Cheeky Run Club

Laura Henshaw on Why We Run

• Phoebe Pincus and Anna Coldham • Season 1 • Episode 7

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0:00 | 42:41

Helloooooo cheeky listeners! 

We are SO excited to introduce our first ever guest of the pod, the  extraordinary and inspiring Laura Henshaw, the CEO and co-founder of the Australian health & fitness app, Kic. We unpack her relationship with running, how it has changed over the years, and the lessons learnt on the way. We then jump into our No Stupid Questions segment brought to you by KICRUN (that's right we have a sponsor !!!) and finish with perhaps the most wholesome weekly weapon of all time.

If any of the conversations today have triggered anything for you, we strongly recommend visiting https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/ or https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

If you want to support the show, please follow us wherever you listen to your podcasts or on social media: Instagram, Tiktok, Cheeky Run Club Strava community, plus Phoebe's Strava and Anna's Strava.

Music produced by Hugh Raper
Logo design by Michael Cotellessa 

Thank you for listening!

Follow us wherever you get your podcasts + Instagram, TikTok, Substack, Phoebe's Strava + Anna's Strava, and join our Strava community 🩵

 Music produced by Hugh Raper & logo design by Michael Cotellessa. Podcast edited by Kiara Martin.

Anna 1

Cheeky Run Club recognizes that every day we live, work and run on Aboriginal land. Welcome to episode seven of Cheeky Run Club, the social running podcast and community for your everyday amateur runner. Hello, Phoebe. Hello,

Phoebe 1

Hello, Anna.

Anna 1

And hello, Cheeky friends.

Phoebe 1

Today we have something very special lined up for you. One of the things we really wanted to achieve with this platform is to dive deep into trying to answer the question, why do we run? We want to unpack all the different kinds of relationships people have with running.

Anna 1

runner is by the media.

Phoebe 1

a one dimensional view of who a runner is by the media.

Anna 1

But we believe that there are so many different kinds of runners in the world.

Phoebe 1

Yeah, so we wanted to give examples of all the different reasons why and the different ways that people run in the hope that we can provide you with a more representative outlook of what it means to be a runner.

Anna 1

a runner. So for the Why We Run episodes, we'll be chatting with people who aren't elite runners and diving deep into their relationships with running. And this episode, for our first ever Why We Run Deep Dive, we are incredibly excited to say that we will be interviewing none other than Laura Henshaw.

Phoebe 1

Laura Henshaw. That's right! And we'll explain more on this soon and we'll give Laura a proper introduction. But we have officially partnered with Kik for the rest of season one, which is incredibly exciting. And we thought the best way to kick off that partnership was to get Laura on the pod and hear her running story.

Anna 1

We're then going to launch into our No Stupid Questions segment, brought to you by Kik, where we'll answer some listener questions, and finish off with our favourite, our weekly weapon. But first,

Phoebe 1

first, let's kick off with our notable runs of the week. Anna, can you give me your I want to hear you what your worst run was this

Anna 1

your worst run was this week. My worst run? Okay, so, it was on the weekend, it was my long run, unfortunately. A solo long run, I was up in Mansfield, one of my dearest friends got married, which was amazing. And That was on the Friday, it was a big weekend though, so I ended up going for my long run on Sunday, by which point I was already exhausted before I started, and it was hot, I also slept in a little, and just that classic, when you'd Don't really want to do something solo. The procrastination really kicked in. I mean, I was actually quite productive. before I ran in the sense that I just did anything I could to not actually get out the door. but yeah, it was just, it was a slog. it got better as the run went along, but yeah, definitely the worst run of the week. Uh, what was your worst run of the week?

Phoebe 1

Uh, what was your worst round the week? so on Monday, my brother, my brother Tom, yeah, because my brother Tom ran with us and ran with me on Monday as well. And I think he only ran with, he lives in Sydney usually, so we don't normally get to run together either. And I think he only ran with me so that he could get on my best run of the week. Cause he's like, Oh, Sophie got best run of the week. You're like, Oh, special run with my sister. I

Anna 1

and I'm like, yeah,

Phoebe 1

like, yeah, maybe I'll just join you for a run. And like, you know, maybe I'll get a

Anna 1

know, maybe I'll be the

Phoebe 1

But you are, he's getting the one, but for my worst run of the week, no, no, it was, it was, an absolute treat to have Tom there, but I did a, I did a, the longest run I've done in ages on the weekend, which I'll tell you more about

Anna 1

more about shortly,

Phoebe 1

but I felt really sore on

Anna 1

know when

Phoebe 1

and you know, when you, I just couldn't, I didn't really warm up and you know, when you just, your mind is so preoccupied with like, am I getting injured? Because, like, I felt really niggly, and I was like, oh no, oh no, have I overdone it? Am I, like, should I ease off, should I cut my run a bit shorter, or, or am I going to warm up into it any second now? And so I felt like the whole run I was kind of, my mind was just assessing my

