In a world that often feels rushed and demanding, running has given Shanice balance, clarity and strength – both physically and mentally. Her journey as a runner, club athlete and working professional shows just how powerful fitness can be when it becomes part of everyday life.
For Shanice Peens, running is far more than a form of exercise. It is a constant companion, a coping tool, a source of discipline and joy and a space where she feels most herself.
Roots, work and everyday life
Shanice Peens was born in Edenvale and considers it her true home.
Professionally, Shanice works for BCX as a logistics and warehousing manager. She has been in the industry for almost 10 years, a milestone she reflects on with pride. ‘We’re literally going on 10 years now that I’ve been in my professional career,’ she shares. Her job is demanding, but it has allowed her to support the one thing she loves most. As Shanice puts it simply, ‘My job pays for my running. My job pays for my passion.’
At home, Shanice is married and has no children, although she laughs that she does have kids with four legs. She and her husband share their lives with two dogs, who mean the world to her.
Despite her busy work life, Shanice has always made space for movement, especially running.
A lifelong love for running
Running has been part of Shanice’s life for as long as she can remember. As a child, she took part in cross-country at primary school and athletics in high school. ‘It was always just my favourite form of exercise,’ she says. Even then, she felt drawn to the simplicity and freedom of running.
Like many young adults, Shanice lost a bit of focus on exercise when she went to varsity. ‘Your mind is everywhere else but exercise,’ she explains. But it did not take long for running to call her back.
Over the past two years, running has become even more important, especially since she started racing competitively for Nedbank. Running now shapes her daily routine, her goals and her outlook on life.
For Shanice, running is not only about fitness or competition. It has been her emotional anchor. ‘It’s always been there when everything and anyone isn’t,’ she says. Whether she is going through good times or bad, running has remained constant.
She speaks openly about her struggles with anxiety, especially in her mid-twenties. Running helped her manage it in a way nothing else could. ‘I can say now with confidence that my anxiety is nowhere close to where it used to be. I really do have running to thank for that.’
While she credits her family, friends and husband for their support, Shanice believes running has been the one steady presence.
A home at Nedbank Running Club
Shanice joined the Nedbank Running Club in 2023, although her first introduction to the club came without her even realising it.
After returning from a holiday in the United States, her brother told her about the weekly Tuesday time trials at Flamingo Shopping Centre in Linbro Park. At the time, Shanice was focused on shorter distances, so the 5km suited her perfectly.
‘I thought, let me add this to part of my training,’ she says. Only later did she realise the sessions were organised by the Nedbank Running Club. From the start, she felt welcomed. ‘It was just friendliness throughout,’ she recalls. ‘It wasn’t, ‘Can you run or can’t you run?’ It was, ‘Come join us, come have fun.’
Soon, Shanice became more involved, joining Thursday hill and speed sessions and Saturday club runs, which often ended with coffee and conversation. ‘It really just invited people to come out of their shells and socialise,’ she says. For Shanice, it did exactly that.
Her decision to officially join Nedbank came after running her first 10km race in 2022 at the Nedbank race hosted at Modderfontein. She surprised herself with her performance and began to consider competitive road running again.
A club for everyone
Shanice speaks passionately about the inclusive nature of the Nedbank Running Club. Whether someone is an elite athlete, a beginner, a walker or someone who has never run before, she believes there is a place for them. ‘It’s not really only about your elites,’ she explains. ‘I want to say 80% of it is more for the fun side of running.’
The club celebrates progress at every level. ‘Whether you’ve personal best (PB) by one second or ten seconds, we celebrate each other,’ Shanice says. ‘I’ve not once felt unwelcome with Nedbank.’
Founded in 2008, the Nedbank Running Club has grown into one of the largest road-running communities in South Africa, with branches across the country.
The Nedbank Running Club Central Gauteng branch offers a well-structured yet welcoming training environment, with weekly runs taking place at locations such as Modderfontein and Sandton, allowing members the flexibility to train together across different areas. Members also benefit from practical extras such as gazebo support at races, refreshments, and discounted licence arrangements. Weekly sessions include Tuesday time trials at Flamingo at 5.15pm, Wednesday time trials at Poplar Park at 5.20pm, Thursday hill and speed sessions at Flamingo at 5.15pm and Saturday morning club runs at 6am, hosted at various locations around Edenvale, Modderfontein and Bedfordview.
For more information, runners can contact the club at info@nedbankrunningclubcg.co.za
Her coach, Marco, has played a key role in her development. Through him and the club, she learned that not every run should be hard. ‘There is such a thing as slow runs,’ she says. She also gained knowledge about nutrition, recovery, stretching and injury prevention.
‘There were a lot of things I didn’t know until I joined Nedbank,’ Shanice highlights. Today, stretching and foam rolling are non-negotiable. ‘I actually panic if I forget to stretch,’ she says.
Race-day support is another powerful part of the club experience. “There is nothing better than hearing your friends screaming your name.” Even in her darkest race moments, that support has pushed her forward.
Facing setbacks and doubt
Like every runner, Shanice has faced challenges. One of her toughest moments came during the Drakensberg Half Marathon two years ago. Carrying a niggle behind her knee, she ignored the warning signs. ‘It was my fault,’ she admits.
During the race, the pain forced her into a walk-run finish, and the disappointment hit hard. ‘There are photos of me crying, but with help from my coach and sports therapist, I learned the importance of listening to my body.’
Her first marathon also brought emotional highs and lows. After missing the Cape Town Marathon, she leaned on her club for support. Later, during another marathon attempt, she hit a wall at 27 km. ‘I remember feeling so deflated,’ she says.
Fitness at every age
Shanice believes fitness is important at any stage of life. ‘If you want to live a long life, health and fitness will prolong it,’ she says. But for her, quality of life matters most. Being able to move, travel, play with children and stay independent are all reasons she values fitness.
She also highlights the mental benefits. ‘It helps with your mental health at the end of the day,’ she says. For Shanice, that impact has been life-changing.
For those who want to get fit but feel unsure, Shanice’s advice is: ‘Start easy, nothing extreme,’ she says. Knowledge, discipline and consistency matter more than quick fixes. ‘It’s about lifestyle,’ she explains, not strict diets or short-term plans.
Support also makes a difference. ‘Have a support system because it does help at the end of the day,’ she says. ‘I wouldn’t be where I am today as a runner if it were not for Nedbank, my family and my husband, who has been my rock throughout.’
Looking to the future, Shanice hopes to take on another marathon one day. For now, her main focus is getting stronger over shorter distances. The half-marathon remains her favourite, and she has a clear goal in mind. She is determined to achieve it.
Text: DESNAY PETERSON. Photo: LOUISE GROENEWALD
