Happy Birthday! Some reflections on GoRun turning 6...

And just like that GoRun has turned 6 years old…

I’ve been reflecting on this a bit over the past couple of weeks and its crazy to think that this little idea, that stemmed from wanting to use my public health background, be outside running lots and not be stuck in an office, has led to so many experiences. 

I’m not going to lie and say that it’s been easy.  I’ve taken more beatings to my ego than I care to imagine, spent money on so many things that never went anywhere and left so many ideas and opportunities on the cutting room floor, that it hurts to admit it.  However, the freedom and opportunity to choose these paths, make these mistakes and set my own agenda, is well worth it.  I get to work with and help people who I respect and care about, as well as help people grow in confidence and do things that they never thought they could do, which is pretty awesome.

As part of my reflections, I’ve jotted down 6 things that I’ve learnt in each of the areas of coaching, business and more generally in running along the way. These are mostly just notes to myself, but may just be helpful, so I thought I would share…

Cake and chocolate are still very much a thing after 6 years…

Coaching

  • No coach knows it all. Any coach who claims that is probably inexperienced and definitely lying.

  • A coach’ role is now more about being a filter for bullshit information than ever before.

  • If my runners are quiet, they are most likely hiding something.

  • Any methodology can work. It depends on how true you are to that particular methodology.

  • I’m not interested in coaching a particular ‘level’ of athlete. It’s all about their attitude and commitment to listening and improving.

  • Being relatable and having stories are both great tools for coaching.

Business

  • The best ideas come from conversations with mates on a run or over wine. Trust your goosebumps when debating these ideas. Even if it’s the wrong decision, at least you’ll have fun trying it out.

  • Social media is draining, hard work for a small business. Fewer, but more meaningful connections is the way to go.

  • Not everyone is going to like you or your approach. That’s hard to take at first but it’s a great lesson, one that I’m still learning.

  • There’s plenty of people out there to coach. You don’t have to appeal to all of them. In fact, don’t even try to.

  • Running and mental health are intricately linked. There’s so much more work to be done in this space.

  • Working with other people who ‘get it’ in partnerships is really invigourating, and a great way to spread the word.

Running

  • The concept of ‘compound interest’ applies to both progress in running and how most injuries occur. Look it up.

  • Getting to know your own body is one of the most valuable things you can do as a runner.

  • Movement is medicine. Sometimes that movement needs to be a swim, not a run.

  • You can definitely get better as you get older.

  • Ego is both a blessing and a curse in running, but mostly a curse.

  • Running is a great opportunity for adventure, to meet new people and create amazing memories. Don’t narrow your experience to just races.

Coach Thoughts: Gaining from Adversity

Coach Thoughts: Gaining from Adversity

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about how the adversity of 2020 can be used as fuel for a better 2021.

Coach Thoughts: Building your Running for the long haul.

Coach Thoughts: Building your Running for the long haul.

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about the idea of building for the long haul, rather than focusing only on races and short term gain.

Coach Thoughts: How to re-focus and get back on track.

Coach Thoughts: How to re-focus and get back on track.

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about getting back on track when life gets busy or complicated.

Coach Thoughts: The Shape of Things

Coach Thoughts: The Shape of Things

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about body shape and how willing people are to tell you what you do or don’t look like.

Coach Thoughts: Don’t be ‘Karen.'

Coach Thoughts: Don’t be ‘Karen.'

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about developing a ‘boredom threshold’ to help with your longer sessions.

Coach Thoughts: My First Post-Lockdown Race Experience.

Coach Thoughts: My First Post-Lockdown Race Experience.

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Kylie talks about her first post lockdown race experience, at Two Bays trail run.

The Two Bays Trail Run has been on my goal list for years but for a variety of reasons, one being the time of year it is on, it hasn’t happened for me. After coaching one of my girls to complete the 28km event 2020, it was firmly on my radar as my first event for 2021… then COVID struck!

Coach Thoughts: Training = Workout + Recovery

Coach Thoughts: Training = Workout + Recovery

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about the importance of recovery in getting to your next start line.

Thursday Thoughts: Data + Feedback

Thursday Thoughts: Data + Feedback

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about how coaches not only need the data that comes from your watch, but also your insights into your training session and your body.

Take a Free Hit in 2021

Take a Free Hit in 2021

In some forms of cricket, the rule makers have introduced the idea of a 'free hit.’ This is basically one ball where you can’t get out, you can’t lose. What usually happens is that the person batting throws caution to the wind and swings as hard as possible, knowing that there is a capped down-side to the situation. The worst that can happen is that they don’t score.

If you fail, you learn.  Sometimes…

If you fail, you learn.  Sometimes…

Insta-Twit-Book is full of people who throw around motivational quotes and excerpts from great books. I’m definitely a fan of a good quote and I follow certain people, just to get these things delivered into my feed. There are a fair few quotes on the topic of failure, its learnings, and how we can then use it to ultimately succeed, particularly if you are following serial entrepreneurs.

This is all well and good, but I am also a big fan of experiencing things in order to learn them properly. So in order to learn from failure, you have to fail in person and experience that first hand. The challenge is that most people are not brought up that way so we actively avoid failure and feel judged on our failures. Failure is emotionally tough, dents our ego and so we take the safer option. Very few people enjoy failing.

10 Local Businesses to Help Your Endurance Activities in 2021

10 Local Businesses to Help Your Endurance Activities in 2021

2020 has been a rough year for a lot of businesses who have had to adapt, dig deep and some even close their doors for portions of the year due to COVID. It’s hard to comprehend the level of stress that goes on as a small business owner at a time like this, if you haven’t been in their shoes. As a small business ourselves, we give a shit about small businesses, particularly those in the running and endurance sports space and really want them to do well. We can’t do much, but what we can do is support the businesses who support us and our runners. So, with that in mind, here’s 10 businesses that we love, that help our runners and that we are excited about watching in 2021. Check them out, you won’t regret it!

Thursday Thoughts: The right upgrade for your running

Thursday Thoughts: The right upgrade for your running

Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about the importance of doing the work in order to improve, rather than buying improvements.

You are where you are and that's a great place to start.

You are where you are and that's a great place to start.

When I start coaching people, I often say to them "You are where you are and that's a great place to start." Its a reminder to people that they can't rush the process of changing their body, and that they need to be honest with themselves about whatever their starting point is.

When Sera approached me to start our '5 weeks to 5km' Training Plan recently, she was the one playing these words back to me.

I coached Sera to do New York Marathon a couple of years ago…