Run Culture Podcast

Today on Episode 2 of the podcast I chat to all round good bloke; Brent Lalor. Brent is an established physio, an athlete I coach, a 1:09 half marathoner,  2:30 marathoner and has endured chronic Achilles battles for much of his career… today we talk through the difficulties all runners go through when they are reasoning their way through training and injury management decision. This discussion flows nicely from Ep 1. and the idea of ‘Complex systems’ (so if you haven’t already, have a listen) Today, Brent and I discuss the idea of ‘Pattern recognition’ and how the quest to find an accurate pattern is often more complicated than a lot of us initially suspect or are aware of: It involves an ability to be brutally self-aware of ‘what we know’ and ‘what we don’t know!’ In the show, hang out for ‘the elephant and the 6 blind men’ analogy, I feel if more people out there appreciated this, it could only be a good thing for the world. An awareness of how our biases or emotions can thwart the scientific rigour and accuracy of the clinical reasoning process. The need for a diverse and honest sounding board of people around you that challenge your perspectives and beliefs when necessary. and the fact that, runners that consistently achieve their goals overtime, know you need to be ‘open to being wrong’! It is with this thought process that you’re more likely to effectively work your way through running injuries/poor performance and eventually find out what training seems to work best for ‘you’! I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT! I’d love to hear what you think. 

The Run Culture Podcast is back! Each episode of SEASON 2 will cover a key principle that underpins successful injury-free running (all will be supported by science, history and personal anecdotes.) In Episode one I chat to good mate of mine, awesome physio and 2:15 Marathoner; Caden Shields. Today, we discuss 'Complex Systems and Running Injury/Success'. I hope you enjoy it, whether it expands or just confirms a principle that you already knew. Please reach out and let me now how I can improve these episodes going forward! Here's a summary of Episode 1: 1.) There are multiple factors influencing why you get injured at any one time, it is seldom just one factor, as without out the other factors its highly likely your body would have tolerated this change (eg. if you don't run, who cares if you changed to a slightly more minimal shoe).  2.) We are all individuals- We all have unique attributes in regards to so many different characteristics. Our differences in our profiles- mean that we all respond to training slightly differently. In this way we (humans) are complex systems, we need to appreciate this. 3.) The 4 Big Rocks: energy availability, recovery, mental state, training organisation. These 4 factors turn the needle the most in regards to performance and injury. Mechanistic factors are important too but not at the expense of the big rocks. 4.) The Importance of 'Pattern Recognition' and acknowledging 'Lag time'. 5.) Personal anecdotes

Today, Pete does a sterling job interviewing his coach, Dane who is now back from his experience as a team physiotherapist at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. From hotel quarantine, Dane shares how lucky he feels to have had this Paralympic opportunity and how it came about. How he has come home with some new personal heroes, not just from an ‘athletic performance’ standpoint but from a real humanistic, ‘how to optimize life’ front. It was so endearing to see that for so many Paralympians, motivation to perform was less about self and more about destigmatizing disability and inspiring others. He speaks of the incredible energy and vibe he felt amongst the whole Aussie team. What life was like inside the Aussie Paralympic Village? He reflects on snippets of a never-ending highlights reel. He discusses some of what he learnt throughout the whole experience, including performing when it counts on the biggest stage. It’s a great insight into how enriching, empowering, invigorating and inspirational sport can be, especially in a time like this. You can catch this episode and more through this link or in our bio. 🔗 https://blink.by/runculture/  All things Run Culture and more can be found on the following links: For all your physiotherapy needs… Book in now with host and experienced physiotherapist, Dane Verwey: https://auappts.gensolve.com/run In addition to 1 on 1 Physiotherapy Consultation, Dane also provides a weekly online strength/conditioning program. With sessions focused on strength, activation and mobility it is great for runners, elite athletes and the general punter alike. Sign up now ($20/month): https://run-therapy.teachable.com  Run Culture Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NGeePSmXrnyU4k6EX4wNv?si=i6FT7VvWQn-pr9TMcNbfZQ Run Culture Podcast on Apple/iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/run-culture-podcast/id1478354435  Follow Run Culture on Instagram: @run.culture https://www.instagram.com/run.culture/  Like Run Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsverwey/  All Run Culture Owl athletes can be found on the teams Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/rc-owls

