November 18, 2025 • 45 mins
Running doesn’t just build fitness; sometimes, it rebuilds a sense of self.
For carpenter and father of three Craig Parsons, running began in a rather unique way. Balancing long hours, physical work, and family life, Craig has faced anxiety, alcohol, and self-doubt head-on... proving that strength isn’t about muscle, it’s about mindset.
In this raw and honest episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty talk with Craig about the challenges of opening up in a tough, masculine industry, the lessons learned through injury and recovery, and how running helped him find focus, purpose, and community.
In this episode:
- How running entered and transformed Craig’s life
- The shift from casual jogs to marathon milestones
- Overcoming injury during Ned’s Uncomfortable Challenge
- Managing anxiety and alcohol for long-term wellbeing
- Redefining strength and balance in work, family, and running
Runbelievable: real runners, unreal stories.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rnblv_official/
Got a Runbelievable story or interested in being a guest on the show? Hit us up on socials or email us at joshua@runbelievable.au
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Craig (00:07):
I've always struggled with anxiety, but then with
kids, with my own kids andrealizing it affects my life and
their life.
I didn't want them to, you knowsee me like that, or I wanted
to enjoy my life more with mykids, so I decided to yeah, get
help.
Um and uh better for it.
Joshie (00:30):
Hello everybody and welcome to Run Political
Everyday Running and not soeveryday story.
So I think running uploadswhere what makes money a truly
(00:56):
human experience.
Later in this episode, you'llmeet a runner who's challenging
spike norms and showingunwavering resolve in the
process.
I really can't wait to chatwith him, Maddie.
Welcome back.
Black Friday Hotels are welland truly upon us.
What is on your shopping list?
Matty (01:15):
Been going through them.
Um very dangerous, but no,there's nothing on the list.
Um there may be purchases, whoknows?
But yeah, I'm trying to avoidthem as much as I can.
Joshie (01:31):
Yeah, look, I know you quite well, and I think you'll
struggle to avoid the shops.
Um price up there right now.
Matty (01:38):
So who knows?
Joshie (01:40):
Yeah, well, let us know what you end up getting.
Um, and let's get stuck intothe unbelievable rundown.
And just a reminder, this iswhere we share highlights,
mishaps, and little wins, thekind of stuff that Strava simply
can't capture.
Although, having said that, uh,this actually is the kind of
stuff that Strava can capture.
In fact, it is about Strava.
So um a couple of weeks ago,Maddie, I put a poll up on
(02:03):
Instagram asking what peoplewould do if they get to the end
of a park run.
So let's say you go out thereand smash a park run for
argument's sake, let's say it'sa PB, either an overall PB or a
coarse PB, and the watch is on4.98 Ks.
Now I'll put three options, andwe had a good response to this
one.
50% of folks said that theywould leave it, so they wouldn't
(02:26):
touch like the watch, theywouldn't make any adjustments,
4.98 Ks.
42% said that they would runthe extras to get to the 5Ks.
And 8%, and I fall into thisboat, would edit the distance.
Now let's explore this a littlebit.
What would you do, Maddie?
So you've just run a PB.
Let's say it's your firstsub-20.
I know that that's on youragenda at some point.
(02:46):
Yeah.
And the watch says 4.98 Ks.
What do you do?
I'd leave it.
Matty (02:51):
Um, yes, it's not going to show up on Strava, and yes,
you can alter it, which I Ihaven't before.
Um, I've never done that, but Iwould probably just leave it um
and call it a PB.
Call it a PB, you know.
Joshie (03:02):
But then someone looks into Strava and and you've and
your 5k PB is let's say half aminute or a minute um uh more.
Matty (03:11):
Yeah, um doesn't matter, doesn't matter.
I know I know it's a PB.
I know it's a PB.
Joshie (03:18):
Yeah, I don't know.
I'd edit the distancepersonally.
42% of people said that theywould run the extras to get that
watch to tick over.
But I wonder if we were tochallenge those people, you run
the extras, what if thatactually takes you over your PB?
Matty (03:34):
Yeah, it could do.
Same with editing the distanceas well, because it it adds time
on.
Um doesn't edit the distance.
No, I think it does.
I think it takes it off youraverage pace.
I'm sure it does.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Joshie (03:51):
If that's the case, there's no way I'd be touching
it then.
Matty (03:54):
Um yeah, I wouldn't touch it.
It is what it is.
Joshie (03:58):
Yeah, it is indeed.
But look, um, hopefully for thelisteners that wasn't too
excruciating.
Now, Maddie, I feel like I'monto a winning formula with
changing the quiz every episode.
So, guess what?
Today, I'm bringing back overor under.
Matty (04:14):
Oh, nice, I like this one.
Joshie (04:16):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, let's hope you don't likeit after this.
So these questions are allabout the New York marathon,
which was run and won earlierthis month.
Now, the men's marathonfeatured the closest ever finish
at the New York marathon.
End up being have you seen it,Maddie?
Matty (04:34):
A nice sprint finish what's none of New York?
I have no idea.
Joshie (04:38):
Yeah, that's good for me.
Now, there was a sprint finishbetween um Benson Kipperuto and
Alexander Matiso, and I think itwas like 0.2, 0.3.
It was so unbelievable.
It was beautiful to watch, andI'm so pleased that you aren't
all over it because that meansthe chances of you getting three
from three, and I'm gonna liveto regret saying this, your
(05:01):
chances are quite low.
Question number one Are youready?
I'm ready.
The goat, Eliud Kipchogi, hetook part.
It was his seventh world major.
He finished in a time of twohours fourteen and thirty-six
seconds.
Was his finishing position overor under 15th?
It was under.
Matty (05:23):
I think he came in.
I think he came eighth.
Eighth and ninth, maybe maybe11th.
He was under 15.
Joshie (05:33):
Ha, he was 17th, my friend.
Can you believe that?
And I looked at that one.
Oh, this is fantastic.
Question number two.
Um, Helena Beery won thewomen's marathon.
It was actually her fourthmajor title.
Did she pocket over or under130,000 US dollars for her
(05:55):
efforts?
I'd say over.
Well done, my friend.
She pocketed 150,000.
Matty (06:04):
I was thinking 150.
Yeah.
Joshie (06:06):
Well, the reason for that, the purse for winning was
100 grand, but she got an extra50,000.
Can you believe that 50k bonusfor breaking the course record,
which I think is sensational?
Good to see that there's somegood money out there for that.
Yeah, definitely.
Um, question number three, andlook, Maddie, everyone loves a
sub-three hour marathon, don'tthey?
(06:27):
Now, I'll give you a little bitof a clue.
I think there was 55,000 umparticipants in the in the
marathon.
Did over or under 2,423 run asub-three hour marathon?
Over or under?
We'd go over.
(06:47):
Uh-uh.
It was under 2,396.
And you got me on that one.
You got me.
I got you on two out of three,which is absolutely fantastic.
Now, how did you go at home?
Feel free to let us know.
Now, today's guest knows athing or two about hard work,
(07:11):
both on the tools and on thetrack.
His running journey is one thatneeds to be delicately
navigated.
Being self-employed in avocation where maintaining
physical strength and focus isimperative.
Between long hours, fatigue,and major lifestyle changes, his
story is one of honesty andstrength in an industry that
doesn't necessarily always makeit that easy.
(07:33):
So, can we please all welcomeCraig Parsons?
Craig, thanks so much forjoining us.
Craig (07:39):
Hey guys, how are you?
Joshie (07:41):
Hey, yeah, good Craig.
How are you, mate?
Yeah, good.
Yeah.
What would you do?
I know you're tuning in for theuh the uh the Strava thing.
I mean, if you ran a PB, whatwould you do if the watch is
stuck on 4.98?
Craig (07:54):
Well, I don't think I knew you could do that because
I've done a few of those whereum it ended up being a PB, but
then yeah, it didn't come up inmy best 5k time, so I didn't
realise you could actuallyadjust the distance.
Um I guess yeah, what Maddiesaid it's there, but it's not
official.
Joshie (08:17):
Um now look uh Craig, running came into your life in a
rather unique way.
What can you tell us aboutthat?
Craig (08:26):
Um so yeah, to do with um like mental health issues, um,
challenges.
Um I was I've heard thatrunning can help to sort of burn
off any excess um I don't know,adrenaline in your body, and it
can clear your mind.
So um just just started doingthat on my own 3K runs, um but
(08:52):
didn't really know what I wasdoing, so I'd get to 3Ks and
sort of be like, oh that'll do,I'm tired.
And uh it wasn't until yeah,some friends introduced me to a
run club, some good friends, andthey sort of said, Oh, you
know, we'll do 5K's, and I'mlike, I've never done that, but
before I knew it, I could, youknow, you just push yourself a
(09:12):
bit further each time and getbetter and better at it.
Joshie (09:18):
Yeah, what was the run club that you joined?
Craig (09:23):
Um uh run club 24, shout out.
Um, just some good friendsaround the area, um based down
Strath Pine.
Um so we're all affiliated withthe Pine River Swans, uh good
footy club.
Um all our kids play footy downthere, and um yeah, I was
(09:44):
actually at the men's trainingjust trying to get fitter, and
someone one of my good friendssort of said, Oh, you should
come join us, we're training fora marathon.
Um just join in whenever youlike, and I sort of said, Yeah,
okay.
And yeah, just every week I'devery week the K's went up.
Um and then as my legs got lessand less sore, I could run a
(10:06):
few more times each week.
Um and before before I knew it,they're sort of like, oh, you
should, you know, sign up for ahalf marathon.
I'm like, oh, don't know aboutthat.
Like it seems like um we'reonly running 10k or something.
I thought I said, I'll do a10k, and they went, No, no,
you've already done 10k, likehave it a half marathon, and
(10:28):
alright, and that was you knowquite a seemed scary, a big
distance, but um signed up forthat.