Anna 1

Yeah, it was a bit of a disjointed run as well. We'll kind of just sort of make up time around the streets. I

Phoebe 1

running around the streets. Yeah. Not our best loop. Yeah. But it was, Tom, it was great to have you there. You made it, you made it a better

Anna 1

Here's your shout out. What about your

Phoebe 1

your Best

Anna 1

Best run of the week was, as I said before, was up in Mansfield for a friend's wedding. And on Friday morning, so the morning of the wedding, I was fortunate enough to be in the bridal party. So we started getting ready at about, at 7am. And I was thinking, okay, if I want to go for a run, then I have to do it before then, because obviously I'm not going to run with a friend. Full face of makeup on. And so I set my alarm kind of forgetting that it was going to be very dark. Got up, ran along this country road and there was quite a big shoulder, so I actually, I didn't feel unsafe at all. And I think because it was. Um, it was like 6am, there were just not really any cars around, but because I was running on the country road, I decided that I wouldn't run with headphones just so I was more aware of what was going on around me. And it was bliss, I mean, living in the city. So when you go to the country, it was bliss. Dead silent,

Phoebe 1

dead

Anna 1

like, and pitch black because there's obviously no pollution in the sky there were still stars out. yeah, as I said, just so quiet. All I could hear was my footsteps on the dirt road. It was kind of like magical. and it had been raining overnight as well. So the bitumen smelt of rain. It was so cool. And also, I don't know if you do this, but whenever I run in the country and past a paddock of cows, All the cows are staring at me being like, Who are you? And then they all just like in one moment just start running along the fence line. With you. I, I don't know if they're,

Phoebe 1

was

Anna 1

yeah, it was like, and I don't know why, I find it so funny. So I'm just like there, laughing out loud to myself. I mean, now that I tell the story. It's kind of

Phoebe 1

the story. It's so weird.

Anna 1

But it, Yeah, yeah, I just thought, I don't know, there's something so weird. I'm like, this is so random. Anyway, and then you obviously turn around and then come back. and the same thing happens they recognize you and then they're like oh okay back the other way um but yeah

Phoebe 1

really run alone after all.

Anna 1

didn't run along no made a few made a few friends in the form of moo cows uh what was your best run of the week

Phoebe 1

My best run of the week was my long run. On Saturday, which was my 30th birthday.

Anna 1

happy birthday to you

Phoebe 1

Ha Um. Ha ha ha. This is what happens when we record in the morning.

Anna 1

yeah a little bit of energy

Phoebe 1

And so I decided to run 30Ks. Well, actually I shouldn't say I decided to run 30Ks. It was actually in my program to run for like that kind of length of time. So I was like, okay, let's do this. Longest run in a while, And I really didn't want to do it alone. So I coordinated amongst three different. basically three different running groups With three different lengths that they wanted to go one group was doing 15ks One group 23 and then my group was doing 30 and I coordinated this like extensive plan Route of where everyone would start when who they'd meet and then we'd all like meet up along the way

Anna 1

I was a bit of a fly on the wall in these message groups, and I was like, the logistics of this and the organisation is so cool. I'm like, this is, this is extensive. Yeah, it

Phoebe 1

it was, um, a lot of prep. It was worth every second of it. It was just so fun. We had a great, we had so many, at one point there would have been like 30 of

Anna 1

Oh, so good. It

Phoebe 1

the best feeling, like running with a big group, it was a lovely morning, a bit cooler. And I just thought there's no better way to start off this new decade, no better way to bring it in than with this run. So that was lovely.

Anna 1

Yeah, so good.

Phoebe 1

Um, I thought that one of your, I thought maybe your best run of the week would be your race. Can we get a little

Anna 1

yes. So I, uh, that was actually, that was almost the worst run of the week.

Phoebe 1

I didn't want to say that.

Anna 1

and

Phoebe 1

was, steamy.

Anna 1

So I didn't. I love it in the sense that, I mean, I just didn't really run that well, which is completely fine. But from the get go, I just, yeah, I wasn't really feeling it, but I remember so many times when I've been injured, I've said. I've gone to these races or seen, and I'm like, all I want to do is be able to be out there. And so I was like, just enjoy it. Try and enjoy it. Like, all you want to do is be out here. That's what you've always said. Be out here. Embrace it. Um, so yeah, I mean, it wasn't.

Phoebe 1

wasn't,

Anna 1

wasn't super positive, but it was, it was just nice. I love, I love racing, getting nervous and just that kind of, I don't know,

Phoebe 1

Excitement in the leader because it's weird. It was like an after work race as well. Yeah. Yeah. So

Anna 1

Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, it was a good night. They had catered for the heat as best as possible. They were like little sprinklers across the track and it's just so fun running around. I was like three Ks in and I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm so lucky. There's so many friends there. I feel like there was a moment where someone was like, go cheeky,

Phoebe 1

like, Go

Anna 1

Anna. Yeah. So that was, that was really nice.

