• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Operation Move

Online Running Coaching

  • About Me
  • Contact me
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Coaching
  • Run Club
  • Personal Plans
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
    • Learn to Run
    • Downloadable Plans
    • My account
    • Cart
    • Checkout

Mobile Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact me
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Coaching
  • Run Club
  • Personal Plans
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
    • Learn to Run
    • Downloadable Plans
    • My account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Meet Bec!

August 24, 2018 //  by OperationMove//  Leave a Comment

0
SHARES
ShareTweet
SubscribePinterestMail

Bec is an active and valued member of Run Club, the Operation Move Community and is a Roller Derby skater. Bec originally shared her story in Run Club and it is reprinted here with her permission.

When I was 7 I found myself on the interschool cross country team (everyone who put their hand up got on the team). I came second last, had a tantrum and pretty much refused to run from that point on. I grew up in a family who didn’t really play sports – brief attempts were made at basketball and dance classes, but I wasn’t instantly good at them, so I lost interest pretty quickly. From the age of 16 I put on a bunch of weight and being active was just not a real priority for me.

Until I found roller derby 8 years ago, just before my 30th birthday. Finally I had a sport that was so awesome that I was willing to push past the fact that I was pretty terrible at it, and just keep trying. Roller derby got me more interested in general fitness and when one of my team mates told me she was going to run a half marathon I just thought she was the best thing ever.

About 6 years ago, I got word of parkrun and that it was starting up in Victoria at Albert Park and I dragged my husband and some colleagues along. Turns out they could all run quite well. But I ran 5km non-stop for the first time that day and even though in those early days of parkrun when there was no walkers I pretty much always had the tail runner hot on my heels, I felt pretty great about getting out there and giving it a go. I dabbled in a couple of other events (a 5km and a 10km) but I never did any running outside of events. Just “going for a run” wasn’t something I did.

5 years ago we moved to Bendigo and there was no parkrun, so that was the end of my emerging running career, until my husband and some other local runners got it going up here. At the start of 2016 I starting pushing a bit harder at parkrun, picking up 5 consecutive PBs in a row. Feeling good, I signed up to do an Ekiden marathon (7 team mates each doing legs to cover the marathon distance) with some of my roller derby team mates, most of us not really being committed runners. We came dead last (by a lot), but had a great time. And it got me thinking that maybe I would like to be able to run 10km.

In July that year my husband and I were in Europe on our honeymoon. In each new city we arrived in, he would get up early and go for a run and get to see a side of the city that was closed off to me. Before we left our final stop in Prague, I had signed up to with Operation Move, with the aim of running 10km at Melbourne Marathon Festival. I had come across the Op Move podcast and been listening to it at the gym and it sounded like the kind of support network I needed. I decided to take some time off roller derby and focus on running instead.

Turns out I had underestimated my abilities – I hit my 10km target in 6 weeks and pushed on to complete 2 x 15km events before the end of the year. In the post-race afterglow of my first 15km event, I entered the ballot for the Berlin Marathon with my husband and his brother. We got in. Suddenly, my 15km needed to be 42.2km. But I had 9 months. I figured if someone can grow a baby in that time, I could run for a few (or a lot) of hours. I ran my first half marathon at Wangaratta in Feb 2017, and whilst I was pushed to my limits that day, I felt like a marathon was not out of reach in 6 month’s time.

A few more half type events through the first half of 2017 taught my some valuable lessons, and at the end of June I was in taper week for Gold Coast half, with my marathon training plan ready to kick off when disaster struck. I rolled my ankle in my driveway at home, tearing ligaments and ending up in a moon boot for a few weeks. Goodbye marathon training. No running for 6 weeks meant that there was no time for me to do the training required to do the marathon, and come September 24th I was standing on the sidelines in Berlin, playing support crew for the rest of my team. I had a great time, seeing some of the best runners in the world and cheering on other Australians, but when I saw the steady stream of 6 hour plus marathoners, I was a little bit heartbroken.

On the positive, I had healed up enough that in every city we visited on that trip I was able to get out and do that early morning run around the city that I had dreamed about last time. I was back on track and refocussed my goals on the half marathon at Melbourne. I ran a PB that day and got to spend some time with more of my Op Move Run Club friends for the first time face to face.

For 2018 I set myself some new goals. I’m playing roller derby again and trying to juggle that with running. My running goal is to complete half a dozen half marathons for the year (Wangaratta, O’Keefe, Gold Coast, Run Melbourne, Shepparton, Melbourne Mara). I don’t really have any time goals, just to be able to run them comfortably and still be able to function afterwards. I want running to keep being a fun thing that helps me celebrate what my body is capable of. So far, I have ticked off the first 4, though an awkward fall at derby training has possibly ruled me out for Shepparton. Have got my fingers (and toes) crossed for a speedy recovery!