Um and yeah, slowly made it wayup to that distance with
training and everything, and gotto that point pretty easily.
Um did the half marathon prettywell, the jetty to jetty.
(10:49):
Um really enjoyed it, andleading up to that, one of my
friends she hurt herself and shesort of said, Do you wanna do
the marathon? 'Cause I can't doit anymore.
And that was, you know, seemeda bridge a bridge too far.
But they all they all kind ofsaid, Well, you're doing what
(11:10):
we're doing, you may as wellgive it a go.
Matty (11:13):
And um don't think about it, take the ticket and run it.
Craig (11:18):
Yeah, which which is what I s well, which is what I've
started doing, just um yeah,when someone offers you
something just to take it,because you're always gonna be
afraid, but um so yeah, that wasa sunny coast marathon.
Um did that, it hurt a lot, butgot through it.
Yeah.
Um yeah, that's the basicstarting story of my running
(11:39):
career, I guess, last year.
Joshie (11:43):
When you were younger, did you run much, like was
running a feature of your youthat all, whether through you
know, little athletics or schoolsport or anything like that?
Craig (11:53):
Yeah, well, I used to play AFL as a a kid up into my
mid-teenage years.
Um so I used to like I did usedto like running around, like
running laps around the field toget you, you know, better
better football game.
Um and I did like crosscountries, did did quite well at
cross countries at school.
Um so yeah, we'll always fit,but when you know, when work
(12:17):
comes along, as I'm a carpenter,you don't, you know, you don't
have time before or after workto do anything because you're
too tired quite often.
And that would sort of be thereason I wouldn't pursue any, I
guess, sports or sports becauseyou don't want to injure
yourself to not be able to work,I guess.
Um then yeah, you'd think aboutrunning and then you get home
(12:38):
and just want to, you know,relax and get ready for the next
day of work, which makes ithard.
Matty (12:44):
But do you find and I know I do this as well, and I um
always made excuses aboutexercise prior to prior to
running, but when it's um foryour own mental health, um and
you know that there's gonna bebenefit to that, I think and and
what you know what a lot ofpeople run for mental health,
and you seem to find the time umto actually do it because it
(13:07):
becomes like not so much aboutexercise, but it's almost a
function to um have that betteror good mental health each day.
Is that what you f you found?
Craig (13:20):
Yeah, definitely.
And I didn't like I didn't knowthat until I didn't know it had
those effects, I guess, runninguntil I knew about it, like you
say, and then you know if youdon't you sort of have that
later in the week, you're like,Oh, I'm a bit off, I'm a bit you
know, down or a bit stressed.
You're like, okay, well maybe Ineed a few more runs this week,
(13:41):
or and I definitely notice thatnow.
Yeah.
Um so for that reason, that'sthat's definitely my why when
you get up early and you don'twant to because you're tired,
but you know, you know the aftereffects when you're when you've
done it, you feel good aboutit.
Yep.
Joshie (13:57):
Yeah.
So how long did it take, Craig,before you started to notice
those positive effects, like thephysical health things aside?
I mean, you probably knew whatthe benefits would be in terms
of physiological change, but theimpact on mental health.
Is that something that younoticed uh early on when you
started running, or did thattake a bit of time before you
(14:17):
sort of reflected and went,actually, I can see some um you
know productive changes that arehappening here?
Craig (14:24):
Yeah, I think it it did, I think it did take a while.
Um almost like creating ahabit, I guess.
You have to you're sort ofquestioning, oh, is it worth it?
Is it you know, I hurt, I hurt,I'm tired.
Um yeah, it's definitelysomething after a while you feel
(14:44):
it and you you do notice you'vegot more time like in for your
family, for your kids, you'renot getting as frustrated
easily, um, not as stressedeasily at work.
Um but yeah, probably wouldhave taken a couple of months, I
think, to actually realise.
Joshie (14:59):
Um but and was it something that you've found just
um through your own research orum you know just the the mental
health benefits, or was thatsomething that you um found
through you know professionalsupport or help?
Craig (15:15):
Yeah, um through professional help.
Um I've always struggled withanxiety as a kid and as getting
as an adult.
Um but then with kids with myown kids and realizing it
affects my life and their life,I didn't want them to, you know,
see me like that, or I wantedto enjoy my life more with my
(15:37):
kids, so I decided to yeah, gethelp.
Um and yeah, better for it.
Um but yeah, definitely was oneof the big things was running
um and all the other thingsyou're supposed to do mentally
and physically.
Um the other one was yeah,giving up drinking, which I
(15:58):
didn't believe at the time, butum definitely makes sense that
that causes something in yourbrain.
They say different people havedifferent triggers, but my brain
apparently triggers withalcohol for more anxious
thoughts and feelings.
Matty (16:16):
Yeah, too.
Got a fair fair amount ofinsight into you know um cause
and and also you know how youcan combat that.
And I think one of the thingsas well that that you don't
always realize um when you go onthis journey is when you've got
young kids, role modelling isso huge, and uh like you don't
(16:38):
think about it.
Um and you know, then the kidswant to come for a run, and it's
all positive, positiveactivity, positive habits, um
exercise, like like it's therole modelling I found um was
huge.
Craig (16:52):
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Um yeah, I don't want them to,you know, if you don't want to
live that way, you shouldn'twant to watch your kids live
that way as well, is how I feel.
Yeah.
Um yeah, it definitely helpsthem to get out amongst it with
me and keep them going.
Um also coach coach at thelocal footy club down at the
(17:16):
Swans, and that's anotherrewarding rewarding thing.
So yeah.
Helping all the kids to get fitfor footy, try to try and
integrate my running into thefooty training as well and show
them you know I can still do iteven though I'm an old fella.
But um you're far from an oldfella.
Joshie (17:39):
Don't feel it.
You know, um, so Craig, yousaid it took a little while
before you noticed the um someof the changes, in particular
the positive impacts on yourmental health.
I mean, can you recall a momentwhere you sort of noticed that
running shifted from being a apart of your life to sort of
(18:00):
being very tightly coupled withyour day-to-day routine and
lifestyle?
I mean, there for for most ofus when we're new to running,
especially if we take it up abit later in life when we're,
you know, into our 30s or 40s,at first it just feels like
something we're dabbling with,and then there comes a point
where it it's actually we almostyou know build our weeks around
(18:23):
it, or it's so um uh tightlyintertwined with our routines
that it's just there.
Can you sort of remember amoment where running sort of
became uh a feature, a permanentfixture in your life?
Craig (18:38):
Um I can't think of an exact moment, but I guess I can
sort of recall your, you know,where in the past, you know, say
being out drinking all weekendand you just sit around the
house all day doing nothing justbecause you physically can't do
anything else because you'rehung over and all that.
But um similar thing, like youmight be at home doing nothing
(19:02):
and you don't you almost don'twant to sit down and do nothing,
you're like, okay, well this isa good time to go for a run, or
you know, it's it sort ofchanges the way you think.
You think of what you do as Iguess the returns you get out of
it if you're sitting aroundjust watching TV all day, you're
not getting anything out of it.
Yeah.
Sort of changes your littlegrowth mindset.
(19:24):
Um every time you go for a run,it is it is hard, like it's
always a bit of a thought of ohdo I need to put myself through
that now?
Or but you know the end resultis um yeah, you're always
thankful you did it, and it'salways helping you be a better
runner, better person.
Joshie (19:44):
Yeah.
What what can you rememberabout your first event?
Um, you know, a lot of peopledescribe the sort of almost this
pit of anxiety, which isprobably just a bit of or almost
healthy, healthy nerves goinginto a first event.
I mean, can you remember muchabout your first event?
Craig (20:02):
Yeah, yeah, definitely nerves.
Um my first event was actuallyI wanted to do a 10k before the
half marathon just to I guessmake it easy, not such a big
event.
Um so it was uh 10k at WoodyPoint that went across the
Hornybrook and back.
Um that was actually quite goodbecause it wasn't it was like
(20:22):
an afternoon thing, and it wasyeah, I went with a friend and
she sort of said, Yeah, thisthis is nothing, or there's a
hundred people here orsomething.
So um so that was quite good.
I was quite anxious for that,but um, but yeah, like you say,
good nerves.
Um that was quite good.
But then yeah, the Jetty toJetty, which was a you know
decent size event, definitelyvery nervous as there's a lot of
(20:44):
hype and people everywhere andbuzz and it being such a big
distance as well.
Um but yeah, you're sort ofthinking, you know, when you get
up early to go and you'rethinking, what am I doing?
Why am I doing this?
Matty (20:59):
I can get out of this, I don't have to do it.
Craig (21:03):
It's so early, can I even do it?
And um but yeah, once once thegun goes and you're out, you're
yeah, you're loving it.
Um and it went it went betterthan I thought.
I sort of went a slower pace atthe start, thinking, oh yeah,
I'll just do an easy pace, butum towards the end I was yeah,
feeling good and actually spedup and probably one of my best
(21:26):
races for that reason that I hadfuel left in the tank, almost
felt like I didn't run to mypotential, but yeah.
Matty (21:33):
And you kind of get, I guess, when you run events like
that, and you know they feel sogood, and you run a really good
time, probably better than youexpected.
That's when you get hooked.
Yeah, that's when you get thatfeeling, like that runner's high
at the end where you go, Thisis my thing.
Yeah.
Do you feel did you feel that?
Craig (21:50):
Yeah, definitely.
The whole the whole atmosphere,um, and yeah, just the whole
build-up, had a great build-upto it, training and everything.
Um so yeah, the fact that ittakes such a long time to get
there, it's yeah, you gottainvest yourself into it.
And yeah, yeah, it's reallyreally good, really enjoyed it,
(22:12):
definitely got me hooked afterthat that first half marathon.