Phoebe 1

Oh, so nice. Okay, so not your best run, not your worst

Anna 1

not your worst run. No, but

Phoebe 1

okay. We are so excited to introduce our first ever guest of the Cheeky Run Club pod. None other than the wonderful Laura Henshaw.

Anna 1

Laura is many things, CEO and co founder of the Australian health and fitness app Kik, one of the biggest and most engaged fitness and wellness communities in the country.

Laura

She

Phoebe 1

is the co host of Kickpod. She's the author of A Girl's Guide to Kicking Goals and You Take Care. She is a renowned health and wellness and business keynote speaker and she's got over 80 health food products stocked in supermarkets around Australia.

Anna 1

But today we're not really here to talk to her about any of these things. We're here to talk about running. Laura, welcome to the pod. How are you?

Laura

Thank you, oh my goodness. It is so uncomfortable to sit through an intro. Like, I know.

Anna 1

sit

Phoebe 1

sitting there nodding at us like, Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Anna 1

so excited to

Laura

Thank you. I'm so excited to be here. I love the pod so much. It's an honour.

Phoebe 1

we are very excited to have you on. and first of all, well, we like to start our episodes by talking through our best and worst runs of

Anna 1

the week.

Phoebe 1

But we were hoping that you could kick us off by telling us your best and worst runs of all time.

Laura

There's a lot of pressure on that. which one would you like first?

Phoebe 1

first? Um. Give

Anna 1

Give us your best.

Laura

Okay. My best run of all time. Oh, I can think of a few, but the one that was maybe a little bit more recently was I did the, what is it called?

Phoebe 1

the Poitsy

Laura

Twilight run about a year ago, wasn't this year because I was injured, the year before. And I think it's about 10k or something like that.

Anna 1

Yeah, the one, it's along the

Laura

Yeah, and it's a big hill. You go up, up the hill. It's a beautiful, beautiful run. I hadn't done it before. And I don't, you know, some days when you're running, you just feel so good. Like I'm like, I can go fast today. And I know that I can, and I'm not as very fast runner usually. Like I, I don't really do races and things, but I was like, you know what? I went and bought. Racing shoes.

Phoebe 1

you,

Anna 1

I

Laura

I don't know

Phoebe 1

is it, is it a trail run or

Laura

Yeah.

Phoebe 1

road? Yes. Okay. So were they trail

Laura

No.

Phoebe 1

or they're road race Yeah. Good for you. You wanted to go fast?

Laura

I wanted to go fast. And I have, my husband and I are quite competitive with our running. And he usually, he always beats me. But I was like, nah, I'm going to get him today. And I went off and I started like, I had a good pace for the first kind of 4k. And then He was next to me and then all of a sudden he wasn't. And I was like, Oh, I've dropped him.

Phoebe 1

So good, you're like, yes.

Anna 1

then

Laura

Anyway, and then I finished it and it was, it was so hard. Like the last 4k, I often find if I go out really fast, then I haven't planned to maintain that pace for like the last 4k. And it's, you know, it's just, it's so hard. But the, the way I felt when I finished that I like the last, I was like, I'm just gonna have to stop or I'm going to have to like pull my pace back by like two minutes. I can't maintain this, but I kept, I just kept it and I showed myself that I could do it. And I think that's the most amazing thing about running is like when you, it's, it enables you to push, obviously you need to listen to your body and this, I do not do this very often because that's when I, when I push like this all the time that I've got injured, but every now and then it enables you to push yourself. Out of your comfort zone, past what you believe you can do, that then I take that energy into, like, all of my life.

Phoebe 1

That's my

Laura

So that's my best run.

Phoebe 1

it your best run because you pushed out of your comfort zone or because you beat your husband? No, I

Laura

Definitely both. I still talk to them about it now. And now I'm like, well, we don't need to ever do a race

Anna 1

don't need

Laura

done. Like, I am the champion of our marriage now. Hang

Anna 1

boots. Why

Laura

beat.

Phoebe 1

why do you think you felt so good in that run? Did you train for it or you just felt good on the day? I

Laura

was just one of those things I just felt good on the day.

Phoebe 1

Sometimes it just all comes into place like that.

Laura

And sometimes you start and your legs feel like so heavy and every step is hard and your breathing's not good. And then sometimes you go out and you're like,

Phoebe 1

it all. It's my day. Yeah.

Laura

Like I, I just feel

Phoebe 1

I love it.

Anna 1

It's also, I've done that run before, I did it with my dad years and years ago, and I remember it was, it's so beautiful. Like, along the coast, it's warm, summer night, it's kind of, you know that summer vibe where everyone's just a little bit more relaxed. Yeah, it is

Laura

probably, I can't remember,

Phoebe 1

Mmm, that

Anna 1

it's, you would love it.

