Can overcoming injuries redefine your fitness journey? This question sets the stage for our special episode of Brian's RunPod, where I, Brian Patterson, sit down with the resilient Jon Beeson and the insightful Paul Butler. Join us as Jon shares his remarkable story of bouncing back from hip surgery to tackle the challenging 10-mile Cabbage Patch Run, with obstacles like plantar fasciitis and unpredictable weather making his journey even more inspirational. We unpack his training strategies, the power of goal-setting, and practical tips for managing running setbacks, such as utilizing spiky rollers and stretching exercises. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting, Jon's experiences offer valuable lessons in perseverance and dedication.
But that's not all! We delve into the mental health benefits of transitioning from solitary runs to group workouts, exploring how social interaction can combat intrusive thoughts and depression. Paul and Jon reminisce about the days when sports like the Olympics were a centerpiece of life, reflecting on how modern distractions have transformed our viewing habits. We celebrate iconic sporting moments that still capture our hearts, despite a myriad of entertainment choices today. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and nostalgic reflections that will resonate with runners and sports enthusiasts alike.
Plus, we have a new feature on the podcast you can now send me a message. Yep you heard it right- Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message". You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered. If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.
Can overcoming injuries redefine your fitness journey? This question sets the stage for our special episode of Brian's RunPod, where I, Brian Patterson, sit down with the resilient Jon Beeson and the insightful Paul Butler. Join us as Jon shares his remarkable story of bouncing back from hip surgery to tackle the challenging 10-mile Cabbage Patch Run, with obstacles like plantar fasciitis and unpredictable weather making his journey even more inspirational. We unpack his training strategies, the power of goal-setting, and practical tips for managing running setbacks, such as utilizing spiky rollers and stretching exercises. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting, Jon's experiences offer valuable lessons in perseverance and dedication.
But that's not all! We delve into the mental health benefits of transitioning from solitary runs to group workouts, exploring how social interaction can combat intrusive thoughts and depression. Paul and Jon reminisce about the days when sports like the Olympics were a centerpiece of life, reflecting on how modern distractions have transformed our viewing habits. We celebrate iconic sporting moments that still capture our hearts, despite a myriad of entertainment choices today. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and nostalgic reflections that will resonate with runners and sports enthusiasts alike.
Plus, we have a new feature on the podcast you can now send me a message. Yep you heard it right- Brian's Run Pod has become interactive with the audience. If you look at the top of the Episode description tap on "Send us a Text Message". You can tell me what you think of the episode or alternatively what you would like covered. If your lucky I might even read them out on the podcast.
So you're thinking about running, but not sure how to take the first step. My name is Brian Patterson and I'm here to help. Welcome to Brian's RunPod, and I'm your host, brian Patterson, and I've got a fantastic episode lined up for you today. We've got something special, brian's RunPod first. Today I'm not interviewing just one amazing guest, but two. That's right, folks.
Speaker 1:
These two incredible runners have graced our show before, but this time they're joining us together. They're not just great runners, they're great friends too, and I thought why not bring them back and see what magic happens when they're on together? Our first guest is John Beeson, who appeared way back in episode 12 and has been chomping at the bit to come back on the show, and a recent guest, paul Butler, who was on episodes 71 and 72. We talk all things running and, seeing as it's an Olympic year, we discuss our experience of watching this multi-sport event over the years. Again, I've broken the episode into two and in our second episode I give the guys a quiz about the olympics. So sit back, lace up your running shows shoes and if you're out for a run, and let's dive into another brilliant episode of brian's rom pod with these two wonderful guests. Hello both of you. How are you both? Hello brian, hello brian, yeah, no very good.
Speaker 2:
Thank you very good, Hello Brian. Hello Brian, yeah, no, very good, thank you Very good.
Speaker 1:
So, john, starting with you, let us you know, get us up to date with what your running journey is.
Speaker 3:
I was trying to remember I should have re-listened to the podcast shouldn't. I, but I think last time we met I was not running. I think actually, well, I could be wrong, but I think I was. I would know I was post surgery, but I don't hadn't really got back into running. I think that that was where I was, so I had a problem with my hip.