Matty (22:16):
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Joshie (22:18):
You very quickly ramped up from what you say started
with 3k runs, then fives, then10, half, and a full um it's
quite a rapid progression.
Um, aside from having friendsthat sort of goated you, um,
what was it that sort of keptyou motivated to keep sort of
pushing the limits of your umpotential and capabilities?
Craig (22:41):
Yeah, well, yeah, I sort of started.
It was like January we started,and then obviously the half
well the the full marathon wasin August, I think.
Um, but when I started, therewas no yeah, there was no actual
goal.
So it's kind of funny when Ithink back now.
Most people start with uh, youknow, I've got 20 weeks to get
to a marathon and they might puta lot of pressure on
(23:02):
themselves, but um, I just sortof joined and took it each day
and just did more and more.
Um, I guess it was the yeah,definitely a friend's help
running with friends, um, andthen like on your own starting
out seems to be quite difficultto motivate yourself to
continually consistently do it,I guess.
(23:23):
But if you've got friends andyou're accountable, um, but then
I guess the progression I couldsee happening, which was quite
quick, I guess, coming from nota lot to doing a lot.
Um, it seemed to you know,doing the odd park run here and
there and seeing each time Iwent, I was quicker each time.
So I think that kept me goingto see that you can progress a
(23:48):
lot if you just stick to it.
Yeah.
Um yeah, just yeah, really lovedit and kept it kept it going
all the time.
Yeah.
Joshie (23:59):
Yeah.
You've um been a carpenter fora while, um, self-employed if I
recall correctly.
Um how how do you go aboutbalancing the the physical side
of your work with um withexercise and training for
events?
I mean, do you find that adifficult balance?
Craig (24:23):
Yeah, it can be.
Um so I've got my got my ownbusiness, and now that I've got
guys working for me, that's whyI actually like started going to
footy training and stuff,because I did have a bit extra,
like not on the tools all dayevery day, sort of managing more
managing role and then on thetools some of the days.
(24:44):
Yeah.
Um, but yeah, if I was just onthe tools eight hours a day
every day, I probably wouldn'tbe able to do what I'd do, I
guess.
Um because even now, like Imight have a a big day, um, and
then next morning you'd go toget up to go, and you just say,
nah, like if I if I get up andgo, work's gonna suffer.
So I can't really give my alsothat is a issue about yeah,
(25:10):
physical labour.
Matty (25:11):
That is an issue, yeah.
It's yeah, how do you how doyou balance that?
Yeah, you gotta you gotta makemoney, you gotta it's your own
business, you've got to run thebusiness.
Yeah, running it's really abalancing act.
Craig (25:22):
Yeah, and I feel it's I say it's almost getting in the
way of my running now, this workstuff, but yeah.
Matty (25:30):
Who invented employment?
Craig (25:32):
Yeah.
Um but yeah, I definitely planmy days like running days on
days.
I know I won't be doing a biglabour job, it might be like
smaller sort of work, morefiddly stuff rather than heavy
lifting, and um but yeah, andthat and that goes into me
(25:53):
thinking about how to go aheadwith my business as well,
because there's always a thoughtof you know going back on the
tools on your own, depending onyou know staffing issues, or but
at the moment I've got a goodcrew of guys, yeah, and yeah.
But you usually get a good guyand they don't last forever,
that's the issue.
They usually get on bigger andbetter things.
Matty (26:16):
Yeah, that's normal.
Yeah.
Craig (26:18):
But yeah, that's interesting because I guess
that's a reality that you Yeah.
Joshie (26:23):
Yeah, because you have to be prepared to jump back on
the tools at a moment's notice.
Craig (26:28):
Um Yeah, that's right.
You'll be you'll have your dayplanned and someone will call in
sick and then all of a suddenyour day's redone, you've got to
waste another day doingsomething else, and well not
waste a day, but obviously itchanges your whole schedule and
everything.
Yeah.
Joshie (26:43):
Um Have you kind of accepted that that's just the r
reality?
Like I think I um I'll behonest, I'd struggle if
something got in the way of a ofa run for me.
Um, like I'd struggle to be sophilosophical to go, you know,
oh, you know what, so so thehell what things change with
work or whatever.
But um, you know, have youfound that you're philosophical
(27:05):
about it if um things changewith work or family, if it stops
you going for a run, um, isthat just something you accept,
or is it you know, do you havethis sort of burning desire to
go, you know, dang it, it sortof costs me getting out for a
run today kind of thing?
Craig (27:20):
No, I definitely accept.
Um I've learned that life isvery unpredictable.
Um, anything could happen, youknow, you could be working all
you could have a good day plan,and then one of your kids might
be sick and you have to go homeand look after your kids, or
yeah.
There's always yeah, I findlife you're never gonna get no
problems.
Life is all about overcomingissues and problems, and the
(27:42):
more I guess I I look at it, themore problems you have, the
more I guess, experience youhave in overcoming them.
So that's that's my way oflooking at a lot of issues with
work, like you know, thingsgoing wrong, or um, and you
can't stop that so yeah, to tostop myself from losing it, or
(28:09):
anything else, I'll just say,alright, that's alright,
tomorrow will be a better day,and this will help next time
something goes wrong.
Matty (28:14):
Or do you ever um like uh with running?
I know you probably startreally early with your job, but
yeah, before after work.
Uh I I know I if I'm reallybusy in a day, I'll I'll run at
night time.
Um you know, but you know, Iobviously have a family, so the
family has to support that aswell.
(28:35):
Yes.
Um, it can't just be, you know,me looking after me.
Um so but do you do are youable to do that or is it more
Yeah, yeah.
Craig (28:45):
So mate early mornings is better.
Um because I find if you know,say I think I've got to get
anyone in tonight, I might thinkwell just go to bed earlier and
then get up in the morning.
Because yeah, quite often theafternoon you'll be tired from
work, and then the next morningyou'll judge how you're feeling
the next day, but quite often ifyou're tired than up before
(29:08):
you're just as tired the nextday as well.
That's the issue.
But yeah, yeah, and then I sortof hope okay, well, hopefully
today's not as physical, andI'll be able to fit one in next
tomorrow morning or something.
Matty (29:19):
But be reassured we're all always tired.
Craig (29:25):
Yeah, I know.
It's just the amount oftiredness.
Joshie (29:29):
Oh I know so Craig, the um the construction in industry,
uh I know it's evolved somewhatin recent years, but it tends
to still have that perception ofbeing, you know, a a very you
know, blokey, masculine kind ofculture.
(29:49):
Um how have you found peoplearound you in in your work
industry reacting to beingreacting to you being so open
about um you know mental healthand being a non drinker?
Craig (30:02):
Um yeah, I think I've got you know my crew and all the
traders you work with.
With are pretty good guys andthey Yeah, they if anything
they'll say, Oh good on you foryou know doing what you want to
do.
But yeah, you still get a bitof pushback from certain people,
you know, saying, Oh come on,won't hurt, have a few beers or
(30:23):
but um they respect that and Ithink it has changed.
Like when I was an apprentice,like I remember every job we
used to do, the owners wouldbring a beer at the end of the
day and and you almost had tohad to drink.
You had to learn to drink, Iguess.
Like I I used to not like beer,I used to like spirits, rum and
cokes and stuff, and I rememberalmost saying, Oh, I better
(30:44):
learn to drink beer because Iget so much free stuff I need to
take advantage of this, but somuch free beers on site.
Um where now it's yeah, it'sdefinitely changed a lot.
Customers don't seem to give asmuch alcohol out anymore, or I
think it's changed a lot.
Matty (31:02):
I think society's changed a lot in terms of their
attitude towards it.
Um you know, it's and I thinkas you as you get a little bit
older as well, um you yoursocial circle and the people you
mix with um are very acceptableand you know it yeah, don't
don't push that.
Craig (31:20):
So yeah, yeah.
And if anything, I've actuallyhad a few people come up to me
and ask, you know, like, oh, howdid you do it?
I I know I drink too much andI'd like to cut back.
Or um Oh wow.
So yeah, I'm happy.
I'd like to be there to helppeople if they need it, and
yeah, yeah.
Joshie (31:38):
See they're they're conversations, like especially
in the construction industry,that just wouldn't have happened
even 10 years ago, I imagine.
Craig (31:45):
No, definitely not.
Definitely not at all.
It used to be uh the hard-nosedold bikes getting around.
Matty (31:52):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Joshie (31:58):
You know, um looking back on your journey now, what
would you say is the I guess thebiggest lesson that you've
taken a away from uh fromrunning just in terms of either
the the benefits that it's hadto you um either you know
physically or morepsychologically?
Craig (32:16):
Um definitely like running's quite a hard sport.
Um I feel it helps me to do dohard things.
Like if like something mightcome up that's hard, I'm like,
well, you know, today I just ran10 kilometers that way and came
back again.
And three or four times in thatten kilometre run I thought I
was gonna stop, but I didn't andI kept going.
(32:38):
Um and you know, quite oftenlife isn't that hard.
Might be a bit uncomfortable,but it definitely helps me to
yeah, do things I never thoughtI'd do, um, put myself in
uncomfortable situations moreoften, I guess.
Um yeah, just with just withthe realization that I can do
(33:01):
it.
Matty (33:03):
I think that's huge, and I think um I think the thing you
learn so much about yourself interms of your resilience and
and your determination, and Ithink um the other thing as
well, which you mentioned,Craig, is doing things that you
didn't think you could do.
Um that is like it's a hugeimpact in terms of like life at
(33:26):
life lessons um and and pride aswell.
You finish something and yougo, Wow, I did that.
Craig (33:32):
Yeah, that's right.
Matty (33:33):
I think that's important.
Craig (33:35):
Yeah, because quite often people say, Oh, what'd you do
this morning?
