Archives for September 2014

Meet a Mover Monday – Cassie

OperationMove · September 29, 2014 · 3 Comments

Welcome to Meet a Mover Monday! Everyone has a story, and each week we will introduce you to one of our OpMovers so you can learn a little bit about theirs. We are all at different stages of our journeys, but we all started in the same place. This week, say hi to Cassie.

Who are you?

Cassie, aka The Flying Drunken Monkey. A newbie runner, mother of 2, wife of a never-home chef, blog writer, anxiety sufferer, housework procrastinator.

When did you start running and why?

I originally started running just after my daughter Lily turned one. I downloaded the Ease into 5k app, purchased some runners and went for it. I think I got up to about week 3 before I gave up. Then I got pregnant again, was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, and knew I’d have to start doing some sort of exercise. I’ve always wanted to be the type of person that just “pops out for a run”, even though I’ve never been remotely athletic. I was sort of person who came last in all the athletic carnivals and cross countries and didn’t even attend the swimming carnivals if it wasn’t compulsory.

So at the very end of January this year I dusted off my shoes, re-downloaded the app and tried again. Originally I was driving to Sydney Park to run but eventually I decided to give running around my local streets a go. It’s not ideal (the footpaths are pretty shocking!) but it’s much easier as I have to run in the morning before Mr Monkey goes to work.

What is your favourite distance?

Any that doesn’t make me feel like I’m dying! At the moment I’m doing around 4-6km on a tempo or long run (as part of the Fast and Far course) and it’s not too bad, if everything is going well.

Top 3 must have gear

1. Good shoes – I wear ASICs
2. Good music – I can’t bear to think while I’m running or I give up!
3. Good tech – I’d love a Garmin watch but for the moment I’m loving my iPhone and Strava and Runkeeper

Fave post run fuel?

Coffee and carbs!

What do you listen to when you run?

I have a playlist set up with songs that match the BPM for my pace. I need to change the songs as I’m getting a bit faster but at the moment there is a mix of Basement Jaxx, Lily Allen, Robyn, Michael Buble, Michael Franti and Spearhead, The Beach Boys, Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas, Crowded House, Coldplay and John Butler Trio. Fairly eclectic!

Tech lover or naked runner?

Tech, tech and more tech! Seriously, I love seeing how much my pace improves and Lily loves to see the map of where I ran.

Words of wisdom to new runners?

Don’t compare yourself to others! It’s hard not to and I struggle with it a lot but you really need to just focus on yourself and what you’re achieving. I’m in awe of Zoey and her marathon running, which can sometimes make my 4km at

7:50min/km seem SO slow! But I need to remember that only at the beginning of this year I could barely run for 60 seconds straight, let alone 4km!

I am most proud of…

Running the Cooks River Fun Run 5km back in June even though I hadn’t recovered from tonsillitis and hadn’t run in about 3 weeks. Sure I walked more than I ran and I came last at 43 minutes but I finished it. Ever since then Lily’s favourite game is “running races” so I know I’m a great role model for her and I couldn’t be prouder.

Meet a Mover Monday – Jess

OperationMove · September 22, 2014 · Leave a Comment

This week, say hi to Jess.

Who are you?

I’m Jess. Formerly tattoomummy, now just Jess at MishMash Jess. Mum to Dexter 5, Dolores 3. I work full time, I *try* to grow my own veggies but apparently the snails reap the most benefit of that and my chickens don’t do anything to stop them.

When did you start running and why?

I started running about 4 months ago when I signed up for the LTR course with my sister. She is living in Canada (Hi Maddi!) and was my training buddy. I missed my training buddy so I suggested we did it together.

Although I did the course, running still isn’t my favourite thing to do. And that is okay. I kinda volunteered for the Meet a Mover because although I can run, and I do now, I do it every gym session before weights, weights are my favourite. And I think people need to know that Operation Move isn’t just about running (Although Zoey and Kate are always saying it isn’t).

What is your favourite distance?

