RunCreature

28/04/2021

Our in-depth Q&A with the incredible Jaryd Clifford. We knew he was a superstar 1500 and 5000-metre runner. Turns out he's also a brilliant marathoner, running an 'accidental' 2:19:08 on debut (as a pacer) and setting yet another T12 Paralympic World Record. Read how it all went down (in Jaryd's words).

What began as a pacing job for Jaryd Clifford, turned into one of the most memorable and remarkable marathon debuts in Australian history.

23/04/2021

Training low or in a glycogen-depleted state. What are the perceived benefits, when does it work, and can it improve performance? Endurance athlete and nutritionist Mick Chapman breaks down the theory (and science) behind fasted cardio.

Nutritionist and endurance athlete Mick Chapman explains the concept of fasted cardio, and breaks down when it can be useful for athletes.

13/04/2021

READ NOW: Our feature on the boundless potential of Bendere Oboya.

This week Bendere is defending her national 400m title at the Australian Track and Field Championships. The virtually unbeatable athlete is destined to represent Australia at the Tokyo games.

We talked to Bendere about her meteoric rise in running, reclaiming control of her career, working with a new coach, and chasing ambitious goals on and off the track.

https://runcreature.com/bendere-oboya-believes-her-best-is-yet-to-come/

Bendere Oboya is Australia's fastest 400m sprinter in a generation and is ready to realise her dream of becoming an Olympian.

26/02/2021

Unbeatable at home and ready to take on the world! Bendere Oboya is Australia's fastest 400m athlete in a generation, and at 20 years young, she's just getting started. Read her story.

Bendere Oboya is Australia's fastest 400m sprinter in a generation and is ready to realise her dream of becoming an Olympian.

17/02/2021

Back on the Better with Running Podcast, chatting Target 2:20, new PBs and the road to the Canberra Marathon. We also tease RunCreature’s newest feature which is coming soon. Head on over to Insta page, link in their bio.

11/02/2021

Had a chat with to kick off 2021. We spoke about some of my running goals and launching RunCreature. It was a pleasure chatting with Aston who is doing a great job with his podcast. If you haven’t had a listen, check it out. He knows the sport and has interviewed some top Aussie athletes.

19/01/2021

Will Australia's 100 km record (6:29:26) fall this weekend?

HOKA ONE ONE athlete Dion Finocchiaro says it's certainly within striking distance. Fresh off setting the 50 km record, Dion has travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to take part in Project Carbon X 2, an elite 100 km race. We spoke to Dion about seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race against legends of the ultra world, and to chase his second national record.

In late 2020, Dion Finocchiaro set the Australian 50 km record. This week he'll attempt to capture the 100 km crown at Project Carbon x 2.

17/01/2021

Editor Myles Gough speaks with Canberra-based distance runner and coach Aston Duncan of The Running Guy Podcast. They spoke about running goals, marathon training, and the story behind RunCreature. Aston is incredibly passionate about the sport, and the Australian running landscape more broadly, and does a great job producing these podcasts. Go on and have a listen!

05/01/2021

Our key takeaways from talking to Canadian Marathon champion, 2:09 guy, and soon-to-be Olympian Trevor Hofbauer.
https://runcreature.com/trevor-hofbauer-5-lessons-from-the-canadian-marathon-champion/

1. Embrace being an underdog
2. Never skip the last 1% in training
3. Run for something bigger than the sport
4. Give everything in workouts to simulate racing
5. Get away from a limiting group, and find positivity

29/12/2020

Almost everyone underestimated Trevor Hofbauer. Now, the 2:09 marathoner and future Team Canada Olympian is ready to prove he can hang with the best distance runners on the planet in Tokyo.

RunCreature talks to the ultimate underdog about his unmatched self-belief and incredible work ethic, his profound emotional connection to the sport, and his now legendary performance at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Almost everyone underestimated Trevor Hofbauer. Now, the 2:09 marathoner is ready to hang with the best runners on the planet.

16/12/2020

Trail running began as a way for Kierun Douglass to improve his mental health. Now, the passionate runner and father is focused on preserving his beloved bushland trails for future generations.

The idea behind The 100 Project is simple. Run 100 km, and plant 100 native trees. On 26 September, Douglass did just that in a state park near his home on the Redlands Coast in Queensland. He's now hoping others will scale and transport his "conservation ultra" to their communities.

We talked to Douglass about his epic run, his passion for conservation, and the positive impact running has had on his life.

