Cheeky Run Club recognises that every day we live, work and run on Aboriginal land.
Marathon is a team sport. For our build to build in, we are proud to be a part of Team On, and we love having all of you on Team Cheeky, no matter what you're building towards.
Welcome to Cheeky Run Club, the social running podcast and community for your everyday amateur runner. Hello Anna,
baby.
and hello listeners.
Our deep dive on the back of last week's episode about injury mindset is motivation and what to do when you get into a little running slump, slump, slump. I can't speak. Um, So we're then going to kick off by crowning our cheeky team member of the week, which looks a little different this week to the last six weeks, but we'll explain more when that comes around. Um, as always, give me your worst run, Pheebs.
As always,
Oh, sorry. At all Oh my god.
always, give me your worst.
This This show is already Oh my gosh. But as But first, as Oh, I spat again. But first, as always, let's kick it off with our notable runs of the week. Thieves, give me your worst.
My worst run was, once again, my long run. They are
Oh no!
at the moment. I had the worst, this is top of the chart, this is my worst run of the season, I'm going to say. I hope. I hope it's my worst run of the season. I hope it doesn't get any worse than
Worst run of the
Um, it was, yeah, so I was doing a long run. It, I was very intimidated by this long run because it was two hours and 45 minutes and the last hour and 45 minutes was meant to be hard, at like a hard effort.
When, when you say hard effort, do you mean like a marathon effort?
No, well, not even. It was like, um, slower than my goal marathon time. But I, like it was four 20s was the goal. But I have just not been feeling, I've just been not, I've just been feeling like really slow in all my runs and feeling very fatigued and tired. And so I was, I was like, okay, I actually can't see how this is going to be possible. But yeah, so I was out in Dalesford for my cousin, Georgie's 30th, which was lovely.
It was honestly the funnest weekend, but it meant that I was doing this long run solo.
gonna say, you sent me a few videos and it looked so nice.
my gosh, it was unreal. It was actually a dream weekend. it was beautiful. But yes, solo longy and I didn't really know where to run. So I found this like rail trail. Cause I was like, rail trails are pretty flat and everything. Um, but I think kind of a number of factors like that made it feel really hard. Um, One, well the rail trail itself was actually hilly and it was muddy and slippery and just not really a vibe for a faster effort.
And so I ended up just like finding a stretch of road and for the last like 25k pretty much just like running out and back on this bit of road which is never ideal. I honestly It was like a demoralizing run because it was just like a run where you're like, oh my God, how am I possibly going to do a marathon? Like that was already, let alone in like a time, a pace that's faster than that. Like, um, it felt, so yeah, I got to a point like maybe 30 Ks in.
Where I was genuinely like, okay, maybe I should stop. I'm so far off my like goal pace and I'm just feeling terrible. And no, this was maybe with like 10k's to go. So I think I was like 36, uh, 26, 27k's in. And then I was like,
Whoa. Wait, so the run ended up being 36, 37 Ks or something?
yeah, yeah, it was
Oh, holy moly, that's
I know, it's massive. So, yeah, I, yeah, I'm just like mentally, I was like, oh my god, I have 10k's to go. I'm just getting slower and slower. But then I had a good, hard chat with myself and was like, okay, forget about the time for a second. Forget about your pace. Just finish the run. Just get it done. That's still like a massive effort. And as soon as I took the pressure off myself, 'cause it was just like every kilometer, I was like, how am I so far off where I'm meant to be?
And yet it feels so hot. So I think when I just re made that little reframe, it did feel a lot better. Um, but yeah, God, they are tough. Those long eats,
When I've spoken to Ellie, my coach in the past, a lot of the time when things are around effort, like particularly like a race effort or something, she always says concentrate on feel rather than pace because a race effort The equivalent pace is a lot slower in training, particularly if you're on a girls weekend away in an unfamiliar setting. I just sometimes I think that those runs just feel so hard, even though on paper they may not be super flashy.
I think that The main thing to get out of them is to just hold that effort, which it sounds like you do, so I feel like you've got to be a little kinder to yourself, in a sense. don't think the pace really matters, it's more the effort that
The effort.
important.
Well yeah, I definitely, the effort was there. Um, and yeah, I think it would have been a different run probably if I'd done it based on heart rate or effort rather than pace. Because, I think I was like really pushing myself beyond my, um, Abilities in some ways.
