Laima Wayne

“Running gives me a sense of freedom and a lot of energy.”

AGE 65

Night nurse, grandmother, marathon runner

“I started running at 48 and ran my first marathon that same year. When I started, I thought my lungs would burst, but I persevered.

“I found a local running group. They ran through the bush, which I loved, and it became very addictive. We would run for a couple of hours and then sit down in the bush with a Thermos of coffee and chat.

“In my 50s, I started doing 100km runs. My friends said I was fanatical. My favourite was the Oxfam Trailwalker, which raised money for charity.

I did several of those with a women’s running group. Then we did a 45km mountain race. I got stronger and stronger, and there was this sense of adventure, which I loved. Running with the girls, there was also social interaction and all these lovely challenges.

“As I approached my 60s, friends started asking why I was still doing this and I said, ‘Why not?’ I feel that a strong body gives me a strong mind. Running gives me a sense of freedom and a lot of energy. I sleep well, my body functions well, my blood tests are all normal, my blood pressure is normal and it gives me a very positive attitude.

“I’m mindful of the risk of injury as I get older. I do change my shoes often and I don’t run long distances on pavement. My longer runs are always in the bush. I also mix up my exercise a bit. I do yoga stretches and boxing, ride my bike, swim in the ocean and have regular massages to iron out the tight muscles that even the stretches don’t get to. I also watch what I eat and drink – an active body needs a nourishing diet.”