mums who trail.mums who trail.

A Beautiful Start Our very first mums who trail run happened over the weekend and we were so grateful for the amazing weather in Riverhead Forest first up considering Auckland’s ever-changing climate. It felt amazing to finally launch and hit the trails together. Splitting Into Groups Of the 8 of us who came along, we split into two groups. Runners and walkers. The runners had a nice steady run doing a forest loop twice, while the walkers enjoyed a more relaxed loop. Along the way, we had a few stops to catch our breath and chat. Trail running gear and of course, stories about kids were all part of the conversation.  Fun For The Kids Too A big thank you to my mum for helping set up the kids picnic area at the start/finish. This is a concept we thought could break some barriers to running and the kids get to watch their mums doing epic things. While we were out on the trails, the little ones had a safe and fun space to play, which made the run so much more relaxed for all of us and having cheerleaders on the sidelines is always nice.  A Great Morning Together Overall it was such a fun and rewarding morning. Getting out in nature, moving our bodies, and spending time together felt so good. Everyone did really well, and it was lovely to share the experience with other mums who get the joys and challenges of juggling running and family life. Looking Ahead This first run was just the beginning! We’re excited for the next one and can’t wait to welcome more mums to join us on the trails. Whether you’re running, walking, or just want to hang out in the kids area, there’s a place for everyone in our trail run community.

Danielle was one of the first friendly faces I met at the Helensville Run Club. Very down to earth and always so supportive of everyone no matter where they are at in their journey. Danielle has had some awesome goals this year which she has absolutely smashed! One of the things I have enjoyed most in running groups as you get to know people, is watching them grow and getting to witness their journey. It's a pretty special feeling to be honest. I sure many can relate. Danielle is our South African gem who brings nothing but good energy to the trails.     How long have you been trail running for? I started exploring running during New Zealand’s first lockdown in 2020. I  remember taking my kids to our local park and deciding, almost on a whim, to try running a single 700m loop. It was a rude awakening, I couldn’t make it around without feeling like my lungs were about to explode. For so many years, I’d told myself that running was only for people who were naturally athletic or had the “right” runner’s body. Funny the stories we create in our own heads and how tightly we hold onto them. But by 2023, something shifted. I found myself drawn more and more to the trails, craving the quiet, the space, and the sense of freedom that came with them. What got you into trail running? As someone who didn’t grow up loving running and actually started quite late in life, this topic feels incredibly personal. I know so many mums will relate. Let’s be honest, why do so many of us start exercising more after having kids? Often it’s because we’re desperate to feel like ourselves again, or we’re hoping to lose weight. We think about joining a gym, but walking into one can feel intimidating as hell. And then there’s the reality of working, caring for kids, and trying to find even a sliver of time for ourselves. For me, it began with weight loss. I’ve had a complicated relationship with my body for as long as I can remember, so at first my only focus was, how much weight can I lose? I genuinely believed I had to be skinny to be a runner. Spoiler alert, I was very wrong.One Sunday, a new now special friend invited me for a run in Riverhead Forest, and that single run changed everything. I discovered not only how incredible it feels to move through the trees, but also how powerful it is to connect with another mum who just gets it. That day taught me that running isn’t a sport for weight loss, it’s medicine for the mind. I realised the trails never judge. They don’t care whether you’re wearing the latest gear, or whether you’re huffing and puffing your way up a hill. They don’t care how fast you go or how messy life feels. The trails hold your secrets. Everything you talk about stays among the trees (and trust me, we cover everything out there). Most of all, the trails let you show up exactly as you are. They let you be you. What has trail running done for you? I will never forget my first race, family waiting at the finish line, cheering their hearts out. And my then eight-year-old son telling me at the finish line “I know why you run Mum… you run for me." That moment is carved into my memory forever. Running to be the healthiest, happiest version of myself for my kids has been my biggest motivation. So what has trail running given me? It helped me outrun the voice in my head, the one that insisted I wasn’t a runner, that people would laugh, that my body wasn’t built for this. I left that version of myself behind on the trails. Trail running also opened the door to friendships with incredible women. Women who lift each other up, who understand the juggle, and who create a safe space where you can be completely, unapologetically yourself. The trails have shaped me, challenged me, healed me, and connected me. How many kids do you have? My beautiful daughter Zoey, 16 and my son Marcus, 12. Highlights in your trail running journey so far? In 2023, I ran my very first trail half marathon, the Red Stag Timber Half Marathon in Rotorua. I’ll never forget rounding that final corner and seeing my daughter waiting there for me, to run the final few meters with me and telling me, “You can do this!” Then this year on my birthday I ran my first trail full marathon - The Waihi Trail Trilogy. Something I never thought I would be able to do . What's next on your