My Journey: From Post-Baby Wake-Up Call to National Masters Champion
The photo still makes me smile, and cringe, a little. There I was, in my early 30s, holding my newborn son, utterly smitten. But looking at myself in that moment, I was also genuinely shocked. Life as a busy professional and then new dad had taken its toll, and I looked, well, unhealthy. That was the day I decided something had to change.
My running journey didn't start with grand ambitions or a specific race in mind. It began simply, with walk/jogs around my neighbourhood in Tawa. And then came the "mailbox challenge." I lived at the top of a seriously steep hill, and each day I'd push myself to run one more mailbox further up it than the day before. It sounds tiny, but those mailboxes became milestones, teaching me the incredible power of consistency and incremental progress. Eventually, I could run the entire hill, a feat that felt as significant as any race finish line.
The real spark, though, came from my Dad. He casually challenged me to run a marathon. Just eight months after those first tentative walk/jogs, I found myself on the start line of the 2009 Wellington Marathon. I finished, but I was absolutely gutted to miss my goal of going under 3 hours, 30 minutes. That sting of disappointment, however, didn't make me quit. Instead, it lit a fire. I immediately signed up for another marathon, and by then, I was completely hooked.
What followed has been an extraordinary adventure, and I quickly found myself transforming into a complete "running nerd." My curiosity wasn't limited to just running itself, I became obsessed with every facet of the sport. I delved deep, researching the newest carbon-plated racers, dissecting the science behind every new shoe foam, and understanding how these innovations could unlock new levels of performance.
This deep dive extended to fueling, an area I got so wrong early in my running career. It took years of trial and error, and countless hours of research, to truly understand the sheer volume and type of nutrition my body needed to perform optimally, especially during races. These hard-won lessons are now a cornerstone of the practical advice I share.
My running journey has taken me far beyond that steep Tawa hill. I've had the immense privilege of training with, and racing against, some of the world's best runners. I've been lucky enough to compete in some of the sport's biggest races, experiencing the unique atmosphere and challenge of elite-level competition.
Through dedication and what became a meticulous, science-based approach to training, I've gone on to achieve things I never thought possible. I've secured multiple national Masters titles on both the track and the road. My personal bests – 15:48 for 5km, 32:53 for 10km, 1:12:09 for half-marathon and a 2:35:36 marathon – were all run well into my 40s. My PBs are a testament to proven workouts and structured training that I've personally refined and successfully implemented with athletes, demonstrating that age doesn't limit your potential to achieve new levels of performance.
But the greatest reward hasn't just been my own achievements. It's been the profound satisfaction of giving back to the sport I love through coaching. I've had the incredible opportunity to work with club mates, seeing them make significant improvements and reach their own goals. Witnessing one of my athletes recently earn national selection for the World Trail Running Championships was a moment of immense pride, a true highlight that underscores why I do what I do.
Beyond the training, the races, and the personal bests, running has given me something invaluable: lifelong friends. This sport fosters an incredible community, a shared passion, and unwavering support. It's this spirit that I aim to bring to every coaching relationship.
My story is a living example that it's never too late to start, to challenge yourself, and to achieve what you once thought impossible. With my sport science foundation, years of elite running, and proven coaching expertise, I'm ready to help you craft your remarkable running journey.
Ready to Write Your Own Running Story?
If my journey resonates with you, and you're ready to unlock your own running potential with a coach who understands both the science and the grit of the sport, I'd love to connect.
Send me a message directly to book a free, no-obligation call: andrew@awruncoach.co.nz
Let's discuss how we can get you running stronger, smarter, and with more joy than ever before!