Lace-up with the Mojo Community

Today we’re lacing-up and letting the Mojo Community lead the way…

Because there have been so many great messages hitting our inbox this week! Stories with heart, sole (😅) and huge wins to celebrate. We hope you enjoy reading these as much as we did:

⚠️ WARNING: May cause sudden bursts of inspiration, big goals, and new adventures. Proceed with enthusiasm.

Ashleigh: I've never been a great runner, nor a terrible one but I definitely started enjoying it when I lived in Tuscany and could jog through the wheat fields during golden hour. With just the swish-swish of the spikes of grain gently touching in the warm breeze and a distant spluttering of a pre WW2 tractor in the distance for a soundtrack, it was difficult not to be enamoured with putting one foot in front of another in the name of exercise. 

Since giving birth and life to my first child, I have struggled with pelvic floor problems, gaining back some ground before my second child was born in early 2020, I haven't really run since.

With an oversized bag of excuses, bursting at the seams, in 2024 I decided it was time to get my health in order so that I can be strong through peri-menopause, for my children, my partner and so that I can live a long, functional life. 

It has been baby steps, a fair bit of push and pull to gain back some strength and fitness but over camping at Easter I managed to put one foot in front of the other for 2km, joining the kids in a pre-footy trial practice run. Insignificant to some but for me, approaching middle age and the big 4-0, it reminded me that nothing is final, nothing is over, we can always start again. 

Dave: I recently ran the 20km Skyrun at the Buffalo Stampede weekend at Bright in Victoria. Its a gruelling trail run including 1000 metres elevation. 800 participants of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness. All connected thru the challenge ahead.

And what a challenge it was. 3 hrs and 50 minutes later I crossed the finish line. I finished last in my age group of 2!! The joy of being a part of something special was so obvious with us encouraging those around us we took it on.  

Believing and never doubting the possibility of what could be achieved together with all those around me feeling the same kind of thing. The chance to sit down at the end with a free energy drink was gratefully received. Thank you Mojo for the chance to share. Just another little connection to treasure!!

Melissa: I am by no means an athletic person but felt inspired by the legend Nedd Brockmann and decided to give it a crack. My running phases come and go and I have a very love hate relationship with it.

I recently saw a school Mum running during the day while our kids were at school, and at pick up later that day I told her I saw her out running. She was mortified and was so embarrassed because of how she looked in that moment of peak run, pushing herself to her limit and exhausted.

I say don’t be embarrassed by how you look when running, be proud of how you look running. Getting out and having a go is something to be proud of and everyone should see it!

To that mum and anyone else who is embarrassed by how they look peak or post run, embrace it ⬇️ 😊 None of us are graceful runners.

Pete: I loved your Kathrine Switzer story!

My marathon story: In 2023 I ran the Melbourne marathon.

I had a time in mind and at the halfway mark it was all going to plan. By the 25k mark, how things had changed! My wife was watching on at that point and she told me later I looked cooked. I felt cooked! As part of my plan, she handed me a banana.

I ate a few mouthfuls but couldn’t stomach any more. For some reason though, I held onto that banana for the last 17 km’s. It became my emotional support. I finished the race - way over the time I’d hoped for, and feeling about as bad as the banana now looked. The second half of the race had taken me 20 minutes longer than the first half, but as you can see by the smile on my face ⬆️ I was happy to finish.

PS. I’m off to Noosa Heads next week to run the Noosa marathon - bananas in tow, and maybe a few more gels 😀 Love your work guys!

Jen: I just wanted to nominate my 25y.o. daughter, Hayley, who finished her first marathon last weekend in Adelaide.

She has Crohn’s disease (fortunately relatively mild) so fuelling for endurance and long runs can be difficult for her. She did ‘hit the wall’ in the 20kms, and so struggled towards the end, especially since it was a warm day in Adelaide. But an amazing achievement to finish in just over 4 hours.

(I plodded through the half marathon at aged 53 … ugh … how on earth did I run two marathons when I was in my 40s?)

I would [also] like to nominate my dear friend, Sarah Lee, who has completed 10 marathons since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (and still receiving ongoing treatment) in 2017.

If you want to know more, find her on Spotify at “There is more to life than Cancer.” She has an amazing story.

Paul: I loved reading the story of Kathrine Switzer! What amazing determination and courage. 

I’d love to share my recent achievement, which I am very proud of. 

Last week I completed the Munda Biddi bike trail in WA. A trail that runs between Albany and Perth, some 1,070km. Munda Biddi means “through the forest” in indigenous language. Takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in WA. 

I and two other mates completed it in 14 days. Not racing, just working to a timeline (had to return to work at some point!). 

This ticked some many of my mantra boxes. Play, persistence, and mate-ship. I’m loving that the older I get, the more I am wanting experiences like these. It is amazing what the mind and body is capable of if you put yourself out there…. 

PS – the pic is of our bikes and gear and Lake Brockman

Preparing for an upcoming race or performance?

“Press on… And you’ll get to where you are going.”

Here’s a little extra inspiration from marathon world-record holder Eliud Kipchoge. A great example of how powerful a physical anchor can be - the Kipchoge smile! - in building resilience, staying calm and Unlocking our A-Game.