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“In August 2014, a motor vehicle accident left me comatose for 12 days and in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital care for three months recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury. I needed to learn how to walk, talk, eat, everything.”
When Reece Crawford suffered severe injuries due to a car crash in 2014, he was left comatose and doctors were unsure whether he would ever regain his consciousness. Fast forward to June 2021, and Reece is running a half marathon to raise funds for the hospital that helped give him his life back.
“My love of running all started with a text message I received four and half years ago, from a friend I’d met because he was in the bed opposite me in rehab after my brain injury. He invited me to a local Parkrun, where I caught the running bug and haven’t looked back.”
That text message was the start of Reece’s journey towards his biggest achievement so far: the 2018 Brisbane Marathon. Reece was proud to run the marathon in 3 hours and 58 minutes. He attributes this accomplishment to listening to the right advice, staying on top of his nutrition and making sure he incorporated a proper recovery routine including massage.
In 2021, from June 10th – June 30th, Reece will be completing a running challenge to raise funds for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. He will begin by running one kilometre on Day 1, and aims to add a kilometre every day until the final day will he will finish with a half marathon effort. Reece will be running each day in the hospital itself, on a treadmill on the ground floor.
“I’ll complete this by closely monitoring my nutrition, my recovery, and because I’ll be motivated by the very facility I’m running within.”
You can view Reece’s fundraising page here.
REECE’S TOP RECOVERY TIPS
“To maximise your recovery, don’t stop. Stay mobile, make sure you eat to refuel and regain some energy. Stretch. Then stretch again. ”
“My wife and my kids motivate me and support me through every part of my life. They were strong and stood by my side when the accident almost cost me my life. I believe that my children are the reason that I awoke from the coma that doctors were worried would claim me. Their belief in me has helped me to the finish line of six marathons so far, with more to come.”
Meet Jennifer Watterson, who in 2015 would have scoffed at the idea of running, but has since become a veteran ultra-marathon runner.
“I was the sort of person who looked at athletes running past and thought to myself, ‘What are they running from?’”
Little did Jen know that after a health scare involving hip surgery in 2015, she would find her life’s passion in running.
After receiving a major health wake-up call due to her surgery, Jen knew that she had to start embracing her fitness ability – to use it or lose it! After reading stacks of books on running (her first title was Eat & Run by Scott Jurek), Jen became keen to test out just what her body could do.
“Between August 2016 and January 2018, I managed to lose 25kg and hubby lost over 30kg! We were looking very fit indeed and we felt the energy of our hard work, and we wanted more challenges.”
With the guidance of a running coach, Jennifer began to build up her skills and knowledge in order to attempt her first ever trail running event. She set herself “a big, scary goal” to complete the 50km Blackall event on the Sunshine Coast, QLD.
“My coach had tuned me just perfect and I had the best day out on the trails. Finishing in 7.5 hours, I was in the mid-pack and had the time of my life. I was ready to take on more!”
Jennifer’s biggest achievement so far is completing the 100km Blackall course with her husband not once but twice, and managing to take three hours off her first time.
“We focused a lot on strength training in the gym, cross-training with our bikes and just getting in those big long runs with backup runs to help build the endurance. We ran together during the event and eventually after 20 hours we crossed the finish line into the arms of my brother who had come up from Victoria for the weekend to support us. If you had asked me straight away if I would ever do that again I would have told you no way! That was enough. But of course, you have some watermelon, have a sleep, and 12 months later we lined up again!”
“I know that I will never be a podium finisher but I just love being out on the trails during an event, soaking up the atmosphere of the checkpoints and really pushing my limits to see just what this old chassis can achieve.”
Jennifer’s biggest supporters are her husband; who will sacrifice his own runs to run alongside her and her coach Matt Grills; who has the ability to always get the best out of her. Her favourite idol is Aussie runner Lucy Bartholomew who has inspired Jen to always smile throughout her runs and just enjoy the time out in nature!
JENNIFER’S TOP RECOVERY TIPS
“Make time for active recovery including yoga, stretching, foam rolling, and take time to meditate every day.”
Often I am my own worst critic. My coach definitely has a lot of faith in my ability, even when I don’t.
Introducing Matt Levy – four-time Paralympian and Order of Australia Medallist.
Born premature at 25 weeks, Matt Levy came into the world with Cerebral Palsy, vision impairment and a hunger for success.
At a young age, Matt began swimming as a form of physical therapy. Since then, he has taken Australian swimming by storm by representing the nation in four consecutive Paralympic Games.
Matt’s journey hasn’t been easy, but he has worked extremely hard with many achievements to be proud of. Matt is a true champion of all of his endeavours on land and in the water, and currently has his sights set on the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
“You’re only ever as good as the people around you, and I’ve been very fortunate in that respect to be surrounded by many inspirational people that I’m lucky enough to count as friends, colleagues and family.”
His experiences have led him to want to inspire others by publishing a book.
In 2020, after two years of writing, redefining and editing, Matt published his first book, titled Keeping Your Head Above Water.
“I think the best part of writing it is knowing people will know my journey and hopefully be inspired to create their own versions of success.”
You can learn more about Matt by purchasing his book: available as an e-Book and paperback on Amazon, Booktopia and more.
MATT’S TOP RECOVERY TIPS
I have tried float tanks as a means of recovery. Know your body and focus on what works for you.
You can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.
Meet Brett Carlsson – triathlete, father, project manager, and personal trainer powerhouse.
Brett Carlsson is a father to two teenagers and a local to steamy Cairns in Far North Queensland. He has always been a self-proclaimed active person but admits, not always a fit one. Brett was motivated to make a big lifestyle change six years ago and committed to a fitter, healthier version of himself.
He began training six days a week at his local F45 studio as well as racing in mountain bike events. Soon after in 2019, a mate convinced him to enter an Ironman 70.3 triathlon event as a rider. However the encouragement from his friends made Brett change his entry to a solo entry – running, swimming and cycling.
“I have had many highlights and successes over the six years but my first Ironman 70.3 here in Cairns was amazing. I always saw ‘those people’ as amazing athletes and never thought in a million years I could do it. But I did, I enjoyed it and I placed well above my expectations.”
In order to prepare himself for his awesome achievement, Brett continued to train at F45 and race mountain bikes while incorporating special triathlon endurance training. The cycling leg of the race was his strongest and his favourite, but running is becoming a close second.
Brett’s motivation stems from his friends at the gym as well as his partner and children who encourage him on good days and pick him up on lazy days.
Confined to working from home due to Coronavirus, Brett used the time to train more frequently and enjoy time with family.
Although most of his races and events for 2020 were cancelled, Brett was offered a position at the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championships. His 2021 goals will centre around training for this exciting event, as well as continuing to juggle his family, full-time project management job, and work as a Personal Trainer.
“If what I do inspires someone else to make a change and aim high, I would be really happy.”
BRETT’S TOP RECOVERY TIPS
Always cool down after sessions, hydrate well and stretch as much as you can.
Six years ago I broke some bad habits and commenced my healthier life.
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