Archives for 2014

Meet a Mover Monday – Sara

OperationMove · November 10, 2014 · 7 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 Sara.

Hi, I’m Sara, I’m a 32 year old wife, mother of 1 (3 year old Worm) and a full time working banker.

I tend to have so many balls up in the air that describing who I am is honestly the most difficult question to ask. I am a runner, I am a triathlete, I am a mother and I am a friend.

When did you start running and why?

I started running many many years ago, I always remember running a little bit, but more seriously about 5 years ago, when I decided I was going to lose weight, and get fit. I was horrified at the photos taken of myself in a bikini on my honeymoon, and immediately knew that I needed to change something if I wanted to bring a family into this world.

Since then I have entered many half marathons, countless 10 & 5 km events, and I’ve even completed a couple of half ironman triathlons.

I have enjoyed pushing my daughter in her pram (I restarted running when Worm was 6 weeks old, so she & I have done many runs together) and I have enjoyed running solo – Running is my time.

What is your favourite distance?

I LOVE the half marathon distance, I’ve done 3 half’s and a couple more as part of triathlons. I probably call myself more a triathlete than a runner though, the art of juggling 3 sports, with work, and children is the challenge. I love racing. I don’t love training!

Top 3 must have gear?

Sports BRA – like a mega supportive my girls will NEVER move when I’m wearing type bra. My long term favourite is the Berlei ProElite underwire crop. It’s supportive, plus can be worn as a bikini top if you chose to strip off at the beach.

Good Shoes – don’t skimp on the footwear, whatever you chose to go with I highly recommend going to a specialist running store and getting fitted propertly. Leave the kids with someone else as the fitting will take 30-60mins and wear your sports bra as you will be running on a treadmill & seeing how the shoes feel in action, not just the colour!

Fave run post fuel?

I don’t have any kind of post workout routine – I am usually handed the Worm after a race, and if I get 5 minutes of stretching I’ll be happy. I drink water like I’m a fish, and tend to stick to basic electrolytes like Endura or Hyrdalyte on hot days when I’ve sweated a lot.

What do you listen to when you run?

I honestly don’t know… it changes so frequently, I like the Ministry of Sound Running Trax, but a good podcast can also help the kilometres go by. Because I do a lot on my treadmill I love The Sufferfest running video workouts – great music, video footage of amazing races and a structured workout (they don’t lie – the workouts are a true sufferefest!).

Tech lover or naked runner?

I go through stages…. I’ve been naked for the past few months whilst I’ve been between coaches, just exercising for myself, but I did get my Garmin out for my triathlon on the weekend. So I think I’m headed more into techno land again, just to have the information to analyse each workout.

Words of wisdom to new runners?

A run is a run

A jog is a run

A shuffle is a run

Don’t get caught up on the speed, slow it down and focus on keeping the running action going.

ALSO – you can’t compare yourself to others, everyone started with that first few kilometres of struggle, so be proud of every step you take, as each one is setting you up for the next and the next.

I am most proud of…

I’m really proud of getting the CQ Spin Sisters going in Rockhampton when we lived up there & also getting ParkRun off the ground where I live now in Murray Bridge. I embrace most opportunities to set a good example for busy women to get active and I believe I show them that it’s okay to prioritise YOU time along with family and work commitments.

If you’d like to share your moving story, please email your answers and a photo that you love to editor@operationmove.com.au

You never know who you might inspire to get moving!

2015 – are you ready to be epic?

OperationMove · November 7, 2014 · 19 Comments

Some people are planners. They need to have a goal in place, a direction to follow, a training plan to work with.

I am one of those people. In the past, I’ve been one of those people almost to the point of it being unhealthy, and I am re-learning that spontaneity can be really fun too at the moment.

But some goals take more planning than others, and when it comes to bringing the team together we know that the more notice we can give you all, the better the chances that we will get to catch up with you at an event!

And so with that in mind, we’d love to share with you the planned team events for 2015.

Of course many OpMovers will be running in many events over the year, but these are the three where we plan on having most if not all of the exec team present, and we will be organising social catch ups and carb loading events the day prior to race day. So even if you are not a runner now, you can pop the dates in your diary and look at joining Learn to Run and taking part in a 5k perhaps? Or set yourself a heftier target then plan to join our Far and Fast monthly subscription for a personalised training plan to help get you there maybe? Or even just make sure you are free to come along and take the opportunity to meet some Movers, and cheerlead those out on the course on event day.