Like, oh, I just went for a 10krun, and they're like, What?
10k?
You're like, Yeah, that'sright.
I remember when I couldn't run,you know, couldn't run 5k.
Like I used to think 5k was along way, and how quickly you
knew nor you knew normal changesquite quite dramatically.
Matty (33:52):
You you you knew normal is the abnormal to the general
public.
Craig (33:57):
Yeah, they think why yeah, why you're putting
yourself through this torture, Iguess, but yeah, definitely
worth it.
Joshie (34:04):
Um Craig, I love how sort of philosophical you are
about uh running.
Not everyone has that uh thatperspective.
Uh I think it was last year,was it, that you took part in
Ned's uncomfortable challengeand uh he got uh he had quite
quite the setback.
I mean, how did you go sort ofum navigating that?
Craig (34:25):
Yeah, um so yeah, Ned's Uncomfortable Challenge.
I was inspired by yeah, NedBrockman doing the 1600K around
a racetrack over 10 days.
Um watching him do that andwatching.
Joshie (34:39):
I love the guy, but he is completely insane.
Craig (34:42):
Yeah, watching him not being able to walk and then go
out there and run 100 Ks everyday.
Like um and the fact that yeah,he didn't actually break the
record, but he just kept goingand when he probably shouldn't
have finished, yeah.
Yeah.
Joshie (34:56):
Yeah.
Craig (34:56):
So then he brought that brought that challenge out, and
I thought, yeah, what the hellI've got to, you know, keep that
was our that was after mymarathon, so a couple months
after, I think.
So I thought, yeah, keeppushing the you know boundaries,
see what else you can do.
And so I went to sign up forit, and it's like, all right,
make sure whatever you're doingis uncomfortable.
So I said, okay, I will do 10ka day for 10 days.
(35:18):
And I was about to press, youknow, okay, accept accept this
challenge, and then I went, no,that's not it's not
uncomfortable.
Like that feels doable.
So then I went 15, and then Ifelt nervous, and like okay,
that's definitely one.
And you clicked you clicked.
I clicked it and um and Iwasn't sure because I never run
you know consecutive days in arow, like even just running 5Ks
(35:40):
a day for 10 days, you get youknow, tired and sore legs, and
um, but yeah, it was going welltill about day day seven or
something.
Um I think I did a park run andthen I think I ran a little bit
too quick.
I don't I didn't run fast, butjust a little too quick, and
then I went home and had a bitof a knee issue, like the tendon
(36:03):
on the outside of the knee wasseizing up and it was sort of
hard to hard to do much of myleg at all.
Um so I kept kept going, youknow, that next day I walked and
then um walked jogged.
Um and then the last day, soit's probably two days of that,
two or three days, and the fontI was actually able to run
(36:26):
again.
So um, yeah, you're sort ofthinking, oh, I don't want to do
permanent damage here, but thefact that my body could somewhat
recover even though I didn'tstop using the leg.
And yeah, the last day I wasable to run not pain-free, but I
was actually able to run again,so um quite a big achievement
(36:46):
to push through that.
Matty (36:48):
Yeah, and we with that challenge as well, it was very
similar to Ned Brockman, not indistance, but I think there were
a number of people who werelining up to run with you each
day from your run club, yeah.
Which was awesome.
Craig (37:02):
Yeah, it was a you know, charity event for the homeless.
So I sort of put a thing in andsaid if you run with me, I'll
donate more money for eachperson to try to get more
people, you know, maybe peoplewho had run before to come along
and join, and um and it wasgreat, yeah, having someone to
support me each day.
Um yeah, um, shout out to yeah,Pete.
(37:22):
He he put in a big 5k with me.
He'd never done that before, Idon't think, and he did it.
He does I don't think he likesrunning anymore though, but the
5k killed him.
Joshie (37:39):
So you may not realize this, Craig, but clearly you've
inspired others to take uprunning and to challenge
themselves as well.
Like that's really, reallycool.
Craig (37:47):
Yeah, um that's what I feel.
I want to yeah, you know, showother people if I can do it, you
can do it.
Yeah, my son, my older sonFinn, he was um he joined me for
a lot of the runs.
Um I think he ran the furthest.
He did a 10k run with me oneday.
Um yeah, he was quitefulfilled, but as you are with
(38:09):
kids, he's sort of gone off.
Kids are always up and downwith what they like and what
they do.
Matty (38:13):
But there's so much to choose from, yeah.
Craig (38:15):
Yeah, so many things you can do.
But uh my daughter Ruby, sheshe likes to come for a run, she
doesn't like it that much.
She'll sort of run hard, farokay, and then say this sucks.
Yeah, I want to get thebiggest.
But at least they're having ago.
Yeah, yeah, they're having ago.
And I'm just like, you know,you just gotta embrace the
embrace the suck, but yeah.
Joshie (38:37):
Yeah.
It sounds like you're notputting pressure on your kids in
that sense.
You're sort of giving them theopportunity if they want to have
a go, that's great.
If not, you know, and they mayreturn to it again.
Craig (38:47):
Yeah.
No, definitely.
I know you can't you can'tforce someone to do something
they don't want to do.
You can just lead them in thedirection you think might help
them, and they've got to takefrom there, I guess.
Matty (38:59):
Yeah, expose it to them, and if they like it, they can
continue.
Or you know, later on in life,yeah, I might try that again.
Yeah, I think it's it's reallyimportant.
Yeah.
Joshie (39:11):
So Ned's Uncomfortable Challenge, I think it's been
happening around this time orit's been on recently.
I noticed that it's October.
Yeah.
Oh, so it's yeah, it's been uhyou didn't take it up this time
around, I noticed.
Craig (39:24):
No, um because this year, yeah, with running, I tried
playing Master's Footy the firstyear the club's done master's
footy, so over 35s.
So I was doing running plusthat.
It sort of every second week,but um I managed to get a I did
the Brisbane half marathon thisyear without any issues.
(39:46):
Um set of PB, but um then thenext half marathon between the
two, between the Brisbane andthe Jetty to Jetty, I had a
hamstring injury from footy.
Joshie (39:57):
Okay.
Craig (39:58):
Um which yeah made running out a bit of an issue,
and then I ran the jetty tojetty the same pace as I did
last year.
But yeah, it was a bit of a bitof just shows not without the
Ks in the legs, I guess youcan't you know performate your
best.
Um and yeah, it was definitelya bit more painful towards the
(40:18):
end of the race because I hadn'tbeen doing as many Ks.
Joshie (40:23):
Um I didn't realise you're still playing footy.
So if you had to make a call,does footy get in the way of
running or the other way around?
Which would it be?
Craig (40:35):
Yeah, footy definitely is in the way.
Um because yeah, this is thefirst year I've come back to
play.
I used to train, but yeah, it'sthe whole running running with
the ball, like kicking with oneleg in the air, um stepping and
getting tackled, all this ununpredicted movements that cause
injury, I guess.
Um and yeah, like the wholeteam is after the game, the
(40:58):
whole team's iced up and takesthem another couple of weeks to
take them another couple ofweeks to be able to play again,
so it's definitely not aconsistent um at our age anyway,
consistent training thing.
That's why they have two weeksbetween games, I guess.
But um yeah, I think this yearI might just stick to running
because it definitely gives methe most um yeah, most benefits.
(41:23):
And yeah, won't hurt won't hurtto do training.
I enjoy training and catchingup with the guys, that's the
main part of playing, I think,is catching up with everyone and
yeah, with uh playing on theweekend and getting injured,
which would be nice.
Joshie (41:38):
Well before we um finish up, Craig, what's on the
horizon for next year for 2026and um does does running feature
in your plans at all?
Craig (41:48):
Yeah, definitely.
Um always looking ahead to thenext race, I guess.
Um definitely Jetty to Jetty, Ithink.
Hopefully it'll be an annualthing for me.
It's a great run.
Um but yeah, looking possiblyGold Coast marathon or half
(42:08):
marathon, I'm not not sure yetwhether I want to go there yet,
the marathon again.
But um I know I can, that's thething.
Then I sort of tell myself Iprobably should then, but um but
yeah, definitely.
And if I can get a good solidtraining in up till then, I
should be yeah well wellprepared, better than previous
(42:32):
years.
So yeah, yeah.
Joshie (42:37):
That's awesome.
Um look, Craig, thanks so muchfor joining us on Run
Believable.
You're an inspiration not justto the running community that
you're part of, but also theindustry that you represent.
You're you're challenging a lotof norms, and honestly, uh
we're we're we're super proud ofyou for what you're doing.
It's um yeah, and it's reallybeen a joy speaking with you
(42:58):
today.
Craig (42:59):
Well, thank you so much, Josh and Matt, for inviting me
on.
It's been an honor.
Matty (43:04):
Uh yeah, it's been great to have you.
Craig (43:06):
It's been great, something new to do.
Joshie (43:09):
Yeah.
Um, yeah, th thanks again,Craig.
And uh yeah, we'll we'll letyou uh get on with your with
your day.
And um, yeah, thanks again forjoining us.
Well, Maddie, what do youthink?
I truly think that Craig's aninspiration.
Matty (43:22):
Yeah, totally agree.
Totally agree.
I think um some positive lifechoices there um in order to um,
you know, make his life morepositive and um be a good role
model for his kids.
I think it's great.
Joshie (43:36):
Yeah.
And you've done the same thing.
I mean, you gave gave updrinking quite some time ago.
Um can you relate to what Craigwas talking about with people
um go by the way?
I'm probably one of thosepeople in the past would have
goaded those non-drinkers tohave a drink.
I do feel bad about that.
Is that something you canrelate to at all?
Matty (43:56):
Um, yeah, it is, definitely.
It is.
Um, it's not an easy thing todo.
Um, but it's positive lifechoices again, in terms of um
doing what's best for yourself,for your mental health, for your
family, for your kids.