I have met such amazing people through running – both through Operation Move and in my local community, and it has helped me to form deeper bonds with people I know through other ways, that are runners too. I get really excited anytime a friend asks me for running advice, when they recognise that even though I’m a back of the pack runner, I still have knowledge to share. It makes me all warm and fuzzy when someone tells me they have decided to give running a go cos they see how happy it makes me. Running has given me confidence and reiterated that I am strong and determined and that hard work delivers rewards.

 

 

0
SHARES
ShareTweet
SubscribePinterestMail

Category: Uncategorized

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Podcast: Episode 125 – “Hey Mama, you seem tired.”

Podcast: Episode 117 – Worthy of the Mountain – Kirsten and the 100km Alpine Challenge

Podcast – Episode 116: How To Break Through Plateaus

Meet Tiffany!

Meet Rebeka!

Podcast: Episode 91 – The terrifying and liberating path of being a beginner

Meet Carla!

Meet Matilda!

Meet Jus!

Meet Jen!

Meet Tania!

Meet Corinne!

Become a Patron!

Previous Post: « Podcast: Episode 85 – Identifying weaknesses to maximise your results
Next Post: Podcast: Episode 86 – A race is just more information, but do you have the right mindset to make use of it? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

Podcast: Episode 139 – How to create a run-specific cross-training plan when you aren’t running

February 12, 2021

Podcast: Episode 138 – Why your running (or new habit) motivation falls off a cliff after 3 weeks (and how to fix it)

January 15, 2021

Podcast: Episode 137 – Creating the bubble and the environment for the change you want in 2021

January 8, 2021

Everything I want you to know about learning to run

December 31, 2020

Footer

On YouTube

«
Prev
1
/
4
Next
»
loading
play
How to create a run-specific cross-training plan when you aren't running
play
Why your running (or new habit) motivation falls off a cliff after 3 weeks (and how to fix it)
play
Creating the bubble and the environment for the change you want in 2021
play
How to build an aerobic base when you are new to running
play
Adductor raises
play
Who starts a training log when they have a stress fracture? ME
play
Ultra Race Romania but in Geurie
play
Plan, Train and Adapt with Nicole Avery
play
How to improve your running with more ownership of your sessions
play
Running in 1 Hour - Maintaining your running fitness in lockdown or when you are just short on time.
play
Resilience for Runners - Hip Release and Activation
play
When different, not more is what makes you better
play
127. The Year of Mini Goals
play
126. Why We Run
play
#123 I've lost fitness, speed and endurance. How do I trust the process in my comeback?
«
Prev
1
/
4
Next
»
loading

 

On instagram

opmove

Running Coach 🏃‍♀️ and Operation Move Podcast 🎙
@runfastergear and @athiaskin ambassador
Transform your Run.
Learn to Run 🏃‍♀️ April 12th

Zoey Dowling || Running Coach
Caught an Osprey in flight today. I’ve been a bi Caught an Osprey in flight today. I’ve been a bit quiet as I get all my ducks in a row. University starts in a couple of weeks, new virtual assistant contract starts now and very soon I’ll start in person sessions in Alstonville on a Tuesday and a Friday morning. 

So it’s a lot. The running has been happening, but less talking about the running 😜

This morning as I ran up to the end of the North Wall there was a killer headwind and rain spitting teeny little rain bullets into my face and I kind of thought about turning around before the end of the wall. 

It seemed silly not to go to the end though. As I turned, some other brave all weather runner smiled at me “NOW we get the easy part”. 

I mean sure it’s a slog, but sooner or later you are flying.
It’s #longrunday snd I had my longest run in abo It’s #longrunday snd I had my longest run in about five months with zero leg niggles 🙌

I shall now celebrate with all the coffee.
Finish line feels! #operationmove #parkrunau Finish line feels! #operationmove #parkrunau
Nothing like running at #parkrun to make that temp Nothing like running at #parkrun to make that tempo run feel about ten times easier. View didn’t hurt either 🙌
The bonus show is up! You can support Operation Mo The bonus show is up! You can support Operation Move on Patreon from $1 per month. All tiers get access to all bonuses, it's a contribute what you can model! 

This week I'm talking a whole lot about my training week and collisions with life 🙂 

{link in bio}
Get the #podcast in your ears this week! I'm talki Get the #podcast in your ears this week! I'm talking about the hierarchy of running-specific cross-training options, how to mix it up so you don't get bored out of your skull and how you can use cross-training even when you are running to help you break through plateaus. 

{podcast in your favourite app or link in bio too}
Considering the idea of 2 x weekly in-person coach Considering the idea of 2 x weekly in-person coached sessions for runners of all levels locally. If you are around Ballina, Alstonville or Lismore or have a sudden burning desire to move here, let me know if you’d be interested. 

#operationmove #northernrivers #runningcommunity
Workouts are cool, but when easy starts to feel a Workouts are cool, but when easy starts to feel a whole lot easier, that’s even better 🙌

Second week back into school being back and starting to find my feet a bit. We have a meal plan for the week, tantrums about socks/hair have drastically reduced and I’m finding it easier to get out the door on time so I don’t feel rushed on my runs. 

