family waterskiing, to national level competitive rowing. I have always been an athletic kid who loves facing a good challenge. And 6 years of attending boarding schools brought out that competitive Gamble gene in me. Rowing throughout high school taught me many valuable skills which have crossed over to my running too, such as resilience, endurance, strength and most importantly, never to give up.
My family most certainly are the definition of a typical ‘outdoors kiwi family’. Growing up in my earlier years, among the rugged coast of Haast- South Westland, we were always exposed to the amazing things the land and sea of this country has on offer. From as little as I can remember, Dad was always taking us 3 girls on wild outback adventures, from camping, hunting, fishing, tramping – passing on all the knowledge he could to us, in which we could never get enough of! The mountains and bush have always been a happy place for me, and running amongst it allows me to escape all the noise, especially as I’m currently studying my degree of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in the chaotic city of Auckland. When things get a little too much in the big smoke, to the trails I go! My studies have also taught me how much to love, appreciate and understand my body in ways that have positively influenced my running and help me achieve my goals and dreams.
At the beginning of last year I got diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) along with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which really took a toll on my mental well being. It’s a lot to carry on a 20 year old girl’s shoulder, but I would not let a diagnosis define who I am and what I can do. Running became a saviour for me. When I run, I can escape it all and sweat it all out, push beyond limits and leave all the negative energy behind me in my dust. I have good runs and bad runs, but the only runs I ever regret are the ones I don’t do.”
Sheree @sheree_gamble
(Te Anau)
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Portraits of Runners + their stories
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