Runbelievable Podcast

Ep 2: She Witnessed The Unthinkable!

• Joshua Rischin • Season 1 • Episode 2

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Episode Description:
Running on fumes, bargain shoes, and one unforgettable start line moment.

In this first full episode of Runbelievable, Joshie and Matty sit down with Lisa Bird to hear the hilarious, gritty, and downright unbelievable stories behind her running journey.

From pacing a half marathon on just 30 minutes’ sleep, to tackling an overseas marathon in $60 shoes, to the plastic bag incident you have to hear to believe...  Lisa proves that every runner has a story worth sharing.

In this episode:

  • How Lisa first got into running
  • The half marathon paced on almost no sleep
  • An overseas marathon in $60 shoes
  • That infamous plastic bag moment
  • What running means to Lisa today

Runbelievable: real runners, unreal stories.

Follow us on Instagram @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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Josh:

I'm actually going to be honest with you. I'm thinking of ditching the concept of running tights altogether.

Matt:

Okay.

Josh:

Did I tell you about Charlie's feedback?

Matt:

No.

Josh:

So when I first debuted the now defunct tights, I went in the kitchen. Charlie was in there demolishing a bowl of custard or something. And he then added, oh, dad, I can see a world through that thing. Yeah. Hello everybody and welcome to Run Believable, the podcast where everyday runners share their not-so-everyday stories. I'm your host Josh Rishon and I'm here to bring you stories of grit, glory and overcoming adversity. Each episode we'll dive deep into what first got people into running and what keeps them lacing up day after day. From the laughs and the lessons to being angled by fishing line, we're here to share what makes running a truly human experience. And later in this episode you'll meet a runner who's discovered that less sleep equals more pbs trust me you don't want to miss this one maddie welcome back clearly i didn't damage you too much with our first episode no

Matt:

no no it's great to be back um great to hear another story i'm really looking forward to

Josh:

it Yes, Matty, it is awesome to have you joining me once more. Thank you. Let's get stuck into something called the Run Believable Rundown. Now, I should explain, the Run Believable Rundown is a segment where we share highlights, mishaps, and little wins. It's Really going to be the sort of stuff that our listeners will send in. However, given that this podcast is brand new and by the time people are listening, we will probably have four listeners, including immediate family by this stage. So what I might do, Matty, if it's okay with you, is kick us off with something that's been a bit of a bugbear of mine. I am in the market for new running shorts. That is running tights. Yeah. Now, as I may have told you, my last pair pulled the pin. in roughly 16Ks into a 33K long run. A long time to run with running tights that aren't serving their purpose. Now, as much as the boys downstairs were enjoying the extra breeze from Moreton Bay, I'm not really in the mood to face charges of indecent exposure. So, Matty, it's time to shop around. Yep.

Matt:

Sounds like it.

Josh:

Yeah. Now, I'm actually going to be honest with you. I'm thinking of ditching the concept of, running tights altogether. Um, yeah, there's a few reasons. I mean, I haven't had a lot of luck with longevity, but I also, did I tell you about Charlie's feedback?

Matt:

No.

Josh:

So when I first debuted the now defunct tights, um, I went in the kitchen to fill up my water bottle. Now, Charlie was in there demolishing a bowl of custard or something. And you know when you're driving at either sunrise or sunset time and you get to the crest of a hill and the sun just happens to be perfectly positioned at the top of the road to cast a blinding light? Well, that was the boy's reaction as he went to shield his eyes when he saw me wearing this little green number. Anyway. As you know, he's not really one to keep his feelings to himself. He then added, oh, dad, I can see a world through that thing. So, yeah, I'm actually thinking maybe there's a better solution.

Matt:

Well, I have the same pair and they're still in the bag. I haven't worn them because I don't know what they'll go with because of the colour.

Josh:

I think for you, Matty, you can get away with wearing anything. Anything pairs well with Matty, I think. Thank

Matt:

you.

Josh:

Oh, Anytime. That's why we're here. And look, it is truly insane to think that barely a week goes by without some kind of crazy mishap or adventure. But look, still, it's all really good content for the show. So if you have something that you'd like to contribute to the Run Believable rundown, then send it our way. Now, Maddy.

Matt:

Yes. I

Josh:

know you're excited. I

Matt:

am very excited. I

Josh:

haven't told you about this. It's time for our first game. Oh, no. Here we go. Here we go. So. We'll see whether or not this one stands the test of time. Now, I've called this game over or under, and here's how it's going to work. I'm going to throw out some running-related stat or trivia, and Matty, you have to guess if the real number is over or under.