So grab your calendar and make sure to save the following dates!

May 16 – 17 – Great Ocean Road

Yep, we are heading back to the beautiful bay to head up hills and around bends and enjoy the amazing scenery of this run. The weekend includes many various race distance options so there is absolutely something for everyone.

Our exec team have registered for the full marathon, which we intend to treat as a long slow run (because HILLS) so if you see reference to the ‘picnic marathon’ or #phwooar15 then that is what we are talking about. Anyone keen to join us is welcome, we will NOT be racing this one.

The half is a beautiful run as well, and there are 14 and 6km race options available as well as a 1.5km kids run.

July 4 – 5 Gold Coast

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is known to be one of the fastest and flattest in the country, plus it is on the GOLD COAST so for those of us who are feeling the chill in the southern states by July, a weekend escape to the sun seems like a great idea right?

Offering a marathon, half marathon, 10 an 5.7km races as well as a kids run, this weekend again gives everyone a chance to be involved no matter how new (or not new) a runner they are.

Mid October (dates TBC) – Melbourne

Back to where it all began, the Melbourne Marathon weekend is a key event in the OpMove calendar and we hope next year to see even more of you running across the many distances on offer.

We had SUCH a great time this year, and it is sure to be a fantastic event once again next year. Stay tuned for details as they are released.

Oh and I mentioned during the week that there was one great big audacious thing that Zoey and I are doing too, didn’t I?

Yes. Yes we did.

On May 31st, along with the gorgeous Jo E, Zoey and I will be running 90kms uphill in South Africa. As you do.

Because if you are going to take it to the next level, you may as well do it properly right?

Surprise!

So your turn! What are your goals and dreams for the new year? Will we be catching up with you at any events?

Learn to Run – Suzi’s Story

OperationMove · November 5, 2014 · 2 Comments

Lots of people have asked me why I need to learn to run and why would I pay to do it? It’s a good question really, I mean don’t you just go out and run?

Well for some people it is that simple, but not for me.

I used to run in high school and loved it, but it dropped away as priority. In the last couple of years I had a few attempts at the C25k program, but it always stalled after a few weeks due to illness, work commitments or just general lack of motivation. I really wanted to get back into running and I wanted this time to be different so I was excited when I saw the Learn To Run program come up with Operation Move. Kate and Zoey were promising support, coaching and a group to do it with, it seemed exactly what I needed.

So on the 1^st June this year I joined the June Learn to Run group. I was pretty scared, not just about the running but about actually participating. I had been pretty happy hanging around the extremities of the Operation Move Community, watching everyone else, and absorbing it all but never joining in. I wasn’t really sure if I was ready to actually do anything.

What I found was amazing.

Kate and Zoey gave me a great running program but more importantly they were there whenever I had a question, they were there to give me a kick out the door if I needed it and they were there when things weren’t going so well with words of wisdom.

What I didn’t expect to get out of doing the LTR program was the amazing support from the other women in the group. We started off as strangers, but we shared the journey together, the ups and the downs. It was reassuring knowing that there were other women all at the same stage, all doing the same program. We shared our runs, supported each other during sickness and injury, checked in on each other when things weren’t going well and celebrated the achievements. These are women who I now call my friends. With the program finished we still pop into our private online group and check in. We are there to support each other through sickness, injury, crap runs and personal issues. Without them I would not still be running.

Now 5 months after starting I am running 5kms. That first 5km was awesome and there was a lot of happy dancing around the kitchen afterwards. I am feeling stronger both physically and mentally. I love what my body can do now and I love that running is part of who I am. You see the LTR program isn’t just a 10week program that ends, it’s a stepping stone. A chance to get your body moving, to teach your mind that it can achieve what you thought impossible and to making moving part of your life.

It is your turn!

If you’ve never believed you could run, if you haven’t known where to start, if you have started a C25K but never gotten past week 3, or if you just want the chance to learn and be supported in a safe, private online environment, then you might love the Operation Move Learn to Run program.

What are you waiting for?

Pram Running – Top tips to keep you moving with baby on board.

