Health Awareness Month – A reminder to Keep Fit!

Get moving and get active. It will add years to your life.

These were the words of Philip Turner, ER24 advanced life support paramedic based in the Western Cape, who takes keeping fit seriously and recently completed his 13th Two Oceans Ultra Marathon.

Turner crossed the finish line at this year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, on April 4, in 05:29:58 adding another bronze medal to his collection.

The Cape Multi Sport Club member and Panorama resident, described race day as near perfect.

“I prefer to race in more challenging weather conditions and on race day we had ample rain, wind and cold. There was great camaraderie among runners.

“This year we had to run an alternate route over Ou Kaapse Weg, as opposed to the usual Chapman’s Peak, due to the recent fires in the Cape. So the slog over Ou Kaapse Weg made for a refreshing change to the race. It was just sad to see the destruction over the top of the pass to all the vegetation,” said Turner.

Although the last eight kilometres of the marathon were the most challenging for Turner, he successfully finished in his predicted time.

“To run the last eight kilometres when your legs have quit is never pleasant. When I finished, I was relieved to have safely completed another year’s race in my predicted time. It represents a year’s training that I managed to do, taking into account that I have a full time job and family,” he said.

Turner, who qualified as a paramedic in 1999, started running in 1990 while in the South African Air Force. “I was fit then having competed provincially as a track cyclist in school but due to time constraints, I switched to running to stay fit.

Remembering his first Two Oceans Marathon, Turner said, “I ran beyond my limits ending with a fantastic time of 04:45:02, having gone hard from the start until the end. However, I couldn’t walk off the field after the finish line. I was absolutely shattered,” said Turner.

Although he told himself he would never run the marathon again, he did for 12 more years and took up the challenge to compete in other national and international events.

In 1992 he ran the Joburg Marathon in 3:00:03, missing the silver cut off time by three seconds. He has competed in duathlons on a national level as well.

Turner also raced world champs in Hobart, Australia, in 1994 where he finished in 17th position as well as competed in Sydney at the World Fire Fighters Games in 1994, winning gold in the cycling road race.

So how does Turner prepare himself and keep fit? He tries to run about 70km a week. From November to January however, prior to the Two Oceans Marathon, he runs up to 100km a week.

He leaves his car at work on a Monday morning and runs between home and work for the rest of the week.

He also dabbles in mountain bike races in winter and started participating in social triathlons with his daughter.

He urged members of the public to get active. “The difference exercise makes today is small but, in the long run you will add quality to your life as you get older,” he said.

Turner suggested people start participating in the five kilometre timed park runs. “These events are great for everyone in the family. I would encourage anyone who is remotely interested in becoming fit to start here. Find a park run in your area and just arrive on the morning. Take the children with and get them into a habit of regular exercise. Five kilometres is within everyone’s reach and you can earn loads of points with your medical aid for getting out there and participating,” said Turner.

 

For further information contact ER24 Spokesperson Chitra Bodasing on 084 211 2277.

Also view:

Physical Fitness and Road Safety