Phoebe 1

Is it hot? I feel like that's the one I've heard maybe people do and it gets very

Laura

It was probably 30, but I, I love sweating. Yeah. Like when, when I'm sweating, I feel like people are like, where's your sweat towel? But obviously at the gym I bring a sweat towel'cause I don't wanna be leaving my sweat everywhere. But it's like once I've started and I don't sweat in every workout, obviously you don't need to. But when I do sweat in a workout, it like. takes me to

Phoebe 1

level. I

Laura

like, the more sweat that's on me, I'm like, keep going, keep going. So I actually like, unless it's super hot, I do like running in the heat. But it is, it's usually hot because it's the middle of Jan.

Anna 1

Mmm.

Laura

Yeah, on a Sunday. Yeah.

Phoebe 1

mean,

Laura

now, should we change tone and tell us about your worst run ever? that often people will message me on social media and be like, I fell over, but I thought of you and you made me feel better. Cause like you're clumsy. And I'm like, guys, I can't be your clumsy ambassador anymore. Like this is, this is not anyway, but this is, it started when I was really young. I fell, it was my first ever cross cause I did school cross country, but it was a non school cross country event. My sister was a really good runner. I was never.

Phoebe 1

that

Laura

I just tried, but I was like, I'm going to join this running club. I don't, I'd actually don't, I can't remember what it was, but it had a race on a Saturday and I was so nervous before I started. So I was like, I had to go to the toilet like eight times and I was running to the toilet for the, like my, the last one that I, time I go to the toilet before it started. And again, my clumsy foot got stuck, you know, in the car parks. Um, there's those like chains that are connected to two wooden things and the chain like kind of hangs in

Phoebe 1

no.

Laura

So I thought I jumped over it. I didn't. I got my foot like caught on the chain and I went straight head first into a concrete, like the concrete thing on the car park, split my head open anyway, disaster had to go get stitches. I still got the scar here. Yeah. You can't really see it, but it's there. Um, and that was the first like really clumsy moment for my running and I never.

Phoebe 1

off in your clumsy running

Laura

did, but I never did competitive writing after that, ever. I was like, that's just, and it made me so I feel like now maybe one day I'll get back into it, but I mean, not that I ever started, cause I think I don't actually kind of don't even know how old I was. I was probably like 11 or something. But I was just, I was like, it was so nerve wracking for me and it's, I mean, some of those things that I feel like when you push yourself out of your comfort zone, nerves are good because it means that you really care. But I was like, I don't need to put myself through this

Anna 1

through this.

Phoebe 1

of your comfort zone, nerves are good because it means that you're really here. But I was like, I need to put myself through this. But I

Laura

But I also, I actually sometimes miss those feelings. I feel like now when I get an opportunity, because when, once you're like, I mean, our age is like getting you in your thirties. I know you guys aren't in your thirties yet, but nearly,

Phoebe 1

Oh, I am now.

Laura

Oh, oh my God. Happy birthday.

Anna 1

close. Well,

Laura

Um, and so. You don't get as many opportunities. I feel like as an adult to push yourself out of your comfort zone in a way that you get that thrill, feel that adrenaline feeling. Cause like at work, obviously we do, but I find like the first time I did public speaking, like I was so, so, so sickly nervous, but then you do it and you get better at it. And so I think I do miss that feeling because it's like when you care so much about something and then when you do it, you feel so like fulfilled and

Phoebe 1

the reward is greater.

Anna 1

Um, all right. So take us back a little bit. What are your earliest memories of running? Well,

Laura

aside from the splitting of my head, the,

Phoebe 1

the,

Anna 1

earliest memories

Laura

memories of running is cross country. So I did, I was doing cross country from probably grade five in primary school. I was very, or I am still uncoordinated. I played basketball, I did rebounding, and I would just be good at running down the court. So running, I liked just because I, I didn't need to be coordinated like all the other sports. And I was never, I was kind of mostly always just in the B team of sports, but I just love participating and same thing for running. And I think one of, one of the things like the lesson that running taught me that I'm very grateful for in my school. period was I remember in year 12, I trained really hard because I, I'm quite disciplined and I, the way that I was kind of, uh, Going with my study. I was doing with my running and it was my thing that I would do my run that I do my study and I looked at it as okay, if I keep trying really hard, then I will do better. And I did. I can't remember where I came, but I did. I just remember doing really well in that that cross country race in year 12. And I remember like a lot of the other kids that used to beat me by like 10, honestly 10 minutes in like a 5k race, quite significant, didn't and it was, it was a lesson in that moment that if you work hard at something, like you can, you can get there and it was, I've taken that through my whole life,

Phoebe 1

Wow. So, so how would you describe your relationship with running at school then? Ah, it was

Laura

It was good. It was great. I feel like I love sport. I just love sport. Generally, I had a really good relationship with it. in school it was just something that I really enjoyed. It was fun. I got to have an up and go. In the morning,