Speaker 3:
I had hip impingement, which meant in my left hip, which just meant when I ran. It was very painful during it and after it, so you know I wouldn't be able to walk for like a day afterwards, so had surgery on that just after easter last year. So 2023, and yeah, I think, I think we did the podcast in the summer. I could be wrong so I was probably tentatively, yeah, getting back into running at that stage. So, yeah, it it's, it's a lot better. So it's just over a year since I had the surgery. Right, I, I always aim to do the cabbage patch, so the 10 mile cabbage patch run yeah, yeah between twickenham, kingston, and richmond, which I did.
Speaker 3:
So I did that in, is it?
Speaker 1:
november october.
Speaker 3:
October was the end of october, so I did that. That that was, and it was really good actually having a target, because basically the weeks proceeding up to doing the race, yeah, I sort of did a mile further every time and then up to sort of doing the 10 miles on the on the on the race, yeah, I sort of did a mile further every time and then up to sort of doing the 10 miles on the on the on the race day and actually I did it in about three minutes quicker than I thought I would. So it was good and I've hit a bit of a plateau from being honest, or actually maybe, maybe, maybe a bit more honest, a bit of a downhill slope, because I haven't anything to to sort of train for. So are you running?
Speaker 1:
sort of on a regular basis. Do you, do you know a couple of times a week, or are you?
Speaker 3:
yeah, so. So I yeah, I mean I did the, I did the cabbage patch and then I did do carry on sort of running, probably once or twice a week up until christmas, and then just christmas I had a bit of a not a problem with the hip, but I think I had a problem with my sort of plantar fasciitis, and then the weather was rubbish. I'm just going to call it out. I just got in that you know the voices in your head saying don't go out, john, it's too wet and windy and I like to go out before work. So, if it's probably from april onwards, I've been doing probably two a week. We went to spain last or half term weeks or two weeks ago, yeah, with my brother and his family.
Speaker 3:
We did two runs there, two runs last week, actually three months last one runs last week, so I'm trying now to get back into it oh, good, excellent.
Speaker 1:
So I'm suffering with the old policeman's heel. Yeah, so I haven't been. So what did you find? What did you do? Any treatment, or did you go to a podiatrist?
Speaker 3:
or do you go to a physio, or no, because the first, the first time I had a policeman's heel or plantar fasciitis, I I actually went to the walking center because I thought I'd broken something my foot on my heel, because it's such a it's such an odd pain. It really feels like you're you know, it feels like you shattered something in your foot. So anyway, I went there and he always straight away just said you've got plantar fasciitis, so with me I normally, normally I can. I now know when it's coming, so you can sort of feel attention on it. For me it's attention in the sort of lower calf achilles that then becomes the heel pain.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, so I have a little rolly. You've probably got one little spiky rolly thing that you I roll my foot on and then I sit golf ball yeah, it's a similar type thing and then, and yeah, just try and lie back and point your heel, you know, towards you as much as you can to just keep doing that and then dipping yeah just try and lie back and point your heel, you know, towards you as much as you can, to just keep doing that and then dipping on the stairs.
Speaker 3:
So yeah, if I do that and I get it early, I won't get it bad. But yeah, if I'm silly and go running on it and don't stretch, then then I can really trigger it and it will take weeks. And that's what I had back in january, right, but touch wood, it hasn't. Hasn't flared up since. So when I get it I just stop running, I sit ibuprofen, stretch you don't do uh like because I've been doing the cross trainer at the gym yeah, david david lloyd and yeah sort of
Speaker 1:
I'm kind of quite enjoying that rather than running.
Speaker 3:
Rather than running. Yeah, you can do weights and cross trainer. You know rowing things. I mean, it's something very specific about walking or running. Is that triggers it? So, yeah, any other exercise that is aerobic is fine have you had that, paul?
Speaker 2:
now, I've always been quite lucky really with that. I think maybe just briefly when I got my mileage up 15 years ago or something like that, but yeah, not, not really had it recurring. So, yeah, all right. So I think myself lucky with that one.
