First Up My Diagnosis
Lumbar Facet Impingement and Bilateral Iliopsoas Bursitis.
Not a tear in the groin and not the dreaded Osteitis Pubis which I thought may be the case, the good news is it’s manageable, and with a bit of stretching I should be back to normally in potentially six to 12 weeks.
Basically, I’ve got an answer for why my back went kapoot during the Gumbaby via the LFI - which basically causes pain at the nerve root and is probably the leading cause of my back pain.
While the BIB is a secondary injury as a result of the LFI. Because my back is incredibly tight there is dysfunction. This is causing an inflammation of the bursa located beneath the iliopsoas muscle. This muscle is located in front of the hip.
I see my physio again tomorrow, but it means I’ve made the decision not to do the Kowen Marathon as with my current conditioning it will simply cause more harm than good, while it’s frustrating it gives me an opportunity to give back to the community, and I’m excited to announce I’ll be sweeping the Half Marathon next Sunday.
If you’re sitting on the fence with Kowen, early bird closes tonight, get it done and sign up for something, it’s a cracking day out!
World Running Day
It feels really weird to be spending a day like today without lacing up my running shoes and getting out for a couple of kilometres, but I’m following the program, I want to get back to full health and some cheap miles today isn’t going to help the long term cause.
So, today is a rest day, but it allows me to reflect on running and why it’s important to me. It wasn’t for such a long time, and I think a lot of physical education teachers have a lot to answer for after making it a form of punishment in school, or for fitting into our heads the ideals of what a runner should be.
This saw me only use the sport as a necessity for fitness when I was hoping to play in the AFL, rather than embracing the sport for not only its physical benefits, but the mental ones as well.
Normally I’d be lining up at
getting ready to trot out the six kilometres, the group is a perfect example about how being vulnerable and open with your emotions can enrich your life. I’m hoping to get back there soon, but I’m still working out my routine with my early morning starts, but after feeling some knots of nervousness about my new position, I feel I’m starting to settle in, with genuine goals to move those I have responsibility for in the right direction.I was reminded of this when someone in my team resigned this week, they’re going onto something new, it’s exciting for them, but it means the process starts again and someone new will come in, but that’s something I absolutely love, having the opportunity to help others get better, so after facing someone leaving really early on in my new position, this time I’m ready for it, and feel a lot confident about the direction to take.
But that comes through the guidance of mentors and I’m lucky to have one mentor in particular I’m still able to work with, he’s been an absolute blessing, and has taught me more in such a short space of time, I’m fortunate to have that in the running space, so I thought I’d lay out a bit of a thank you to some of the people that have played a really key role in my running life.
Josh Butcher - While we don’t really talk anymore, he was the first person I went running with when I showed interest in the sport, most nights would see me finishing minutes behind him, but we kept at it and it was something that helped me push forward with goals, and I’ll always be grateful for it.
Ania - One of the first people I ran with when I started to get confident, she always has been a bit ‘mumsie’ with me only wanting the best, including dragging me out for runs at 3:30am, she has an absolute heart of gold and is one of the best people in the Canberra running scene, forever grateful for her opening my mind up to running with new people. Got me through one of the roughest patches I’ve ever had at Sri Chimnoy Track Event.
2Zoners Crew - This was my first ‘run club’ I was ever a part of, I got plucked from obscurity really. I’d been running by myself and
saw me on strava and twitter and put me into the group. It really was a motley crew, but for a period of a couple of months I spent every Tuesday running with Jame Bradnam, he was such a good influence on me, we’d talk about Raiders and just general dribble, but it was something to look forward to each week.Matt Breen - Breeny actually ran in my first marathon, but we really didn’t know each other at the time, I was running in a Raiders jersey which made me really recognisable. It wasn’t until a couple of months later I learnt that he actually had started a run club called Running for Resilience. I spent months using R4R to build my short game up, but also as a place to be really open. It kick started my weekend before I started my new role, and was a gateway to meeting Benny Alexander.
Ben Alexander - Who would’ve thought two props would take up running, although I only did it for a year I’ll still claim my rugby cred. Benny is world class and an even better human, if not for him I probably wouldn’t have run 10 kilometres or more for 100 days straight, this blog probably wouldn’t exist and I wouldn’t have been half a chance of creating the Peak2Soon Podcast. But now I have this incredible library to look back on and a really cool journey to continue in both written and audio formats. Thank you Benny for backing me in and seeing the potential that was there, especially when it came at some level of cost financially as a sponsor.