Kieron Douglass began running to improve his mental health. Now, he's focused on conserving his bushland trails for future generations.

08/12/2020

The life expectancy of someone with Cystic Fibrosis is 38. And the most common cause of death is lung failure. Wollongong runner Brad Dryburgh is intent on defying his incurable genetic disease and its outcomes. On Saturday (12 December), he's running a marathon with his mates to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Australia and research into life-extending medicines.

Dryburgh penned a heartfelt letter for RunCreature, telling part of his story, and explaining the motivation behind his marathon fundraiser. It's an inspiring read that we're excited to share.

Bradley Dryburgh is running a marathon to raise money for medical research into his life-threatening genetic disease.

02/12/2020

TARGET 2:20 | RunCreature journalist Myles Gough races and recaps the Athletics ACT 3K Championships in Canberra, a race with two standout performances from rising Australian stars.

📸 Flynn Hopkins

A trip to Canberra to visit the in-laws coincided perfectly with a quick 3K race against some quality runners in the ACT. How could I resist?

27/11/2020

NEW FEATURE | Suffering to succeed: Australian ultra-runner Steph Auston is just getting started chasing her audacious dreams.

Auston is indisputably one of Australia's toughest trail runners. We track her journey through the Black Canyon Ultra, a gruelling 100-km race and a GOLDEN TICKET qualifier for the iconic Western States Endurance Run. Alsong the way, we explore her complex relationship to running, her resilience and adaptability, and her ambitious aspirations.

We're incredibly proud of this story! Steph was honest and incredibly open when we spoke, and it has made for an insightful look into the mind and world of an amazingly determined athlete.




https://runcreature.com/suffering-to-succeed-steph-auston-is-one-of-australias-toughest-runners/

Australian ultra marathon runner Steph Auston has a seemingly limitless drive to push through pain in the pursuit of her audacious goals.

24/11/2020

New Feature out Friday! Steph Auston is not afraid to suffer in pursuit of her audacious dreams.
We take you inside the world of one of Australia's toughest and most accomplished trail runners, and her quest to qualify for one of the world's most gruelling races.
Your Sunday Long Read sorted!

18/11/2020

NEW POST: 5 lessons from Olympian Jessica (Trengove) Stenson. Visit https://runcreature.com/jessica-stenson-and-5-lessons-from-an-olympic-marathoner/

More ⬇️.

1. Keep running in perspective and know your priorities! If running is all consuming, or interfering with other important things in your life, stop and assess. For Stenson, motherhood was a catalyst for changing her perspective.

2. Minimise pressure (when you can). Whether in training, or before big event, it can be helpful to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes when you run free, and with no definitive goals, you perform at your best.

3. A marathon is a shared journey. Yes you're technically racing, but everyone running has put in an enormous amount of effort and made big sacrifices. Acknowledge it, appreciate it, respect it. Enjoy the journey together.

4. To recover, you sometimes need to ditch the runner's mentality. Don't push through pain, respect it, and adhere to healing timeframes.

5. Appreciate your competition. Whether they're friends, training partners, or total strangers, running is hard work. Appreciate the effort others put in, and empathise when things don't go to plan.

17/11/2020

ICYMI: Feature #1 on Australian Olympian Peter Bol. Illustrations by the talented . Check it out!

https://runcreature.com/two-fast-laps-the-exciting-evolution-of-peter-bol/

10/11/2020

NEW POST: 5 lessons from Team Tempo head coach Adam Didyk. More ⬇️ https://runcreature.com/adam-didyk-5-insightful-takeaways-from-the-team-tempo-coach/
Adam Didyk has coached Australian representatives including marathoner Jessica Trengove, steeplechaser Madeline Heiner, and Olympic race walking champion Jared Tallent. We spoke to Adam for our feature on Jessica (Trengove) Stenson and wanted to share some of the valuable insights from that conversation.

Athletics Australia

09/11/2020

TARGET 2:20 - RunCreature journalist Myles Gough takes aim at a fast 5k on the track this Thursday. Read about his week of training pre-race.

Want to become a faster marathoner? You need to get quicker over shorter distances too. This week was all about prepping for a fast 5k.