OperationMove · October 29, 2014 · 1 Comment

Running with a pram is not as simple as popping bub in your stroller, tying up your runners and heading out. There are a few things to consider that will help make the whole experience so much more enjoyable for everyone involved, as well as making it more likely that you will be able to keep going without injury.

General advice when considering running with a baby in a pram indicates that it’s not a great idea before bub has excellent head control, usually about the six month mark. Up until then walking is recommended.

You don’t need a fancy running pram to start clocking up the kilometres. I started running with a twelve year old Bertini which I was lucky to inherit from my older sister. It is a fabulous pram and reasonably easy to push, given its weight. Having since been blessed with a Bob Ironman (the Rolls Royce of running prams) I would recommend that if possible you lock the front wheel(s) in a straight position. This will take some getting used to but in the long term makes running so much easier, not having to worry about steering adjustments as you go.

Please be safe. If you run on hills and have a safety wrist strap, use it. No one wants to see a runaway stroller on the road. If you don’t have a safety strap you may want to consider staying away from hills when running with the pram. And always strap your little mate in. I’d hate to imagine what damage a toddler could do, climbing out of the pram when you’re running at speed, or even just reaching out and getting fingers caught in the spokes.

My other hot tips for running with a pram, in no particular order:

* Make sure your passenger is happy:

Miss J was only six months old when I started running again. I tried to time my runs to coincide with her naps as she didn’t really love the pram at all to start with. Otherwise I found myself trying to puff out verses of ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ in between intervals or worst case, carrying her and walking home, while still having to push the pram! As they get older toys, books, snacks and drinks all make it more enjoyable for your passenger. And don’t forget to be sun safe. A good sun shade also doubles as a fly and mosquito net.

482200_10151598658652784_1550509366_n — Happy Passenger!

* Maintain your running form:

My mantra when running with the pram is ‘Head up, shoulders back, don’t lean on the handlebar’. Don’t forget to swap hands regularly to avoid getting unbalanced, I often run fifty paces then swap. This also helps distract me on days when I’m just not feeling it. Really try and concentrate on running as normally as possible, except for the hand pushing the pram. For example, don’t swing your free arm across your body, keep it going front to back and keep an eye on how your foot strikes the ground. Don’t lean forward. On flat ground you should be able to push the pram with minimal effort, don’t grip the handlebar and just push with the palm of your hand.

9A98B74F-865E-4628-A00E-1ECF795EDC84 — Good form. This is not what it looks like 😉

*Maintain your pram:

Check your tyre pressure regularly and keep everything according to your manufacturer’s guidelines. Treat your pram as you would a bicycle. This will make sure your passenger stays safe and make pushing the pram that much easier for you.

MickisIphonetoOct2014 1720 — Make sure you have a pump on board in case of emergencies.

*Adjust your expectations:

Don’t forget you are working with additional resistance compared to solo running. Depending on your model of pram and how big your passenger is and whether you have one or two on board (!) you could be pushing an extra 40kg or more! Allow for this when looking at your pace and don’t be disappointed in your times. I went from a 28min/5km when running solo to 40 minutes for the same distance and that was on a good day! You will notice the difference when you do get a solo run though, you will feel like you are absolutely flying.

39B492B5-CD0B-4D76-8BF2-9CB93541DF31 — Be proud of your pram running efforts!

*Don’t try to get in a super long run with the pram unless your bub will sleep most of it!

I once tried to do an 18km training run with Miss J on board. The first 9km were fabulous as she slept from about the 2km mark. But then we had to stop for a chat with a passer-by (Runners with prams out on the highway, 15km from the nearest visible house, are often cause for passing motorists to stop out here!). So she woke up. Running 9km home with a babe who hadn’t had enough sleep and was cross was horrid and took twice as long as the first 9km. And three hours in a pram is too long for anyone! Overall I found running with Miss J to be one of the best things I have ever done. She has learnt that running and being active is completely normal and often asks when we’re going running. And pushing the pram means I don’t have have to worry about where to stash my water drink, snacks and phone. They all go in the pram console!

What pram running tips would you add? I’m looking forward to learning to run with two on board the pram early next year, have you got any suggestions for making that leap?

My Half Marathon

OperationMove · October 27, 2014 · 10 Comments

13 days ago I ran the Melbourne Marathon Festival Half Marathon. I’m still pretty in awe of myself! Someone suggested to me in June last year that I could run a half marathon and it seemed like such a hilarious and unrealistic idea. But it didn’t take long for it to become an achievable goal for me.

