Let's meet Liz!

Meet the R4R Runners #92

Welcome to the 92nd edition of the Meet the R4R Runners. This week we get to meet Liz, who’s done something extraordinary to support her local community. When we heard of Liz’s achievement, we were so impressed and felt even more lucky to have such inspirational people as part of our community.

She’s also contributed some important nuances on mental health in her answers, so without further ado… Let’s meet Liz!

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What is your name? 

Liz Blower

Where are you from?

Sydney originally, but now in Braddon

What's your favourite thing about Canberra?

Living in a city, but still having the bush all around you - I never saw kangaroos on my morning runs in Sydney!

How did you hear about R4R and when did you first attend?

Word of mouth - people were talking about it and I had to see what the fuss was about! I first attended in early 2022.

What's your favourite thing about R4R?

How welcoming and accessible it is. It really is a group for everybody.

What would you like to see R4R do?

I would love to see more partnering with mental health services for the suicide prevention cause - sometimes exercising with a community isn't enough, and medical intervention is needed.

What's the longest you've ever run? 

I've done a couple of marathons! One was a Canberra Times run around the lake (nice and flat), and the other was in Kowen Forest (very mean steep hills) - the hill run took nearly 2 hours longer!

Are you planning on taking part in any races or events soon or are there any just gone?

On 10 March, at 9am, I finished a 24 hour row on the lake! I still honestly can't believe I did it. I did this row as a fundraiser for the wonderful women's rowing program at the ANU Boat Club - we're an entirely volunteer run club, supporting athletes from complete beginners up to elite international competitors. It's a very worthy cause for women in sport, so please donate!

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Which three people (alive or dead) would you like to run or walk 6km with?

I've always loved going for runs with my dad since I was a kid, and he's been a great mentor for me in rowing and sport in general, so definitely him. I would also love a chance to pick the brain of incredible endurance athlete Diana Nyad (who swam from Cuba to Florida). Finally, marathon world record holder Tigist Assefa - just to remind me that I'm not actually that fast a runner!!

What does resilience mean to you?

The bad times WILL end - but you will keep going.

When you look back on the hardest moment/s in your life, is there anything you wish you could have told yourself? 

If everything else isn't working (exercise, diet, sleep, therapy, routine, friendship, work...), and you're still dangerously unhappy, it's time to go on medication. There's no shame in it, it's not 'giving up', and it doesn't mean you're not tough enough. I can now live happily and healthily when I just couldn't before.

Thanks, Liz!