"When the going gets tough, I just keep going."
South Otago shearing contractor Sarah Murray will give it her all as she leads a team of tough southern women into a gruelling multi-day expedition adventure race from tomorrow.
Mrs Murray, her sister-in-law Carla Murray, friend Michelle Rochford, all of Lawrence, and friend Natalie Harrex, of Kaka Point, will compete as a team in Godzone Pursuit in Marlborough for up to eight days.
The squad, Team Merrell Spring Challenge, would be given a map of a 600km course and need to reach a series of checkpoints by disciplines including trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and packrafting.
A nervous excitement had been growing as the event got closer, Sarah said.
She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021.
The autoimmune disease had not weakened her spirit or her love for adventure racing
"If you really love it and you can do it, keep at it."
She never dwelled on her diagnosis and stayed focused on the sport, which was an active reminder she was alive.
"I tell myself everyday ‘hey, I’m not dying’.
"I show up and will continue to show up."
Before the diagnosis, she put a tingling and numbness in her hands, feet and torso, down to a mix of spending too much time on her mountain bike and possible dehydration.
"I knew something was going on, but I tried to shake it off."
The diagnosis was a shock to the mother of three boys, who thought she was fit and healthy.
Exercise helped her stay mobile and navigate any feelings of doubt, and helped her to remain motivated and determined.
She listened to her body more since being diagnosed, but was able to ignore pain and fatigue when necessary.
"That’s why I enjoy adventure racing, because you have to tap into a certain mindset."
Life would be harder if she stopped moving forward when the going got tough, she said.
"I zone-out and focus on the goal and doing it for myself and my family.
"I find a different level and I just go there."
She and her husband Daniel Murray own and operate South West Shearing, working in a team of up to 50 shearers and woolhandlers.
Each team member had their own strengths and weaknesses and were able to adjust when necessary.
"We will give it our all until we finish."
The team’s goal was to finish the race, enjoy it and remain friends at the end.
"We just want to have a bloody good race."
The team’s Godzone entry fee was paid for by Jodie and Nathan Fa’avae, the founders of women’s adventure race Spring Challenge.
Mr Fa’avae described the team as a "tough group of women".
