Weightlifting is my jam. I fell into it accidentally via CrossFit, my first Weightlifting competition was in Nov 2012. While the technical difficulty of the lifts is frustrating,, the feeling of nailing a lift is second to none. Add in the bonus strength gains and empowerment = a new passion and sport that fits into my work-life. In 2015 battling work related elbow tendonitis, I gave up crossfit and dived 100% into Olympic Weightlifting.
Nov 2019, my ability to lift was taken away by a surprise back injury - herniated disc (Too much to go into for this blog post, but I was saved by the covid lockdowns and posted about my journey on my work (Capital Sports Massage) social media to stay connected and help others while I was doing my bit by not working).
As a result of my back injury, I had a foot drop in my left foot which I called Susan (Lazy). Great I thought, I don’t like running anyway, so even more of a reason not to run. For a while even long walks or steep hikes was a lot for Susan, but I tried to push both our limits often. In the August 2021 lockdown, I was able to like 2020 train at home, but I was missing the intensity I could get from riding the exercise bike or the rower. I decided to run 5km, no easing into it just go run 5km even though the last time you ran 5km was a Park Run in early August 2018. I did it 7 times before the gyms reopened and I decided it was too hot to run (2nd of Nov). Early September 2022 while on holidays in QLD I decided to do the park run, to check out the community and surprisingly managed to finish in just under 30 mins (pretty pleased with myself once I recovered).
On the 28th of September after some encouragement from Benny A, I joined the R4R crew at the Kingston Foreshore with my friend Andrew with a goal of running 6km. The furthest either of us have run and I feel we helped each other equally go the full distance without stopping. On Wednesday I went for my 3rd run and 1st time without Andrew, I wasn’t sure how I’d go. I decided to put on a podcast and just go with it and surprisingly ran my fastest 6km yet. My plan is to go every week, unless it rains because I’m not that committed to running; infact I still don’t consider myself a runner. I don’t enjoy running….. YET. I enjoy the feeling when the run is over and I can stop running. I like the mental challenge of pushing myself to do something that I don’t like. You will not hear me finish a run and say “that was fun”, I will more likely say “running is hard” or “do I look like a beetroot or a tomato?” Infact, I don’t think fun and run belong in the same sentence.
So, if I don’t like running why do I do it? Daylight savings, warmer nights and a kick arse vibe from the R4R group is what keeps me coming back. I also think running has been good for Susan who is hanging around ever so slightly.
I think the best exercise is one that you enjoy, because if you enjoy it you’re more likely to do it. I also think that sometimes it’s not the WHAT that’s important but the WHO. But… I also think it’s good to challenge yourself by doing things you don’t like or don’t think you’re good at, I believe it helps build resilience. What do you think?
“Parkrun is not about the running” - a common saying in the parkrun community for a while I didn’t know what it meant. People think running and sport in general is about the physical exercise... it’s not. It’s about the people you do it with, and I’ve simply stopped going to the gym because I have no one to do the sessions with. Running on the other hand, i’ve got loads of friends run with and I’m glad to hear your enjoying the r4r vide. Everyone is awesome, so you’ll fit right in. Keep it up!
Running is dumb, but it’s good, but it sucks, but it’s fun, but it hurts, but it makes you feel good.
I wrote a blog about my love/hate relationship with running just yesterday.
The community aspect of it is awesome. The other great thing about it is you can do it just about anywhere, any time, and all you need is some runners and very basic kit.
I was so fkn anxious at R4R, I still get it these days. And while you mightn’t ever finish a run screaming “that was fun”, I don’t think you’ll ever leave R4R and think “I had a bad time there”. I’m hoping to get to one again soon. I bloody miss it.