Meet the R4R Runners #14

Oren Forward

Welcome to the 14th edition of the ‘Meet the R4R Runners’ where we’ve got only a few responses left before we move on to the new set of questions. This week, we get to meet a fella who is now Running for Resilience all the way over in Argentina and someone we would welcome back in a heartbeat here in Canberra.

Oren is a kind and welcoming bloke who epitomises the notion of resilience. He’s also one of the more interesting fella’s around being well travelled and responsible for establishing the first Triathlon in Islamabad! (please correct me if I’m wrong, Oren).

Also during his ‘R4R Career’, he used our runs to recover from significant injuries sustained in a bike accident (read below). Whilst we miss Oren’s presence every Wednesday, R4R is better for having had him attend and hopefully we can have a return run sometime soon.

So without further ado, let’s meet Oren!

What is your name?

Oren Forward

Where are you from?

Originally Perth, WA but almost a Canberra local

Have you always lived in Canberra?

I moved to Canberra in 2003, moved away in 2016 and got back in 2020. Currently living in Argentina

How did you first hear about R4R?

After moving back to Canberra in 2020 a friend suggested it as a good way to get out running, the free beer just sealed the deal. 

When did you first attend a R4R?

20 January 2021.

What keeps you coming back to R4R?

It's just a friendly place to go for a run and chat with people. ''Just. Keep. Moving." Is one of the best motto's I've heard, times and distances aren't that important unless you want them to be. It's nice to be part of a community and get out there to do it.

Do you have a R4R Personal Best? If not, what’s your 5km PB?

R4R 6km - PB 30:46

Do you prefer the winter R4Rs or the Summer R4Rs?

Summer. Winter is ok if its not raining or windy. 

Do you prefer Friday or Wednesday R4R? or in other words… Do you prefer beer or coffee?

Beer on a Wednesday.

If you could go for a 3km/6km walk or run with 3 people alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

- My family all the way over in the West. 3,700Km was far enough 12,500km is a bit more

- My good friend Megan who i started Islamabad Triathlon and Fun run with and got me running and really into Triathlon also 8,400km away

- The R4R crew 11,728km and lockdown is a huge distance 

Just miss walking and running with you all. 

What does resilience mean to you?

Knowing no matter how hard things are, you have the strength to get through.

Is there a time in your life where you’ve had to rely on your ability to be resilient?

After getting to Oman in 2019 for Ironman 70.3 all my team (relay) members were stuck in different countries. Having never run more than 10km and having not swum in 3 months, I made the choice to give it a go, having only done training for the bike leg. I started cramping 10km into the half marathon. When I couldn't run, I walked, when I couldn’t walk, I hobbled, but smiling knowing that I'd finally achieved something that I'd wanted for years and just needed to be pushed to achieve. It was definitely more fun that sitting in the hotel room all day. 

After getting hit by a car while cycling in 2021 (and breaking a lot of things (Neck, clavicle, skull) (Please check your mirrors), I knew that it was going to be a long journey to recovery. Keeping the motto of Just Keep. Moving. in my mind, I was back walking after a week and running a few weeks later. It hurt, but it also hurt just sitting in a chair at home. I made the choice to do what I could and get up and back and moving. 1 x (1.00)^365 = 1 1 x (1.01)^365 = 37.78  or 1% a day builds. There's still a fair way to go, but poco a poco I'll get there. 

If you could say one thing to someone going through something tough at the moment, what would it be?

I'm sorry life isn't great at the moment and that it's hard and a bit shit. You will get through this and be stronger for it. 

In the 2022 edition of the R4R Gift, who will win the coveted Clydesdale award 100kg and above? Jonesy, Benny A, or other?

With the rate they are all dropping the KG's will there be a Clydesdale division?

Thanks, Oren! Hopefully see you soon!