Never too old to start
Need some motivation to take on a challenge? Squadron Leader Belinda Ball runs a marathon for the first time and meets some inspirational people.

SQNLDR Belinda Ball meets 70-year-old Mr Lahiff – the oldest contestant in the Townsvilzle Marathon.

SQNLDR Belinda Ball crosses the finish line.

Photos by MAJ Jarek Michalski

HAVING just completed my first marathon and run my second half-marathon upon returning from the Middle East this year, I have realised that by being motivated, disciplined and dedicated to training, you can achieve any goal you set your mind to.

My goal was to run my first marathon. As a nurse working in Health Promotion, I take my job seriously and practise what I preach.

Having been overweight myself, I can see what exercise and a healthy, well-balanced diet can do for a person.

My job in Health Promotion is to promote a healthy lifestyle to Defence personnel. This can range from answering general health questions to filling out health forms for a member deploying, or having an Annual Health Assessment or Comprehensive Periodical Health Examination.

Our aim is to carefully listen to what members are telling us, in order to pick up clues as to why they may be having trouble or concerns with health issues, such as being overweight, hereditary conditions, lack of enthusiasm or lack of motivation.

Training up

While in Iraq I made my goal to run my first marathon. Working long hours and often ducking for cover, I visited the gym and pounded the dusty roads, sometimes wearing Kevlar body armour.

There were a couple of fun runs I participated in alongside the Americans, which were great. I bought a pushbike and rode everywhere. I became more physically fit and even more determined to run a marathon.

In July, I ran my second half-marathon at the Gold Coast. I used this race to determine how fit I was for the full marathon. I was pleasantly surprised to knock four minutes off my last race. This gave me the satisfaction and encouragement to keep going and train for the big day.

Now, if you know Canberra in winter, then you can understand how different the weather is to train in, especially when comparing it to Townsville where the race was to be held.

Training indoors on a treadmill just isn’t the same as running outside. So I developed a training plan consisting of a combination of indoor and outdoor running, hill climbs, swimming and spinning classes.

I sampled what it was like taking energy sports gels and almost gagged the first time I took one. I realised during the race that they were an important part of keeping my energy levels up, as it is very difficult to eat while on the run. I also used electrolyte drinks and bananas. Carbohydrate loading several days before the race was very important in my preparation.

My good friend ran the marathon with me. We had been comparing our distances before the lead-up and had never faltered in thinking we could get through the run.

We just wanted to finish the race and the overall time did not matter. Well, maybe it did – we were aiming for a time but did not put any pressure on ourselves.

I believe it’s not only physical fitness, you also need a strong, tough mental attitude when you “hit the wall”. It’s this mental attitude that leads to the sheer determination and stubbornness to not give up.

My friend, Lieutenant Alex Michalski, her husband, Jarek, and another friend, Lieutenant Diana Kumnick, who was completing her first half-marathon, all flew up two days before the race.

Race time

The Townsville Marathon consisted of two city loops of 10.549km each, plus one city/Pallarenda loop of 21.098km.
Registration was at the Tobruk Pool. It was there we got to meet the lovely, famous runner Steve Moneghetti, signing autographs and flashing his pearly whites to all the runners.

He was not only there to promote the race, but also to run the 10km fun run. He was such a lovely, down-to-earth person who had the time to talk, even to us beginning marathon runners.

Another highlight was an elderly gentleman, who, at 70 years of age, was the oldest contestant of the race, and such an inspiration.

He said that he took up running at the age of 35 and this race was in preparation for the 100km race he was about to run in two weeks’ time. I looked at him and knew I had to write that it’s never too late to begin your own exercise program, whether you’re aiming to improve your time for your fitness test or competing in a fun run.

The day of the race finally arrived. It was an early 5.30am start, so we were up at 4.30am. The weather was just perfect – no breeze – and was forecast to reach 24 degrees Celsius.

We dressed light, with our numbers pinned onto the front of our shirts. My number was 13. As it turned out, it was lucky for me. The race began and we saw Steve along the strand warming up for his race. He yelled out to my friend and I, saying “good on you, girls, keep the speed up”. That gave us the inspiration to think we could run the 42km and then some.

At the wall

Now I understand what hitting the wall is all about. Some people say they hit early and some say women hit the wall earlier than men. My time was at the 27-30km mark.

Feeling generally fatigued, I needed some stern words to keep going. After downing a sports gel and sports drink, I felt slightly better and continued on. My friend was a bit faster than I, so I told her to run ahead. The scenic views of the water along the race route were amazing. There were other first-time marathon runners and we were offered words of encouragement along the way.

We even saw people returning home by taxi at 5.30am, intoxicated, encouraging us all on.

There were people sitting out in their gardens in dressing gowns, drinking coffee and cheering us on. One man asked us if we could bring a newspaper when we came back. The community was very supportive.

The finish line

Finishing was an incredible high. My friend and I could not wipe the smiles off our faces.

The gentleman who finished last ran with a limp, evidence of having sustained a stroke in his life. We all clapped as he finished.

There was a presentation ceremony at the end of the races, at which Steve Moneghetti presented the runners with medals and trophies. We left happy, with the exception of lactic acid built up in our thighs and a huge blood blister on my foot – a small price to pay for the many months of training.

We jumped into the icy-cool pool, relieved our lactic build up and stretched our sore muscles back at our hotel. Later, we celebrated with a huge carbohydrate meal and a glass of wine and Gatorade. Overall, we both pulled up quite well.

I would say I would do it all over again. After all, one cannot just stop at one marathon.

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