Once an Englishman, now a coach to many and many future greats - This week on the podcast I speak to Gavin Burren (@gburren1500). Hailing from Knox, Gav is coach to the likes of @abbeycaldwelll @lachlan_herd and @lissyduncs. With a roster of such calibre, it was all the more exciting to get the opportunity to talk coaching and “winning” with Gav. On the pod, we discuss a number of topics - ultimately unravelling what has made Gav such a successful coach. Sharing in my belief, he explains the power in group training and just how powerful good training partners/squads can be. That quite often it is the team that surrounds the athlete that takes them that extra step. Just as so, it’s the relationship that athletes share with their coaches rather than the programming of training that makes such a dynamic a success. Gavin provides an honest and humble insight into his philosophy, common training practices, mistakes, and learnings from years in the sport. With the recent breakthroughs his athletes have made, especially the near-olympic selection quality of Abbey and Mellissa - such insight is gold for athletes and coaches alike! You can catch this episode and more through this link or in our bio. 🔗 https://blink.by/runculture/ All things Run Culture and more can be found on the following links: If you feel the podcast adds value to your runs, commute or through what ever means you listen you can now support the podcast for a small donation off $5/month. This donation not only keeps the podcasts and its host running, but will also provide listeners early access to all the latest and greatest interviews BEFORE the general public!! Sign up on Patreon now: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=11035307&fbclid=IwAR0ULgHkhlqmOJYU4cc5BSlTkfrmg0SIWM0wqKTyVYUNGUfscb7MX_R7KP0 For all your physiotherapy needs… Book in now with host and experienced physiotherapist, Dane Verwey: https://auappts.gensolve.com/run In addition to 1 on 1 Physiotherapy Consultation, Dane also provides a weekly online strength/conditioning program. With sessions focused on strength, activation and mobility it is great for runners, elite athletes and the general punter alike. Sign up now ($20/month): https://run-therapy.teachable.com Run Culture Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NGeePSmXrnyU4k6EX4wNv?si=i6FT7VvWQn-pr9TMcNbfZQ Run Culture Podcast on Apple/iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/run-culture-podcast/id1478354435 Follow Run Culture on Instagram: @run.culture https://www.instagram.com/run.culture/ Like Run Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsverwey/ All Run Culture Owl athletes can be found on the teams Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/rc-owls

Two weeks are all that remain before the Tokyo Olympics and with that in mind, I was very fortunate to get the chance to chat with Jenny Blundell. Off the back of her national 5,000m title, and a dominant run just shy of the Olympic standard - Jenny has recently been selected to represent Australia in the 5,000m. It’s a jump up in distance for her, having previously shown her strength over the 1500m. Though with her name regularly appearing amongst the best, it couldn’t be more exciting to see what she can do on the Olympic stage!! As you’ll hear, she’s got a good head on her shoulders. With injury comebacks behind her, inspiring races, plenty of hard work, support from New Balance and now her second run in the green and gold - she has really lived the full running experience, and still living it at that!! We wish Jenny all the best! Do us proud and thanks for giving up your time to chat on the show!

Today, I had the privilege to chat to author and founder of 'The Resilience Project', co-host of 'The Imperfects' podcast with Ryan Sheldon and running training partner of Aussie 800m record holder; Catriona Bissett... Hugh Van Cuylenburg. It's a timely chat, with the ever present, global, COVID-19 pandemic, challenging everyone's 'resiliency'. Resilience is defined as one's; 'toughness' or 'the ability to recover quickly from hardship'. Hugh has developed and facilitated 'resiliency' programs for more than 1000 schools Australia wide. He has spoke about 'resiliency' to numerous AFL, NRL, Australian sporting teams and many corporate organisations. Hugh articulates how; running, gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and happiness intersect, so well. As you will see he is such an awesome story teller!  Anway, it's a really enjoyable chat from a fellow passionate runner! Oh...and for those that are interested in what 'matumbo' (name of a Nike running spike) translates to in Swahili, then tune in.  If you really enjoyed Hugh's message, then be sure to reach out to him on his website: The Resilience Project or listen to his podcast: the imperfects Podcast - The Resilience Project Thanks again Hugh, your enthusiasm is infectious, I left this podcast buzzing!

