{"id":24375,"date":"2026-03-02T11:41:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T09:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/?p=24375"},"modified":"2026-03-09T13:09:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T11:09:58","slug":"shanice-peens-finds-clarity-strength-and-joy-through-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/blog\/2026\/03\/02\/shanice-peens-finds-clarity-strength-and-joy-through-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Shanice Peens finds clarity, strength and joy through running"},"content":{"rendered":"
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Roots, work and everyday life<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Shanice Peens was born in Edenvale and considers it her true home.<\/p>\nShanice Peens. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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. \u2018We\u2019re literally going on 10 years now that I\u2019ve been in my professional career,\u2019 she shares. Her job is demanding, but it has allowed her to support the one thing she loves most. As Shanice puts it simply, \u2018My job pays for my running. My job pays for my passion.\u2019<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Despite her busy work life, Shanice has always made space for movement, especially running.<\/p>\n
A lifelong love for running<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Running has been part of Shanice\u2019s 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. \u2018It was always just my favourite form of exercise,\u2019 she says. Even then, she felt drawn to the simplicity and freedom of running.<\/p>\nShanice Peens. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Like many young adults, Shanice lost a bit of focus on exercise when she went to varsity. \u2018Your mind is everywhere else but exercise,\u2019 she explains. But it did not take long for running to call her back.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For Shanice, running is not only about fitness or competition. It has been her emotional anchor. \u2018It\u2019s always been there when everything and anyone isn\u2019t,\u2019 she says. Whether she is going through good times or bad, running has remained constant.<\/p>\n
She speaks openly about her struggles with anxiety, especially in her mid-twenties. Running helped her manage it in a way nothing else could. \u2018I 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.\u2019<\/p>\n
While she credits her family, friends and husband for their support, Shanice believes running has been the one steady presence.<\/p>\n
A home at Nedbank Running Club<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Shanice joined the Nedbank Running Club in 2023, although her first introduction to the club came without her even realising it.<\/p>\nShanice Peens. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u2018I thought, let me add this to part of my training,\u2019 she says. Only later did she realise the sessions were organised by the Nedbank Running Club. From the start, she felt welcomed. \u2018It was just friendliness throughout,\u2019 she recalls. \u2018It wasn\u2019t, \u2018Can you run or can\u2019t you run?\u2019 It was, \u2018Come join us, come have fun.\u2019<\/p>\n
Soon, Shanice became more involved, joining Thursday hill and speed sessions and Saturday club runs, which often ended with coffee and conversation. \u2018It really just invited people to come out of their shells and socialise,\u2019 she says. For Shanice, it did exactly that.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A club for everyone<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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. \u2018It\u2019s not really only about your elites,\u2019 she explains. \u2018I want to say 80% of it is more for the fun side of running.\u2019<\/p>\nShanice Peens. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The club celebrates progress at every level. \u2018Whether you\u2019ve personal best (PB) by one second or ten seconds, we celebrate each other,\u2019 Shanice says. \u2018I\u2019ve not once felt unwelcome with Nedbank.\u2019<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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