Matt:

Okay.

Josh:

Now, feel free to play along at home or if you're listening. Today's questions are all about the Sydney Marathon, which was held at the end of August.

Matt:

That's right.

Josh:

Are you ready?

Matt:

Yep.

Josh:

Question number one. A record number of finishers completed the full marathon. And that's true, by the way. Mm-hmm. 34,512. Is the real number higher or lower?

Matt:

Lower.

Josh:

You are correct. 32,885. And the

Matt:

reason I thought that was because there was 35,000 people in the event. Yep. So you're going to have people that didn't finish.

Josh:

Yep. And a few that didn't start as well.

Matt:

That's right.

Josh:

Yeah, geez, I really should have gone with a lower number. Anyway, let's learn from me. A Guinness Book of World Records was broken. The most pair of underpants worn for a marathon, 53. Now, by the way, that is fact. Some dude managed to win for wearing 53 pairs of underwear. The total weight of said underpants was 4.2 kilograms. Was the real number higher or lower?

Matt:

higher

Josh:

yes five kilograms is the estimated weight of those undies can you imagine running with five

Matt:

but why why like

Josh:

do you know what i actually think maddie i reckon there's a bunch of people that simply go through the Guinness Book of World Records and look for something that hasn't been done.

Matt:

Yeah, of course. But, yeah, again, why? I

Josh:

don't know. Well, to get yourself in the news, that's how I found it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, true, true. And do you want to know something? This dude actually broke the previous record by just one solitary pair. So you know what I'm going to be doing next year, Matty, don't you?

Matt:

No

Josh:

more tights in the underwear. And question number three, final question. The age range of finishers had the youngest being 18 and the oldest being 86. Was the real oldest age of the oldest finisher higher or lower than 86? I'd go higher. You are correct. 87, Matty. Yeah. That's impressive. Had you held home? Like, honestly, three from three, I'm pretty impressed, dude. Well, you've seen me at trivia

Matt:

before when it comes to

Josh:

running. I know, I know. I'm going to have to– I don't know if this segment's going to stand the test of time. No, I read too much stuff. Yeah. I'm going to have to try and trip you up somehow. Now, Maddy, this show isn't about us, and as I mentioned earlier, each episode will feature a star guest with their own run-believable story. Our first guest would rather lace up and run a parkrun PB than go back to bed after working a night shift. From pacing a half marathon on just 30 minutes sleep to making it through an overseas marathon with stellar shoes and a chest infection, her story is equal parts resilience and a whole lot of humour. She's promised to open up on the less commonly known uses for So please, let's all welcome Lisa.

Matt:

Hi, guys. Hey, Lisa. How are you going? Good. Thanks for having me. First guest. This is exciting. Very exciting.

Josh:

Yeah. Yeah, we're really, really excited, Lisa. I mean, it's no secret that we certainly know you and we've been running with you for quite some time. Before we get into things, I've got to ask how the thumb's going. And just for a bit of context, I mean, it's kind of perfect timing that we've got a podcast called Run Believable, and you would not believe what happened to Lisa. In fact, I'll let you share the story of what was about a week ago, a week and a half ago. What happened, Lisa?

Lisa:

Well, I thought, yeah, just preparing for this today, I thought, you know, there's a couple of questions like what obstacles and that and and that I was like oh perfect I've got some content so yeah um you know just our standard Sunday run and um yeah I thought my shoes were a bit clunky and heavy and maybe I was a bit tired I forgot my watch as well so but you know you just power on I've got a marathon to train for so um and we weren't even running far so yeah by this time I was with Josh um you know 15 15 out at Redcliffe and I've, yeah, tripped along the boardwalk and yeah, I knew I was going down so flat on my face pretty much and, but yeah, I've hit my hand and straight away everyone's like, oh, your leg's okay, your leg's okay. I'm like, yeah, my legs are fine. I

Josh:

was worried about my hand. He goes to show the mindset of runners when someone falls over and he's like, the leg's okay, the leg's okay.