Anna 1

Oh, I

Laura

cross country and I'd like, look forward to it, that I'd get to take one from the fridge at home. And, um, no, I have really good memories of running in, in school. And I think between kind of grade five and year 10, and this is where I know a lot of people form their relationship with running, so many people feel that if they didn't. do well at running in that time or they weren't in the team or like they hated the beep test, like the beep test is a very formative experience for a lot of people with running. And if you have that bad experience, you automatically just think, well, I'm not a runner. I just know so many people that. That time in their life had, was not a great relationship for them in running and now they're like in their 30s or 20s or whatever it might be and they have this fear of, or this belief, this limiting belief that they're not a runner just because of something, like in year 10 they did the

Anna 1

They,

Laura

hated it and it's like, that's, it sucks that that, those years are so formative. In forming, like, our thought, the way that we

Phoebe 1

In the same way that they're formative for forming our own identity,

Laura

And so did

Anna 1

our

Phoebe 1

as well. And so did that really kind of positive relationship with running continue post school? Not,

Laura

not really. So after school, so now, yes, but then I suppose there's the time in between. So I, when I was 19, I went and modeled overseas. I'm a very, can be a very disciplined person. I think discipline's really important in a healthy way. But the, I then applied that to my body. And so I was offered a. Thing to go and model in Milan. I was studying law and business at the time and I had to defer uni for it and I was like, okay, if I'm going to defer uni for this, I need to take this very seriously and go over. And I think when you're offered the opportunity to like model internationally, it seems like the most glamorous, like, oh my God, amazing. Like what a

Anna 1

you just saying that, I'm like,

Laura

Yeah. No, it's not. Well, I mean, like for some people it is, But in reality it's not and and also a big part of the modeling industry and for me was that my body was not small Enough for the market. You have to be very small in that market. And so I had to lose weight and Running was a way that I Did that. And I think with running, when I thought about it and I just, I would push my body and I've heard you guys speak at the episode that you did last, last week on, um, the dark side of running. I think it's so important to talk about because running for me for that period became something that I. Did as well as hardly eating. I wasn't feeling my body. I was fully deprived, fully depriving myself. And I would just think, Oh, if I just keep running. And I was, I stopped the type of, I changed the running I was doing. I used to do a lot of intervals, but I was just doing like long distance running because my agency had told me if I did short running, then it would build too much muscle and I needed to like. Reduce my measurements and, and everything. And so it became solely about the way that my body looks. It was the only reason that I ran and I would push myself past. Like I had shin splints. I was injured all the time. I had no fuel in my body. It wasn't fully fueling myself for my runs. I wasn't taking gels or anything because it was like exactly what you said, Phoebe, in the podcast. I was like, what's the point of the run? Because all I did it for was for my body and not to take care of it because I was treating my body like shit. Like I've never, ever, ever felt. and being more unhealthy in my life, even though I was exercising a lot, which is excessive, it was excessive, I was hardly eating, I was depriving myself. And my body was exhausted and strained. And that took, it was through kind of meeting Steph, who is my best friend and business partner in Kik, that we, Steph went through a similar experience, not with running per se, hers was, hers was a little bit different, but she was modeling in New York. So through meeting Steph and then kind of working through that, that's why we started Kik in the first place.

Anna 1

So

Phoebe 1

I'm

Laura

for the experience because there would be no kick without it.

Phoebe 1

And so, did you enjoy running in that time period? Like, were you still enjoying the

Laura

I didn't really enjoy it. It was, it was just, it was a, like, I had to do it every day and I had to, you know, I'd get on the treadmill and stay for an hour on the treadmill and just be like, countdown every second like it was. And when you are, When you are pushing your body in a run beyond what you should do when you're exhausted, it's unenjoyable, it hurts the whole thing. Like you, you have pain in your body, you feel exhausted, you finish your run. You don't feel like energized. Like, wow, I just did that. You just. Just tie it for the whole day because you're using energy that you don't have, and you're straining your body.

Phoebe 1

Is

Anna 1

there a particular moment or like some sort of catalyst where you were like, okay, something needs to change here? So

Laura

So it was definitely over, uh, kind of over a few years, but I remember one moment I was so fixated on this weight that I wanted to get to. And I thought that if I got to that weight, I would be happy. Like that would be like, I'd be worthy if I got to this weight. And I got to the weight and I remember I stood on the scales and I got there. I felt absolutely nothing. I looked in the mirror and I was like. Oh, well now, you know, you've got to say, but you still don't look like you should. So now you need to change this about your body. Like you need to lose more weight. Because when you're in that headspace, it's very, very hard to get out of. Um, and for anyone listening that that might be in it right now, it's really important to speak to someone about it, because depending on how kind of deep into it you are and just.

Phoebe 1

are and just, like

Laura

like there's so many things that go into it, but it can be extremely dangerous and life threatening if it, you know, continues to go further down the path. But for me, it was kind of knowing that at what point am I going to be happy? And, and also for me, like I, the way now, the way my body looks has literally nothing to do with my value as a person. And I know that, but it took me a long time to work through that. And, and it was also like with running, it was something that for me, it's like my meditation. I love running. so much and I took that away from myself and it became not something that, you know, I fueled myself properly for and when you're kind of straining yourself and you're using it as a punishment basically. So it was like I, I ran because I hated my body and now I run because I want to take care of it. And that's kind of the

Phoebe 1

of the relationship that's

Anna 1

That's changed.