Today I caught up with three of the Run Culture Owl  athletes I coach; Jess Dunsmore, Pete Dutton and Damien Clark. This episode is a relaxed team (athlete-coach) chat. We reflect on how races and training has gone over the past  couple of months. We also discuss some personal highlights,  lessons learnt and goals going forward. This episode is a wonderful chance get to know the Run Culture Owl athletes further, understand their journey, see that running can  very much be a team sport and is so much more fruitful, meaningful and enjoyable as such. You may also find some of this chat grows your own running. Oh and importantly.... This Saturday the 'Owls' are holding an intra squad 5km time trial  at Ballam Park at 9am to unveil the 2021 new Run Culture Owl singlet. The singlet will go on sale to the public from Tuesday (22/6/21) next week. Proceeds will go toward helping support the squad financially.  We chat about the origins of the new singlet design (that the squad is all pretty proud to don) in the show. This yearly singlet update is a  tradition the squad looks to carry on annually The singlet helps identify and unite us as a team but its meaning is bigger than this. As a passionate lifelong runner and physiotherapist (myself) I value the importance of  daily physical activity and how vital it is in helping maintain our long term physical and psychological health in a world that has never been  so sedentary.    So, if you also value the effect daily physical activity has in maintaining your overall health  or if you like what we are doing for the sport as a team or you get a lot out of our podcasts each week then grab a singlet and show your support  next Tuesday! I urge everyone to join us for the ride. Let’s Run.Live.Grow together!

I want more runners to accept that; 'Getting injured or underperforming can be a good thing!'  Obviously, we all want to perform consistently and avoid long injury lay offs. Form slumps and long term injuries as super keen runner 'are the pits' .........but what if I was to say they are a necessary evil??  Aiming to starve off injury or reaching for PBs are two contradictory ideals. If your sole aim is to prevent injury in your running, well this is easy, don't push/don't change what is working, run within your comfort zone. On the other hand if you are determined to push your body to performance levels it has never achieved before this requires challenging training that stresses the body.  Occasionally, when searching for that bit extra in training to optimize our running performance we 'over train', this can lead  to injury.  So, as you can see there is an adaptation 'sweet spot'. Under stress the body in training and you wont improve but you wont get injured. Over stress the body for too long and the chance of injury is high. The art is working out your sweet spot! Avoiding running injury and ensuring optimal running performance isn't about luck, there is always a 'why?'  In terms of viewing the bigger picture, if you are really serious about reaching your full potential as a runner then you need to know running injury and  poor performance is a necessary part of the tumultuous journey to finding your greater self. These experiences are necessary rungs in the ladder to learning what works for you. The key is to be really introspective and reflect on what our life circumstances and training looked like during and before these times. You can catch this episode and more through this link or in our bio. 🔗 https://blink.by/runculture/  All things Run Culture and more can be found on the following links:   If you feel the podcast adds value to your runs, commute or through what ever means you listen you can now support the podcast for a small donation off $5/month. This donation not only keeps the podcasts and its host running, but will also provide listeners early access to all the latest and greatest interviews BEFORE the general public!! Sign up on Patreon now: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=11035307&fbclid=IwAR0ULgHkhlqmOJYU4cc5BSlTkfrmg0SIWM0wqKTyVYUNGUfscb7MX_R7KP0  For all your physiotherapy needs… Book in now with host and experienced physiotherapist, Dane Verwey: https://auappts.gensolve.com/run In addition to 1 on 1 Physiotherapy Consultation,  Dane also provides a weekly online strength/conditioning program. With sessions focused on strength, activation and mobility it is great for runners, elite athletes and the general punter alike. Sign up now ($20/month): https://run-therapy.teachable.com  Run Culture Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NGeePSmXrnyU4k6EX4wNv?si=i6FT7VvWQn-pr9TMcNbfZQ   Run Culture Podcast on Apple/iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/run-culture-podcast/id1478354435   Follow Run Culture on Instagram: @run.culture https://www.instagram.com/run.culture/   Like Run Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsverwey/   All Run Culture Owl athletes can be found on the teams Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/rc-owls

