So many runners get injured through overtraining and have to then tread the delicate balance of coming back from injury, managing volume and intensity and also changing their mindset to their training. Tim was one of those runners who managed to navigate his way back and ended up surpassing all of his expectations both with his running but also his triathlon. Here is his story and some of the lessons that he learnt along the way. Thanks to Tim for sharing this with us…
Running has always been my way of keeping fit. It relaxes me, gives me thinking time, and helps me escape from the 'real world' when I need to. I've done it since I was in teenager and progressively the distances got longer. This culminated in running the Melbourne Marathon in 2012. I turned 30 that year and it seemed like a good thing to tick off the bucket list while I still could. I did this without any coaching or assistance. I simply ran every opportunity I got, including running almost every official half marathon during that calendar year. Turns out this wasn't great for my body! I completed the marathon in 3:20mins which was inside my goal time (3:30) but it took a huge toll on my body. My hip flexors were strained and I had chronic plantar fasciitis in both feet. It took almost 3 years and countless podiatry appointments to run another half marathon.
Despite my stresses and strains, in late 2016 I decided that I wanted to do a half ironman triathlon in Cairns in 2017, but I really wasn't confident that my body would be able to cope with the running component of the training. I also have two young kids and thought that a formal training program would give me some structure to my training, forcing me to set aside specific time to train.
I’ll be honest, I was apprehensive, but I discussed my apprehensions with Chris and he put my mind at ease. I realised that it wasn't uncommon for my previous injuries to occur from overtraining. He developed a tailored, interactive plan for me that worked around life and family but also help limit and manage my injuries, including sessions focused on strength and stretching, not just running. It was so much more than a simple running program. We also tweaked the program as required when 'life got in the way' or new events and goals were introduced. For me, the program also provided some restraint, keeping me from running too often or too fast.
After a lot of building and quality not quantity, I managed to complete a second half ironman triathlon and smash my previous PB. As part of the training I also completed multiple half marathons and marathons, PB’ing several times, including Melbourne Marathon twice and Run for the Young. I genuinely didn't think that I would ever be able to tackle another marathon, let alone several! I just didn't have the confidence in my body to get to start line without breaking down.
Running less often and shorter distances, but including intervals and hill sprints and cross training (swimming and cycling) has changed my mindset about how to train for events in future. Despite getting older, I'm managing fewer injuries and my times are still similar to all those years ago!