Phoebe 1

And, and it's so, it's so, um, hard to break those habits or break those narratives. Like, how did you kind of, what was the process of changing that relationship with running to it being something that, that you loved?

Laura

So it definitely took time. I actually took some time away. from running,

Phoebe 1

running, which

Laura

which was helpful for me. I also, it was, but it was also all the work outside of that because running wasn't bad, like running's not bad, right? It's amazing for us that you can, it makes us feel so good, but it was my mindset around it. And it's not to say now, I mean, it doesn't mean I don't have days where like my head doesn't go back there, like a tiny bit, but it, and it takes time. Like, I think you can't just wake up one day and be like, okay, I've got an amazing mindset around food and exercise, and I'm out of this now and I never think about it again, especially for us. We grew up with like Victoria's secret and like the shit we grew up with. Like, fair, fair. Ever anyone listening that kind of grew up in the nineties, like it was actually. But can I swear on this podcast? I already

Anna 1

Yeah, I

Laura

swore. I already, but it was fucked. Like seriously, what we grew up with, with the, with those magazines, with like, pictures of celebrities, and if they had cellulite, it was like, oh my god, look at this. And like, before and after, like before and

Anna 1

With the like, circles around it, yeah,

Laura

Like, that's, we grew up with that, and then social media, obviously, but for me, it was, it was that mindset shift and looking at like, what do I value as a person? And I have this really, it's a bit grim, this analogy, but I'll share it because it helped me a lot on, on the day that I leave this earth and at my funeral. No one is going to stand up at my funeral and say, Laura added value to my life because she had a six pack, or because she could run ten kilometers, like, that's, it's so, like, that's the dumbest thing ever, right? If you think of that. But that is, Sometimes I find thinking of that because it sounds ridiculous actually helps me in the moment because it's like, so why do I think this matters? It's like, we're not here for that. That's not the impact we're making on, on the world. Right. And I think with running, it's such an incredible, like it makes you believe in yourself. Like you can get that from running. You can show yourself what you can do in this really safe environment where no one else matters. But I think, so I was depriving myself of that and changing that and making it a really shit story. Thing for me where I was tired and exhausted because of I cared about my weight. And it's like that, that doesn't matter, but it is a very long journey. And then, you rebuild your relationship with it. You have to rebuild your relationship with food and then with exercise. And then after that, then I was able to kind of reestablish that relationship with running and start to enjoy it again.

Phoebe 1

Wow. And, and so how would you describe your relationship with running today?

Laura

now I run for life, like that's people like, what are you training for? I'm like, well, I just life, like it's my, it's my mental health check. Like it's running is my, like, as I said, my meditation, I run probably like maybe really depending on the week, four, four to five times a week. There was a year where I also, I'm. I'm getting better at this, but I didn't know how to say no. And any charity that asked me to do a fun run for them, I'm like, sure, but I wasn't training for them. So then I was running like 21 K or 30 K with no training and then getting injured every single time. But for now I do usually about six to seven kilometers. And I do, I keep my heart rate low. I don't do it to like get fitter or anything. It's just I go out and if I keep my heart rate low, I, it's, I'm much likely, less likely to get injured. Except if I fall over because that's obviously not, not to do with it. And then I, I can enjoy it and it it's just enough to move my body, make my mind feel good.

Phoebe 1

makes me feel so good. So, I run usually by myself. Every now and

Laura

So, I run usually by myself. Every now and then, like, we went for a run a few weeks ago, baby, which was awesome. It's so nice to run with other people, but usually I run by myself. It was funny, I was talking to my husband last night about this. We, we went through a stage where we were running together a lot, and we've since So much better for our marriage. Like, it's so funny. Cause we're like, okay, we run together. Like, but that's my time and that's his time. And I talk a lot. I can, so I talk like the whole run. He's like, can you stop? And then I'm like, why are you being mean to me? Like,

Anna 1

Yeah, yeah.

Laura

anyway, so we were actually talking about it last night and we were like, it's better now we don't run together. So usually it's my time. I'll usually listen to a podcast unless sometimes I just want to, like, it says a song I'm really into, like. When G Flip's um, cover of Cruel Summer came out, I, that like made me do one of my best 5Ks ever because that, I was really into that. But, so if I have a song I'm really into, I just listen to it on repeat, otherwise I'll listen to a podcast while I'm running. Yeah, yeah,

Phoebe 1

while you

Laura

yeah. Sometimes,

Phoebe 1

never done that in my life.

Laura

But mostly always headphones and it will usually be a podcast. Yeah. Yeah.

Anna 1

Yeah.

Laura

Um,

Anna 1

and do you have any running resolutions for this year or what is, give us a running word, your running word for the year.

Laura

So it's very similar to yours and it is injury, being injury free. Three words. Three words, sorry.

Anna 1

allowed. We're allowed.