Yeah.
yes, it was grueling, but we got it done. And as you say, hopefully that is still like a big effort and still ends up being net good for my training. Um, it, I dunno, it's so easy, it's so easy to categorize on like that as a failure and be like, oh, you didn't hit your splits, so you didn't hit, you didn't tick that box, but you're so right. Like, actually you still get a lot out of it.
Yeah, definitely. I think they're the ones that you almost get more out of because we've spoken about before, how when you're feeling good and running fast, it's easy. It's when it gets hard and you keep going. That's when the real resilience kicks in. And I think they're the ones to almost be most proud of.
Um, let's switch tack and talk about you're going to do notable cross training experiences because now, um, you've now publicly announced that you're, that you've pulled it out of Berlin marathon, you've made a press
Yeah, I'm, I'm, my agent has put out a press release. yes, I made the unfortunate decision to pull out. I mean, being completely realistic, I've run a handful of times in the last month and I know what is going on with my hammy and I know how to manage that, but I don't really know what's going on with my foot. the resting hasn't really seemed to have helped that much. So I have made the rough, but I feel like right decision I'm actually coming home early.
So I'm going to come home in a couple of weeks and try to get my body right. I guess in a sense it's kind of cool. Cause it means that I'll be around for Melbourne marathon. hopefully I'll be able to plot along at least a little bit by then and cheer on some cheeky team.
Do some supporting. And tell us about your worst cross training experience of the week.
I have to say because it's in my head, but this is so ridiculous. I sound like I'm five years old. I made Dave, my partner do, Pilates the other day. He is a reluctant Pilates man. At best.
You
Um, yeah, yeah, exactly. halfway through, he just accidentally farted, but it was so loud. And we were outside this Airbnb. And cause we were in the little veranda and we just looked at each other and he was looking at me as if to say, what just happened? And I was looking at him to say that, that was all you.
to blame you.
No, but I think it caught him off guard
He's surprised.
then we were looking around to see whether anyone had heard. And we just got the giggles and I mean if you ever have tried to do pilates when you're laughing it is impossible.
Yeah, I can't hold that core form
Oh my gosh, you have, you're, the little core strength that I do have just completely disappeared.
Wow. Poor Dave, being the most supportive partner, doing pilates with you, helping you with your rehab, and you have just absolutely thrown him under the bus.
I know, lucky for us, lucky for me, he doesn't listen to the pod.
Doesn't he? Does he, has he stopped
Not whilst on holidays, yeah.
whilst on holidays? He's having a holiday as well. Okay,
He's having a break and
a holiday from being, uh, I feel like he normally gives us very good, good, useful feedback each episode, so.
Yeah, very constructive feedback.
Very constructive
Anyway, what's your best run?
My best run was, um, you know what, this is also a trend from last week because it was my recovery run. Which I'm, is what I, my recovery run is my run the day after my long run. And I was pretty nervous for how I'd feel because I'd felt so shocking. You know when you really push yourself in a run and then the next day you, like, it's so painful. But. I was running with two friends, Jazz, who has been injured for honestly so long,
A long
who I used to run with all the time, and she's finally getting back into things, which is so nice to run with her, and then Bronte,
Yay!
normally just point blank refuses to run with me, I convinced her to, and we went on this The most gorgeous just like countryside jog just on like a road one long road saw all these like beautiful little farm animals it was like flat nice weather like no wind it was just a great run. It was, it was perfect. Like balancing from like the run of the day
Oh, so nice.
it was like energy draining and I'd been doing it by myself and I'd, it had been quite like a mentally stressful to this, which felt like genuinely very restorative. And I got back from it and I was like, Oh, I feel so much better now.
Isn't it so crazy how within 24 hours you're in the same place and you can just feel so differently after doing the same thing?
yeah. Yeah. That, that helped a lot. Um, tell me about your best cross training experience of the week.
I've been going for little swims in the open water. And, I get a little bit scared when I go for an open water swim by myself. If I was with someone else, I don't think twice, but by myself, I get a little bit scared. If something was going to come and bite me, it's not as though it would be put off because there's someone swimming next to me,
Yeah.
just something about
There's something about having someone there, for sure.
