I love hearing the stories behind mums who run. This blog series "Inspiration from the trails" has been created to get to know some of our mums in the community. To connect and inspire all trail runners. Today I kick it off on where my journey all started.
How long have you been trail running for?
I started trail running in August 2025. My journey was a bit of a slow start, starting with an achilles injury from playing netball. It really was a blessing in disguise, highlighting some weak areas in my body after having children that I really needed to strengthen. It's really important the work you do away from the trails that will show you where you need improving to make you a better runner.
What got you into trail running?
I work in conservation and our organisation decided to run a half marathon event to raise funds for kiwi. I have watched my partner trail run for the past 5 years and never felt called to do it. When this came up, it felt like a no brainer to support the important work we are doing and to get out and run in nature for fun. Once I started training for it, I loved it and have never really looked back. That event created a purpose for me to do it and I am glad it did as I am not sure I would be running otherwise. Everyone has their "why" and that was mine. After playing sports for many years before having kids, trail running became the new challenge I didn't know I needed.
What has trail running done for you?
One of the biggest things for me is having a stronger purpose to get out and train again. If I am not training for something, training becomes a bit inconsistent with family life. Trail running has connected me with amazing humans, amazing mums and it really has been that energy release of juggling all the things mums do on a day to day basis. Finding active restorative time away from the busyness I'd been craving. It really has brought balance back into my daily routines.
How many kids do you have?
I have 2 girls named Willow and Winter. My eldest is almost 5 and my youngest is 3 years old. They both love running and are my biggest fans.
Biggest highlight in trail running so far?
My biggest highlight was actually in training. A friend and I who is also a mum decided we would go out to do a 21k run. We'd never run that far before, we'd run 15k once. It was kind of a let's just give it a go and see how we go kind of thing without any expectation (listening to our bodies of course). We'd only be running for about a month and it seemed a little out of this world at the time to be doing something like that. We are 100% planners so we had it all planned out, planned out fuelling etc and soon enough it was over before we knew it. We loved it, it was such a moment, such a sense of accomplishment. There was definitely a wave of emotion that came up being a mum and doing something like that. Life is so busy, there never feels like much time to invest in yourself, chase some goals, train etc. It was a proud moment for sure, in that moment knowing and feeling that we are capable of anything. It was good to feel that feeling again. A timely reminder.
What is next on your radar in the trail running space?
My next event is the Ridge Runner on the Coromandel in preparation for my first 50k ultra at Tarawera next year which I am really looking forward to. My intention with mums who trail will be fully focused on supporting mums and creating opportunities for them in the trail running space. It really inspires me seeing other mums trail running as the challenges to get there are just next level.
Favourite place to run?
New Zealand is full of beautiful places to run but I would have to say the Redwood Forest in Rotorua. There is something special about being in the presence of trees hundreds of years older than you, listening to bird song and being under forest canopy. Being deep in nature is very grounding for me.