I am involved in quite a big range of activities these days – getting here has been a journey though.  I run most days (it has taken a long time to call myself a runner, I would have said more a plodder), play club hockey during the winter, summer hockey over the warmer months in a social team (that includes my teenagers), mountain bike when I can, trail run and have found I enjoy adventure racing as part of a team, I now enter quite a few events (mostly running and trail running) to keep the motivation going.

The social aspect of being able to now play a team sport has been huge, it opened a gateway to find other people with the same interests. As I have become more active I have also managed to rope other people in to joining me – we have had work teams doing Tough Girl and Guy, Ekiden Relay Race and Round the Bridges much to my delight. I have met over time a group of girlfriends and we enter trail events together sometimes and have done the Spirited Women’s Adventure Race (mid length) and several Rogaine events and this year I also did the Whangamata Adventure Race.  I have met my partner since my journey began and have even managed to rope him into playing summer hockey and doing the Whangamata Adventure Race as part of our team. Running every day has become HUGE for my mental health.  It is my only guaranteed “me time” on any given day and is the time for personal reflection.

There were several barriers for me – but the most significant were time, money and weight.  I could not afford to join a gym or buy expensive gear.  The decision to initially walk every day and then start running really happened out of necessity because I couldn’t afford to do anything else.  These were activities I could do anywhere anytime with minimal gear required.  Time was huge too, I have 3 children and a job – finding a way to fit it in was massive.  When I first started out the children had no choice they had to bike or scooter and come with me.  Though my kids all now play social summer sports with me in the same team and still opt to join me on some of my crazy adventures.  These days I do the bulk of my running and walking either at 5.45am before work, or in the evening.  My weight was a significant factor – over a decade of being a Mum and the weight had piled on, I struggled to walk around the block without puffing and sweating profusely.  I was scared people would see me and laugh at me trying to move, I thought about diets but they all cost.  Instead I made the decision to just make healthy choices and change my lifestyle, in my eyes it was the only sustainable way to live and long term maintain this way of life. I am still a curvy girl but nothing stops me now, I will try most things at least once!  I have also learnt not to compare myself to anyone else – for example my partner is a “proper” runner and he has won events and done marathons.  Running together happens occasionally and I have to accept my fastest run is just a jog or easy run for him, and likewise when I am with the other women doing events we work at different paces, but that is more than ok.

I had to have a really positive determined attitude.  On any given day there are a hundred reasons and excuses why I shouldn’t go or couldn’t go.  I really wanted to make this change in my life and was adamant there were no more excuses.  Getting the balance between children, work, and life took a bit of adjusting, it wasn’t easy at first but then realizing that the children didn’t have to miss out on me, I just had to fit me around them or include them whenever I can.  As I have become braver and more active I quickly realized the only thing I really needed to spend money on was decent shoes, my mountain bike and other gear I have acquired have all been second hand, my active gear is all from kmart or the warehouse – flasher or label gear doesn’t make you any fitter or faster. Hard work is what makes the difference.  The mental battle was also huge, it’s taken me a long time to love my body and accept that this is who I am, and more importantly how I see myself is not necessarily how others see me. 

It was a combination of things really for wanting to be physically active.  I wanted to be a better version of me.  I didn’t want to be the parent that only ever watched my kids run around and kick a ball – I wanted to be a part of what they were doing.  I missed the sport I had played decades ago pre-kids, and realized I wasn’t getting any younger and actually this was my last chance to make a change.  I had put on A LOT of weight over the years and hoped that by slowly embarking on this journey a bonus side effect maybe a bit of weight loss.  More than anything I wanted my children, friends and family to be proud of me, I wanted them to see it’s never too late to make a positive change, and that good things can come about as a result of them.  I never ever thought I would be 40+ years old and back playing sport, let alone making a team at provincial level.

Honestly it makes me feel alive again. I have more energy to give to my work, family and most importantly my children.  I have found that being active has meant I sleep better, worry less and have become more comfortable in my own skin.  I like that I can challenge myself in big or small ways. I have ticked off bucket list things I never dreamed possible – doing both a trail and road half marathon for example. No, I wasn’t fast, but I finished, and did so completely exhausted but with a smile on my face and seeing how proud my children were was the best feeling ever.  It has made me more confident in life in general. 

I admire the woman I pass out walking or running every day because they have made time in their day to do something and I don’t know what challenges they have faced to get there – but they are just out there doing it no excuses.  I also think Valerie Adams and Gemma McCaw are amazing human beings. Yes, they are at the top of their sport, but they have gotten there through hard work, raw determination and they are doing it while raising a family.

Making a change isn’t easy – and you have to want it.  Getting active has to start with small steps, you can’t just wake up and expect one walk will make you fit.  It takes time and effort and a lot of determination.  It certainly doesn’t have to cost money, nor come at the cost of your family or friends.  Being active is different for everybody and that is more than okay, you are far harder on yourself than you realise.  For some people it might be walking or biking 3 times a week, for others it might be a walk every evening after dinner.  Everybody is different and everybody has different challenges to face.  One of the greatest pleasures in life I have discovered is doing what people say you can’t or doing what you never thought was possible – I am my only limit.  I don’t see myself as inspirational more just an average woman who wanted more for herself and her children. I have limited finances and time, and I live with my 3 children, but I make it work.  The odds were against me but if I can do it, anybody can – you just have to want it!  Its 1% Luck, 1 % Talent, 98% Never give up = 100% Success.