05/11/2020

How bad has 2020 been for race organisers? We spoke to James Constantine from Athletics NSW about the challenges of Covid.
James talks about the heartbreak of cancelling RunNSW races, the complex logistics of planning future events, and how he got creative to keep athletes engaged during a difficult time.
If you're a distance runner in NSW (or Australia more broadly), you should care about James Constantine's vision for growing, promoting and improving our sport. Read the full Q&A at https://runcreature.com/james-constantine-on-being-innovative-in-a-crisis-and-growing-the-sport/

To keep athletes engaged during the coronavirus, James Constantine needed to get creative. Now, he's planning to keep the momentum going.

01/11/2020

NEW FEATURE: Jessica Trengove Stenson is back and better than before.

The battle to represent Australia in Tokyo was already fierce between the nation’s top female marathoners. With the postponement of the Olympics, a dark horse has entered the mix, and every day she’s getting stronger. RunCreature looks at the much anticipated return of Jessica Stenson to the roads.

ASICS Athletics Australia

After a break from running to start a family, Australian marathoner Jessica Stenson is back and looking to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

30/10/2020

NEW POST: The Joys of Running in the Rain. Read it Now. http://runcreature.com/the-joys-of-running-in-the-rain/
Given the wet and windy weather along Australia's east coast, we thought this post was fitting. Perhaps it will help get you out the door on that run you've been dreading. Excerpt ⬇️
“There’s something refreshing, and peaceful, and nostalgic about running in the rain. It’s almost playful: splashing in puddles, getting dirt caked to your calves, soaking your feet through your shoes and socks. Running in the rain is like giving yourself a license to temporarily be a kid again. It’s a passport to go back in time. If only for an hour or two.”

Don't shy away from lacing-up when you see storm clouds or showers. Get outside and discover the joy of running in the rain.

28/10/2020

OUT SUNDAY Feature #2 on Australian Olympian and 2:25 marathoner Jessica (Trengove) Stenson.
RunCreature looks at the incredible career of : her toughest marathons, her return to competitive racing following the birth of her son, and her quest to represent Australia again on the world stage. This is a story you won't want to miss.

27/10/2020

Target 2:20 - Journalist Myles Gough chases a big PB in a stacked Athletics NSW 10,000m Championships. Read his race recap: http://runcreature.com/a-10000-metre-personal-best-at-the-state-championships

Excerpt ⬇️
"This wasn't a race on my radar, but when Athletics NSW announced it would be proceeding with the summer track season, my coach and I pencilled it in. I ran a 10K time trial on the bike path earlier in the year, and I was in pretty good shape, clocking 31:20 (an unofficial PB). We were thinking 31 minutes was achievable. I'd never run a 10,000-metre track race, however, and the thought of 25 laps of the oval was somewhat daunting. But it was also exciting. This was a chance to jump in a big race with a very deep field, and to work with some quality runners to set a new (official) PB."

25/10/2020

Read our new post, out now!

If you are a fan of Australian athletics, Peter Bol, needs no introduction. The Australian Olympian is a world-class 800-metre runner who regularly competes in the Diamond League. He holds the fifth fastest Australian time in the distance (1:44.56), just shy of the national record (1:44.21). Bol is a virtual lock for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and he's intent on turning heads: "The goal is not to just rock up at the Olympics and be a passenger," he says. "The goal is to be amongst the best."

Here are 5 lessons from the fast and formidable Peter Bol.

http://runcreature.com/peter-bol-5-things-i-learned-from-the-aussie-olympian/

Peter Bol is an elite 800m athlete. We spoke to him about his running journey, his training, and staying focused through uncertain times.

23/10/2020

Huge shout out to the squad for their support. 🎧 to their latest BETTER WITH RUNNING pod (episode 31) out now. RunCreature journalist, Myles Gough, talks to coaches/hosts Zacca Newman and Matt Davy about his running journey, innovation in the sport, and about the origin and future of RunCreature (including a few teasers on upcoming features). Check it out on the run2pb website or wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.run2pb.co/better-with-running-podcast

This podcast is about sharing that running journey, its here to help inspire and motivate others to join and take part in the best sport in the world! Running! Along the journey you’ll also get the chance to hear from a range of coaches, athletes and running experts their backgrounds and how they ...

22/10/2020

WE ARE BUILDING SOMETHING. Activate your inner RunCreature. Subscribe today and never miss a story.