I’ll take progress in any form 💜
I always get teased because so many things I say s I always get teased because so many things I say start with ‘I was listening to a podcast’. 

What can I say? Audio is my jam. It’s how I learn best and I absorb it even more when I’m listening and running. Actually a scientific thing to do with your learning centre in the brain going into neurogenesis when you do low level aerobic activity. 

I probably learnt that on a podcast. 

Anyway, I was listening to a podcast which was talking about having the courage to let go of the part of your business that on paper is by far the most lucrative, but is the least sustainable and stopping you from doing the things that matter. 

And I guess there’s something there, because I’m still thinking about it a few days later.  I’ll let my subconscious work on that for awhile longer. 

Anyway today I ran 2km @ 4:34 pace (the pace of my half marathon pb) and after 5 months of injury recovery I needed the reminder that I’m not done yet 💜
My favourite day is #longrunday and today I had a My favourite day is #longrunday and today I had a bit of extra pep in my step thanks to watching the nsw 5k championships last night 😉

Thank you to @athleticsnsw for putting together a great live streamed event that so many people enjoy!
I’m always pretty excited for the post-workout c I’m always pretty excited for the post-workout coffee part of my early mornings, but this is a nice reward too. 

When you are making changes, you’ll often default to outcomes. Look deeper and you’ll find how committing to the process can sustain you. But ultimately, if you want to change you have to find your way to the core: who do you believe you are?  Or who do you want to believe you are? 

Take all the things you want to believe about yourself and find baby steps that make it so.
Your reminder that when you are under a bit of pre Your reminder that when you are under a bit of pressure doing what you can, when you can is great. 

Picking the things that are easy and not hard is great too. 

It was a chocolate on the couch kind of week. 

Be cool with the version of yourself who is able to get out there and do all the things and the version of yourself that doesn’t.
Peak Thursday. This is why our take away night i Peak Thursday. 

This is why our take away night is Thursday, not Friday because that’s the day when you are almost at the end of the week but not quite that you need that extra bit of help, or a nap. Preferably both.
The secret to any good workout is to only worry ab The secret to any good workout is to only worry about how it feels until after it’s done. 

Because until then, you have no idea. How could you? 

That’s where the adventure is.
When often it seems like the rest of the world see When often it seems like the rest of the world sees running or training as a chore, how do you hold on to how you see it? 

It would be easy to let the weight of those perceptions seep into your body, take hold of your mind and behave like they belong there. 

You have to hold the centre. 

You have to nurture that part of yourself that fell in love with it all a long time ago. There were no ‘shoulds’ or ‘have tos’. 

You don’t need time off from happiness. You just have to make sure that you are holding on to the centre of it.
This week is kicking my ass and I know it’s bare This week is kicking my ass and I know it’s barely Tuesday! 

Maybe it’s the high school thing, maybe it’s a particularly heinous period with hormones going crazy, but I’m so teary. I’m not sad, I’m emotional and yay to being old enough to tell the difference I guess?

Anyway because of that I figured maybe nice the runs around, do the easy one and put off the tempo run. And that’s not necessarily a bad idea - sometimes you need that. 

But today I went and ran the tempo- sometimes you need that one thing you can do, without qualification, and hope that it allows you to do other things the same way.
When you have to do a sick bay pickup 30 minutes i When you have to do a sick bay pickup 30 minutes into the school day (she’s okay!)

I’ll get to have a coffee alone tomorrow, right?
Working on my hill legs this week. There are loads Working on my hill legs this week. There are loads of way to challenge your body and pace is only one of them. You get strong on hills, it’s going to show up on the flat too.
Bone injuries tend to be more a problem of under-r Bone injuries tend to be more a problem of under-recovery rattler than over-training. 

So the recovery is the opposite of what got you there: Sleep first, Eat first, Treatment first, Strength first, Mobility first and after all of that only then do you get to run. 

Progress is slow and you have to be patient and trust that your fitness will come Bir from the running, but from the recovery and doing all of those things right. 

It takes time. Yesterday I was laughing that my 2:00 efforts were in fact slower than what I’ve run 21km before. 

But if I look back on that time it’s easy to remember the running and gloss over the hours of strength imbalance work, the fortnightly massages and treatments, the sleep habits or how well I was eating. 

But it’s all of those little things that allow the magic in a run to happen.
I’ve lost track of the amount of times that clot I’ve lost track of the amount of times that clothes have been marketed to me as ‘not having sweat marks’ because our culture is obsessed with women working out, but never looking like they are working out. 

Women sweat. And when they workout, they often look like they are working hard. It’s okay to look like you are working for it. 

It’s not for anyone else, it’s for you.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

As seen in

  • About Me
  • Contact me
  • Sitemap

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Me
  • Contact me
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2021 Operation Move · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme

Try out Run Club! Free for the first 14 Days. Dismiss