Runner in training - Part 1: Getting started

Daniel Piggott (pictured right) is a physiotherapist at Back In Motion Bankstown (NSW), he holds a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physiotherapy from the University of Western Sydney. Daniel particularly enjoys assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. In his spare time he enjoys sport playing football, oz tag and basketball and has recently taken up running with the goal of completing the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon in May 2014. You can follow Daniel's journey as he blogs about his experience leading up to the run.

Part 1: Getting started

Exercise is the best medicine. You’re probably thinking, that can’t be right, wasn’t it an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Don’t be concerned, you can continue to gulp down the Pink Ladies as part of a healthy diet, but it is exercise that has proven to be most successful to improve general health and prevent disease over any other form of management. But what type of exercise is best? Of course this depends on many factors such as your current state of health and desired goals. Ultimately, there’s no simple answer and everyone has their preference. My chosen physical activity is running.

The background knowledge you possess in regards to health and exercise will definitely shape your opinion on running. For some it is very simple, it’s like a faster version of walking, right? Although not entirely correct, I would say that is a fair enough assumption. It seemingly doesn’t compare to the complexity of Zumba, Brazilian Butt Lift or whatever tickles your fancy. But of course to the keen runner and physiotherapist alike (aka myself), running can be made to be a very complicated task. A great deal of research and analysis on gait pattern and ground force reactions has taken place as well as much debate and the types of running strike: heel vs. forefoot vs. Moon Walk striking styles of running.

Whatever your perspective may be on running itself, let’s not forget the line that started this blog; exercise is the best medicine. In my humble opinion, I believe that being the best physiotherapist is not about possessing the best manual skills, being able to massage someone back to life; it is teaching, convincing and motivating people to exercise. Specifically, let’s think about motivation. Now don’t worry, this blog will not become a philosophical breakdown of where motivation lies; I could hypothesise many ideas about what motivates us to exercise. Alternatively, I aim to pass on my personal experience in developing and fostering motivation.

I was lucky enough to catch up with a good friend and Olympic athlete (confidentiality maintained!) several months ago. I listened in awe at their training regime and for some forsaken reason, decided to come along to participate in a training session. You guessed correctly, it was running. Besides the delayed onset of muscle soreness experienced the following days (and I mean very delayed and very sore), I surprised myself with my performance and was very satisfied. This forged the beginning of my return to consistent running, and a few months later I have decided to compete in the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon coming up in mid May.

But enough about me, and may I stress that I do not condone you to stalk down athletes to train with to find motivation. I am simply saying that one can very much benefit from the work of others. So if you find it difficult getting started with exercise, I urge you to listen to the wise words of Eddie McGuire and phone a friend - to go waking with or running with, or join their Clinical Exercise class, maybe invent a Yoga pose, or whatever it may be, and get exercising!

Daniel Piggott, Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Bankstown