Yeah. So I was initially, a little bit scared I don't have a swimming cap so my hair is just kind of completely in my face. So I can't really, my visibility is not great.
You don't tie your
I do tie it back but I think because I've got all these short sort of little bits they end up just falling to the front. Um, a fountain.
up on top of your head. Yeah, a little fountain.
Anyway I was a little bit apprehensive going out quite far but then I got to these huge rocks beneath me and all of these tiny little fish. Um, and for, I reckon a couple of minutes, I was just swimming, following, This school of fish that we're just fluttering around. And it was so peaceful and nice and relaxing, watching that. And yeah, I just like completely forgotten about being a little bit scared for a bit. Um, and it was so nice.
And so I feel like every day since then I've been like, Nope, go for a swim. It'll make you feel good.
Get out there, get in the deep
been the best. Yeah. Yeah.
Okay. The main topic this week that we're going to talk about is motivation and how to manage when you get into a little bit of a running rut, we're going to talk about, um, like personal experiences with this, like both how I'm feeling. kind of right now and how Anna's felt in the past.
We'll discuss sort of where it's come from and why we think it happens and then we're going to have a little brainstorm about solutions for what to do when you're in this kind of motivation rut because we think probably it's a pretty common experience. What do you reckon Anna?
Yeah, I think that everyone listening has probably experienced this in some way, shape or form. before we, started recording you were explaining to me how you were like lacking a bit of motivation, but you almost felt bad telling me about it. Um, can you, yeah, yeah,
did. Um, yeah I did, I felt guilty telling you about it because I know how much you would kill to be running and it's one of those positions where I'm sitting here and I'm like, Oh, I feel so privileged and I just feel, I feel really grateful that I am for once in my life, like not injured touch so much would, um, but It's been a long time since I have, like, gotten this little joy out of running, if that makes sense.
Um, and like that, I, I always get a ridiculous amount of joy out of running, so it's not that I'm not enjoying it, but I am finding it, I would say not just running specifically, but this whole idea of training for the marathon, I'm finding quite, um, interesting. I just, I'm feeling quite exhausted by it, I would say. Uh, and so yeah, what it like specifically looks like is just like less motivation to get up in the morning.
I mean, I've been quite sick this week, so I actually have missed some runs, which I'm sure doesn't help with the motivation, but I've missed some runs anyway. But normally I'd be feeling like, oh, like really guilty about that. And, and in a sense, in some ways I still do, but mostly I just feel like too tired to even like really think about. I'm kind of like, oh, yeah, that's good. I'll just have a sleep in. Um,
of thing. Yeah. I said to you off mic before. I think they can definitely coexist. I think you can be appreciative of the fact that you have a healthy body and can run, but also struggling motivation wise.
And I don't think that should be something to shy away from at all, because I think that's just like a common, part of life because obviously as amateur runners, everyone juggles so much and like anything there, you're going to, you're going to go through peaks and troughs of really loving something, then struggling a bit motivationally, and then really loving it again, particularly when you're trying to do so much in the terms of training for a marathon, as you just mentioned in your worst run
of the week, you ran. 36 or however many kilometers. That is so taxing. So well, one, definitely don't feel bad. And I reckon there would be so many people who empathize with you, especially at this time in a marathon training block.
Not that I have ever come to the marathon training block, but I can imagine, you know, the shine of starting the training book would have worn off, and I feel like when you're first doing the longer runs you still feel fresh in the sense that not all of the like kilometers have caught up to you and you're probably still feeling quite good, whereas now You are probably super tired because you have been doing these long runs for quite a while.
Well, it's a week seven, but you still have a month to go.
So I feel like it's like anything, you know, it's in footy, they always talk about that third, quarter of something always being like the premiership quarter or something else or even like in a swimming races if it's four laps it's the third lap because I feel like that's when things get hard um it's when everything starts to kick in you're really tired but you're not on that home stretch yet so I reckon there would be so many people who are feeling the same
It is funny how the, just the like guilt that you, that you feel about, like admitting when you're feeling demotivated about something. I don't like, have you, I feel like I look at you and I'm like, you're someone who never gets demotivated about running. Like, do you, have you ever felt this?