Speaker 1:
I mean, have you had any kind of like major injuries, or have you just been quite lucky?
Speaker 2:
No, pretty lucky generally. I think when I did my last marathon I got runner's knee. Really the mileage went up and I had to put a leg support on for a few weeks. You know, probably the sensible person in my head was saying, yeah, you shouldn't really be doing this marathon, paul. But having got you know about three weeks out I got my mileage right up. I was quite reluctant not to, so I knew I had something there that was a problem and I stuck the knee support on and kept going. But apart from that I've always been quite lucky. Really I can't really say I've been injured when I've been running badly, you know, not really pulled anything. I seem to be touch wood pretty resistant. I know I've got quite tough.
Speaker 3:
Paul, do you stretch a lot? Because I know I never stretch properly, warm down properly, not as much as I should. Okay, I didn't know if you were particularly disciplined at that.
Speaker 2:
If I'm doing a class at the gym or boot camp, then I will stretch as a part of that, because the discipline of the, the instructor, is to because, they tend to stretch afterwards, and I'll sit and I'll do it, but actually when I finish running I am not very good at, you know, spending time looking after myself in terms of stretching or warming down or anything like that you know, I'm not very good at things that I perceive are holding me back from getting on in my day, and yeah, there's a bit of that when you, when you finish your run, you just want to get in the shower and then crack on with what's next so yeah, I would say I'm not you know, if you're looking for somebody to talk about best practice of looking after yourself after a run, then you've come to the wrong place, really, unfortunately. So yeah, I don't tend to do any any real stretching, so all right.
Speaker 1:
I mean john, I mean you've known paul for quite a long time and you've heard of. I mean I couldn't believe that in 10 weeks he went from nothing to doing a marathon. Is that right? That was it when you yeah, yeah, because your dad rang you up and said was it less than 10 weeks or was it eight? I think yeah. I think it was a yeah, yeah, and he did it in because I remember you being quite impressed with his time, something three hours, something.
Speaker 2:
First, what I did was 339 yeah, and that was the one I did off eight weeks, yeah, but I was a young man then. Yeah yeah, I don't think I could do it now.
Speaker 1:
No, no, we were full of boundless energy then, yeah, some people.
Speaker 3:
I think Paul probably is just a more natural runner than I am. I just I've never, I've never. I'm not springy, I'm more ploddy, yeah, and I do just think some people's bodies will be more more so, and it may well and I suspect you were, and don't take this the wrong way a slightly more stealthy. It's not stealthy, it's spelt I'm sure you were more stealthy, more spelt individual, and yeah, I just think some people just just run well, don't they?
Speaker 1:
it's just you know like some people are great sprinters.
Speaker 3:
I suspect paul's just got a natural ability to run long distance yeah, your fast twitch and your slow twitch.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I think I'm quite suited to longer distances, but I don't do many now. Most of the stuff I do is sort of generally exercise wise is less than 45 minutes. You know I very rarely do more than 45 minutes of cardio. I mean anyone can go now. So things have changed quite a lot really. It would be interesting to see you know and I have put in for them I have for next year, if I did get a place how my body adapted to doing that. Actually, I suspect it would be a lot more difficult for me now than it was 15 years ago or 17 years ago.
Speaker 1:
Do you think, you know, as we're getting older, you're kind of more attracted to doing, or having to do, other sports, other cardio? I don't know, is that? A question to both of you.
Speaker 2:
So I think for me yes, actually, I think I always enjoy, enjoy, I always have enjoyed my running.
Speaker 2:
But actually when you get a gym membership, there's always that thing of the opportunity.
Speaker 2:
So if you've got a gym membership, going to run in a park means you can't really use the gym on that day. So there is that little bit of it's an either or a little bit, particularly when you get tired. You know, if you do two exercises, a, for instance, you get very tired. So I certainly do and I can't manage it time-wise anyway. So there's a little bit now of you know it's either or and therefore the running is taking a little bit more backseat these days. And certainly, you know, when I was in my 30s, I was running six days a week without thinking about it and it was a part of my life, you know. And then I became, yeah, and actually running is a funny thing because if you're on your own and you're running and a lot of people talk about the benefits of running and mental health but if you're running with a, with an illness, ie depression and you've got a problem with intrusive thoughts and your brain ticking over and what you call rumination.