Phoebe 1

it.

Laura

is, if that is okay, and I have to say too, thank you for talking about that because I think when I first listened to your first episode of the podcast, it's easy to look at people that are like really good at something and be like, Oh, it's easy for them. But I think to hear you say that this year you just, you don't want to get injured. I was like, Oh, like. It makes me normal. You can so, so often look at people like, Oh, I get injured all the time, so I can't be a runner. Like my body just isn't for running. It's just not for me. And there's some people that I know that if you've had like knee reconstructions and running is a higher impact activity. So for some people it's not possible, but if you are able to run, like you should absolutely do it. And if you get injured, like that's just, it's just a part of the journey. So thank you for normalizing that because I was like, they get injured. So it's okay if I get injured too.

Anna 1

time i feel like getting when i get injured i'm like it's character building you know we're

Laura

is! I'm like,

Phoebe 1

we are

Anna 1

my character. is large

Laura

lot. It's true.

Phoebe 1

can you tell us about something that running has taught

Laura

you? Oh, I mean, I think it's taught me about the power of consistency and showing up. And I think when you run, it's just you, like you against you. It's, it's you, you're showing up for you and you're doing something for yourself that you are fully responsible for. And I think that's really, really powerful. And I think that's one of the most special, special things about running. And you just, you get out of your head, you go out and like I will sometimes find with work, like there's problems that I'm like, this is going to be the one that. That ends us. Like this is, you know, you're like, you know, but even though you've overcome like a million problems before this, you're like, nah, this is the one. I'm going to go out for a run and I've solved it. It helps me simplify my thoughts and just, yeah, get out of that, get out of my head and into my body and yeah. It's so good. That's amazing.

Phoebe 1

quite like

Laura

it.

Anna 1

you could give us one ultimate running recommendation, what would it be? Ooh!

Laura

Correct. One ultimate running recommendation.

Phoebe 1

Just

Laura

Just start. I think that's the biggest thing. I think if you want to run, you can be a runner. I think if we had a good or bad relationship with running in school, don't let something that happened in the past hold you back. from doing that because it is such an amazing feeling. It's like, who, it doesn't matter. Like, don't let what someone else does take running away from you because it is such an incredible, powerful tool for your mind and your body and everyone, if you're able, everyone deserves to be able to run and believe that they can be a runner. What

Phoebe 1

What a pep talk. We need to get you on each week. That was like

Anna 1

I want to go for a run.

Phoebe 1

here

Laura

I don't know,

Phoebe 1

Laura, thank you so much for coming on the show and for sharing your story as well. Like from, you falling in love with running at school to having to rediscover that relationship afterwards. I feel like there'll be so many parts of that story that will really resonate with different listeners. So thank you so much for sharing so candidly.

Laura

Thank you so much for having me. I love the pod. I love everything you

Anna 1

you do. Thank you. Yep. Alright, our No Stupid Question segment today is brought to you by KickRun.

Phoebe 1

by KickRun. Have you ever told yourself, I'm not a runner? Well, you're in good company. Most women stop running by the age of 15. KickRun

Anna 1

KickRun is here to help you overcome these mental barriers, as it has done for thousands before you.

Phoebe 1

you. In just 8 weeks, KickRun will help you run towards your goal of 3, 5, 10 or 21km.

Anna 1

They're also sponsoring our No Stupid Questions segment to help us help you on your running journey.

Phoebe 1

in mind, we have selected two listener questions, question number one is from listener Kimberly. And that is how long is a long run? We thought we should answer this one because we talk about long runs quite a lot. Yeah. I would say my answer to that is. It's, it's

Anna 1

On an individual basis. So completely relative to you, your running goals and how much you're running at the moment. So when we say long run, we just mean it's our, it is our longest run of the week and it's just a continuous run. And generally speaking, it's at a lower intensity.

Phoebe 1

a s yeah. Generally, it's a bit slower, and yeah. There's a there's a really nice, culture around long runs. From my experience, it's like, you tend to do it with, you try and do it with someone,

Anna 1

Yeah, often on the

Phoebe 1

afterwards, you start a bit later, it's often on, on the weekend. Yeah. They are such nice, unless you're doing it by yourself, in which

Anna 1

in which case. I

Phoebe 1

Yeah, one day we'll do an episode on tips for enjoying your long run because it was not always the case for me. Like, I used to not enjoy my long runs at all, but now I

Anna 1

me. I used to not enjoy my long runs. They're really

Phoebe 1

But getting the prep right, especially if you're like trying to build up your long runs thinking the night before, like a day before, what are you eating, drinking the night before,

Anna 1

yeah, there are so many things that you can do pre, during and post to make your long run as enjoyable as possible., all right, so another question that we keep getting is, can you

Phoebe 1

start a

Anna 1

Cheekies. start Can you start a Strava group?

Phoebe 1

will. Can and will. I think by the time this

Anna 1

Can and will. I think

Phoebe 1

the day this episode drops, we're going to set up a Strava group.