Lisa:

But yeah, and yeah, it wasn't that painful I was like oh I've hurt my hand a little bit but uh yeah a couple days later I was like oh my thumb's swelling up a bit I better go to the doctor and yeah what do you know it's a broken thumb so yeah um I actually thought like when you found out it was broken I actually thought you know what better like body part to break as a runner it's your thumb it doesn't do anything like you know you can still you can still run it's not going to put you out so you did well well that's a bit debatable so yeah I mean one it's good it's my left hand and not my right hand um yes I can run yes I can type for work so it's not affecting my work but then other things like putting my hair up doing my buttons um cutting a piece of steak you do use two thumbs so I have had to adjust but but yeah I thought you know get straight back out there because obviously I was worried about tripping again um so I was like no just get back out there change your shoes some lighter shoes and don't worry about tripping and yeah so the following weekend I felt a lot better and I'm like okay yep that's helped you know it's just one of those days unfortunately so you just went out and ran a 30k just to make sure the thumb works at a decent pace as well yeah life goes on and yeah I met another girl Amber she was lovely And, yeah, I just started running with hair. And it took my mind off it, actually, because I was obviously getting to know hair. And I was like, oh, I've just run another 10Ks and I haven't thought about tripping in my thumb again.

Josh:

Yeah. Oh, that's fantastic, Lisa. And, yeah, so as long as you can get your shoelaces done up somehow, who really cares about the rest? Yeah, that's right. So we've got to ask, Lisa, so why running? When did you first get started?

Lisa:

um I guess oh there's a couple of stories I thought of I guess with that I think the first one would be when I joined the police so I think naturally you just have to be fit for the police and there was a 2.4k run that you have to do in a certain time so I just remember running laps of a football oval to make sure I get under that I think it was like 13 or 14 minutes um yeah and you know I wasn't really into running then but I just maintained my fitness but when I did join the police and then I had some um some high adrenaline jobs I guess and then you know I finished work at like 10 o'clock at night say and that adrenaline would still be going and I'd be wired and I was like oh I can't really sleep now so that's when I was like oh how do I get this adrenaline out and um yeah that's when I was like oh running gets it all out and then I realized it was it was a big lifestyle change I'm like okay it's not just running it means I'm going to sleep better. It means I'm going to handle shift work better. Yeah, and just that feeling afterwards, I'm like I got all that adrenaline out. I feel relaxed now. And, yeah, I think that just continued on too with pretty much park runs existed after that. And I was like, oh, this is a free run and they time you and I've got to beat that guy next week to beat me. There's so much to it, isn't there? Like, I mean, you know, before I started running, you think running is just emotion. You know, why would you do it? That's like, you know, but everything that goes with it, that feeling, that better sleep, that better lifestyle, all of that sort of stuff, it's why we do it. Yeah, eating canned donuts. Yeah, that's right. I have to run now for what I eat. Oh. I'm

Josh:

the same. So can you tell me what your first running event was, Lise?

Lisa:

Good question. Besides park runs, well, actually... I'm just trying to think. Because of COVID, we weren't able to do any running events and I really wanted to run a marathon. And I was like, oh, I wanted to run a marathon. But COVID and then the second year of COVID and then that's when I was like, oh, you know what, I'm just going to run a marathon myself. And I did. And everyone was like, Lisa, that's a really good thing. You run a marathon without having a race. Sorry. It was just slowly, but, yeah, I just had some friends, Pete and Jules supporting me, and, yeah, just laps of Sandgate pretty much. So I think that was my first, well, that I can remember anyway before actual events that I could actually do. You did that this year. You ran the virtual, was it Cabri? That's right, the Cabri one. Marathon, and you told no one, and we found one. You ran 42 kilometres that morning. Yeah, I was just going to go by feel really. You know, I guess I didn't want the pressure like, right, I'm going to run this virtual marathon. I thought, okay, I'll just pick a day and if it works, it works. If it doesn't, I'll just do it another day. So I think that's why I was like, oh, there's no point telling everyone I'm going to do this on this day. But, yeah, I really wanted that medal.

Josh:

I actually have documentary evidence. Not only did you neglect to tell people, I recall sending you a message, I think, the day before saying, what are you up to on the weekend? And you went, yeah, not much. Oh,

Lisa:

my God. I know. Well, it was a very last-minute decision. I had to check the weather and everything. I was like, okay.