Speaker 2:
Running on your own is not particularly good for a long period of time. So that was probably one of the main reasons why I changed to doing more group exercise, because then you've got company and you've got other people to bounce off and you're spending a little bit more time with a bit of banter and maybe being bizarrely being a bit more mindful, which seems odd when you know we're blessed with what we've got blessed with around here. But it does sort of stop your mind from wandering when you're with other people as well. So there's a bit of that with me is that I enjoy?
Speaker 2:
yeah, the group exercise classes, music and, you know, changing the exercises up and running, up and downhill and different, different lengths of repetitions and things like that and the variation that goes with it as well.
Speaker 1:
So, yeah, so do you? Do you agree with that, john? Like if you're on your own and you've got problems, like at work or whatever, then they tend to fester and it's kind of um like paul was saying.
Speaker 3:
It's like, yeah, I think I mean, yeah, I mean, but paul was, you're specifically talking about depression, which I guess is it's. It's, it's a different beast. You know sort of work, work issues, I mean I, I, I miss playing team sports. So I really really miss playing sort of what school I played cricket, rugby, yeah, and you know, played sort of football outside of school, but so I do miss that. But I, I'm not a massive fan of group, those sort of group exercises.
Speaker 3:
When I see those boot camp things, I just think, oh no, I wouldn't like to be shouted at by someone to do squat thrust, so so I think, for me, I quite like the solace of running.
Speaker 3:
So, actually, if, if, if, work or, you know, whatever part of your life is, yeah, I guess it's an opportunity to think stuff through because, although I tend to tend to listen to podcasts or music or something, but there are you, you know, even if you listen to music, if it's you know, you can zone out a bit.
Speaker 3:
So actually, quite often I get quite useful thoughts when I'm out running and I think I have actually stopped before, got my phone out, taken a couple of notes because actually that, you know, I haven't thought about that or an idea to potential sort of solution to an issue. So, yeah, I mean I, partly because I wasn't running for so long because of the surgery and also I'm a later convert to running than I think I am, than Paul is I'm really keen to get back running. I do have a gym membership and I do go once a week, but that's more for sort of weights and, you know, maybe a bit of rowing or something like, yeah, running I'm week, but that's more for sort of weights and, you know, maybe a bit of rowing or something like yeah, running, I'm pretty happy running, and also, sadly, it's the stats as well I do get a bit into the staff how many miles have I done this month?
Speaker 3:
so yeah, maybe that would change. But I think, just because of the hips and the hip surgery was very specifically about two things I haven't really done the second one, but the one thing was I really missed running. So you know the wanting to get it fixed, probably that was the main driver. But also playing football with my son Actually we need to get back doing that, don't we? Because Paul's son, adam and Edward, my son and I, we used to play down at the Green and yeah, it was probably those two things that thought actually I do need to get this fixed because you know, I was in my early 40s not being able to do quite basic things. So, yeah, for me getting back running is, is was the key priority.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I mean going back to that group thing. I mean I had a personal training. I mean I know it's on a one-to-one with a personal trainer. Maybe I'm so used to doing my own thing in the gym but someone else telling me or shouting at me to do something, I kind of went maybe and anyway, I got injured after that, so but that's it.
Speaker 3:
It's. I would probably benefit from it, actually, because I think I'm probably quite naive in how I work out when I go to the gym. Yeah, I'm sure I am, because when I talk to friends who are just, you know, leaner and buffer than I am, they do very different stuff to what I do a lot more sort of squatting and compound. Yeah, I, I don't tend to do that and yeah, I mean, I don't know, maybe it's a time thing or maybe it's an attitude thing, but something like yoga I know I should probably do because I'm not flexible, I don't have great core strength and yeah, I probably would benefit from a personal trainer. I might take the plunge at some point, but it's a journey.
