Hawkes Bay vet, Rachel Muir, all set to take on her first marathon in Rotorua.

10 August 2022

Veterinarian and avid half marathoner, Rachel Muir, is stepping up the pace this year with the goal to run her first full marathon at this year’s Rotorua Marathon. But it hasn’t been an easy journey to get to where she is today.

The 28-year-old from Hawkes Bay was an active child with a strong love for sport from an early age. Rachel would always give anything a go. She thrived in sports that involved running and had a natural ability, yet her true passion was competitive rhythmic gymnastics. After more than half her young life spent immersed in clubs, ball, hoops, ribbon, and rope; Rachel decided to leave that world behind. Rhythmic gymnastics had been a huge part of her life – and now it was no more. This alongside changing school, friends moving away, and the pressure of moving to senior years at school all led Rachel’s mental health to decline. Aged just 15, she began to struggle with her identity.

“I was so lost. In the space of 5 months, I'd lost half my body weight and developed a very unhealthy relationship with myself. As a result of declining health, I had to take time out of school to get help. I was away from school and home for 4 months that year, then for several shorter periods over the three years that followed” says Rachel.

Rachel Muir taking part in Cape Kidnappers Trail Run

 “It was a really tough few years, not just for me but also for my family as we are very close. Being removed from your friends and family is a really hard thing as a teenager, as they are your world.”

Rachel’s lowest point saw her being physically compromised and bed ridden, with the inability to make decisions for herself.

She recalls being so weak that when she crouched down to tie her shoelaces, she was unable to stand up again unassisted. And that’s when she decided that she had to do something, that she needed to make a change.

“Mental wellness is something you have to work at constantly; something I don't think I realised or society knew at the time when I was receiving help. While physically I had periods of being a lot stronger and able to go back to school, mentally I was still struggling.”

In her final year at university, Rachel started to work on improving her physical and mental health simultaneously – something that she realised would be no easy feat even with support. She engaged with a therapist, a dietician, a personal trainer to improve her strength in a safe and supported way.

“My PT was amazing, as I basically started from scratch with my fitness. She set me up in good stead for developing a solid foundation for training.”

One year later Rachel’s running journey began. She signed up with a running coach and set a goal to run a 10km trail event a few months later. Her training started small, running half a kilometre, then 1km, and gradually increasing distance until reaching the full 10km.

“I remember feeling immense pride after each run when I could add on a little more distance and feel my fitness improve. Completing the 10km event in Rotorua in August 2019 is when the running bug hit me hard. I was in love. After that event, I signed up for the Hawkes Bay half marathon the following May and decided to do this for charity; picking the Mental Health Foundation, as this was a charity very close to my heart.”

Whilst the Covid-19 lockdowns meant the event was postponed, Rachel’s drive and determination was not. She continued to run 21.1km solo and achieved her goal of raising $1000 for charity.

“I finished feeling so empowered to continue pushing myself to see what I could achieve in the sport.”

Almost two years later, Rachel has taken part in countless road and trail races, triathlons, and relay events. Each run reminding her of how far she has come and how resilient her body is.

It’s hard not to feel motivated to tie up your laces and hit the pavement when Rachel talks of her love with the energy and atmosphere at running events.

“Seeing the joy running brings to so many people just for what it is, is something so special. Running doesn't discriminate, that's what I love so much about it” says Rachel.

Equally inspiring is her modesty at sharing her story to help others who may be going through a similar experience.

With 15 halves under her running belt, Rachel now has her sights set on lapping the lake this September in Rotorua and has embraced the challenge of the training for her first 42.2kms.

“I love to research so I have done a fair bit in my spare time to help me understand the training styles and reasoning behind endurance training. This training cycle has challenged me to trust the process and my coach more than ever before.”

As with most runners, Rachel has experienced a couple of setbacks with injury and the juggle to fit in sufficient training alongside everyday life commitments, but she’s looking forward to ticking the Rotorua Marathon off her bucket list.

“Crossing the finish will be an emotional moment; a celebration of the crazy journey that has happened for me to get here. I'm doing it for [my family] and all the people that have helped me get here as well as for myself.”

And whilst Rachel admits her journey of self-acceptance is certainly not linear, that 10 years on she continues to learn things about herself, she is feeling prepared and looking forward to finishing the event feeling strong whilst having heaps of fun. After all running is her happy place.