Emily Murphy - I don’t exactly know how we became friends, but I know Murph messaged me and needed a friend at R4R, so I got her to come along, and the rest is history. From early morning slogs to get us ready for races, to late afternoon jaunts, Murph is one of my most trusted training partners, I still remember the day we broke her half marathon personal best, one of the best days of running in my life.
Lizzy Massey - Lizzy was my night crew at Mulligans for nearly my entire preparation for Kosci. We’d meet every Tuesday night and crack in over the 10 kilometre course, we once ran together and she’s such an incredible athlete that after finishing the 30 kilometres she tested positive for Covid-19 and you wouldn’t have known it.
Gretchen Smith - My original running inspiration, we’ve never been able to get a run together, but she’s always been there for advice and played a key role in getting me to push myself into longer distances, one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet on the trails.
Toby Steele - We followed each other on Strava really early on when I started running and have cheered each other on from a distance, he’s an absolute legend who I look up to as a runner, can’t wait to see where he goes from here.
Singh Talwar - One of the nicest guys you could ever meet, inspires me with his positive approach to just about everything, there is a reason he’s so popular among Canberra runners, and I greatly respect him.
The Running For Resilience Crew - You all know who you are, from Friday mornings in minus 7 to 30 degrees on a Wednesday evening in the summer, this crew is there for you through the ups and the downs, absolutely love them.
I do however want to single out Jack, Maria and Tony Wallace, Mel and Sunday in particular, your love and support has been amazing.
Stacey King - But before all of this my heart lied with the trails, as I said I was a solo runner, but I’d connected with a few souls on instagram to follow and inspire me. One of them was Easier Said Than Run a.k.a Stacey King. She told me one day that I should join Elevate and that they were having a ‘come and try term’ much to my surprise I joined but Stacey didn’t join! Ultimate stitch up, but got me out of my comfort zone and I met a lot of people that would’ve otherwise been strangers, and I’m completely grateful.
Jin Kato - He’s one of them, perhaps one of the most underrated trail runners I’ve ever seen. He just loves the sport, but is also an incredible runner, something I didn’t know when I first met him. He’s been amazing in terms of support and advice, and was at the aid station when I was 87 kilometres deep at Kosci, and helped my crew get me home, absolute legend.
Shiree Koford - Shiree is my amazing coach and I couldn’t ask for anyone better to have guided me through the things I have done. Eternally grateful for her giving nature that sees her purely want the best for the large number of athletes that she coaches. If you take a goal to Shiree, she won’t shoot it down, she’ll work out a way to get you to that goal and she’s done it time and time again, completely blessed to have her in my corner.
Martin Fryer - I feel bad that I didn’t know who Martin was when I first met him, an incredible runner and one of the best ultra runners in history, have enjoyed learning off him, and getting advice where I can.
Michael Thompson - Played such a big role in my success at the Sri Chimnoy track race, a wise head who always gives good advice that comes from a good place.
The Eastlake Girls - Run club was always brutal with these girls, but they kept me humble and it was always good to catch each other out running early in the morning.
The Lazy Glutes - The Glutes are what I call my ‘running mums’ they’re an incredible bunch of runners that I absolutely idolise with the things that they’ve achieved. I get a bit emotional typing this because they’ve played such a big role in my running life especially since I joined Elevate, and I one day aspire to do the things that they’ve done in the Running World or even just life in general, I could single them all out, but they’ll probably hear my praises another time, I just hope they know what they mean to me especially when they’re dot watching my races.
Natalie Budd - I’ll admit when I first met Nat I was intimidated, but when you get to know her you realise she just has a heart of gold. We ran Kosci last year, and we call ourselves the enablers because we keep pushing each other to succeed. I’m so grateful for how close we’ve become, and the training we’ve been able to do as a result.
Jasmina Svoboda - The great marvel, Jas was at the very first elevate I was at and I think she’s marvellous. One of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met in my life, she brings a lot of balance to a conversation and is a great person to have around on a long run.
Danielle Kuhn - Mumma Poutine who probably outranks everyone else as my ‘running mum’ always checking in on me, our friendship is a unique one that I’m so grateful for, she’s anti-me in that she doesn’t do metrics which is a good thing.
