It has been a while since my last post, so I thought I would just do an introduction of myself and quick update..
Hi,
I am Zoe Brentano-Murphy, 30, living in Johannesburg, South Africa.
I started running at about the age of 8 - my sister and dad are both runners.
I won my first cross country race at the age of 9 and probably since then I have been hooked on winning.
Growing up I cant really say I enjoyed running, but I always enjoyed the taste of victory and the attention it brought so I continued on with it until I matriculated in 2008.
After this I ran on and off - my only interest was actually Cross Country which I did every year.
I was still active - I cycled and took part in the sun city swim in 2001, even though I swim like a rock.
In 2015 I joined a coach and was happy with my progression until I picked up a calf/ achilles injury during a race in September. I continued with it until February 2016 when I went for a platelet injection in my achilles. This left me recovering for most of 2016 and then training back on my own.
In 2018 I spent 3 months in the UK, with not much running and picking up a fair amount of weight. I walked 10-15km everyday going to town and I learnt that alone will never keep me trim. Once back in SA, I signed up for a generic program to help get me back under 25 minutes for a 5km. My first parkrun back saw me walking and my first time trial left me feeling frustrated with how much fitness I had lost. This was the first year I had missed a cross country season since 1998.
2019 I started to see results, but at the same time I started picking up a calf niggle that by the time SA cross country champs came around I was constantly running in pain (I was convinced my calves were tearing). I went for a few chiro appointments and needling but this just left me bruised and feeling good for a day. I spent half of September, October and November resting and training myself - I found that stair training helped a lot and started to develop stronger hip flexors to pick up my legs instead of pushing off from the calf. I also found a biokinetics, who I have been working with ever since.
December 2019 I found a coach that understand my struggle and the program was adapted to incorporate cross training to help build up mileage. Unfortunately due to her own goals, she stopped coaching at the end of 2019. I was recommended her mentor, who I started training with in January 2020.
My first goal for 2020 was the Vaal 10km, which I had not run previously. During February I picked up another calf strain, which meant no running for 2 weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed the Vaal 10km and was happy with the time. The whole race I kept telling myself to breath, relax and focus on form.
Then Covid hit and I did my own home sessions - between HIIT, cycling, strength and yoga, I was constantly moving. I also did not have the stress of going in to the office.
I picked up training on the road again as soon as we were allowed, however about a month in my calves started giving me trouble and I knew it was too much speed too soon. I took a week off and my first time trial back I tried to run within a comfortable but fast barrier. During this time I realized that my right hamstring was tight, which actually resulted in the pulling and tightening of my calf - so together my bio and I worked on this.
In August, a week after my 30th birthday I decided to do a session on a Friday (something I never do) and about 10 minutes in I had heart palpitations. I remember walking back up the road, feeling my chest like I normally do, waiting for them to pass. I felt the beats stop, bent over and passed out - I woke up in the middle of the road confused. I walked home and got taken to have 4 stitches put into my head.
I did some basic vitals the next week but nothing unusual - I took the next 2 weeks 'off', walking my dog and doing my bio exercises, being very mindful about my head.
After this downtime I did a time trial and continued with training as normal.
In November I didnt really get a program so just did a repeat on October, but adding an extra rep or less recovery. On 28 November, during a hill pick up session I had the palpitations for the first time since August, along with a black out (everything goes black but I don't pass out), but I made sure I was sitting down on grass incase anything happened. During this time I started feeling my Achilles again - I didnt think much of it because I've had times when it niggled for 2 weeks and went away.
In December I decided to take a bit of a break and focus on gym work and easier running - unfortunately this made no difference to my Achilles or palpitations.
January 2021 - I joined a new coach and group so that I can have some 'security' for if something happens to me. I have had the palpitations and black outs twice during the track sessions but I made my coach aware that if I just randomly stop and sit down she knows why. After these 'episodes' I am completely fine, in fact my times are even better.
I attempted my very first 10km Cross Country as well, as except for the palpitations the last 4km, it was a fantastic opportunity.
So at the moment I am trying to work through my Achilles niggle while continuing with full training.
I will be saving up to see a cardiologist - as recommended by my doctor
My goal for 2021 is just to keep improving, to keep being a better version of myself, be it physically, socially, mentally. The last year I have found motivation in myself to just keep moving, I don't need races to validate my improvement, I don't need races as a reason to keep training. I just remember that every training is an opportunity to improve myself only for myself and it's a bonus that I will be ready for when races become available.
Other Facts:
I am qualified at speed, agility and quickness conditioning
I have a level 1 ASA coaches qualification
I am a qualified Spinning Instructor, and instructed at Virgin active for 2 years
I would love to me more involved in conditioning athletes - I think its so neglected but so vital for progress and injury prevention
I would love to go back to coaching - there is something so rewarding about seeing others succeed
I have represented Central Gauteng Athletics numerous times in cross country and track and 10km road in 2019
I have a UK Level 2 Orienteering coaching certificate
I have represented South Africa at the Junior World Orienteering Champs in 2009 and 2010
I work as a system administrator, so I spend all day behind a desk - so yes I can relate to those tight lazy glutes and hip flexors
My passion is Cross Country and I prefer short distances over long distances - I like to test my bodies speed and would rather be over with a race quickly than a long slow drag, I don't think I could do it mentally
My most frustrating race is the RAC 32km - I missed the special medal by 14 seconds because I didnt know about it. The next year I bombed out while on target pace
I am on 2 committees - RACO (Orienteering) and Randburg Harriers (Running).
I enjoy giving back to the running community by volunteering at MyRuns, Parkruns, Club Runs and races - I believe that no one can complain until they have volunteered and know what actually goes on behind the scenes and how much is given up for free - and yes events won't happen without wonderful volunteers!
I think my ultimate goal is to be a fantastic Master and Grandmaster runner - to be able to pass people half my age and hear them say "wow look at her go". I sometimes hear this about my dad.
I studied a short course in nutrition and sports nutrition but it's something I am still working on - I suffer from a bit of food anxiety and obsession.
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