Yeah, for sure. most of the time that I feel it is after a race. The Gold Coast half marathon was 12 weeks before Berlin. So there wasn't really a whole heap of time to. rest and reset before starting training for the Berlin Marathon. Whereas I, I think quite often, you know, I still had some down weeks and weeks that I didn't do as much running. Um, but it's not as though you have a complete break and then gear up to go again. I was kind of almost
like a proper reset.
yeah, yeah, exactly. And I remember those two weeks I found it Really challenging because I'd been building up to the Gold Coast for so long and not just the race, but the weekend itself, you know, we did the cheeky run, um, just the whole weekend. It's such a like buildup and I've been looking forward to it that was like getting me through the winter mornings in Melbourne. And then it happens.
And then I just feel like I kind of, and it always happens to me after a race, you go into this like slump for a little bit. Um, and it's really hard. I found it really hard to just do all the training and more so all of the one percenters that go along with training, like the rehab kind of stuff and recovery. Um, and yeah, I just wasn't getting the same enjoyment as I normally do.
You're bang on the thing of like, you're just enjoying it a little bit less. Um, that's kind of what it feels like, which is weird when it's usually something that gives so much joy. But I think, I mean, this is good, good to talk about then. Cause it's clearly something that like people experience, like feeling, even when you really, really, really love something.
Um, and I'm really interested in what you said about how you feel like it's because you you didn't have a break because what I the next kind of thing we wanted to discuss is like, okay, well, that's the that's what we feel. But why does it happen? And I completely agree.
I think one big reason that you start to get this like low motivation is when you just don't have a break and you just kind of feel like, whether that's mentally or physically, like you feel like you're just relentlessly kind of running towards, literally running towards something that, that doesn't seem to have like a, yeah, you don't have that reset point, I suppose.
Yeah. I think that's one of why, one of the reasons why it's so important to categorize your training in a sense to break it up a little bit. So you're, you might be like training for an event, but then after that you stop for a little bit and then you go again, not just physically to have that reset. But I think mentally as well.
Um, one of the reasons that I, I know, I feel like I've just taken over this, even though you're the one feeling it now, but I'm just like reflecting on straight after Gold Coast was that like, I was quite overwhelmed by the thought of what was And I think because I knew that I was going to be running more than ever, um, and training for a marathon and the like long runs particularly, I found them really daunting. And so I almost felt like I was like wading in this territory.
waiting for the like onslaught of training.
Yeah. That's ominous. Sometimes,
also the thought of it quite often is worse than actually doing it or not worse. Yeah. I
the doing it is Well,
like, no,
I know exactly what, you mean, because like, I have, I'm meant to be doing my long run tomorrow morning, and I am honestly terrified. Like, I, no, sorry, I'm not honest, that is such an exaggeration, I'm not terrified. But I'm just like, quaking in my boots.
I am terrified. I would rather swim with sharks.
Kind of, yeah. I don't know, I'm just kind of dreading it and feeling like, I'm not like, you know some long runs where you feel like you're like attacking the long run and it's like you and you're all over it and you're like hitting it and I feel like at the moment the long run is attacking me and I'm just like the victim of the long run.
Is it normally you think you make the long run your little bitch, but
Yeah, exactly.
the long run's little bitch.
am definitely the little bitch of the long run.
It's just dragging you by the ear.
That's the, that's the soundbite for the episode. Um, yeah, I feel like I'm very, I've gotta, yeah, I feel very strongly that I'm like, not, um, not really working well with my long runs right now. So yeah, I, the feeling of being overwhelmed, that definitely doesn't help.
The other thing that I was thinking about though, is like, there are factors that, there are lifestyle factors that can mean your resilience gets lower and hence you just can't cope with these challenging, like, it's okay to have challenging parts about being a marathon, but you kind of need to like, you know, Be really resilient to cope with them.
But then sometimes if you're not, um, if you're not getting enough sleep, for example, like works really busy or you're not feeling well enough and all those things, or you have some other emotional stress in your life, then you just don't have the resilience to cope with like that feeling of overwhelm or that feeling of like a little bit burnout. And that's what we need.
Um, one thing that I think is interesting is that time period that you were reflecting on, uh, when you were feeling, um, a bit of a lack of motivation, was kind of that lead up to you going away when you were, like, so busy. Like, I just remember you were just, like, every day you had, like, a million different things you needed to do and get done and wrap up, and I'm in, like, a really position, similar position right now, but, like, I fly overseas on, Sunday.
