Big rant & water running

RUNLY NEWSLETTER #114
Thur June 12th 2025

I'm really sorry, but I'm going to start this week's newsletter on a sour note, but I promise it picks up as we go along!

On Sunday night there was quite a nasty comment on one of our posts from a passer-by.

Now, the comment was extremely condescending in a way that might (definitely) discourage runners from having a go, or putting themselves out there.

I'm not shocked that there are people who feel like that it's okay to discourage, or put others down based on their pace, how far they run, what they look like or if they decide to post it to social media, but regardless, I don't want anything to do with it.

When I digged a bit deeper, the commenter was clearly an experienced runner based on their profile. In fact, apparently an award-winning running coach.

Which makes it even more baffling to me - I can't understand the need to undermine others who are perhaps just beginning their journey, or that want to share their journey.

I am so proud to be part of an inclusive running movement, that encourages everyone to have a go, be part of a community and achieve their goals.

I decided to screenshot the comment, my reply, and post it onto my personal Instagram story to call it out.

Whether or not that is the right thing to do, I'm not sure.

It made me really sick to my core, that in this era of running communities, run clubs, accessible races & inclusivity, that some will feel the need to put others down who are out there having a go.
 
And I remind myself that there will always be people like that, and it's not my job to change it, but I will call it out when I see it.
 
Whether you're running 100mile ultras, or just getting around the block, whether you're running incognito, or you're sharing your journey on social media, none of those things are right or wrong.
 
You do you.
 
Ironically, it's not a race. We're all on our own journey.
 
I'm not a person of influence in the running community. I don't lead a large group of runners every week across trails, or manage a thriving run club.
 
But I am unapologetic for standing up for things I believe in, and championing runners who are out there having a go, will always be one of them.
 
Rant over.
 
On a lighter note, and speaking of being on our own journeys, I have made what I would call, a step sideways in my quest to return to running.
 
If you follow this newsletter, or maybe even my Strava, you'll know that I've been dealing with a particularly bad knee injury for the last couple of years.
 
A few weeks ago I decided to head down to my local fitness centre and give their 'deep water running' classes a go.
 
Couldn't hurt, right?
 
As you may have expected, it's an older crowd.
 
But my word, it's a hell of a workout.
 
For 60 minutes, I was sprinting up and down the pool, my heart rate pounding, keeping my head just above water, legs pumping and arms swinging.
 
My heart rate was consistently 150-180bpm for the entire session.
 
I've been back multiple times each week.
 
I feel stronger for it, reduced pain and well, probably a little bit fitter.
 
Speaking to one of the lovely ladies after the session, she said that they often have AFL players come and do sessions there when they are injured.
 
And it doesn't surprise me.
 
It made me wonder whether some runners would benefit from swapping out one of their weekly runs for a deep water running session?
 
Food for thought.

If somewhere local to you offers deep water running sessions, I would highly recommend it as a cross-training alternative, or if you're coming back from injury.

That's all for this week.
Thanks for your support as always.

Robbie.