Um, but yeah, it is it is a itis a very difficult thing to do
because um parties and drinkingand it is a normal thing in our
society.
Um, so to go against that assuch, um you know, it can be
(44:20):
difficult, but at the same time,um, I think people do accept it
in this day and age.
Um society's changed a lot.
Joshie (44:29):
So don't you imagine if we're gonna create the time to
join it?
It's all today.
If you've got a rumble of Rumpolitical story of your own, we
would really five.
We really appreciate it.
I've always struggled with anxiety, but then with
kids, with my own kids andrealizing it affects my life and
their life.
I didn't want them to, you knowsee me like that, or I wanted
to enjoy my life more with mykids, so I decided to yeah, get
help.
Um and uh better for it.
Joshie (00:30):
Hello everybody and welcome to Run Political
Everyday Running and not soeveryday story.
So I think running uploadswhere what makes money a truly
(00:56):
human experience.
Later in this episode, you'llmeet a runner who's challenging
spike norms and showingunwavering resolve in the
process.
I really can't wait to chatwith him, Maddie.
Welcome back.
Black Friday Hotels are welland truly upon us.
What is on your shopping list?
Matty (01:15):
Been going through them.
Um very dangerous, but no,there's nothing on the list.
Um there may be purchases, whoknows?
But yeah, I'm trying to avoidthem as much as I can.
Joshie (01:31):
Yeah, look, I know you quite well, and I think you'll
struggle to avoid the shops.
Um price up there right now.
Matty (01:38):
So who knows?
Joshie (01:40):
Yeah, well, let us know what you end up getting.
Um, and let's get stuck intothe unbelievable rundown.
And just a reminder, this iswhere we share highlights,
mishaps, and little wins, thekind of stuff that Strava simply
can't capture.
Although, having said that, uh,this actually is the kind of
stuff that Strava can capture.
In fact, it is about Strava.
So um a couple of weeks ago,Maddie, I put a poll up on
(02:03):
Instagram asking what peoplewould do if they get to the end
of a park run.
So let's say you go out thereand smash a park run for
argument's sake, let's say it'sa PB, either an overall PB or a
coarse PB, and the watch is on4.98 Ks.
Now I'll put three options, andwe had a good response to this
one.
50% of folks said that theywould leave it, so they wouldn't
(02:26):
touch like the watch, theywouldn't make any adjustments,
4.98 Ks.
42% said that they would runthe extras to get to the 5Ks.
And 8%, and I fall into thisboat, would edit the distance.
Now let's explore this a littlebit.
What would you do, Maddie?
So you've just run a PB.
Let's say it's your firstsub-20.
I know that that's on youragenda at some point.
(02:46):
Yeah.
And the watch says 4.98 Ks.
What do you do?
I'd leave it.
Matty (02:51):
Um, yes, it's not going to show up on Strava, and yes,
you can alter it, which I Ihaven't before.
Um, I've never done that, but Iwould probably just leave it um
and call it a PB.
Call it a PB, you know.
Joshie (03:02):
But then someone looks into Strava and and you've and
your 5k PB is let's say half aminute or a minute um uh more.
Matty (03:11):
Yeah, um doesn't matter, doesn't matter.
I know I know it's a PB.
I know it's a PB.
Joshie (03:18):
Yeah, I don't know.
I'd edit the distancepersonally.
42% of people said that theywould run the extras to get that
watch to tick over.
But I wonder if we were tochallenge those people, you run
the extras, what if thatactually takes you over your PB?
Matty (03:34):
Yeah, it could do.
Same with editing the distanceas well, because it it adds time
on.
Um doesn't edit the distance.
No, I think it does.
I think it takes it off youraverage pace.
I'm sure it does.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Joshie (03:51):
If that's the case, there's no way I'd be touching
it then.
Matty (03:54):
Um yeah, I wouldn't touch it.
It is what it is.
Joshie (03:58):
Yeah, it is indeed.
But look, um, hopefully for thelisteners that wasn't too
excruciating.
Now, Maddie, I feel like I'monto a winning formula with
changing the quiz every episode.
So, guess what?
Today, I'm bringing back overor under.
Matty (04:14):
Oh, nice, I like this one.
Joshie (04:16):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, let's hope you don't likeit after this.
So these questions are allabout the New York marathon,
which was run and won earlierthis month.
Now, the men's marathonfeatured the closest ever finish
at the New York marathon.
End up being have you seen it,Maddie?
Matty (04:34):
A nice sprint finish what's none of New York?
I have no idea.
Joshie (04:38):
Yeah, that's good for me.
Now, there was a sprint finishbetween um Benson Kipperuto and
Alexander Matiso, and I think itwas like 0.2, 0.3.
It was so unbelievable.
It was beautiful to watch, andI'm so pleased that you aren't
all over it because that meansthe chances of you getting three
from three, and I'm gonna liveto regret saying this, your
(05:01):
chances are quite low.
Question number one Are youready?
I'm ready.
The goat, Eliud Kipchogi, hetook part.
It was his seventh world major.
He finished in a time of twohours fourteen and thirty-six
seconds.
Was his finishing position overor under 15th?
It was under.
Matty (05:23):
I think he came in.
I think he came eighth.
Eighth and ninth, maybe maybe11th.
He was under 15.
Joshie (05:33):
Ha, he was 17th, my friend.
Can you believe that?
And I looked at that one.
Oh, this is fantastic.
Question number two.
Um, Helena Beery won thewomen's marathon.
It was actually her fourthmajor title.
Did she pocket over or under130,000 US dollars for her
(05:55):
efforts?
I'd say over.
Well done, my friend.
She pocketed 150,000.
Matty (06:04):
I was thinking 150.
Yeah.
Joshie (06:06):
Well, the reason for that, the purse for winning was
100 grand, but she got an extra50,000.
Can you believe that 50k bonusfor breaking the course record,
which I think is sensational?
Good to see that there's somegood money out there for that.
Yeah, definitely.
Um, question number three, andlook, Maddie, everyone loves a
sub-three hour marathon, don'tthey?
(06:27):
Now, I'll give you a little bitof a clue.
I think there was 55,000 umparticipants in the in the
marathon.
Did over or under 2,423 run asub-three hour marathon?
Over or under?
We'd go over.
(06:47):
Uh-uh.
It was under 2,396.
And you got me on that one.
You got me.
I got you on two out of three,which is absolutely fantastic.
Now, how did you go at home?
Feel free to let us know.
Now, today's guest knows athing or two about hard work,
(07:11):
both on the tools and on thetrack.
His running journey is one thatneeds to be delicately
navigated.
Being self-employed in avocation where maintaining
physical strength and focus isimperative.
Between long hours, fatigue,and major lifestyle changes, his
story is one of honesty andstrength in an industry that
doesn't necessarily always makeit that easy.
(07:33):
So, can we please all welcomeCraig Parsons?
Craig, thanks so much forjoining us.
Craig (07:39):
Hey guys, how are you?
Joshie (07:41):
Hey, yeah, good Craig.
How are you, mate?
Yeah, good.
Yeah.
What would you do?
I know you're tuning in for theuh the uh the Strava thing.
I mean, if you ran a PB, whatwould you do if the watch is
stuck on 4.98?
Craig (07:54):
Well, I don't think I knew you could do that because
I've done a few of those whereum it ended up being a PB, but
then yeah, it didn't come up inmy best 5k time, so I didn't
realise you could actuallyadjust the distance.
Um I guess yeah, what Maddiesaid it's there, but it's not
official.
Joshie (08:17):
Um now look uh Craig, running came into your life in a
rather unique way.
What can you tell us aboutthat?
Craig (08:26):
Um so yeah, to do with um like mental health issues, um,
challenges.
Um I was I've heard thatrunning can help to sort of burn
off any excess um I don't know,adrenaline in your body, and it
can clear your mind.
So um just just started doingthat on my own 3K runs, um but
(08:52):
didn't really know what I wasdoing, so I'd get to 3Ks and
sort of be like, oh that'll do,I'm tired.
And uh it wasn't until yeah,some friends introduced me to a
run club, some good friends, andthey sort of said, Oh, you
know, we'll do 5K's, and I'mlike, I've never done that, but
before I knew it, I could, youknow, you just push yourself a
(09:12):
bit further each time and getbetter and better at it.
Joshie (09:18):
Yeah, what was the run club that you joined?
Craig (09:23):
Um uh run club 24, shout out.
Um, just some good friendsaround the area, um based down
Strath Pine.
Um so we're all affiliated withthe Pine River Swans, uh good
footy club.
Um all our kids play footy downthere, and um yeah, I was
(09:44):
actually at the men's trainingjust trying to get fitter, and
someone one of my good friendssort of said, Oh, you should
come join us, we're training fora marathon.
Um just join in whenever youlike, and I sort of said, Yeah,
okay.
And yeah, just every week I'devery week the K's went up.
Um and then as my legs got lessand less sore, I could run a
(10:06):
few more times each week.
Um and before before I knew it,they're sort of like, oh, you
should, you know, sign up for ahalf marathon.
I'm like, oh, don't know aboutthat.
Like it seems like um we'reonly running 10k or something.
I thought I said, I'll do a10k, and they went, No, no,
you've already done 10k, likehave it a half marathon, and
(10:28):
alright, and that was you knowquite a seemed scary, a big
distance, but um signed up forthat.
Um and yeah, slowly made it wayup to that distance with
training and everything, and gotto that point pretty easily.
Um did the half marathon prettywell, the jetty to jetty.
(10:49):
Um really enjoyed it, andleading up to that, one of my
friends she hurt herself and shesort of said, Do you wanna do
the marathon? 'Cause I can't doit anymore.
And that was, you know, seemeda bridge a bridge too far.