20/10/2020

Target 2:20 -- Throwback to when Myles Gough paced Olympic hopeful Chloe Tighe to a phenomenal 8:45 PB in the 3k. Excerpt ⬇️

"This week started with an unexpected message from Chloe Tighe, a star 1500-metre runner from the Illawarra who is hoping to make the leap to the 5k to qualify for Tokyo.The previous night, I had watched Chloe race a phenomenal 3k at Bankstown, as part of the Steigen Challenge. She ran an impressive 8:54 in torrential rain, and was second only to Jessica Hull, who has already booked her ticket to Tokyo. It was an awesome display in horrid conditions, and showed the quality of athlete Chloe is.

In the message, Chloe said she was going to have another crack at the 3k at our local track on Saturday, and she was wondering if I could pace her along with Kembla Joggers and athlete James Seal. The goal was to get under 8:50. I replied quickly: Absolutely. It’s not every day you get to run with an Olympic hopeful, let along help them crush a personal best. I was in."

http://runcreature.com/helping-chloe-tighe-crush-a-3km-personal-best/

Another solid week of marathon training, with the bonus of pacing Olympic hopeful Chloe Tighe to a blistering 8:45 personal best.

17/10/2020

Remember this ridiculous finish? 19yo Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda pipped at the line by Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie. These two rivals face-off tonight at the World Half Marathon Championships. Read our race preview now: http://runcreature.com/6-must-follow-stories-at-the-world-half-marathon-championships/
Livestream link in story. Coverage begins at 7:50pm AEDT

15/10/2020

In anticipation of the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships on Saturday, we have previewed six stories you should be following on race day.

On Saturday 17 October, the World Half Marathon Championships will take place in Gdynia, Poland. RunCreature looks at six key storylines.

15/10/2020

PREVIEW: 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland. Read it now http://runcreature.com/6-must-follow-stories-at-the-world-half-marathon-championships/

We look at six stories to follow on race day (Saturday 17 October)

1. Ugandan superstars Joshua Cheptegei and 19-year-old Jacob Kiplimo make their half marathon debuts.

2. The Adidas v. Nike rivalry is back in full swing. While V***r and Alphflys might dominate the marathon, was working hard at the Prague half marathon to show its adizero adios Pro is a legit contender for best 'super' shoe over 21.1k.

3. Can someone come away $80,000 USD richer? It will take a 1st place finish and a new world-record to snag the bonus money, but it's theoretically possible. Kibiwott Kandie is the fastest racer in the men's field (and has the fifth fastest half marathon time ever at 58:38) and perhaps the best shot. And on the women's side, two world record holders are facing off: Peres Jepchirchir holds the record for fastest half in a women's-only field (1:05.34). She's going head-to-head against Ababel Yeshaneh, who has the world record in a mixed-sex race (1:04.31). That will be an epic battle!
4. The absence of star athletes from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other nations. It's not so much a story to watch, but to ponder. What if? Based on personal bests, Brett Robinson, Sinead Diver and Ellie Pashley (who were all named to the original Athletics Australia team) would have all been top 10 in their respective fields.

5. The competitors proving age is just a number and not a barrier to competing at a world class level.

6. And finally, will athletes be affected by the changed course (now consisting of 4 laps) and lack of atmosphere?

14/10/2020

Why runners should still be wary of sports supplements. From bogus claims about performance benefits to mislabelled ingredients, RunCreature takes an in-depth look at some of the longstanding issues with sport supplements. Read more on RunCreature.

Thinking about taking sports supplements? Be careful. Bogus benefits and mislabelled ingredients are just some of the issues.

13/10/2020

“After another cross country blow-up, I'm trying to get past the disappointment and learn from the failure to keep improving.”
RunCreature journalist, Myles Gough, reflects on a disappointing race at the NSW State championship in this week’s Target 2:20 post. Read more on RunCreature. http://runcreature.com/a-disappointing-race-at-the-nsw-state-championships/

After another cross country blow-up, I'm trying to get past the disappointment and learn from the failure to keep improving.