There are a few angles I could take when writing about this – I could focus on what I had to overcome; the 3 months off running to rest and rehabilitate my feet, the daily exercises set by my physio, the wondering whether a half marathon would even be physically possible for my body. I could focus on my training plan; I mostly devised it myself and it wasn’t that great, and there were many runs missed due to minor injuries/niggles, school holidays and sick children, and a bout of the flu. I could focus on the people who helped and inspired me; but to be honest there are too many.

Every time I start typing I realise in order to recognise everyone, I need another 1000 words. So I’ll just keep it old school and write about the event itself.

I was super excited the morning of the event but also quite nervous and a little bit emotional. I lined up at the start line with some of the OpMove team – Lee, Emily and Nikki; my aim was to try to keep up with Lee, who was aiming for a 2.10 finish time. It was an ambitious goal for me to go that fast but I figured I could start out that pace and just take it from there. I was running a distance that was 3kms more than anything I’d previously done, and all my previous long runs had been at an easy pace, so I was really unsure of how I would go.

When the race started it was so busy and crowded that I couldn’t position myself next to Lee, however I could see her up ahead and I kept her in my sights for the first 5 kms or so. Although I wasn’t running flat out I could soon tell that I was running at a pace that wouldn’t be sustainable for me over 21kms. So I let go of my 2.10 dream and just concentrated on keeping myself at a realistic but challenging pace. I stopped to refuel with some shot bloks at the 9km mark; it reminded me that I need some practice in this area as it took me over 1 minute to stop, open the packet with sweaty fingers, gobble them down and them gulp down some water afterwards! I was still feeling pretty good at this stage especially having slowed down slightly.

At around the 12km mark it started feeling a lot harder. My feet, legs, hips, even shoulders (what is with that?) were all hurting but I just kept pushing through it. It was also getting quite hot and I felt that perhaps Albert Park Lake was the least shady place on earth.

Running back up St Kilda road after the 15km mark felt extremely hard. I was surprised afterwards to see that I was still doing 6.20/kms at this point because I felt like I was running through quicksand. I tried to distract myself by watching the full marathoners running alongside us, and being happy that I wasn’t running another 23 kms! There was the odd runner collapsed on the side of the road, being attended to by St Johns. You could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from all the runners as we entered the shady part of St Kilda road.

I slowed to a brief walk at some stage on St Kilda road and it didn’t hurt any less than running so I figured I should keep running, that way it would all be over more quickly. I also stopped for a quick shot blok at the 19km mark, hoping that it would miraculously make my legs stop screaming (I didn’t realise they could do that). Not long after this point while running through Birrarung Marr, I spotted a blonde with an Operation Move top standing next to her bike. I immediately yelled out “Pinky!” and gave her a high five so hard that I was surprised I didn’t knock her over. It really spurred me on and I picked up the pace, I was actually overtaking quite a few people so I was feeling pretty badass.

Then I saw the bloody footbridge looming ahead…at least this year I knew it was coming! Last year it was a most unwelcome surprise. My plan was to power walk up the bridge and run like hell down it.

By the time the momentum of the downhill had subsided, I only had about 500m to go! I knew my husband and son would be waiting alongside the final straight somewhere, and watching out for them was a welcome distraction from the pain in my feet and legs. My toes, oh my poor toes that have caused me so much grief this year, they held up so well all day but they were starting to cramp and curl up in a ball and it took all my focus to keep them straight, just like my physio and I had talked about. Rounding the last bend I saw Kate, Jo, Rachel and Dannielle jumping up and cheering me! Oh those wonderful women. And then just before the finish line I saw my wonderful husband and son …. they’ve supported and encouraged me so much … I ran past them and gave my son the biggest high five ever. They looked so proud.

And then I was done. I was so relieved. I did it. I gave it everything. I did it in 2 hours and 15 minutes. I thought there would be tears but I think I was too exhausted. The tears finally came….right now, as I am typing this, reliving that wonderful day that I worked so hard for.

I couldn’t have done it without my fantastic team at Operation Move – all the advice, encouragement, laughs…running is so much more a team sport than I thought it would be.

And will I ever run another half marathon? Hell yeah!