But they all they all kind ofsaid, Well, you're doing what
(11:10):
we're doing, you may as wellgive it a go.
Matty (11:13):
And um don't think about it, take the ticket and run it.
Craig (11:18):
Yeah, which which is what I s well, which is what I've
started doing, just um yeah,when someone offers you
something just to take it,because you're always gonna be
afraid, but um so yeah, that wasa sunny coast marathon.
Um did that, it hurt a lot, butgot through it.
Yeah.
Um yeah, that's the basicstarting story of my running
(11:39):
career, I guess, last year.
Joshie (11:43):
When you were younger, did you run much, like was
running a feature of your youthat all, whether through you
know, little athletics or schoolsport or anything like that?
Craig (11:53):
Yeah, well, I used to play AFL as a a kid up into my
mid-teenage years.
Um so I used to like I did usedto like running around, like
running laps around the field toget you, you know, better
better football game.
Um and I did like crosscountries, did did quite well at
cross countries at school.
Um so yeah, we'll always fit,but when you know, when work
(12:17):
comes along, as I'm a carpenter,you don't, you know, you don't
have time before or after workto do anything because you're
too tired quite often.
And that would sort of be thereason I wouldn't pursue any, I
guess, sports or sports becauseyou don't want to injure
yourself to not be able to work,I guess.
Um then yeah, you'd think aboutrunning and then you get home
(12:38):
and just want to, you know,relax and get ready for the next
day of work, which makes ithard.
Matty (12:44):
But do you find and I know I do this as well, and I um
always made excuses aboutexercise prior to prior to
running, but when it's um foryour own mental health, um and
you know that there's gonna bebenefit to that, I think and and
what you know what a lot ofpeople run for mental health,
and you seem to find the time umto actually do it because it
(13:07):
becomes like not so much aboutexercise, but it's almost a
function to um have that betteror good mental health each day.
Is that what you f you found?
Craig (13:20):
Yeah, definitely.
And I didn't like I didn't knowthat until I didn't know it had
those effects, I guess, runninguntil I knew about it, like you
say, and then you know if youdon't you sort of have that
later in the week, you're like,Oh, I'm a bit off, I'm a bit you
know, down or a bit stressed.
You're like, okay, well maybe Ineed a few more runs this week,
(13:41):
or and I definitely notice thatnow.
Yeah.
Um so for that reason, that'sthat's definitely my why when
you get up early and you don'twant to because you're tired,
but you know, you know the aftereffects when you're when you've
done it, you feel good aboutit.
Yep.
Joshie (13:57):
Yeah.
So how long did it take, Craig,before you started to notice
those positive effects, like thephysical health things aside?
I mean, you probably knew whatthe benefits would be in terms
of physiological change, but theimpact on mental health.
Is that something that younoticed uh early on when you
started running, or did thattake a bit of time before you
(14:17):
sort of reflected and went,actually, I can see some um you
know productive changes that arehappening here?
Craig (14:24):
Yeah, I think it it did, I think it did take a while.
Um almost like creating ahabit, I guess.
You have to you're sort ofquestioning, oh, is it worth it?
Is it you know, I hurt, I hurt,I'm tired.
Um yeah, it's definitelysomething after a while you feel
(14:44):
it and you you do notice you'vegot more time like in for your
family, for your kids, you'renot getting as frustrated
easily, um, not as stressedeasily at work.
Um but yeah, probably wouldhave taken a couple of months, I
think, to actually realise.
Joshie (14:59):
Um but and was it something that you've found just
um through your own research orum you know just the the mental
health benefits, or was thatsomething that you um found
through you know professionalsupport or help?
Craig (15:15):
Yeah, um through professional help.
Um I've always struggled withanxiety as a kid and as getting
as an adult.
Um but then with kids with myown kids and realizing it
affects my life and their life,I didn't want them to, you know,
see me like that, or I wantedto enjoy my life more with my
(15:37):
kids, so I decided to yeah, gethelp.
Um and yeah, better for it.
Um but yeah, definitely was oneof the big things was running
um and all the other thingsyou're supposed to do mentally
and physically.
Um the other one was yeah,giving up drinking, which I
(15:58):
didn't believe at the time, butum definitely makes sense that
that causes something in yourbrain.
They say different people havedifferent triggers, but my brain
apparently triggers withalcohol for more anxious
thoughts and feelings.
Matty (16:16):
Yeah, too.
Got a fair fair amount ofinsight into you know um cause
and and also you know how youcan combat that.
And I think one of the thingsas well that that you don't
always realize um when you go onthis journey is when you've got
young kids, role modelling isso huge, and uh like you don't
(16:38):
think about it.
Um and you know, then the kidswant to come for a run, and it's
all positive, positiveactivity, positive habits, um
exercise, like like it's therole modelling I found um was
huge.
Craig (16:52):
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Um yeah, I don't want them to,you know, if you don't want to
live that way, you shouldn'twant to watch your kids live
that way as well, is how I feel.
Yeah.
Um yeah, it definitely helpsthem to get out amongst it with
me and keep them going.
Um also coach coach at thelocal footy club down at the
(17:16):
Swans, and that's anotherrewarding rewarding thing.
So yeah.
Helping all the kids to get fitfor footy, try to try and
integrate my running into thefooty training as well and show
them you know I can still do iteven though I'm an old fella.
But um you're far from an oldfella.
Joshie (17:39):
Don't feel it.
You know, um, so Craig, yousaid it took a little while
before you noticed the um someof the changes, in particular
the positive impacts on yourmental health.
I mean, can you recall a momentwhere you sort of noticed that
running shifted from being a apart of your life to sort of
(18:00):
being very tightly coupled withyour day-to-day routine and
lifestyle?
I mean, there for for most ofus when we're new to running,
especially if we take it up abit later in life when we're,
you know, into our 30s or 40s,at first it just feels like
something we're dabbling with,and then there comes a point
where it it's actually we almostyou know build our weeks around
(18:23):
it, or it's so um uh tightlyintertwined with our routines
that it's just there.
Can you sort of remember amoment where running sort of
became uh a feature, a permanentfixture in your life?
Craig (18:38):
Um I can't think of an exact moment, but I guess I can
sort of recall your, you know,where in the past, you know, say
being out drinking all weekendand you just sit around the
house all day doing nothing justbecause you physically can't do
anything else because you'rehung over and all that.
But um similar thing, like youmight be at home doing nothing
(19:02):
and you don't you almost don'twant to sit down and do nothing,
you're like, okay, well this isa good time to go for a run, or
you know, it's it sort ofchanges the way you think.
You think of what you do as Iguess the returns you get out of
it if you're sitting aroundjust watching TV all day, you're
not getting anything out of it.
Yeah.
Sort of changes your littlegrowth mindset.
(19:24):
Um every time you go for a run,it is it is hard, like it's
always a bit of a thought of ohdo I need to put myself through
that now?
Or but you know the end resultis um yeah, you're always
thankful you did it, and it'salways helping you be a better
runner, better person.
Joshie (19:44):
Yeah.
What what can you rememberabout your first event?
Um, you know, a lot of peopledescribe the sort of almost this
pit of anxiety, which isprobably just a bit of or almost
healthy, healthy nerves goinginto a first event.
I mean, can you remember muchabout your first event?
Craig (20:02):
Yeah, yeah, definitely nerves.
Um my first event was actuallyI wanted to do a 10k before the
half marathon just to I guessmake it easy, not such a big
event.
Um so it was uh 10k at WoodyPoint that went across the
Hornybrook and back.
Um that was actually quite goodbecause it wasn't it was like
(20:22):
an afternoon thing, and it wasyeah, I went with a friend and
she sort of said, Yeah, thisthis is nothing, or there's a
hundred people here orsomething.
So um so that was quite good.
I was quite anxious for that,but um, but yeah, like you say,
good nerves.
Um that was quite good.
But then yeah, the Jetty toJetty, which was a you know
decent size event, definitelyvery nervous as there's a lot of
(20:44):
hype and people everywhere andbuzz and it being such a big
distance as well.
Um but yeah, you're sort ofthinking, you know, when you get
up early to go and you'rethinking, what am I doing?
Why am I doing this?
Matty (20:59):
I can get out of this, I don't have to do it.
Craig (21:03):
It's so early, can I even do it?
And um but yeah, once once thegun goes and you're out, you're
yeah, you're loving it.
Um and it went it went betterthan I thought.
I sort of went a slower pace atthe start, thinking, oh yeah,
I'll just do an easy pace, butum towards the end I was yeah,
feeling good and actually spedup and probably one of my best
(21:26):
races for that reason that I hadfuel left in the tank, almost
felt like I didn't run to mypotential, but yeah.
Matty (21:33):
And you kind of get, I guess, when you run events like
that, and you know they feel sogood, and you run a really good
time, probably better than youexpected.
That's when you get hooked.
Yeah, that's when you get thatfeeling, like that runner's high
at the end where you go, Thisis my thing.
Yeah.
Do you feel did you feel that?
Craig (21:50):
Yeah, definitely.
The whole the whole atmosphere,um, and yeah, just the whole
build-up, had a great build-upto it, training and everything.
Um so yeah, the fact that ittakes such a long time to get
there, it's yeah, you gottainvest yourself into it.
And yeah, yeah, it's reallyreally good, really enjoyed it,
(22:12):
definitely got me hooked afterthat that first half marathon.
Matty (22:16):
Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Joshie (22:18):
You very quickly ramped up from what you say started
with 3k runs, then fives, then10, half, and a full um it's
quite a rapid progression.
Um, aside from having friendsthat sort of goated you, um,
what was it that sort of keptyou motivated to keep sort of
pushing the limits of your umpotential and capabilities?
Craig (22:41):
Yeah, well, yeah, I sort of started.
It was like January we started,and then obviously the half
well the the full marathon wasin August, I think.