13/10/2020

TARGET 2:20 -- Breaking down a blow-up -- RunCreature journalist, Myles Gough, reflects on a rough day at the NSW XC champs. Excerpt below, full story on www.runcreature.com
"The disappointment doesn’t hit you in those first few minutes after you stop. In those early moments, there’s only relief. The self-inflicted torment is over. Your body can rest and recover. The calculations in your mind leading to that point were binary: pain vs. no pain.
But as more time passes, and as you watch the other competitors still grinding their way around the course, doing battling, your brain begins to accommodate more complex, non-binary thoughts and lines of inquiry. And as that happens, the sting of disappointment surfaces, and grows ever-more potent.
Why did I stop? I have asked myself this question, over and over again. I asked it as I watched the race leaders storm over the finish line, and later that night as I was lying in bed. And I’m still asking it, days later. That question burns into your psyche.
Surely I could’ve slowed down, recovered for a kilometre, adapted to the conditions, and then finished strong. But I didn’t. I caved. I gave up. Memory is a faulty thing — especially as it relates to pain. As much as I relive that race — and the critical moment when I threw in the towel — and try to trick myself into believing I could’ve endured more, deep down I have to be realistic: in the moment, I was absolutely cooked.
It wasn’t just my body struggling. It was my mind. I lacked the clarity and decisiveness required to make a conscious decision to adapt. It may sound silly, but slowing down actually required me to think; to strategise. It required brain power. Not much, admittedly, but more than I had available at the time."

12/10/2020

READ IT NOW: The evolution of Australian 800-metre athlete Peter Bol. Visit www.runcreature.com to read our inaugural feature.

Excerpt below ⬇️

"Watch Peter Bol run two, blisteringly-fast laps of a track, and it’s hard not to be instantly envious: the smoothness of his stride, the way he seems to effortlessly glide across the ground, the fierce determination and explosiveness with which he powers home, despite the evident hurt on his grimacing face. He’s a natural. Born to run. Made to compete at the highest level. You’d be forgiven for assuming he grew-up on a track. But that’s not the case, and the 26-year-old is the first to admit his interest never really centred on running: “I didn’t even think of running as a sport,” he says. “It was just something we had to do in school.”

In his early teens, Bol’s dreams of sporting glory involved hoops, high-tops, fade away jump shots and heavy bags; not asphalt tracks or racing spikes. His idols were Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather (all are known for their extreme self-confidence — arguably to a fault — but also their relentless work ethic and for being champions in their sports). “I would watch all Floyd Mayweather’s matches,” he recalls. “I would watch Kobe highlights in my spare time. It was never like that with athletics.”

RunCreature looks at the evolution of Peter Bol, from a reluctant runner to a laser-focused professional athlete, determined to make an Olympic final wearing the Green-and-Gold.

#800

09/10/2020

NEW POST. READ IT NOW:
Training v. Practice. With no races, stop training and start practicing!
RunCreature examines how a simple (one-word) change in mindset can help you stay motivated and focus on long-term improvement, rather than short-term gains.

http://runcreature.com/training-vs-practice

In this period of uncertainty, with very few races on the calendar, finding motivation to train can be hard. Practice your running instead.

09/10/2020

READ IT NOW: 5 things learned from elite 800m coach, Justin Rinaldi.

http://runcreature.com/justin-rinaldi-and-5-lessons-from-an-elite-800-metre-coach/

Justin Rinaldi coaches Australia's fastest 800 m runners, Peter Bol and Joseph Deng. Here's what we learned from the Fast 8 Track Club coach.

08/10/2020

NEW POST: 5 Lessons from elite 800-metre coach Justin Rinaldi.

Read it on our webpage or by following this link: http://runcreature.com/justin-rinaldi-and-5-lessons-from-an-elite-800-metre-coach/

Justin began his coaching career with former Australian champion Alex Rowe (1:44.40). Today, he coaches Australia's two biggest stars of the sport: national record holder Joseph Deng and Olympian Peter Bol.

RunCreature spoke to Justin for its inaugural feature on Peter Bol. These are some of the main things we learned from the expert coach.

1. A vital part of the coach's role is reining athletes in and putting the brakes on
2. Superstars may deservedly earn the accolades, but every member of the group is important when it comes to establishing high-performance culture
3. Talent alone can't win an athlete a medal. They have to be ALL-IN
4. Self-belief is a difference-maker that can turn a contender into a champion
5. Australia is on the cusp of having two 800m athletes in the world top 10

Visit the RunCreature webpage to learn more!

#800 .runners

06/10/2020

TARGET 2:20. RunCreature journalist Myles Gough recaps his weekly training as he works toward a sub-2:20 marathon. Follow his journey: http://runcreature.com/target-220/
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05/10/2020

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei took care of business in London and asserted her dominance in the women's marathon. In the men's race and both wheelchair events, however, it was all about upsets and underdogs. RunCreature recaps an exciting (and the seven stories we told you to follow).

Brigid Kosgei took care of business in the women's London Marathon, but in the men's and wheelchair events, it was all about upsets.