I don’t really have a favourite distance. I guess on a bike my favourite distance is the ride into town and back. Running, it is the distance it takes me to clear my head.

My favourite “day”varies. As I get strength back after 5 months off, back is pretty great, but I’m still a lot weaker than I was. Leg day is always the one I love and hate equally. And deadlifts are the best.

Top 3 must have gear

Phone for music. Usually I listen to Turisas because Battle metal makes me feel like I’m leading an army so I have to work really hard or I’ll let them down.

Fave post run fuel?

Banana or WPI protein shake

What do you listen to when you run?

It varies. sometimes something with a good beat, like any Tiger Army, sometimes 90’s pop mix on Pandora, sometimes battle metal as mentioned above.

Tech lover or naked runner?

Tech – I like knowing what I’m doing

Words of wisdom to new runners?

You’ve had lots of wisdom for new runners, so I might give some wisdom for women who want to lift weights (how’s that for alliteration) Don’t be scared. It can be super intimidating walking into what I affectionately call “The Testosterone Zone” at the gym. The guys are all grunty and sweaty and sometimes scary looking. But generally, they’re nice and helpful.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Book a PT and get them to show you the right technique. Weights is SO rewarding because every week you can put a little bit more weight on the bar. Every week, you’re doing something that you couldn’t last week. And you get to know just how powerful, strong and amazing your body can really be.

If your gym has GRIT classes, they’re a pretty good place to start, same with crossfit classes, but make sure the instructor is qualified. Also, weights continue to burn calories long after you’ve finished.

I am most proud of…

Last year I did a challenge and lost 11% body fat om 10 weeks. I put it back on but I know I can get back there because I’ve done it before, so my current goal is to get back there. I guess I’m proud that I’m on my own inspiration board.

That and my little sister. I’m so proud of her it isn’t funny. She is super amazing, she lost about 30kg in 6 months. One day she just decided “Nope, this fat person isn’t me” and did something about it. I am proud of her.

Meet a Mover Monday – Meisha

OperationMove · September 15, 2014 · 2 Comments

This week, say hi to Meisha.

Who are you?

Meisha – 38 years old (40 next year! eek!), I am originally from country SA but I currently live in Melbourne. I am married and have 2 young kids. I love to listen to music, eat yummy stuff, watch dvd box sets and travel. I work part time as a Financial Controller. I have signed up to run my first half marathon as part of the Melbourne Marathon Festival in October this year.When did you start running and why?

When my kids were 1 and 3 I really wanted to shift some weight and get fit but was having trouble fitting in gym classes, especially as I was living without any family around me at the time. I was living in the UK and watching the Olympics on the TV and felt really inspired by the athletes, and thought that perhaps if I could learn to run it would be great.

I’d always played team sports as a kid and in my 20s but hadn’t done anything other than Pilates and walking since then. Not long after I returned to Australia to live, and my friend Lee hooked me up with Operation Move. That’s when I learnt to run! I totally fell in love with it – I lost the weight but now I don’t really worry about my weight, my goals are around improving my speed, endurance and strength.

What is your favourite distance?

I’m still working up to longer distances at the moment, so my answer to this may change in a few months, but I really love 10km, and I have done a 14km as well which I really enjoyed. I always find the first few kms quite hard and then after that I find my rhythm and enjoy myself a lot more.

Top 3 must have gear:

A hat or headband to keep my hair out of my eyes.

Spibelt if I am carrying my phone and/or keys

Good sports bra – I have a great 2XU one and also a Triumph Triaction bra. You don’t have to have big knockers to need a good sports bra 😉

Fave post run fuel?

Nippys chocolate milk (not sponsored, but open to offers) straight away, then after my shower I love French toast with berries and maple syrup. Or if its dinner time my husband will have cooked me something yummy with chicken.

What do you listen to when you run?

Huge variation of genres! Anything that fires me up, or makes me sing and dance. Latest addition to the playlist is some classic Duran Duran, but also partial to Rage Against the Machine and The Chemical Brothers. I really really love listening to music when I run!!!!