And between now and then I've got like, you know, my long run and a wedding and, um, a million different work things to do and everything. And it does. Um, I was, I, I was comparing, okay, you probably shouldn't do this. I don't know if you ever do this. Tell me if you do this ever. I went back and looked at my last marathon and I looked at, on Strava, the, like runs I'd been doing in the lead up to it,
well, I, I actually have done that before. Not in this case, cause I haven't done a marathon block before. I had nothing to compare to. So I was like, I am awesome. But no, I have definitely done that. You go back and yeah,
assess what you
how did I do that?
yeah, and you look at your sessions and you kind of like, could I do that now? Like, how does that compare to what I'm doing now? And I was looking at my training for my last marathon when I got my PB and I was just, I was running like so much more than I'm running now. And I was like hitting these massive sessions. But my main reflection is that like, that was like mid lockdown and I was doing nothing else.
Mm.
I was doing was running and chilling and now I'm like, my life is like, there's a lot more going on in my life right now and I think that, yeah, I had more factors that enabled me to have that kind of, be able to push, really push myself physically and mentally that I, I don't have in my toolkit right now.
Yeah. Yeah, I think that is a really good point, how there are so many other factors that come into play, that dictate how high your resilience level is
yeah.
Even everyday stuff, if I'm tired or hungry, my resilience is particularly hungry, like below ground. Whereas if I've had enough sleep and I've got a full tummy, I almost feel like I can tackle the world. So I don't think that's just in running. I feel like that's in life in general. Um, but I guess let's brainstorm solutions. of how to get out of your rut. Like, I know that we've spoken about before, creating good habits and, um, finding a bit of a hook to try to get you back into running.
For instance, only listening to your favourite podcast or favourite song, while going for a run. But, that's really good in terms of building habits, but it's also, it's a bit of a band aid fix, I think,
Yeah, it, yeah. When I think about that, it feels a bit like, um, what's the saying? Like putting lipstick on a pig. Like, like, that's, have you heard
I think it's, you can't, I think it's, you can't shine a shit. Oh
that's slightly different. But yeah, it's actually a very, no, similar meaning. And
yeah. Yeah.
I'm like, oh, that feels like it would be doing some little surface level things, but not actually fixing the core of the problem, um, necessarily. Like, I think about that and I'm like, that does not make me anymore. Like that's not going to fix this for me, I don't think. Um, but yes, for my running rut, which I really like talking about it as my personal, like, little running rut, because I feel like that makes it feel less, um, makes it feel less intimidating.
It's like, oh, I've got a little rut and I've got to sort it out. I've just
little alliteration
a little running rut and I'm just going to get out of it. And yeah, I think, um, In terms of like, actually that's really helpful what we did before, like breaking down where it was coming from, like maybe lack of break, maybe feeling a bit more overwhelmed and maybe some lifestyle factors.
Because I think, I honestly think the number one thing which I need to do, which I actually have, been doing this week is, this feels insane, like four weeks out from marathon, but let's just have a little break. Like, I just think I really needed a reset. Um, and I just needed some easy runs. So this week. I have only run twice. It's, Thursday night, yeah. And I've done two little gentle runs and that's it.
And, and again, I've been sick so that has been like a really, and that's a great like your body telling you slow down, ease up. But I think I will hopefully, as of tomorrow, be like feeling ready to get back into it.
But I feel like I worry that if I'd pushed through, even though I haven't been feeling niggly or anything, it's one of those things where you feel like you're running and you're so fatigued and you're just, you know, You're almost just burning yourself out and I just, I don't want to get to the start line and just feel really burnt out and potentially get injured or anything. Like I want to
Yeah, no, you want to
start line feeling good, even if I'm not, yeah, even if I'm not as fit as I maybe would have been if I'd just like pushed through. Um, but yeah, to, to what end I think. So I
Yeah. I also, I think being on the opposite side now when you're in the thick of training, a couple of days off seems outrageous and like an eternity kind of thing in the sense that I don't know if you're the same, but I know that if I'm all in on training, if someone said to me have three days off, I'd be worried about losing fitness and that kind of thing.
