Brianne Mayne
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Q. Who are you and what you do for a living?
I’m 33 years old. I am a Contracts Administrator at a property investment & construction company and I love it!
I’m also a running coach as a passionate project.
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
Organisation is number 1.
I meal prep for the week, iron my work clothes and lay out training gear.
There are days where I wake at 3am to fit in a run, walk the dog, work and then a dinner function. Having food and clothes ready to go makes these days possible.
Q. When and why did you start running?
I played around walking on the treadmill for years. I’d walk for 12 minutes on a low level and then try and jog for 3 minutes. I never got past 1 minute.
One day while I was going through a tough period I walked the dog. He had other plans, making me run with him for a few blocks. It was amazing and the start of using running as therapy. I started walk/running with him a few days a week, letting out all the tears, stress and depression while running.
Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
Habit. I train in the morning and have a set routine.
If it’s cold or I’m feeling tired I’ll make a deal with myself that I can just go slower or a shorter difference. I know once I’m out there the endorphins will kick in and I will start enjoying that free running feeling.
Morning running helps set up my day, my head is clearer, I’m more productive and my mood is positive. Knowing that also helps me get out the door.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
42.2km. I’ve done 2 marathons and I love them.
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
When it comes to safety, I had my dog running with me for some time before I ran alone. I know my streets and neighbourhood very well and know what areas are safe.
I used to worry about people seeing my gangly running style in public. I would wear black, slump into myself trying to blend in. Every time I hit a small goal my confidence would grow and my posture would strengthen. Now if I’m having an anxious day where I want to hide, I’ll find my favourite gear, throw on some uplifting songs and let running do its magic.
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise?
Movement is incredibly important for both our physical and mental health. I think the lack of exercise is a big part of why depression and obesity is a growing issue.
I aim to get women into running because I’ve seen how much it has built up my confidence and self-esteem and decreased my anxiety and stress levels. I no longer turn to alcohol and fast food to feel “better”.
Exercise and diet go hand in hand. I’ve battled an eating disorder and through running I’ve been able to get past that. To run well I know I need to fuel my body properly and so I make better choices.
Q. What was your best running experience?
I ran a 30km race in the heat of summer with a terrible hangover. I’d used alcohol to try and get over heartache and felt horrendous.
3km into the run I was hurting, realising I was only 10% of the way in. I kept putting one foot in front of the other, crying at moments when emotions got to me.
I had one guy, who I later found on Instagram and thanked, high five me as he ran past. It lifted my spirits and I knew I could do this.
The turnaround point was amazing, the support from other runners made my day and something I will always remember. We filled up with lollies, water and salt tablets. I ran 15km back to the finish line where I burst into tears in the arms of my best friend Courtney, who had flown interstate to support me and run the 15km herself.
I learnt a lot from that run and now when life throws something at me I throw my running shoes on rather than heading to a bar.
Q. What was your worst running experience?
Running 21.1km in Aussie summer heat, through streets, hills and trails without any water or money. I am used to my city Brisbane having water coolers all over the place and took it for granted. I got incredibly angry and emotional almost crying.
Unfortunately it left me tired with a headache for the rest of the day, which isn’t fun when you’re on holidays!
Q. How do you push through the pain?
I love music while I’m running and my ipod is filled with uplifting running songs.
I’ll also talk myself through it, “let’s make to the next kilometre” or I imagine the coffee at the end!
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
Start slowly with some walk/run intervals. It can be disheartening at first when you feel like you can’t run past 1 minute, but if you are consistent you’ll find the fitness will come quite fast.
I also recommend running groups such as parkrun. It is a supportive, encouraging environment with runners of all experience levels. I had one of my athletes do her first 5km walk/run at parkrun this morning and I am so excited. She’s hit that goal and now has the confidence to focus on building up the running time.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
Instagram:
@miss.bee.mayne
@bee.run.coach
#RunRevolution
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