Exercise empowers Manurewa Mums

‘‘We’re all buggered, but we’re happy buggered.’’

That’s Melanie Rhodes’ summation of the last six weeks of intense training in the lead-up to the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays walk/run on March 5.

She’s one of the six Manurewa Mums who have been training towards this event along with Raeleen Durham, Cecelia Rhodes, Bridget Duffey, Darnell Waikato and Georgy Smith.

The Manukau Courier has been chronicling the progress of the group for the last month and a half and the most obvious observation is how much happier the group appeared compared to when they had their first 6am session back in January.

Auckland Council trainer Robyn Proffit says over the last six weeks you could actually see them getting ‘‘fitter and fitter, especially half way through [when] their fitness was starting to improve’’.

Because of that, Proffit has had to keep increasing the intensity of the exercises, and she says ‘‘they’re really good’’.

‘‘They’re an amazing bunch of ladies.

‘‘They always turn up and they always support each other,’’ she says.

She’s noticed bonded over time. that they’ve

‘‘You can see all the high-fives, the chatting before class, and even after class, they don’t want to leave.

‘‘This is what it [exercise] is all about,’’ she points out.

Melanie Rhodes has been training five days of the week and says it has changed her life.

‘‘I’m awake more often. The kids are happy.

‘‘We’re not staying up all night and just feeling fat and lazy the next day,’’ she says.

To show her gratitude to the mums for participating, Rhodes gave each one of them a goodie bag and a Superman cape.

Raeleen Durham says it’s been an ‘‘awesome’’ experience.

‘‘I have more energy and more tolerance with my kids. We do boot camps as well.

‘‘I will carry on with the fitness [training],’’ she says.

They now have their eyes on the Waiheke Half Marathon and the Spookers Fun Run.

March 5, 9.30am

Quay Street, along Waitemata harbour to St Heliers Bay.

WHEN: WHERE: DISTANCE: Go to roundthebays.co.nz for more information and to register for this year’s event.

8.4km (run/walk)