But I feel like now on the other side, and looking a bit more objectively, I can so easily tell you that you having two or three days off isn't going to make a difference to your fitness. Like, you're not going to lose any fitness, but in terms of sickness, like you might have, avoided getting really sick or getting a bit niddly or even just like feeling really run down and burnt out and not enjoying your wedding, the wedding that you're going to this weekend.
So I honestly, I think when you get to the start line in Berlin, having these few days off is not going to have made a difference to your like overall time,
I hope so. And yeah, and maybe it will even help that might last like a few big weeks of training. So that's not a bad thing either. But yeah, that's actually a really useful perspective. That is, yeah, sometimes it's good to just like pull yourself out of your little, your little running rut or your little like head space for a bit and be like, actually, that's gonna be fine.
That's, yeah. I think another thing is, is like trying to make things as easy as possible. Little things, like straight after Gold Coast, I was driving to work quite a bit. And so instead of going home and then going for my run, um, because I was in that mindset that I feel like if I did that, then I might never get out the door. But so I'd
get home and not run.
like a kilometre from home and then just run from there. Because then you're also just not wasting time. You're getting
yeah, yeah,
out of the car and running. There's like nothing to sort of like procrastinate. Yeah. Um, so little things like that. And also all of those one percenters like rolling pre run stuff, post run mobility, everything like that. They, when you're in a running rut, I can end up feeling like, they are taking up your whole life. So I think easing off on some of those just for a short period of time can be really helpful. I think the main thing is though is to not ease off them for too long.
Cause I feel like then you risk injury and that kind of thing. So it's like doing that better than also taking a bit of a break or just your foot off the gas a little bit.
Yeah. Yeah, you're so right. It's like. Drop all, the 1% ers that actually take up so much of your energy and focus on the things that, like, sleep and fueling that actually are going to make a really big difference. Because, actually, Sean, my boyfriend's advice, for this is often, like, if you're in a running hole, you kind of got to eat your way out of it. Because I think his perspective is that you're probably, you probably, need a bit more energy. And
Hmm.
eat really well for a couple of days and that will help. And so yeah okay well I feel like they're all that's really they're really important like lifestyle factors because then I guess other one is to like how do you think to approach the like fear of the upcoming training and feeling overwhelmed by that and that contribution to the burnout or
Yeah, I, I just strip it right back and just take it day by day. So just focus on, or even the week. So instead of thinking of all of the long runs you're going to have to do in the next six weeks, or four weeks, or however long it is, just focus on this week. What do you have to get done this week? Or even smaller, what do you have to, what are you getting done today?
Um, and then, day by day, if you're just focusing on what you have to do right then and there, then you'll get it done and build those blocks. But I think it's just like not looking too far ahead because I think that's when it gets a bit overwhelming. What do you reckon? Yeah,
like that. Like break it down. Um, and then I don't know, I like what you said before about, thinking about the effort rather than the pace. I think there's something there to do with like identify what about the run is intimidating for you. Is it the distance? Is it the time that you're running? Is it the pace? And then like maybe reframe what success looks like for you. So for me, like I'm kind of okay with the distance now.
Um, so I know I can run that far, but it's when I have faster efforts in them that I feel that feels overwhelming to me. Whereas the reframing the effort to be like, well it for it to be in effort rather than a pace and be like, it just needs to feel hard and care about that. And if you do that, then that's successful, then that feels really doable. I'm like, oh yeah, I can do that.
So, I feel like it's maybe like identify what it is and then try and reframe that or make that element of it like the Less scary.
yeah. Yeah, if it is the long run that you're fearful of, I think breaking it up, so. Even if they're not joining you for all of it, get a family member or a friend to run or ride their bike next to you for a portion. I don't know if you're the same, but I always think that things are less scary when you're with other people. Um, cause I guess you're a little bit distracted and not in your own head. So if it means that you might do the run a bit slower, or.
to go like a different way to what the ideal route would be. Um, I think that is completely fine. So I feel like try to meet up with friends, even if it's for, yeah, if you're doing long run, but for the first. like half an hour or even like a middle half an hour because then there's something to look forward to as well. Um, and then by the time that's done then the run itself is so much less overwhelming.
I think that's if the like distance is the part of the run that is like freaking you out a little bit.