Danielle Donegan - One of my biggest supporters and also a huge voice of reason. Love training with her, she has one of the best attitudes a runner could ever have.
Kym and Brad - The Power Couple, enjoyed running with them so much at Four Peaks, both incredible endurance athletes that have helped me so much early in my journey.
Will Barlow - Absolute legend of a guy who is involved in a lot of running communities in Canberra, big supporter of Elevate and trail running in general. Really helped me early on to immerse myself in Elevate.
Jillian Mitchell - A wise head, who is an absolutely elite hiker, she has a great sense of humour and a love for nature which I appreciate, I’ve trusted her to bring me home in the Sri Chimnoy later this year, and there is not many people I could think that are as qualified for it.
Jess Peil - Just unstoppable, Seven Marathons in Seven Days, Milers, Six Foot Track, just an incredible runner who also has a big heart, absolutely love her.
Fi Kilby - Her story is one I find just so inspiring, one of the first people I ran with at Elevate and we’ve cheered each other on ever since.
Nik Beauman - Watched from a distance as she worked up to Bondi to Manly last year and in recent months have been able to run together which has been a treat. Has provided me with great advice when I’ve needed it.
Clare Carey - For getting me prepped with expert massages, one of the best in the business, but also for great chats always a voice of reason.
Jenni Schofield - Ran with me on a social run when I really wasn’t feeling it so I didn’t have to finish the run alone. Always provides a great sense of humour and checks in on you when you least expect it, you always need someone like Jenni in your run crew.
Paul McCann - Great bloke who I watched develop into becoming such a strong runner and finish Six Foot, one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure of running with.
Andy Hateley - I’ve only run with Andy a couple of times, but she’s such an impressive runner, her mindset and focus during a tough run is second to none.
Jodie Clews - We’re very similar in our approach to running, we are just in it to push ourselves, she’s one of the most underrated runners I’ve come across and has a wicked sense of humour, one of my favourite days out on the trails was a day we spent on the Cotter Loop.
Mim W - An absolute legend who always has a positive attitude, got me up early a couple of times for runs with the crew, still haven’t made a Gunrunners!
Alex Noon - Such a strong runner, I can only hope to be doing what she is when I'm her age. A huge inspiration to me.
Binh and Liam - both ran the Sri Chimnoy track with me. Binh is like me and Liam is such a gifted runner, love them both like family.
Scotty Imhoff - One of the good guys of running in Canberra, you’ll often see him running around with Narla the Kelpie. Helped me immensely in my early days of running with advice, and always up to help others, a guy I can’t speak highly enough about.
The Quad Squad - Four absolute great women who are a joy to run with, such strong willed and determined runners who I love sharing the trails with.
Elevate Red Hill Crew - My OG Squad at Elevate if you don’t count the original trial term that I did. There are some incredible runners in this squad that I absolutely loved running alongside and inspired me when I was training for big races.
Elevate as a Whole - For those I’ve forgotten I love my blue crew.
Rob Mason - Just an all round legend, interviewed him after his win post Coast to Kosci and has been such a positive influence behind the scenes, so grateful to have someone of his calibre in my corner.
Anna and Ed - Two thirds of my crew at Kosci, love them so much for coming out and keeping me alive in the race, they’re some of my best friends despite not being runners themselves.
Mum and Dad - Always backing me in, no matter how big the challenge, love them both.
Cassandra - My rock, words can’t describe how good you’ve been for my journey, one of the most positive influences in my life and I love you so much. Thank you so much for your unselfish nature and everything you do for me. Words don’t do justice to what you mean to me.
As you can see there have been so many people involved in my running journey and there are probably so many more that I’ve forgotten, but it just goes to show how many people have come into my life as a result of this sport, which is something this Global Running Day I’m incredibly grateful for.
Peak2Soon Podcast
Please check out this week’s episode with Andrea Doney ‘The Slow Coach’ was such a delight to talk to and her perspective on running is one that should be shared across the world.
Wow! I'm in the blog! How exciting.
Thanks for noticing me Brent I really enjoyed that term at Coole with you! How good is our community. Have fun at Kowen and I hope to see you there
Been a pleasure to watch your journey, mate. I remember you walked from Gungahlin to Tuggeranong for no reason and I liked that.