radar in the trail running space? Riverhead Backyard Relaps Ultra - Participants run one 6.71km lap per hour (starting on the hour) through a mix of commercial pine forest in Riverhead Forest. You basically run as many laps as you can. I am hoping to run at least 8 laps(53.6km) Where is your favourite place to run? I am very fortunate to have Riverhead Forest very close to my home. Riverhead is where it all started for me. What is your best piece of advice to share with mums hitting the trails? Start small, start gently, but most importantly, start for you. Don’t wait until you feel “fit enough” or “skinny enough” or “like a real runner.” None of that matters. You don’t have to look a certain way or run a certain pace to belong out there. Running isn’t about perfection, it’s about giving yourself space to breathe, to think, to feel like you again. The trails don’t judge. They don’t care what you look like, how fast you go, or how often you stop to walk. They simply welcome you. Find a friend who lifts you up, or join a group where mums support each other. Connection makes the journey lighter and so much more meaningful. And remember, your kids don’t care about your pace or your finish time, they care about seeing a mum who is joyful, strong, and showing up for herself. Let them be your cheerleaders, not your pressure. Start where you are, with what you have, and let the rest unfold. The hardest part is lacing up, everything after that is a gift.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jenny very early on in my trail running journey. Being so new to the sport, I was given some great advice that I should link up with a "Running Mum" ( I didn't get what that meant at the time) but it was someone who has been running for a long time, was experienced, wise and could look out for me so I don't get ahead of myself (best advice ever). Because when you first begin, it can be overwhelming, you don't really know where to start, how far to go, and what gear you need. So I was introduced to Jenny and soon enough I was out on the trails with her. She was a wealth of knowledge. This is the great thing about trail running and run clubs, is the people you meet. Everyone is so awesome so happy to share information and learnings with you. Jenny is another well known and friendly face in the trail running community. If you see her out on the trails say hello, she is a great person to run with AND she has very impressive cadence!   How long have you been trail running for?  I have been trail running for nearly 20 years!  What got you into trail running? The first trail event I did was the Total Sport Coastal Challenge back in 2006, rock hopping down all the beaches from Long Bay to Devonport.  It was so much more fun than road running, so I signed up for the Xterra trail Series the next year, also run by Total Sport. That was the start of many great adventures!  My husband also runs trails so it has been a shared passion for many years. What has trail running done for you? Trail running has given me a huge appreciation for the outdoors, has made me braver and more adventurous (and I can say this has spilled over into other aspects of my life), has provided some great friendships over the years, and obviously been a huge boost to my physical and mental health. How many kids do you have? I have two grown-up kids, a son aged 34 and a daughter aged 26, they both have lovely partners, and I have a 2.5-year-old granddaughter.  My 26-year-old daughter also runs, she completed her first marathon last year – I am yet to convert her to trails! Biggest highlight in running so far? It is hard to pick biggest highlight so far, however one that is (relatively) recent is a 60km run I did last year to celebrate my 60th birthday.  It was a run I mapped around the North Shore of Auckland, linking about 12 bush reserves and 9 beaches. I was joined by about 50 people over the course of the day, including 3 others who ran the whole distance. My kids and granddaughter were part of the support crew. It was also a fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation, in memory of my father who died aged 60.  We raised over $8400 and had a big party at the end!  Such a fun day! What's next on your radar in the trail running space? The very big thing on my radar at present is the 100-mile event at the Tarawera Ultra, which I am currently training for. The other thing I am about to take on is a Run Director role at my local parkrun. Parkruns are great for getting families into running, such a great free community-based event.  Volunteering at events is something I enjoy almost as much as running them! Favourite place to run? Naming one favourite place to run is tricky. I have many depending on where I am.  The North Shore trails in Auckland are a go-to. There are some beautiful forests and bush reserves that are relatively unknown and can be linked up for a very decent run.  In the city, the Auckland Domain has some great trails just a short jog from my office. Also I am lucky enough to live near the beach. Love a good low-tide run/rockhopping mission, followed by a swim in summer. Elsewhere in Aotearoa, any of the Wellington trails near the city, so accessible and great views! South Island, too many locations to list! What is your best piece of advice to share with mums hitting the trails? It is so helpful if there is someone in your life who understands and supports you to find the time or to accompany you, whether that is a spouse or partner, or a mate who will join you or share childcare. I was/am very lucky to have a husband who totally gets it and we take it in turns to crew and pace each other for big events, and sometimes even do them together :)  Also find a good tribe to join, a run club or gather a group of mates to hit the trails together.  You can learn so much, from hanging out with others who are doing similar stuff, much as you do when you become a mum and join a parent's group.