Because I guess it's kind of like, if you're lacking motivation, like how do you make it fun again? And, and some of the strategies you gave before in terms of making it rewarding, but it's like taking the pressure off it and making it fun. So whether that's like, who do you run with or where you run or even, you know, like wearing a different pair of shoes,
Or finishing at your favorite coffee shop after. Yeah.
finishing, yeah, yeah, like how, how, it's like, how can you make it feel really fun? Buy yourself a new pair of clothes, like running clothes that you're really excited to wear, like, um, I feel like, yeah, you gotta find, find ways to take it, like, I always feel like you, when you take it too seriously, you lose the motivation, and that's when, that's when you lose the fun, so, gotta make it fun again.
Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Identify what makes running fun and hone in on those. Shall we get into the cheeky team member of the week?
Yes, I just had a bit of an epiphany when you said that. Because I have been trying to get more sleep and I've been sleeping in some mornings. I've been not running with friends more. And that's like what makes running fun. So in my quest to catch up on sleep, I have been missing out on some of what makes running fun. So maybe that also explains some of my motivation dip.
Yeah maybe you have to do a bit of a compromise. Every, every second night you get some sleep and the alternate days you run with friends
I run with friends and I
or go to bed earlier. That is the age old thing.
Just got to bed earlier. Um, but yes, let's move on to our Cheeky Team Member of the Week, which, as we said this week, we are doing something a little bit different. Um, so as a reminder, Cheeky Team Member of the Week, this segment is sponsored by our friends at ON, at ON Um, as they like set on marathon running is a team sport, which we completely agree with absolutely love that sentiment. And that is definitely something that we have been feeling in this build.
And so actually the award we wanted to give relates to someone who has really lent us really embodied that. Um, do you want to talk through who we're crowning and why?,
Yes. A little bit different. So, recently we have been asking questions on the Strava page and then picking the answer who we think embodies the cheeky message but also something that we like have been able to learn from each other. and a response that's super insightful. Um, but as a lot of, you know, who have Instagram, um, I posted a real, my PR announcement.
I, there were quite a few people who messaged in just some really nice, caring messages, um, to, yeah, just give their well wishes and everything, which is very much appreciated. So thank you so much. Um, but there are a few people whose messages I just thought were so thought out. So our cheeky team member of the weeks, their Instagram handle is that average dom slim. Um, and Pheebs, do you want to read out the message that he sent?
I will. Yes, Average Dom Slim actually creates great running content, so check him out if you don't follow him already. But his message to Anna was, Hey Cheekies! Anna, I'm gutted for you. I admire your brave decision to not only pull out to focus on your recovery, but to be open to sharing that recovery to the world. Astressi forced me out of the GC Mara a week before the big dance, and it's been eight weeks off running with a long road still ahead.
It will be tough at times, but you're mentally tougher and surrounded by an incredible community that you've helped build. They will appreciate your openness, and you'll find new connections, new light in what can seem like a dark time, notwithstanding Italy. You're a legend, and the best is yet to come.
I feel like the messages that you got in response to that, Real, uh, really like a, um, summarize like what's best about the running community when it's at its best is that people kind of like just get around each other and show support for each other. So, uh, yeah, that's just such a nice message.
That is it we are
exciting
down on the Berlin marathon quest, but, Um, either way, we will still be documenting everything. And it has been so nice to chat Phoebe and very excitingly. Almost this time next week, I will be getting to see your smiley face.
I was about to say next week we
to everyone who listens. As always, please follow us on Instagram and Twitter at Instagram and TikTok at Tricky Run
I start talking and you're just like bam, she's back. She's, no time for that. Um, no, I was gonna say, next time, next time we record, um, we'll be in person in Girona next time. And we don't need to deal with your dodgy Italian Wi Fi anymore and we'll be back
cool.
to face and it's gonna be so fun.
Actually, I'm very excited to see you.
know, I'm so excited. It's been so long. I can't wait. But yes, so much for listening. ON for helping us bring this episode to life and we will be in your ears next week. 10 second pause. Bye.
Oh my gosh, the reception is getting so
Wait,
Oh, sorry, sorry. Can you hear me again?
I can hear you fine. You're just like bulldozing over the top of me any time I try.