Speaker 2:
I think the thing with a personal trainer is it gives you ideas that you can take back into your training in terms of varying things and you know building week to week in terms you know, and then setting about things in the right way in terms of creating that continued addition of weight or continued addition of reps, so you get your challenge in your body in the right way. That's what I found. I learned quite a lot about you, lot about the approach to the gym, and one of the big things was always plan what you're going to do before you go in. Go in with a plan, get it done, come out again.
Speaker 2:
Don't go in there and sit around for hours like you see a lot of people doing on various machines, but the easy exercises you want to get through today give yourself 50 minutes, get them done and off you go, use the time productively, and that that, I think, was for me quite a useful learning from just spending time with a personal trainer, you know, but even a lot of the ins and outs of nutrition and things like that, although you wouldn't know it looking at me at the moment, but but he gave me an awful lot of ideas to work with nutrition as well, so it's useful.
Speaker 3:
I think Paul's right. I mean, I would definitely benefit from that. So any personal trainers listening, please do reach out, particularly if it's a discounted rate. But I think the other thing is it's that accountability, isn't it? It's that thing of if I go to gym my own, I will tend to operate within my comfort zone.
Speaker 3:
yes, and whether that's whether that's the weights that you're you're pulling or pushing, or how you know the the difficulty level on the rowing machine, or the speed on the treadmill or whatever it's. You know, I will do it to get my heart rate up, but I won't. I'm not doing it to get which is interesting I don't. I tend not to do that when I'm running.
Speaker 3:
With running, I'm quite good at saying right, we're going to do interval training, I'm going to really push myself yeah but yeah, in the gym I tend I don't know what it is I tend to sort of operate within a fairly you know john specific comfort zone. I think that's where a personal trainer would say, no, no, do another couple of sets. Now, you know, put, push it up. And maybe that's partly driven by the fact that my body's let me down a bit in the last few years. Just in terms of breaking down that, you think, will actually maybe just go easy.
Speaker 1:
But yeah, but I remember you telling me, I mean on just sort of change it tact a bit, but I remember you telling me that you got into exercise because you're, you're, you're a lot heavier.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, I was really tiny stone there yeah, yeah, I was nearly 20 stone there, right? Yeah, about five stone more than I am now.
Speaker 1:
So was that kind of first nutrition and then the exercise.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, I'm a firm believer.
Speaker 3:
You, you lose weight in the kitchen, you get fit in the gym um so I mean there's a, there is clearly a link, because I do think if you're exercising regularly, you know often that that will have positive impacts on your mental state and then you're you're less likely to turn to food if you're one of those individuals that turns to food or views food as as a sort of comfort bringer. So I think there is that link. But but yeah, for me losing significant weight was food. You know it was. I was eating too much. And the thing is, once you lose weight, you're able to exercise more. So if you're 20 stone and you try and go running, it's hard, really hard on your knees, your ankles, hips, back, everything. You sweat, more you're, you're more conscious about your physical appearance and wobbling about. So you know, the more you lose weight, easier to exercise, the better you feel about. It's a really positive circle that you can get in no, yeah, no, certainly agree with you.
Speaker 1:
Well, I did say, or when I sent out the, the whatsapp, whatever, seeing as it is a very special year it's olympic year I thought it would be great to have your thoughts about the olympics.
Speaker 3:
We thought we're doing the euros. Brian, you've got to communicate better than this. No, okay because we are on the eve, is it? The euro start tomorrow, isn't it? It's very soon, is it next weekend? I think it might be friday.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, oh, okay, yeah, anyway let's jump ahead, because you never so talking about the to the olympics. So first of all, just a starter is I mean, growing up were you enthusiastic about the olympics or what did it kind of does it mean? What did it mean to you?
Speaker 2:
yeah, so I, you know I used to be. I mean, I was into all sport when I was, you know, probably around between 12 and 16, that type of age and the you know it was fueled obviously by a lot of the, the conversations at school and things like that as well, where, you know, everybody was into pretty much every sport. So you know I can very, very vivid sport. So you know I can very, very vividly remember, for example, you know, zola Bud and Mary Decker and the controversy around that.
