Runners are a unique breed. They love routine, they love numbers, and they really love running. Tell a runner they need to stop completely and you might not see them again.
That understanding is exactly why Reuben connects so well with runners. He is not just treating runners, he is one.
How Reuben First Got Into Running
Like many runners, Reuben’s story started at school. Cross country was compulsory and taken very seriously in Canberra. For weeks at a time, it meant early mornings, long runs, and being pushed harder than you thought possible.
At first, he was just okay. He never smashed the races but he knew that feeling he got when he was running was something special. His running changed when he started training more seriously with his dad and was introduced to an older family friend who was heavily involved in long distance running and marathons. From around ten or eleven years old, Reuben was suddenly doing long runs well beyond what most kids his age were doing.
He enjoyed it. He trained more formally. That same year, his cross country results improved significantly. Over the years Reuben has done many races, even qualifying for nationals. That was the turning point.
From there, running became part of who he was.
From Long Runs to Competitive Racing
Although cross country formed the foundation, Reuben’s competitive focus gradually shifted. As a junior, he raced distances anywhere from four to ten kilometres in cross country, but his sweet spot became the three to five kilometre range on the track.
Even when racing shorter distances, the training stayed high volume. This is because the aerobic system still needed to be built, in fact, long runs are still essential for almost every distance of running.
Reuben went on to compete at a sub elite level, qualifying for multiple national championships in both cross country and track. He also represented Australia at the World Mountain Running Championships, his first and only international race.
These days, he balances road running with some track work, still very much involved in the sport, just with a different lens.
Becoming a Physio Who Coaches Runners
Reuben had been a physiotherapist for nearly six years when he started to coach running. His coaching became a natural progression of what he was already doing, treating runners. The coaching, with this background, becomes expert. He knows how to spot a niggle before it comes one, coach away deficits and push runners right into that sweet spot.
After running for most of his life, he noticed a gap. Many running coaches had excellent programming knowledge but struggled when athletes became injured. On the other side, many physios understood injury but did not fully grasp the demands, psychology, or structure of running training.
Bringing those two worlds together became his point of difference.
Over the past few years, Reuben has coached runners through clubs like the Vipers and also worked privately with runners of all levels. His goal has always been the same. Help runners stay running where possible and get them back stronger when injuries do occur.
Why Being a Runner Matters in Rehab
Runners often come to physio with a fear. They expect to be told they must stop running completely.
Reuben understands that mindset because he has lived it. He knows how deeply tied running is to identity, routine, and mental health. That insight shapes how he treats runners.
Honesty is key. Some conditions genuinely require time off running. Bone stress injuries and certain tendon or friction issues can spiral quickly if ignored. In those cases, Reuben is clear and direct.
In other situations, especially for experienced or competitive runners, rehab can involve carefully managing load rather than removing it entirely. That may mean adjusting intensity, volume, or terrain while building strength and resilience around the injury.
Sometimes, that approach is more aggressive. Sometimes, it is more conservative. The decision depends on the condition, the athlete, and the goal.
Learning From His Own Injuries
Like most long-term runners, Reuben has had his fair share of injuries.
As a junior, underfuelling played a role. Bone stress injuries affected his foot and lower leg, including navicular and metatarsal issues. He dealt with shin pain, patellofemoral pain, hip flexor problems, and tibialis posterior issues.
These experiences now inform how he educates runners about load, recovery, and strength training.
Today, injuries are less frequent. Strength work is consistent. Load is managed more intelligently. Training is different, but his body is stronger for it.
What This Means for Our Runners
Reuben does not just follow protocols. He understands the long runs, the race nerves, the temptation to push through pain, and the frustration of forced rest.
That lived experience changes conversations. It builds trust. And it allows rehab plans to be realistic, respectful, and effective.
For runners, being treated by someone who truly gets it can make all the difference.
Need a session with Reuben? Book in here: https://squareonephysio.com.au/book-appointment/