Josh:

Yeah. Waking up early in the morning, what am I going to do? Just go out and run a marathon. Why not? Now, one thing which I'm sort of keen to explore, Lise, it's incredible what we tend to see outwardly on Strava and just assume well a lot of people assume that that's just our lives that we just get out there and run but you know you work full-time you've had a history of doing shift work you're paying off a house you've got a gorgeous dog but my goodness Benji's hard work what's it like trying to fit all that in trying to find space for for running

Lisa:

Yeah, good point. You've got to manage it well. Like, you know, you've got to prioritize, I guess. And yeah, sometimes other things get in the way of running. So I'm like, no, okay, this month or this week, sleep comes first. And then, well, especially when I got the dog, I'm like, well, he's just a puppy. And yeah, so especially getting up at bloody three o'clock in the morning and that, so he can go to the toilet. Okay, now I need sleep, not running again. Yeah, it's hard to find that balance sometimes, but you just can't do everything, can you? Yeah, so sometimes you get it right, sometimes you don't get it right, but then you learn. So that's why I've always not put the pressure on myself, I guess. I don't have to run a certain amount of kilometers to run a marathon. It's just when I can fit the running in or fit the training of the dog in or fit the sleep in around shift work. Yeah. And I mean, that's evident with you. Have a look at your Strava and what you're running each week is, you know, you're doing what you need to do because you've got experience and, you know, you can run a marathon with the training that you do. And it's quite phenomenal. It's really impressive.

Josh:

It really is. And I don't know anyone else, Lisa, that seems to thrive on, maybe I shouldn't say thrive on sleep deprivation, but the way that you can manage sleep deprivation is unlike anyone else I know. And amongst other things, if memory serves correctly, you paced a half marathon down in Tasmania off only 30 minutes sleep. Wow.

Matt:

You might as well just say no sleep, no sleep.

Josh:

Tell us about that. How was that trying to sort of stay focused after not having much sleep and still, and we must know how you went with the pacing, by the way.

Lisa:

yeah okay well first of all I was successful so that was that was good that was a weight off my shoulders I guess but but the lead up to that was just yeah I just let the stress build up on me I guess um because um I've just always wanted to pace a major event so I'm just signing up to any event that'll take me really um and then I got this one two hours and I'm like oh yeah okay I can yeah I can run two hour half marathon that'll be fine you know not you know not easily but yeah I can do it but then I had that realization of like crap that's right Tassie has a lot of hills and I was like maybe maybe this half marathon is going to be a little bit more difficult than I thought but that's okay I can still do it um yeah so I think I had a few things on my mind like that and then when I got to Tassie you know just settling into the accommodation and then also the daylight savings that's what really messed me up so I think that change of going from one to the other, at 3 a.m. in the morning, I was like, hang on, I couldn't figure out whether to set my alarm two hours before or like two hours ahead. And I did stuff that up. My alarm went off and my partner at the time was like, hang on, Lisa, it's midnight. I'm like, what? It's not midnight. It's like 4 a.m., isn't it? We've got to get up and have breakfast and stuff. So, yeah, but still, yeah, Just thinking about that, you know, being my first major pacing event, you know, if I can do it, you know, if I can encourage others, if I'm going to fail, if I'm going to. But, yeah, I think I just remember the conditions in Tassie are a lot better than Brisbane, less humidity, and that definitely helped. So, yeah, you know, and hills don't scare me too much anymore. So, you know, with stronger legs, I think, and the training. But, yeah, so I love that event. I'd recommend that event to anyone. What was the experience like, though, pacing? As you said, it's something you've always wanted to do. Yeah, how did you find it? I had another pacer with me, so it was good to get to know him and chat and, yeah, and just monitor others who were with us and wanted to run that sub to our half marathon. So, you know, yeah, just reminding them to get their nutrition in and, um, yeah. And what's coming up, there's drink stations coming up, there's a hill coming up, you know, to not worry about the hill because it would be going slightly faster down the other side of the hill. And, um, and yeah, so, um, yeah, it was a great event. Um, as I said, I recommend

Josh:

it. Yeah. Obviously the time zone difference, the lack of sleep and just the travel factor didn't turn you off, um, exploring far and wide for running events because it was after that that you decided to travel to Chicago, I believe, for your first overseas marathon. Tell us about that. That sounds like it was a life experience in itself.

Lisa:

Well, yes. I think you just reminded me of getting that balance right. I think, you know, sometimes I do take on too much and I think this might have been one of those times. But, yeah, you know, It's just live and learn, I think. So, you know, I'd never been to Chicago before. I wanted to make a holiday out of it, obviously, too. And then, yeah, I got sick, unfortunately. I get sick every time I go on a plane, I swear. You didn't just get

Josh:

on one plane. How many flights was it to get there?