Speaker 2:
And Cohen, ovech going head to head and the Los Angeles Olympics, I think, where Ovech, you know, overcooked it basically and was unwell. You know, I can remember an awful lot of those things and davey thompson and carl lewis and or yeah, those sorts of figures probably really still are there for me and I think who do you think was the better runner, co or over?
Speaker 1:
I think co really really okay okay I just loved the way over ran because it just made it look so easy yeah.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, yeah, no yeah yeah, I agree, I mean, there was that, but a lot of top runners do, don't they?
Speaker 3:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
When you're in Bushy Park and you see the Kenyans go past and they love it past you doing six-minute miles, it does make you realize some people are just naturally. It's like they're gifted.
Speaker 1:
They're on air.
Speaker 2:
They're running on air, or something yeah, so I can really remember those olympics, you know, and I suppose there's that kind of awakening, your sporting awakening, really at that age as well you know, probably in your earlier childhood years you've not been quite so aware of some of the sporting things that are going on around you, because it's past your bedtime or you know other people aren't talking about it or they're talking with other adults about it, and then all of a sudden, when your cohort start talking about sport, then the whole thing sort of becomes a part of you, if that makes sense that's right and uh, and you know I think that went probably through the university years as well.
Speaker 2:
And then actually, I think you know, when I started work, bizarrely almost the Olympics faded a bit for me, so you know. I think it's primarily because there's other things of mental focus yes makes sense, whereas you know, I used to sit there for hours and almost just, it used to be like wallpaper you know, because there's nothing else I was doing, doing, I suppose in my childhood years it used to be something to occupy me, if that makes sense.
Speaker 2:
And then I actually think when I started work, almost you know, by the time you'd gone to work, you'd come home, you'd had your dinner, you know you might absorb things in little chunks, but you weren't absorbing it day in, day out in the same way perhaps. So I think it kind of it's changed for me in terms of maybe when I retire it'll change again, you know, but it's the way you consume. It has changed, I think really change again, you know, but it's the way you consume it. That's changed, I think really. You know, I still really enjoy sitting and watching, you know. I can remember sitting and watching that night with Mo Fowler you know, Since Saturday yeah.
Speaker 2:
I mean, it was just incredible watching that, you know, sitting here downstairs and watching that, for example. Yeah, there are still moments that capture the imagination and you still enjoy watching.
Speaker 1:
Because there were a lot of years where we were in the doldrums, even if we got. I think in 76 in Montreal we got one bronze medal in.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, correct.
Speaker 1:
So there were really bad times. Correct. But what about you, John?
Speaker 3:
Yeah, it's similar to Paul. I think the way we view and I think, paul, you said consume, the way we consume sport entertainment now, is completely different. So you know, I can remember, same as Paul, you know, when the Olympics was on it was a big deal, it was and there wasn't the competition for your attention. It wasn't like there was Netflix and you know, disney plus and everything it. You know it was if you wanted to be entertained. You know didn't have mobile phones, that was what you watched. And I can remember watching grandstand and you'd watch bowls, you know yes and my son can't get his head around this.
Speaker 3:
It's like no that I can remember watching a bowls championship.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, dance, even dance even when you think about grandstand it used to be bowls dance yes, I can remember watching a bowls championship. Yeah, darts, even darts, even darts. When you think about a grandstand, it used to be bowls, darts, rugby league.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, yeah, remember the Wigan and Wideness.
Speaker 2:
You'd be sitting watching Featherstone Rovers against somebody on a Saturday afternoon Leafy Cougars With the latest scores.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, the ticker on the division one coming across on a ticker tape on the screen as the goals went in. It's funny to think about that, but that was the way it was. Then you would sit and watch a lot of sport that I wouldn't necessarily now focus on or prioritise watching Touring, car racing or stock cars or valliings, all sorts of different things. Really it was very entertaining stuff, but I didn't, you know, would I sit now and watch that?
Speaker 1:
No, you know, I mean for our international listeners, grandstand was like a multi-sport program, and those were the days when the BBC could buy the rights.