Um, but when I started, therewas no yeah, there was no actual
goal.
So it's kind of funny when Ithink back now.
Most people start with uh, youknow, I've got 20 weeks to get
to a marathon and they might puta lot of pressure on
(23:02):
themselves, but um, I just sortof joined and took it each day
and just did more and more.
Um, I guess it was the yeah,definitely a friend's help
running with friends, um, andthen like on your own starting
out seems to be quite difficultto motivate yourself to
continually consistently do it,I guess.
(23:23):
But if you've got friends andyou're accountable, um, but then
I guess the progression I couldsee happening, which was quite
quick, I guess, coming from nota lot to doing a lot.
Um, it seemed to you know,doing the odd park run here and
there and seeing each time Iwent, I was quicker each time.
So I think that kept me goingto see that you can progress a
(23:48):
lot if you just stick to it.
Yeah.
Um yeah, just yeah, really lovedit and kept it kept it going
all the time.
Yeah.
Joshie (23:59):
Yeah.
You've um been a carpenter fora while, um, self-employed if I
recall correctly.
Um how how do you go aboutbalancing the the physical side
of your work with um withexercise and training for
events?
I mean, do you find that adifficult balance?
Craig (24:23):
Yeah, it can be.
Um so I've got my got my ownbusiness, and now that I've got
guys working for me, that's whyI actually like started going to
footy training and stuff,because I did have a bit extra,
like not on the tools all dayevery day, sort of managing more
managing role and then on thetools some of the days.
(24:44):
Yeah.
Um, but yeah, if I was just onthe tools eight hours a day
every day, I probably wouldn'tbe able to do what I'd do, I
guess.
Um because even now, like Imight have a a big day, um, and
then next morning you'd go toget up to go, and you just say,
nah, like if I if I get up andgo, work's gonna suffer.
So I can't really give my alsothat is a issue about yeah,
(25:10):
physical labour.
Matty (25:11):
That is an issue, yeah.
It's yeah, how do you how doyou balance that?
Yeah, you gotta you gotta makemoney, you gotta it's your own
business, you've got to run thebusiness.
Yeah, running it's really abalancing act.
Craig (25:22):
Yeah, and I feel it's I say it's almost getting in the
way of my running now, this workstuff, but yeah.
Matty (25:30):
Who invented employment?
Craig (25:32):
Yeah.
Um but yeah, I definitely planmy days like running days on
days.
I know I won't be doing a biglabour job, it might be like
smaller sort of work, morefiddly stuff rather than heavy
lifting, and um but yeah, andthat and that goes into me
(25:53):
thinking about how to go aheadwith my business as well,
because there's always a thoughtof you know going back on the
tools on your own, depending onyou know staffing issues, or but
at the moment I've got a goodcrew of guys, yeah, and yeah.
But you usually get a good guyand they don't last forever,
that's the issue.
They usually get on bigger andbetter things.
Matty (26:16):
Yeah, that's normal.
Yeah.
Craig (26:18):
But yeah, that's interesting because I guess
that's a reality that you Yeah.
Joshie (26:23):
Yeah, because you have to be prepared to jump back on
the tools at a moment's notice.
Craig (26:28):
Um Yeah, that's right.
You'll be you'll have your dayplanned and someone will call in
sick and then all of a suddenyour day's redone, you've got to
waste another day doingsomething else, and well not
waste a day, but obviously itchanges your whole schedule and
everything.
Yeah.
Joshie (26:43):
Um Have you kind of accepted that that's just the r
reality?
Like I think I um I'll behonest, I'd struggle if
something got in the way of a ofa run for me.
Um, like I'd struggle to be sophilosophical to go, you know,
oh, you know what, so so thehell what things change with
work or whatever.
But um, you know, have youfound that you're philosophical
(27:05):
about it if um things changewith work or family, if it stops
you going for a run, um, isthat just something you accept,
or is it you know, do you havethis sort of burning desire to
go, you know, dang it, it sortof costs me getting out for a
run today kind of thing?
Craig (27:20):
No, I definitely accept.
Um I've learned that life isvery unpredictable.
Um, anything could happen, youknow, you could be working all
you could have a good day plan,and then one of your kids might
be sick and you have to go homeand look after your kids, or
yeah.
There's always yeah, I findlife you're never gonna get no
problems.
Life is all about overcomingissues and problems, and the
(27:42):
more I guess I I look at it, themore problems you have, the
more I guess, experience youhave in overcoming them.
So that's that's my way oflooking at a lot of issues with
work, like you know, thingsgoing wrong, or um, and you
can't stop that so yeah, to tostop myself from losing it, or
(28:09):
anything else, I'll just say,alright, that's alright,
tomorrow will be a better day,and this will help next time
something goes wrong.
Matty (28:14):
Or do you ever um like uh with running?
I know you probably startreally early with your job, but
yeah, before after work.
Uh I I know I if I'm reallybusy in a day, I'll I'll run at
night time.
Um you know, but you know, Iobviously have a family, so the
family has to support that aswell.
(28:35):
Yes.
Um, it can't just be, you know,me looking after me.
Um so but do you do are youable to do that or is it more
Yeah, yeah.
Craig (28:45):
So mate early mornings is better.
Um because I find if you know,say I think I've got to get
anyone in tonight, I might thinkwell just go to bed earlier and
then get up in the morning.
Because yeah, quite often theafternoon you'll be tired from
work, and then the next morningyou'll judge how you're feeling
the next day, but quite often ifyou're tired than up before
(29:08):
you're just as tired the nextday as well.
That's the issue.
But yeah, yeah, and then I sortof hope okay, well, hopefully
today's not as physical, andI'll be able to fit one in next
tomorrow morning or something.
Matty (29:19):
But be reassured we're all always tired.
Craig (29:25):
Yeah, I know.
It's just the amount oftiredness.
Joshie (29:29):
Oh I know so Craig, the um the construction in industry,
uh I know it's evolved somewhatin recent years, but it tends
to still have that perception ofbeing, you know, a a very you
know, blokey, masculine kind ofculture.
(29:49):
Um how have you found peoplearound you in in your work
industry reacting to beingreacting to you being so open
about um you know mental healthand being a non drinker?
Craig (30:02):
Um yeah, I think I've got you know my crew and all the
traders you work with.
With are pretty good guys andthey Yeah, they if anything
they'll say, Oh good on you foryou know doing what you want to
do.
But yeah, you still get a bitof pushback from certain people,
you know, saying, Oh come on,won't hurt, have a few beers or
(30:23):
but um they respect that and Ithink it has changed.
Like when I was an apprentice,like I remember every job we
used to do, the owners wouldbring a beer at the end of the
day and and you almost had tohad to drink.
You had to learn to drink, Iguess.
Like I I used to not like beer,I used to like spirits, rum and
cokes and stuff, and I rememberalmost saying, Oh, I better
(30:44):
learn to drink beer because Iget so much free stuff I need to
take advantage of this, but somuch free beers on site.
Um where now it's yeah, it'sdefinitely changed a lot.
Customers don't seem to give asmuch alcohol out anymore, or I
think it's changed a lot.
Matty (31:02):
I think society's changed a lot in terms of their
attitude towards it.
Um you know, it's and I thinkas you as you get a little bit
older as well, um you yoursocial circle and the people you
mix with um are very acceptableand you know it yeah, don't
don't push that.
Craig (31:20):
So yeah, yeah.
And if anything, I've actuallyhad a few people come up to me
and ask, you know, like, oh, howdid you do it?
I I know I drink too much andI'd like to cut back.
Or um Oh wow.
So yeah, I'm happy.
I'd like to be there to helppeople if they need it, and
yeah, yeah.
Joshie (31:38):
See they're they're conversations, like especially
in the construction industry,that just wouldn't have happened
even 10 years ago, I imagine.
Craig (31:45):
No, definitely not.
Definitely not at all.
It used to be uh the hard-nosedold bikes getting around.
Matty (31:52):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Joshie (31:58):
You know, um looking back on your journey now, what
would you say is the I guess thebiggest lesson that you've
taken a away from uh fromrunning just in terms of either
the the benefits that it's hadto you um either you know
physically or morepsychologically?
Craig (32:16):
Um definitely like running's quite a hard sport.
Um I feel it helps me to do dohard things.
Like if like something mightcome up that's hard, I'm like,
well, you know, today I just ran10 kilometers that way and came
back again.
And three or four times in thatten kilometre run I thought I
was gonna stop, but I didn't andI kept going.
(32:38):
Um and you know, quite oftenlife isn't that hard.
Might be a bit uncomfortable,but it definitely helps me to
yeah, do things I never thoughtI'd do, um, put myself in
uncomfortable situations moreoften, I guess.
Um yeah, just with just withthe realization that I can do
(33:01):
it.
Matty (33:03):
I think that's huge, and I think um I think the thing you
learn so much about yourself interms of your resilience and
and your determination, and Ithink um the other thing as
well, which you mentioned,Craig, is doing things that you
didn't think you could do.
Um that is like it's a hugeimpact in terms of like life at
(33:26):
life lessons um and and pride aswell.
You finish something and yougo, Wow, I did that.
Craig (33:32):
Yeah, that's right.
Matty (33:33):
I think that's important.
Craig (33:35):
Yeah, because quite often people say, Oh, what'd you do
this morning?
Like, oh, I just went for a 10krun, and they're like, What?
10k?
You're like, Yeah, that'sright.
I remember when I couldn't run,you know, couldn't run 5k.
Like I used to think 5k was along way, and how quickly you
knew nor you knew normal changesquite quite dramatically.
Matty (33:52):
You you you knew normal is the abnormal to the general
public.
Craig (33:57):
Yeah, they think why yeah, why you're putting
yourself through this torture, Iguess, but yeah, definitely
worth it.
Joshie (34:04):
Um Craig, I love how sort of philosophical you are
about uh running.