Lisa:

Oh, yeah, at least two or three. Yeah, I stopped in Hong Kong first. I think it was four. I think

Josh:

you had four flights.

Lisa:

That's kind of rude. remember now was it like going to Sydney or Melbourne first then Hong Kong then Chicago something like that yes so yeah I think it was about 27 hours later I think so yeah and then yeah so staying in an Airbnb too yeah and I couldn't find couldn't find it right and yeah in the middle of the night in Chicago a female by herself I was a little bit worried. I was like, okay, this is, yep, this is the US, this is Chicago. No wonder I got sick, I think.

Josh:

It's amazing the things that we tend to overlook. And I remember when I saw your activity come up on Strava, I was like, you know, what a fantastic effort and a fantastic experience. But I guess what Strava doesn't show is the journey, even just to get to the start line. I mean, I... You can't even stop to think about issues to do with, you know, like you say, safety or managing illness, logistical challenges. From what I know, it took you, even getting to the start line, how long did that take you? Was it a couple of hours or something or more?

Lisa:

Yeah, oh, at least a bus and a train, so at least an hour. Gee. Yeah, so then, you know, your routine kind of goes out. Yeah. And then you line up to go to the toilet and whatever. So, yeah, the lineup for the toilet was ridiculous. So I'm like, okay, I can't go to the toilet. So I'll go while I'm on course. Well,

Josh:

not everyone lines up to go to the toilet, Lisa. Yeah, that's right. This is probably going to set the tone for this podcast. A plastic bag, Lisa. Not you, I might add. Oh, I thought you were going to say that's what Lisa did. I was like, wow. Oh, look, when you've got to go, you've got to go. And let's be honest. It's wonderful that this person was reasonably well prepared. I mean, was it one of those little doggie plastic bags that she had on hand? It

Lisa:

was one of those plastic bags where you get your bib and I think your T-shirt or whatever. So it was a big enough bag. But yes, I got to see some crawling activities in a bag and the boyfriend standing behind. And it really made me think. I guess,

Matt:

you know, when you've got to go, you've got to go. And I guess. There's limits. There's limits to that. There's limits. Yeah.

Lisa:

And I agree with you, Matt. I think there is. Yeah. That's what I mean. A limit. And like, so my thought is, yes, I need to go to the toilet too, but I'm going to wait until the first toilet comes, you know, in five Ks or, or yeah. Run back to that. from the first hotel

Josh:

walk. The thing that I haven't explored with you, and I am curious, I mean, after she pooed in the bag and tied it off, what happened? I mean, is it kind of like when you take off, you know how we all take the throwaway jumpers? Like, did she just, like, hurl it off into the crowd and hope for the best?

Matt:

It's Chicago. I wasn't looking. Like, I was, like, almost feeling sick at the sight of it, so I didn't want to look anymore.

Josh:

I guess we all need to wee and we all need to poo. But, yeah, it sounds like she was well prepared. But I think from what you've told me, Lise, having that experience, I mean, you would have been exhausted by the time you crossed the start line. Like, that just sounds–

Matt:

I was going to say your pre-race prep was out the window.

Josh:

Exactly. I would have been celebrating as I crossed the start line. Yeah.

Lisa:

Yeah, I pretty much was. Yep, just get this done. It's, you know, 50,000 people. Yeah, and the atmosphere was unreal, though. Yeah, so, yes, I definitely recommend it. It is a PB course if you can get your stuff together, I guess, and find a toilet.

Josh:

Oh, that's fantastic. What an adventure that sounds like. Rip, should I tell you? taking the time to um to share that with us um lisa thanks so much for joining us on run believable we'll let you go and get some sleep deprivation how does that sound yes

Matt:

thank you yes always good day with more sleep thank you thanks lisa that was great yeah thanks guys see ya

Josh:

wow um don't know about you maddie but i'm truly blown away by lisa's adventures um wow

Matt:

yeah yeah it's amazing it's amazing She's really good to run with. She's great company and the stuff that she does, I think eight marathons and more maybe, unbelievable. I

Josh:

think Lisa's story is proof that running is much more than what we see that pops up on Strava. I think quite often we can forget that the hardest part of the journey quite often is even just making it to the start line. All right, and that's it for today. Have you got a run believable story of your own? We'd love to hear it. Follow, rate and share this podcast with your running mates and we'll see you for the next adventure.