|
| |
Dean’s long road
By Barry Rollings
Volume 49, No. 17, September 20, 2007 |
| |
 |
|
| 1 VS 100: CPL Dean Cook took on the world to represent Australia in the 100km Ultra-Marathon Championships in the Netherlands. |
|
It takes a particular mindset to be an ultra-marathoner, as Air Force’s CPL Dean Cook from RAAF Base Williamtown has let slip.
His email signature block ends with the wisdom: “The pain in training prevents the agony in defeat” and it’s that sort of philosophy he took into the World 100km Ultra-Marathon Championships at Winschoten in the Netherlands earlier this month.
The 33-year-old PTI from 381ECSS began in Little Athletics at the age of eight and maintained his interest through to high school, enjoying cross-country success at state championship level.
“As a Defence member, I’ve competed in marathons and triathlons since 2003,” CPL Cook said.
“I raced in the last Australian Ironman at Port Macquarie and had a lot of bike trouble. After that I didn’t even want to look at my bike, let alone ride it.
“So I developed my run and competed in the Australian 100km championships in June and I came away with second place.
“I’ve competed in the Sydney Marathon and ended up 24th in the 30-39 age category. I’ve been involved in triathlons since 2003 and have a variety of mid-age group results. The run component has always been my preferred and strongest leg.”
The longest run he has done so far is 175km, achieved in a 24-hour event. CPL Cook says he trains in sessions of no more than five hours.
He went to the event in the Netherlands with no expectations but was elated to have the opportunity to compete and represent Australia.
“The race was a very flat 10km loop which was around a township that often supports this running event. I am tremendously grateful to the 381ECSS chain of command for giving me the ability and support to compete.”
CPL Cook said he had known about ultra-marathons for a number of years and was aware that WGCDR Brock McKinlay had enjoyed success in these types of events.
“I believe I’m the only one competing in these events currently, but I could be wrong,” CPL Cook said.
When asked how he prepared for a 100km marathon, the simple answer – “I run a lot” – might seem blindingly obvious, but it’s not quite that simple.
“I continually train on hills and ensure my heart rate is up on the flats,” he said. “To get away from the occasional brain-numb of running large amounts, I mix in a little riding, swimming and boxing. I combine some aspects of strength training for injury prevention and neural activity, plus for the maintenance of specialist fitness standards.”
CPL Cook contested the Australian qualifier for the world event in the Netherlands, at the Gold Coast in June, and more recently put a 24-hour ultra-marathon under his belt at the Gold Coast. |
| |
|
