Run Culture Podcast

Ep. 6- What are your running bias's? with David McNeil (Part 2) Today, three time Olympian and Physiotherapist David McNeill and I, continue our chat about some of the common ‘unconscious biases’ that are ever present in all our lives everyday (whether you are aware of them or not). Unconscious biases are cognitive shortcuts that we use in an attempt to better understand the unknown aspects of the world around us. Unconscious biases are often fear or reward driven and allow us to feel comfortable and in control with our lives. Historically, from an evolutionary standpoint, they enabled survival in a less comfortable and certain world, as they allowed us to make decisions quickly. The advantage of this fast, reflexive, intuitive thought, is it enables us to take immediate action. However, it is prone to over-confidence and jumping to inaccurate conclusions. Fortunately, today we are seldom in such imminent life threatening situations. Too much emotional attachment to our running habits, goals, beliefs and identity, can blind us into making errors of judgment. When it comes to optimising running decisions, the presence of ‘reflexive thinking’ makes our brains ill-equipped to handle certain decisions. Slower, reflective and deliberate thought however, allocates attention to the effortful mental activities that demand it, it is much slower, more logical and less prone to error. This episode is the second of two episodes where Dave and I discuss just some of the many common unconscious bias out there. The unconscious bias’ we discuss on this episode are: -Dunning Kruger Effect. -Defamation Professionale. -Bandwagon or Groupthink Bias. -Sunk Cost Fallacy. -Addition Bias. -Status Quo Bias. -Outcome Bias. By being more aware of when our unconscious bias’ are limiting, we can change the way we think and more often than not make better life/running decisions. I hope this chat gets you to self-reflect, as that’s the aim. Enjoy!

'Why do we run?' Today, in the first episode of 2022, Caden Shields (Kiwi Physio and 2:15 marathoner) and I jump back on the show and chat about ‘why we run’  This is such an important question to ask yourself as a runner. The importance of running and the meaning you get from it changes over the years.  We recommend everyone else to do the same, get honest and reflect on ‘why you run?’ Is it the friendships formed? A sense of belonging? The mental and/or physical health benefits? Improved self esteem and confidence in ones self? Is it the chase to better oneself? To get fitter? To run faster? The toil of chasing a goal? The life lessons learned? Does it make you a better person? Knowing your ‘running why’ will mean you are more likely to make decisions about your running that are more aligned to your values.

Ep. 4 Are your aware of your unconscious running bias'? with David McNeill Today, three time Olympian and Physiotherapist David McNeill and I, chat about some of the common ‘unconscious biases’ that are ever present in all our lives everyday (whether you are aware of them or not). Unconscious biases are cognitive shortcuts that we use in an attempt to better understand the unknown aspects of the world around us. Unconscious biases are often fear or reward driven and allow us to feel comfortable and in control with our lives. Historically, from an evolutionary standpoint, they enabled survival in a less comfortable and certain world, as they allowed us to make decisions quickly. The advantage of this fast, reflexive, intuitive thought, is it enables us to take immediate action. However, it is prone to over-confidence and jumping to inaccurate conclusions. Fortunately, today we are seldom in such imminent life threatening situations. Too much emotional attachment to our running habits, goals, beliefs and identity, can blind us into making errors of judgment. When it comes to optimising running decisions, the presence of ‘reflexive thinking’ makes our brains ill-equipped to handle certain decisions. Slower, reflective and deliberate thought however, allocates attention to the effortful mental activities that demand it, it is much slower, more logical and less prone to error. This episode is the first of two episodes where Dave and I discuss just some of the many common unconscious bias out there. The unconscious bias’ we discuss on this episode are: -Confirmation bias, - Association bias, -Framing bias, -Authorative bias -and Anchoring bias. By being more aware of when our unconscious bias’ are limiting, we can change the way we think and more often than not make better life/running decisions. I hope this chat gets you to self-reflect, as that’s the aim. Enjoy!

What is ‘Running IQ’? ‘Running IQ’ is a new term that I have coined to reflect the rationality and accuracy of one’s decision making ability in relation to the sport of running. Not enough has, ‘been said or done’ about the all too common; naïve, emotionally thwarted or flawed ‘Decision-making process’ amongst runners. A runner with a high running IQ is dialled in to their own, individual running needs. They more often than not make; true, factual, real and helpful training and racing decisions given their circumstances. High running IQ is a learned skill, it comes easier to some than others but it is certainly something that you can improve over time. The Recipe to Developing your Running IQ: -Acknowledge current knowledge base, values, perspectives and beliefs. -Undergo a process of honest self-Introspection/reflection -Develop a curiosity for accurate answers. -Allow time for considered decision making. -Embrace being wrong and uncomfortable. -Invert the problem to identify what you really need to know -Undertake varied and expansive experiences and experiments. -Introduce Objectivity into your decision making. - Surround yourself with people who will challenge your opinions and are also seeking accuracy. -Be a great listener. -Be patient, persistent and passionate about the process. -Form and refine accurate Mental Models relevant and specific to you and your circumstances. -Have an adequate margin of safety, no one can predict the future with complete certainty.

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!