Q: What distance are you doing in the BMA Mackay Marina Run and is it your first time running in the event?
A: I will be running the Half Marathon. I’m going to be running as a pace runner for either 1hr30min or 1hr 40min (finish time) this year. This means I set a constant speed and try to keep the group of runners around me for the whole course. I have run this event 7 times now and have run pace runner for 3 of the events which gives me a great feeling of satisfaction running alongside someone who is achieving a personal best and providing them support along the way.
Q: How did you get into running?
A: BMA Hay Point had a Health and Wellbeing program about 10 years ago which led me to setting a goal of running the 5k event at the Marina run. I joined Mackay Road Runners and started to train for my first Half Marathon the following year. I ran my first marathon at the Gold Coast a month after running my first half marathon.
Q: What is your training schedule like?
A: I do a long run Saturday morning with a social bunch with a coffee afterwards. Between 20k to 36k depending upon what stage my training is at. It’s a great start to the weekend. I run a couple of short runs during the week when I can fit it in and try to run with Mackay Road Runners on Sunday. If I train for a marathon I will run 5 days a week and cover up to 100km in each week.
Q: Do you like to run solo or in a group?
A: I rather run with a group as it is a great social outing and I am more motivated to be at the run when others are there.
Q: Do you run with or without music?
A: I never run with music as I would rather interact with other people and I find it’s much safer to have all my senses focused when on the road.
Q: Do you have any other running goals past the Mackay Marina Run?
A: I had hoped to run the Gold Coast marathon in July again this year, but I have struggled with small injuries and getting the opportunity to train. I have reset my goal to running Melbourne marathon in October. Melbourne marathon finishes with a lap inside the MCG which is an awesome experience.