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Meet Chris, Adam and Mark...
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Name |
Chris Wong |
Age |
22 years |
Job/Uni Course |
Medicine (University of Adelaide) |
When did you start running? |
I began running seriously during high school when after one of the annual school cross-country competitions a friend encouraged me to compete with the high school team. I haven't looked back since. |
Why do you run? |
Apart from the obvious physical benefits, running is a time-out period to unwind and de-stress. Sometimes I enjoy simply zoning out and enjoying the scenery, whilst on longer runs, I often use the time to think through problems and issues on my mind. At other times, the chance to thrash yourself is rewarded with a breath-taking view, the thrilling sensation of blood coursing through your body, or simply the knowledge you challenged yourself and won. |
Music on iPod? |
Up-beat songs which pumps you up are always a good choice. The Presets have featured heavily in recent times. |
Previous Marathons |
Adelaide 2007, Adelaide 2008. |
What’s it like to run 42.2km? |
Feeling the blisters, the ache in your legs and your chest burning - you haven't really suffered until you've faced 42.195km on foot. But on the other hand, you manage to find energy you didn't know you had, a determination you didn't know you posessed, and before you know it you are there - and for that moment as you cross the finish line, you feel as you could do anything. |
How’d you pull up afterwards? |
Terrible! Even the simplest tasks seem monumentous after wrecking your body during marathon. |
Next challenge after London? |
I would love to one day do the legendary Boston Marathon - but there is a long path until the qualification time is a possibility! |
Other interests |
Community organisations, relaxing with friends and family, and learning new things - whether its a new skill or topic. |
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Name |
Adam Nelson |
Age |
23 years |
Job/Uni Course |
Medicine (University of Adelaide) |
When did you start running? |
Started running in 2001 to lose weight and keep fit. |
Why do you run? |
To start with it was purely for fitness – I didn’t really enjoy it, I just felt it was an important thing to do. Then the city-bay came along and it was nice to have a challenge. After running it with the medical students’ society a couple of times, the next obvious challenge (or so it seemed) was a marathon.
Apart from the challenge of pushing myself to new levels of fitness (and pain) I love the process of setting a goal, planning the way forward and the incomparable feeling and elation of completing it. I crave the time of reflection and solace that running provides. |
Music on iPod? |
I remember the first time I got an iPod I was so excited I put every pump up song I could find - Eye of the Tiger featured at least half a dozen times on the playlist. Although I quickly realised into my very first iPod run when I was so pumped up I was literally shaking that there can be too much of a good thing...whilst there’s definitely no Enya on there now, it’s toned down quite a bit since: Lior, Bernard Fanning, Postal Service, Death Cab, Angus & Julia Stone etc. Eye of the Tiger still features though... such a good song. |
Previous Marathons |
Canberra, 2007 |
What’s it like to run 42.2km? |
After reading every book I could get my hands on, cover to cover, sometimes twice, and following a solid training programme for 16 weeks, I felt somewhat prepared. Well, maybe I was too excited or just not prepared enough because I made every schoolboy error: out to quickly, too hard too early, didn’t drink enough, didn’t eat enough, ran a positive split...
But it was the first one, and it was an AMAZING feeling to finish. Impossible to put into words. |
How’d you pull up afterwards? |
Although I was continually and painfully reminded of every stride around Lake Burley Griffen by my now 10cm shorter hamstrings– I don’t think my gait returned to normal for almost 2 weeks – it was the most satisfying type of pain. If a running high normally lasts an hour or two, a marathon high lasts for months. |
Next challenge after London? |
There’s talk of an ultramarathon. Potentially Boston if our times are good enough. Potentially a bit of cycling to save the cartilage. |
Other interests |
Medicine. Research. Sport. People. |
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Name |
Mark Hassall |
Age |
21 years |
Job/Uni Course |
Medicine (university of Adelaide) |
When did you start running? |
I started running back in 2002, during year 9. At the time, we were training for the national cross-country skiing championships and wanted to undertake some cross-training. My enthusiasm for pounding the pavement took off after that. |
Why do you run? |
It’s an escape from the daily grind. The regular cadence of the solitary footpath allows me a nice chance to unwind after a busy day and lets my mind absently wander between stray thoughts; gives me a chance to solve problems without distraction and to release residual tension. The endorphin high at the end is just an added bonus. |
Music on iPod? |
It’s all about the rhythm and beat of the track; it should complement the regular tempo of a long run. Songs with a focus on words stop me from tuning out and so I choose my music accordingly; the choice of artist (that dictates my normal music selection) is the last thing on my mind. |
Previous Marathons |
Adelaide, August 2008 |
What’s it like to run 42.2km? |
The longest I’d trained before Adelaide 2008 was 32km, so I was alright for the first three-quarters of the race. Once I got to last 10km though, my feet started blistering badly and my legs obstinately refused to do what I demanded of them. Reaching the finish line was both a relief and a moment of massive personal pride. |
How’d you pull up afterwards? |
My quads were shot to pieces; I was unable to climb stairs for days afterwards. One of my mates gave me a strong congratulatory pat on the back and I almost fell to the ground when my legs gave way beneath me. |
Next challenge after London? |
...Climbing stairs?... |
Other interests |
Community service projects, a recently developed enthusiasm for learning history and reading a good novel. |
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