Athlete Stories – Dream Big Virtual Running Festival

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JAMES MATTHEW 

PEAK HEAD ALL STAR



PEAK Head All Star James Matthew is interviewed by Physiotherapist Blane Delbridge about his training so far for the Dream Big Virtual Running Festival. This is going to be James’s first Marathon, and as such he has had to step up his training regime.

Keep watching to find out how he stays motivated and what tips he has for other athletes. 

BRITTNEY TRUEMAN 

PEAK PHYSIOTHERAPIST AND COACH

Peak Physiotherapist and Coach Brittney Trueman discusses the struggles of balancing training while maintaining your lifestyle with Blane Delbridge. She explains how she has been staying motivated and gives some tips for other athletes who have set a personal goal. 

PAUL NICHOLLS

PEAK ATHLETE AND VISION CUSTODIAN

Not all heroes wear capes.  At PEAK we have a vision to help Athletes achieve experiences they never felt possible. I’d like to introduce Paul to those who do not already know him.  Paul first came to PEAK in 2014 with knee pain and a lower back complaint and starting to build a relationship with Blane, one of our Physiotherapy Coaches and the rest of the PEAK team. Not all Athlete’s walk into PEAK with a growth mindset on day one. 

Paul spent long days on the computer with stress and a lack of exercise, key drivers in the longevity of his pain and problems. In 2017, Paul began to invest in his health, having spent some time contemplating a lifestyle change. He entered our Prevention Classes and hasn’t looked back. In Paul’s case, it took a couple of years for him to fully understand that age is no barrier, it is a limitation you put on your mind.  Then he really started to dream big and challenge himself physically and mentally. 

In 2019 he set himself the goal of completing the Gold Coast Half Marathon in under 3 hours and coupled with preventative exercise he had been doing over the previous 12 months, was really well placed to achieve this goal. Paul had very limited experience in doing any physical activity other than walking. In fact, Paul had not run properly in over 50 years!!

Paul made full use of the wider multi-disciplinary team at PEAK, through our musculoskeletal podiatry team, massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, anti-gravity treadmill and Stride running club. He was determined to be prepared and leave no stone unturned.  He was fearful that his knee pain may return and he had some roadblocks on the way with a calf complaint just 4 weeks before the race. The fact Paul had a strong meaning to this event kept him focused on the start and finish lines. He wanted to achieve this goal knowing he had the support not just of the PEAK community but from his closest family including his grandchildren. Working alongside Blane, his goal was to be able to jog 200m in every 1km of the race.  Come race day this year, as many of us do, Paul set off with a wave of adrenaline and pushed himself, by his own admission, a little hard in the early stages of the race. He had nothing left in the tank for the last 1km but, supported by Blane, crossed the line in 3 hours, 2 minutes and 19 seconds. He was ecstatic and so were we! 

Paul not only inspired the team at PEAK, he inspired his daughter Kellie to get back into running with him and his wife has spoken passionately about the positive changes having a goal has had on him. 

Paul was recently nominated for and awarded a room at PEAK for 2020. This is in recognition of his experience not felt possible and for being a Vision Custodian of PEAK. Reaching a goal in itself is not important, it is the person you become on the journey that matters. Congratulations, Paul! 

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