Not everyone has that uh thatperspective.
Uh I think it was last year,was it, that you took part in
Ned's uncomfortable challengeand uh he got uh he had quite
quite the setback.
I mean, how did you go sort ofum navigating that?
Craig (34:25):
Yeah, um so yeah, Ned's Uncomfortable Challenge.
I was inspired by yeah, NedBrockman doing the 1600K around
a racetrack over 10 days.
Um watching him do that andwatching.
Joshie (34:39):
I love the guy, but he is completely insane.
Craig (34:42):
Yeah, watching him not being able to walk and then go
out there and run 100 Ks everyday.
Like um and the fact that yeah,he didn't actually break the
record, but he just kept goingand when he probably shouldn't
have finished, yeah.
Yeah.
Joshie (34:56):
Yeah.
Craig (34:56):
So then he brought that brought that challenge out, and
I thought, yeah, what the hellI've got to, you know, keep that
was our that was after mymarathon, so a couple months
after, I think.
So I thought, yeah, keeppushing the you know boundaries,
see what else you can do.
And so I went to sign up forit, and it's like, all right,
make sure whatever you're doingis uncomfortable.
So I said, okay, I will do 10ka day for 10 days.
(35:18):
And I was about to press, youknow, okay, accept accept this
challenge, and then I went, no,that's not it's not
uncomfortable.
Like that feels doable.
So then I went 15, and then Ifelt nervous, and like okay,
that's definitely one.
And you clicked you clicked.
I clicked it and um and Iwasn't sure because I never run
you know consecutive days in arow, like even just running 5Ks
(35:40):
a day for 10 days, you get youknow, tired and sore legs, and
um, but yeah, it was going welltill about day day seven or
something.
Um I think I did a park run andthen I think I ran a little bit
too quick.
I don't I didn't run fast, butjust a little too quick, and
then I went home and had a bitof a knee issue, like the tendon
(36:03):
on the outside of the knee wasseizing up and it was sort of
hard to hard to do much of myleg at all.
Um so I kept kept going, youknow, that next day I walked and
then um walked jogged.
Um and then the last day, soit's probably two days of that,
two or three days, and the fontI was actually able to run
(36:26):
again.
So um, yeah, you're sort ofthinking, oh, I don't want to do
permanent damage here, but thefact that my body could somewhat
recover even though I didn'tstop using the leg.
And yeah, the last day I wasable to run not pain-free, but I
was actually able to run again,so um quite a big achievement
(36:46):
to push through that.
Matty (36:48):
Yeah, and we with that challenge as well, it was very
similar to Ned Brockman, not indistance, but I think there were
a number of people who werelining up to run with you each
day from your run club, yeah.
Which was awesome.
Craig (37:02):
Yeah, it was a you know, charity event for the homeless.
So I sort of put a thing in andsaid if you run with me, I'll
donate more money for eachperson to try to get more
people, you know, maybe peoplewho had run before to come along
and join, and um and it wasgreat, yeah, having someone to
support me each day.
Um yeah, um, shout out to yeah,Pete.
(37:22):
He he put in a big 5k with me.
He'd never done that before, Idon't think, and he did it.
He does I don't think he likesrunning anymore though, but the
5k killed him.
Joshie (37:39):
So you may not realize this, Craig, but clearly you've
inspired others to take uprunning and to challenge
themselves as well.
Like that's really, reallycool.
Craig (37:47):
Yeah, um that's what I feel.
I want to yeah, you know, showother people if I can do it, you
can do it.
Yeah, my son, my older sonFinn, he was um he joined me for
a lot of the runs.
Um I think he ran the furthest.
He did a 10k run with me oneday.
Um yeah, he was quitefulfilled, but as you are with
(38:09):
kids, he's sort of gone off.
Kids are always up and downwith what they like and what
they do.
Matty (38:13):
But there's so much to choose from, yeah.
Craig (38:15):
Yeah, so many things you can do.
But uh my daughter Ruby, sheshe likes to come for a run, she
doesn't like it that much.
She'll sort of run hard, farokay, and then say this sucks.
Yeah, I want to get thebiggest.
But at least they're having ago.
Yeah, yeah, they're having ago.
And I'm just like, you know,you just gotta embrace the
embrace the suck, but yeah.
Joshie (38:37):
Yeah.
It sounds like you're notputting pressure on your kids in
that sense.
You're sort of giving them theopportunity if they want to have
a go, that's great.
If not, you know, and they mayreturn to it again.
Craig (38:47):
Yeah.
No, definitely.
I know you can't you can'tforce someone to do something
they don't want to do.
You can just lead them in thedirection you think might help
them, and they've got to takefrom there, I guess.
Matty (38:59):
Yeah, expose it to them, and if they like it, they can
continue.
Or you know, later on in life,yeah, I might try that again.
Yeah, I think it's it's reallyimportant.
Yeah.
Joshie (39:11):
So Ned's Uncomfortable Challenge, I think it's been
happening around this time orit's been on recently.
I noticed that it's October.
Yeah.
Oh, so it's yeah, it's been uhyou didn't take it up this time
around, I noticed.
Craig (39:24):
No, um because this year, yeah, with running, I tried
playing Master's Footy the firstyear the club's done master's
footy, so over 35s.
So I was doing running plusthat.
It sort of every second week,but um I managed to get a I did
the Brisbane half marathon thisyear without any issues.
(39:46):
Um set of PB, but um then thenext half marathon between the
two, between the Brisbane andthe Jetty to Jetty, I had a
hamstring injury from footy.
Joshie (39:57):
Okay.
Craig (39:58):
Um which yeah made running out a bit of an issue,
and then I ran the jetty tojetty the same pace as I did
last year.
But yeah, it was a bit of a bitof just shows not without the
Ks in the legs, I guess youcan't you know performate your
best.
Um and yeah, it was definitelya bit more painful towards the
(40:18):
end of the race because I hadn'tbeen doing as many Ks.
Joshie (40:23):
Um I didn't realise you're still playing footy.
So if you had to make a call,does footy get in the way of
running or the other way around?
Which would it be?
Craig (40:35):
Yeah, footy definitely is in the way.
Um because yeah, this is thefirst year I've come back to
play.
I used to train, but yeah, it'sthe whole running running with
the ball, like kicking with oneleg in the air, um stepping and
getting tackled, all this ununpredicted movements that cause
injury, I guess.
Um and yeah, like the wholeteam is after the game, the
(40:58):
whole team's iced up and takesthem another couple of weeks to
take them another couple ofweeks to be able to play again,
so it's definitely not aconsistent um at our age anyway,
consistent training thing.
That's why they have two weeksbetween games, I guess.
But um yeah, I think this yearI might just stick to running
because it definitely gives methe most um yeah, most benefits.
(41:23):
And yeah, won't hurt won't hurtto do training.
I enjoy training and catchingup with the guys, that's the
main part of playing, I think,is catching up with everyone and
yeah, with uh playing on theweekend and getting injured,
which would be nice.
Joshie (41:38):
Well before we um finish up, Craig, what's on the
horizon for next year for 2026and um does does running feature
in your plans at all?
Craig (41:48):
Yeah, definitely.
Um always looking ahead to thenext race, I guess.
Um definitely Jetty to Jetty, Ithink.
Hopefully it'll be an annualthing for me.
It's a great run.
Um but yeah, looking possiblyGold Coast marathon or half
(42:08):
marathon, I'm not not sure yetwhether I want to go there yet,
the marathon again.
But um I know I can, that's thething.
Then I sort of tell myself Iprobably should then, but um but
yeah, definitely.
And if I can get a good solidtraining in up till then, I
should be yeah well wellprepared, better than previous
(42:32):
years.
So yeah, yeah.
Joshie (42:37):
That's awesome.
Um look, Craig, thanks so muchfor joining us on Run
Believable.
You're an inspiration not justto the running community that
you're part of, but also theindustry that you represent.
You're you're challenging a lotof norms, and honestly, uh
we're we're we're super proud ofyou for what you're doing.
It's um yeah, and it's reallybeen a joy speaking with you
(42:58):
today.
Craig (42:59):
Well, thank you so much, Josh and Matt, for inviting me
on.
It's been an honor.
Matty (43:04):
Uh yeah, it's been great to have you.
Craig (43:06):
It's been great, something new to do.
Joshie (43:09):
Yeah.
Um, yeah, th thanks again,Craig.
And uh yeah, we'll we'll letyou uh get on with your with
your day.
And um, yeah, thanks again forjoining us.
Well, Maddie, what do youthink?
I truly think that Craig's aninspiration.
Matty (43:22):
Yeah, totally agree.
Totally agree.
I think um some positive lifechoices there um in order to um,
you know, make his life morepositive and um be a good role
model for his kids.
I think it's great.
Joshie (43:36):
Yeah.
And you've done the same thing.
I mean, you gave gave updrinking quite some time ago.
Um can you relate to what Craigwas talking about with people
um go by the way?
I'm probably one of thosepeople in the past would have
goaded those non-drinkers tohave a drink.
I do feel bad about that.
Is that something you canrelate to at all?
Matty (43:56):
Um, yeah, it is, definitely.
It is.
Um, it's not an easy thing todo.
Um, but it's positive lifechoices again, in terms of um
doing what's best for yourself,for your mental health, for your
family, for your kids.
Um, but yeah, it is it is a itis a very difficult thing to do
because um parties and drinkingand it is a normal thing in our
society.
Um, so to go against that assuch, um you know, it can be
(44:20):
difficult, but at the same time,um, I think people do accept it
in this day and age.
Um society's changed a lot.
Joshie (44:29):
So don't you imagine if we're gonna create the time to
join it?
It's all today.
If you've got a rumble of Rumpolitical story of your own, we
would really five.
We really appreciate it.
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