Kirribilli Runners – Women’s Running Month
Steve Kibble
Greetings KRew
As I mentioned in last weeks newsletter, we thought that it would be a good idea to have a focus Women’s Running and on the issues that face women runners, stuff that we men probably don’t think about or even know exists.
Obviously Chris and I are not the ones to write about this and so for this month I’m enlisting the help of some of the women in the club to talk about what some of the issues are, and provide tips on the ways to address them.
For this first week I’ve enlisted one of my regular running buddies Margriet, to share with us her running journey and to author the #healthtip.
Your name and/or running nickname?
Just Margriet. I used to be called Dutchie in a former (non-running) life.
How long have you been running?
I am a running veteran of three and a half years. So I only started relatively recently when I went for a beach run with a friend and really enjoyed it. It took me 6 months to be able to run 5km without stopping, 18 months to run a marathon and now I’m hooked. My friend is still trying to get to the 5km without stopping part. Whoops.
What inspires you to keep running?
Probably it’s the mental health benefits more than anything. I think there is no better sport than one you can start straight from your front door, go out and discover new trails as you go, meet new likeminded people and, of course, watching Strava adding up the kilometres every month. And although I’m not the fastest runner, who doesn’t like to get a PB or a Local Legend or stretching the number of kilometres a little further each month? Or beating @Stephen Kibble by 3/100 second on the KR10K?
What’s the coolest place you have ever run?
Nothing really beats Sydney Harbour and Middle Harbour trails, but my coolest run is the 20km Bare Creek Trail Run I ran with my 14-year-old daughter last year. It was her first race and her first long distance run. She hit the wall around 15km, but managed to dig deep, dry the tears, stop swearing and keep going. We ran hand-in-hand for the last 5 kilometres and she ended up winning the junior category. It was such a wonderful experience to share with my daughter.
How do you feel at the start of a run?
If I plan to go for a run, I try to get out and do it, rain, hail or shine. Sometimes I need to talk myself into it, but I always enjoy it once I start. Up to now I have only ever done two proper races and at the start of the Blackmores Marathon 2 years ago, I was shitting myself. At the start of the Bare Creek Trails Run, my daughter was shitting herself. So maybe that’s a theme?
When you see another runner coming towards you, what do you do?
I always smile. Except if running the Cahill Express uphill, then you’ll only get a grimace. If it is blowing a gale and the rain is driving horizontally, you’ll get a lunatic huge grin.
What’s the most interesting thing that has ever happened to you whilst running?
Being poked at by not one, but two, people with umbrellas during last year’s lockdown. People are so ill informed and must have read that runners spread COVID with all their spluttering and exhaling. That goes into the “oh FFS” bucket.
What do your friends think of your running?
As hardly any of them are runners, they think I am totally nuts, especially running some stupendous distances during this last month of lockdown. Some probably think I should have taken up knitting as a mental health hobby.
What do you do with your clothes immediately after you get home from a run?
I have 3 kids and so with at least 10 loads a week: straight in the washing machine of course! And really, is there any other answer??
What’s the one thing you wish you’d been told before you started running?
With three kids, to do my pelvic floor exercises. Like REALLY do my pelvic floor exercises, every single day. I now know the location of every single toilet and their likely state on any of my regular runs. But often it’s too late as there is no warning. Ladies: do those Kegels!
Thanks for sharing Margriet and being able to run such a great race with one of your children is very special indeed. Next week I will be chatting to Valerie about how she is going with her running journey.
Margriet #healthtip #runlikeagirl
Stress incontinence
Even without pregnancies, many women experience stress incontinence whilst running. This is a very common challenge when exercising or just going about your day-to-day business and sneezing or laughing too hard. It shouldn’t be a taboo and involuntary leakage shouldn’t stop female runners running.
Apparently 45% of female runners have experienced stress incontinence and 76% of those hadn’t given birth. That’s you and me and ten others on that Thursday KR Classic night alone.
What can you do to alleviate this? Regular Kegels (contract and hold the pelvic floor muscles as if trying not to pee and then relaxing them) together with breathing exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, work on your running form and strengthen hips and glutes. Did you know crunches make it worse? If you needed an excuse – you’re welcome.
If it still happens after that final sprint, don’t worry about it, just shrug it off with a “whoops, I just peed myself.” Black shorts go a long way.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/leaking-while-running-pro-tips-run-without-worry/art-20457585
Thanks Margriet, a good tip to get the month started, and one that I expect many women will be able to relate to it.
From some feedback I’ve had, we’ve come up with a few topics, but I’m sure there are many more, so please either message me or Margriet or leave a comment below and I will add them to the list for future newsletters. We are also keen to have other women write the #healthtip so let us know if you are able to help us out.
Just before I go, don’t forget there is a virtual KR drinks session on Zoom tonight at 8pm, please see Mick’s invite on the KR FB page.
Well that’s a wrap for another week, enjoy your KRClassic Virtual run today and don’t forget to share some photos with us all on the KR FB page.
Remember to take care of yourself and others. And wash your hands, wear a mask and remember to socially distance.
Happy trails,
Steve
Director
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