This exec comes up with answers while running barefoot
Ogilvy PR & Health boss Richard Brett took up running to improve his fitness, but the mental health benefits surprised him. He answers our Time Out Q&A.
Richard Brett is chief executive at Ogilvy PR & Health. He lives in Sydney.
Why running?
I started about 10 years ago to improve my overall fitness, but I wasn’t expecting the mental health benefits it brings.
Richard Brett during a run in his favourite place to do so – the New Forest in Southern England.
Road or track?
Rather than road or track I would say city or country. My favourite place in the world to run is the New Forest in southern England. The countryside and woods are stunning, and you can suddenly arrive at breathtaking moors and vistas, with wild ponies that sometimes come right up to you. Running through Bouddi National Park on the NSW Central Coast is also incredible – especially during the whale migration months.
Brett running in the Sydney Half Marathon.
Do you race?
No. I’ve recently joined the Sydney Frontrunners, which isn’t about racing, but it pushes you to go faster.
Favourite distance?
I find that 10 to 15 kilometres – I like to go twice around Drummoyne’s Bay Run [in Sydney’s inner west] – provides a good balance between pushing myself and gaining a real sense of accomplishment, and not feeling too much pain and exhaustion.
How often do you train?
Two to three times a week.
Are you a morning or night runner?
We have two dogs, Hungarian vizslas, which get up like clockwork at 6am and wake us up with a determined prod with a paw, so they take priority in the mornings. I’m in charge of those long walks – which means my running comes second and takes place in the evening.
Social or solo runner?
Both – although in a group I’m not the most talkative runner until we finish.
Post-run fuel?
A plant-based smoothie.
Ever been lost?
No. I use the Strava app, which allows you to download a specific route on your phone.
What motivates you to run?
It’s a great way to improve my mental state. It takes me away from the quotidian thoughts that occupy my day – work, tasks, things that worry me – to the moment I am in. I also find that taking my brain out of that day-to-day grind means ideas, connections and important answers come to me while I am running.
How do you mitigate the risk of injury as you get older?
I am actually managing an injury at the moment, which has started me transitioning to barefoot running. I rather embarrassingly went head over heels in the middle of the city on my way to a client meeting about four years ago and tore a tendon in my foot. Despite an operation, it has never been the same. The injury has gone on to cause some degeneration of one of the joints, which means I now need to run barefoot.
Barefoot running can mean literally running with bare feet, but it can also mean running with shoes with very thin soles with no cushioning. This is the way nature intended you to run and is much better for your overall posture, stance, musculature and bone health. Heidi Jones [runner and podiatrist at Feet On the Move] and [runner and coach] Keith Bateman are helping me to change my running style through physio and training. But it’s really hard, and you essentially have to start running all over again, starting with very short distances.
Brett and his partner, Hussein Hawli, during a run in Bouddi National Park in NSW.
Done any marathons?
I have done the Sydney Half Marathon, which took me around two hours and 10 minutes.
Do you travel to run and if so, where?
I don’t travel specifically to run but I always run when I travel, which I love. Recent runs have been around Vienna, Taipei, Rome and a very cold London run with my partner, Hussein Hawli (especially cold for him: he is Australian, I was born in London). We went from Soho to Kensington Palace and back, and although we didn’t see any royalty, we did pass Joseph Fiennes.
How do you feel about travelling overseas for running events?
I have never done that, but one day I am determined to run a marathon, and doing one overseas in a new country would be incredible. Before COVID-19, my partner and I were planning to do a half-marathon in Fiji, which I would still love to do.
Favourite piece of kit?
My Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit shoes.
Dream running buddy?
Madonna – but until that magical day arrives, I’ll settle for Huss.
lifeandleisure@afr.com
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