get to know your clubbie - 2km's with mike garrett

This month we spend 2km with new dad Mike Garrett

What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?
 Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane watching the red and white wizards Sheffield United, but it's a bit of a commute nowadays so probably parkrun and breakfast to catch up with folk on a Saturday and then a long run and Sunday Funday with a beer on a Sunday.
 
What type of music are you into while running, if any?
 Very rarely listen to music whilst I'm running. If I'm on an early morning run on my own there is often football (soccer) commentary on BBC radio from back home so I'm listening to that. Otherwise it'll be a podcast about football, MMA or crime, or an Audible comedy series.
 
 What was the best running vacation you ever took and why?
Probably the Madrid marathon a few years back which fell on the same day as El Classico (Real Madrid versus Barcelona) in Madrid. Marathon running followed by football, what's not to like!
 
 How did you get into running?
 Falling out with football after one too many knee surgeries meant I had to stop playing - and because of that I started to get fat!
 
What was the last race you’ve done?
SEQTRs about 5 weeks back. I've started to move away from roads to doing more trails in the last 12 months or so.
 
What’s your favourite thing about running?
Being able to eat pizzas and curries with a beer without thinking about putting on some timber.
 
What annoys you most?
Messy kitchens, badly cooked rice or eggs, and folk people tinkering with my cooking...and people who voted for Brexit.
 
What’s the running highlight you’re most proud of?
These keep changing - I completed my first 50k in December 2018 which was a great personal achievement, helped by a few Fortius buddies pacing me along the way so that's up there as a highlight.
 
What race is next for you?
 I've entered the 50k Guzzler trail race for next July which is my main goal at the moment but I will be doing lots of shorter road and trails between now and then, including the Gold Coast 50k as a relay with Sophie Kennedy from Fortius.
 
How much time do you spend running in a week?
We've just had our first baby so at the moment it's a lot more limited than usual! As a minimum though I'll get a midweek hour or so, parkrun on a Saturday with running or cycling either side of it and a longer Sunday run. When I'm actually training though I'd get out about 4 - 5 times a week.
  
What is your favourite regular course and why?
Either the Sunday social river loop on a Sunday morning with the New Farm Outta the Parkers, or some trails in Mt Coot-tha.

What (running related) are you most proud of in the last year?
My wife did her first marathon down on the gold coast last year, she only started running to shut me up from nagging her and initially said she'd only do the couch to 5k. 2 years later she smashed a marathon out!

Who (running related) do you admire most in the world?
Anyone who enters marathons knowing they are going to be out there for 4, 5, 6+ hours. They are the real running legends.
 
If you were to win a race price money, what would you do with it?
I'd have to own up to being registered in the wrong age category as that's the only way I'm winning some cash!
 
What race or run do you regret not doing in the last year?
The half Guzzler (50k trails) but I'm entered for next year so it's all good. I also regret not doing the marathon in the Falkland Islands when I lived there as it's the most southernly marathon, was bloody cold and windy though.
 
If you see a puddle on the ground, do you run around it, over it or get straight into it?
Slow down or speed up so that when I jump in I can splash whoever I'm running with.
 
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Renewable ACL's (Amen to that!)
 
If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go?
1966 - Wembley, England. It came home.
 
What would be the title of your running book?
Runny Runs
 
What is your favourite book, podcast, social media or resource in regards to running or endurance sports?
Marathon Training Academy is my only regular running podcast, other sporting ones include Crime in Sports, Football Ramble and the Joe Rogan show.