We interviewed Liam Boudin, last year’s The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane 10km course winner. We chatted about his preparation leading up to the run and why it was so important and meaningful for him to win.
- How did winning last year’s The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane 10km course make you feel? Was it a goal of yours?
Winning the Bridge to Brisbane last year was the highlight of the year for mine. Having grown up in Brisbane my whole life, it has been my goal to win the Bridge to Brisbane since I first started competing in local fun runs several years ago. The 2022 Bridge to Brisbane was my third time racing the 10km and my best result prior to last year was 4th. It was such a special feeling to win the 10km in front of family and friends and I can truly say that I experienced the best form of “runner’s high”.
- What did preparation for the 10km course look like for you (diet, training, how many times a week did you train, how far out of The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane did you start to train)?
Last year, I had a reasonably good preparation for the 10km race. However, given the Bridge to Brisbane is typically later in the winter season, I was managing a few persistent adductor and groin issues leading into the race. This meant I couldn’t do much hill running. It did not seem to affect my training in the lead up to the event, but I certainly felt the impacts of running down the Gateway Bridge for a few days’ post-race.
In terms of diet, I am quite disciplined with the sorts of meals I eat to ensure I have enough fuel to get through my training. Given the volume of running I do weekly, I prefer a high-carb diet, which means a fair intake of rice and pasta for lunches and dinner. I am not much of a sweet tooth, so I naturally tend to steer clear of any fast-food or chocolates. In saying that, my go-to before training and races is crumpets with jam.
I train every day, and often twice daily. For last years’ race, a typical week involved sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, a long run on the Sunday, with easier recovery runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I would generally do another run in the evening on session days.
Because I was competing in other road races throughout winter, I didn’t necessarily train specifically for the Bridge to Brisbane until about a month leading into the event, although I had commenced base training in April/May.
- What made you want to be involved in The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane 2022?
I would be lying if I didn’t say that I wanted to be involved in the Bridge to Brisbane 2022 to win the 10km. One of my training partners (and good friend Tim Vincent) won the 10km in 2021. I remember seeing how much it meant to him and his family, and while I was rapt for Tim, I told myself that I wanted to be first across the line the following year.
- What advice can you give people who are thinking of registering for The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane 2023?
My advice for anyone wanting to register for this years’ Bridge to Brisbane is: do it! It is not every day you get to run or walk over the Gateway Bridge. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be much of a runner, you won’t regret registering and giving the event a go. Not to mention the bragging rights of being able to say that you finished the Bridge to Brisbane.
For anyone who is on the fence about registering, I recommend reaching out to any family and friends and make it a Sunday morning social outing. If you are not up for the full 10km, then the shorter 4.5km event is the perfect distance.
- Do you have athletes that you look up to or aspire to be like?
Growing up, I aspired to be like Craig Mottram. I remember watching him compete in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and thought it was so cool that an Australian was not afraid to mix it with some of the world’s best African runners. While I was not around when Robert De Castello won the marathon at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games, I have watched the closing stages of that race countless times and admire how mentally strong ‘Deek’ was. I have tried to replicate some of these attributes into my own training.
- Are you participating in The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane this year? Do you participate along or with friends/family?
Yes! I will be lining up for this years’ 10km at the Bridge to Brisbane. I am fortunate that the event was pushed into October as I would have been still recovering from injury if the event was again held in late August.
Most of my friends are involved in the running scene so I will be participating with many of them this year.
- What are your favourite routes to run?
I have a few favourite running routes across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It is hard to go past a Sunday morning long run around the Southbank ‘River Loop’ or the Kedron Brook. Closer to home, I am often out running along the Bulimba Creek bike path. Down on the Gold Coast, the grass track at Pizzey Park is another favourite of mine.
- What motivates you to run?
I am obsessed with all things health and fitness. I may be biased, but I believe running is the purest form of fitness measure because it is as much a mental game as it is physical. Personally, there is no better feeling than finishing a challenging run and reflecting on the mental and physical obstacles I have been able to overcome.
I also enjoy the social aspects of running because it allows me to meet up with friends and run along some very scenic routes in Brisbane. A post long-run coffee is also a motivating factor.
On a more personal note, I lost my Dad in early 2020 to an unexpected heart attack. My Dad was the reason I got into running and I would have loved nothing more than for him to watch me win last year’s Bridge to Brisbane. Whenever I go out for a run, or line up on a start line, there is a big part of me that is running for my Dad and wanting to make him proud.
- How do you recover after a long run?
I don’t think you can underestimate the importance of recovery after a long run. Immediately after a long run, I try and get in some form of protein, such as a muesli bar, as well as some magnesium to replenish the fluids. This is especially important in the middle of a hot Brisbane Summer. I will also typically do some gentle stretching and foam rolling to massage my legs.
- Is raising awareness and money for charity important to you, why?
Raising awareness for charity is especially important for me. Having lost my Dad to a heart attack and seeing other men around my Dad’s age be affected by their own heart scares, I would love to get more involved in charity work so I can raise awareness and put men’s heart health at the forefront of people’s minds. While my Dad wasn’t given a second chance, it would mean so much if I could help even just one person check up on their own heart health.