Tech lover or naked runner?

If it hasn’t been recorded on the Garmin it pretty much didn’t happen. GEEK. And love my ipod shuffle.

Words of wisdom to new runners?

Take it slow at the start and don’t compare yourself to others. Be consistent and patient and you’ll be rewarded.I wish I could…….

Not have bunions. Without surgery I may be limited in the distances that I can run and that makes me sad.

I am most proud of…

How I have stuck to running and been so determined and consistent with my training. The old me from 10 years ago would have given up after not seeing results immediately. I partly have Operation Move and my husband to thank for that, but at the end of the day I make it happen.

Meet a Mover Monday – Genevieve

OperationMove · September 8, 2014 · Leave a Comment

This week, say hi to Genevieve.

Who are you?

I’m Genevieve. Currently in Perth but originally from Melbourne. I’ve just turned 30 and swing dance in my spare time.

When did you start running and why?

I started running at the start of 2013. I had just moved to Perth and wanted something to do that was healthy and gave me goals.

What is your favourite distance?

Hmmm good one. I quite like a good 12km

Top 3 must have gear:

1. SPI belt for keys, tissues (My nose joins me in running), jelly beans, etc

2. Good socks. I cannot stress enough the difference between wearing a good pair of socks and a bad one. I’m not talking brands and expensive socks though. For me, good = new and bad = old and the wrong style (I like something just bigger than the little ankle socks)

3. My Pebble watch – I can link this to my phone and have both runkeeper and music controls on my wrist.

Fave post run fuel?

I’ll have a banana within 30 minutes and eggs when I get home

What do you listen to when you run?

My first song always always always has to be ‘Maniac’ from Flashdance. The Turners’ ‘Proud Mary’ is another good one. Anything that has a good pace and makes me forget the hard work is good.

Tech lover or naked runner?

Tech me up all the way.

Words of wisdom to new runners?

You can do more than you think you can. You just have to tell your mind that sometimes. Even if you’re not the fastest out there, you’re still ahead of everyone who decided to stay in bed or on the couch that day.

I wish I could……

be better at hills

I am most proud of…

having gone from my first 5km, through my first (and second) 12km, to my first half marathon and finally Tough Mudder in the space of eight months (Feb-Oct 2013). AND getting a thumbs-up pic at every event!

Isn’t it time you stopped being at war with yourself?

OperationMove · September 5, 2014 · 8 Comments

Life is too short, too precious, too arbitrary, too fleeting for you to spend one more minute, one more second at war with yourself. You know what I’m talking about.

When you look in the mirror and think ‘If I was just . . .’ Or when you debate in your head for twenty minutes about that really nice looking piece of pie. Or when you think to yourself ‘I should . . .’ Or when you talk to yourself like you don’t even like who you are, like you would never talk to anyone else.

How much time will you waste in this war with yourself? How many moments will you sacrifice to it? And when you get to the end of it, is it even justifiable?

Three years ago, I was so deeply uncomfortable with myself and with the way I looked. But if I could go back now and talk to that person I would tell her you don’t need to diet and exercise, you need to eat and move. Because all the joy, self confidence and freedom will come from allowing your body to do what it was born to do. Running isn’t a punishment for my body, it’s a celebration of everything it is capable of. I would tell myself back then that once you see what your body is capable of doing, it will be impossible for you to think one critical thought about it, no matter what it looks like.

To the outside, it might look like my body changed and so I changed how I felt about myself. But that is just untrue. It’s backwards. I changed how I felt about my body and then my life changed.

So when I see women being hard on themselves, their bodies and their achievements its heartbreaking to me. Because I remember what that was like. I remember that person who was so vulnerable and so completely unaware of just how tiny a cage she was building for herself.

If you have had a similar experience to me, it might be time to bust out of that cage, it might be time to love your body for what it can do, it might be time to celebrate that. It might be time to stop being at war with yourself.

If you are ready to start moving more and to stop the war with yourself, you might like our Learn to Run course. Registrations are open now.