Anna 1

Anyone can join.

Phoebe 1

Yeah.

Anna 1

can join. There's a lot of people that, for whatever reason don't often go to group runs or live remotely and don't really have that sense of running community. So the reason why we would want to start a Strava group is just to build that sense of community. and I think just relating back to what we spoke about last week, we don't want this to be. A, platform where you only put your best runs on there. We want to see the good, the bad, the ugly,

Phoebe 1

we'll get around

Anna 1

yeah, we'll get around your runs. Every time you get out the door, it's a win in itself. So yeah, I'm looking forward to building a little Strava community.

Phoebe 1

excited. The final section is our weekly weapon, where we shine a spotlight on the amateur running community. This week, we are speaking with someone who has not always been an amateur, in fact, quite the opposite.

Anna 1

Judy Pollock is an Olympic bronze medalist and a former world record holder. However, now, at 83 years old, Judy is known for participating in the Port Ferry Park Run most Saturday mornings, and two weeks ago completed the 10 kilometre run at the Port Ferry Community Running Festival.

Phoebe 1

Alright. Welcome, Judy. Judy, our first question for you is, Why do you run and what do you love about it?

Anna 1

Well, basically, I don't really run now. I'm past that. I would call it a shovel. The thing between a, a jog and a shuffle. So I reckon, I think it's, we've christened it a shovel,

Phoebe 1

Shuttle.

Anna 1

which gets me around. Um, but I do love running. give my eye tooth to be able to go out for a real run and never stop. Um, because it brings you so much freedom and peace and enjoyment and, um, looking at the countryside from where I live and, yes, I really have always enjoyed running. And, uh, if I can do it with the freedom that I used to do it. That would be exciting, but I can't, so I just do what second best and and sure. Well, our little definition of running is putting one foot in front of the other, so it sounds like you do that. Oh, I certainly do that and what is your favourite running memory?

Phoebe 1

it was

Anna 1

that's pretty tricky really. Um, my own personally probably was, um, running the world record in Helsinki in Finland when it was unexpected. And, um, uh, in front of the Scandinavian crowds, they are amazing, they love their athletics. Yep. And, uh, when I did that. That was when the Beatles were around and I remember thinking, Oh gosh, I feel like one of the Beatles.

Phoebe 1

the pencils. Because

Anna 1

She cheered so loudly and made me run a lap of the ground and hold the trophy up and etc. And that was a pretty exciting moment to do that. But also, um, my participation in three Olympics was a very,

Phoebe 1

was, um,

Anna 1

Special time for me. Yeah. Um, but that's my performance as I guess. The, the lovely part about Running and athletics was, um, meeting all the people that I did, but who are also like minded people and love to run. And, uh, we all had something in common and I've had the opportunity to do that all over the world, which was pretty special in those at that time. So yes, performances are great, but also the, um, friends you make. And the people you meet on the journey is also, um, very significant. Yeah. Um, and how has your relationship with running changed over the years, Judy? Oh, well, it's changed because my body's changed, I guess that's the thing, but I still do parkrun every week, which I enjoy, and again, it's the people you meet and the social side of it now, and have a coffee afterwards, which is lovely. Advise all people as they get older and age, you know, or get, become mature, I think is the best way to get out and just walk around the block or walk to the front gate and back again, or walk two telegraph poles and then turn around and walk another two telegraph poles. Keeping moving is what keeps us alive, I think. And if you keep moving, that's when you meet people. And um, that's what Running as you say, putting one foot in front of the other does, because there's a lot of like minded people out there doing the same thing. Yeah, what's the number one thing that running has taught you throughout your life? Pleasure. Pleasure. Excitement. Health and socializing, meeting lots of wonderful people. So, yes, being involved in athletics, has brought me, um, Great privileges, great enjoyment, and great friendships over the years. Yep, amazing.

Phoebe 1

You're an inspiration, Judy.

Anna 1

Oh, thank you. Yeah. I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Exactly. well, thank you so much for your time this morning, Judy. Phoebe and I, we really, really appreciate it. and hopefully I'll see you down at a Port Ferry park run soon. Oh, good. That would be lovely, Anna. Yeah. Thank you very much. Thanks, Judy. Thanks, Judy. Bye. Thanks, Phoebe. That is it for episode. Seven! Seven!

Phoebe 1

Wow! So

Anna 1

So good. Oh, I hope everyone loves it. That was so fun.

Phoebe 1

Thank you so much for tuning in as always. We would love it if you could give us a review, give us a star rating on whatever platform you're listening

Anna 1

yeah, follow us on TOK at cheeky run club keeps sending in your listener questions. We love hearing them. It impacts the way we design the episodes. So anything you want to hear, keep it coming and yeah, we can't wait to be in your ears next week.

Phoebe 1

god, she was amazing.

Anna 1

bless her.

Phoebe 1

thanks Anna. Wow.

Laura

like,

Phoebe 1

we are

Anna 1

My character. is large

Laura

lot. It's true.