I had a ball talking with Shane Benzies the author of the book; 'The lost art of running'. Shane is a researcher and movement coach. Over the past 8 years he has spent time researching indigenous running communities the world over. After spending time in Kenya and Ethiopia and analysing some of the best runners in the world he was in awe of how graceful they ran. Why do so many runners of the Western world not run with this grace and ease? He soon had a lightbulb moment and came up with the term; 'elastic runner'. Listen to this episode and I'm sure you will leave the chat with a greater appreciation of the ins and outs of running technique. If you loved this chat and want to find out more about Shane Benzies be sure to log onto his website at;  Welcome | Running Reborn and his instagram page. You can catch this episode and more through this link or in our bio. 🔗 https://blink.by/runculture/  All things Run Culture and more can be found on the following links:  If you feel the podcast adds value to your runs, commute or through what ever means you listen you can now support the podcast for a small donation off $5/month. This donation not only keeps the podcasts and its host running, but will also provide listeners early access to all the latest and greatest interviews BEFORE the general public!! Sign up on Patreon now: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=11035307&fbclid=IwAR0ULgHkhlqmOJYU4cc5BSlTkfrmg0SIWM0wqKTyVYUNGUfscb7MX_R7KP0  For all your physiotherapy needs… Book in now with host and experienced physiotherapist, Dane Verwey: https://auappts.gensolve.com/run In addition to 1 on 1 Physiotherapy Consultation,  Dane also provides a weekly online strength/conditioning program. With sessions focused on strength, activation and mobility it is great for runners, elite athletes and the general punter alike. Sign up now ($20/month): https://run-therapy.teachable.com  Run Culture Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NGeePSmXrnyU4k6EX4wNv?si=i6FT7VvWQn-pr9TMcNbfZQ  Run Culture Podcast on Apple/iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/run-culture-podcast/id1478354435  Follow Run Culture on Instagram: @run.culture https://www.instagram.com/run.culture/  Like Run Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsverwey/  All Run Culture Owl athletes can be found on the teams Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/rc-owls

A different podcast format this week! Yes, you are stuck with me, throwing my thoughts against a wall about a random topic.  A few week ago I came up with a list of topics that I personally thought were both; thought provoking and interesting to brainstorm. I'd like to pursue this particular format regularly(I still don't have a name for the segment?!), so if any listeners have a nagging running training or injury related question that they want me to take a deep dive with, then PM me. This week's topic is:  Running performance| 'Should we focus on our strengths or weaknesses?' Superficially, this looks like quite a basic question but if you listen to my interpretation of the topic, it's actually quite interesting and it illustrates how important understanding 'the individual' is when it comes to optimal running coaching.  Obviously, working on weakness' like: a bad diet, poor sleep routine, work stress, lack of commitment or focus, poor devotion to recovery, a deconditioned body and or inefficient movement patterns will all help performance, this is a no brainer. However today, I really wanted to focus on the fact that at birth we acquire a specific genetic phenotype that predisposes us with certain strengths and weaknesses.  Ask yourself, does 'speed' come easy to you? or does 'endurance'? (All of us are scattered somewhere along this vast speed-endurance spectrum). Initially as a 'newby' runner we just need to do the basics right and we will improve eg. run consistently/rest/eat/sleep and do it again. However, due to 'diminishing returns' we soon need to get a bit more 'specific to the athlete' and 'specific to the event' being targeted if we really want to keep improving long term.  We need to know our own 'plumbing' and train largely 'with it', rather than 'against it'! I hope you enjoy the listen, any feedback appreciated. Happy running, Dane Links referred to in the episode -Max King article: https://www.podiumrunner.com/training/maintain-your-strengths-while-working-on-your-weaknesses/ and let’srun.com messageboards: https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=10413068#10413068 You can catch this episode and more through this link or in our bio. 🔗 https://blink.by/runculture/  All things Run Culture and more can be found on the following links: If you feel the podcast adds value to your runs, commute or through what ever means you listen you can now support the podcast for a small donation off $5/month. This donation not only keeps the podcasts and its host running, but will also provide listeners early access to all the latest and greatest interviews BEFORE the general public!! Sign up on Patreon now: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=11035307&fbclid=IwAR0ULgHkhlqmOJYU4cc5BSlTkfrmg0SIWM0wqKTyVYUNGUfscb7MX_R7KP0   For all your physiotherapy needs… Book in now with host and experienced physiotherapist, Dane Verwey: https://auappts.gensolve.com/run In addition to 1 on 1 Physiotherapy Consultation,  Dane also provides a weekly online strength/conditioning program. With sessions focused on strength, activation and mobility it is great for runners, elite athletes and the general punter alike. Sign up now ($20/month): https://run-therapy.teachable.com  Run Culture Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0NGeePSmXrnyU4k6EX4wNv?si=i6FT7VvWQn-pr9TMcNbfZQ  Run Culture Podcast on Apple/iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/run-culture-podcast/id1478354435  Follow Run Culture on Instagram: @run.culture https://www.instagram.com/run.culture/  Like Run Culture on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsverwey/  All Run Culture Owl athletes can be found on the teams Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/rc-owls