Meet the R4R Runners Special Guest #4
Craig "Harry" Harrison
Morning everyone. Benny A here and I have the honour of introducing this week’s special guest, Craig “Harry” Harrison.
Harry is a firefighter and has been chosen to run in Team Fortem for the upcoming New York Marathon.
Fortem is the organisation behind “Thank a first responder day” and known as the “Solider On for first responders”.
What is a first responder I hear you ask? Well, they’re the people who protect and care for our community like firefighters, police and ambulance officers.
And sadly, 1 in 3 first responders experience high psychological distress from trauma experienced on the job and need our support.
At tonight’s run we’ll talk about how, but for now, let’s meet Harry!
What is your name?
Craig Harrison
Where are you from?
Lyons, ACT
What's your favourite thing about Canberra?
The close connection the city has with the bush. I enjoy trail running and, in Canberra, I am never far from a green space suitable for a good long run.
What’s your running background?
I started running in 2011, at age 39, when I finally decided to give rugby away. Within about half a year I had progressed from a 5k race, to a half marathon, and then a full. I stopped running long distances in 2017 when I developed a Morton’s Neuroma in my left foot. I continued to run short distances a few times a week, usually along trails. I had the neuroma fixed a few months ago and I’m super keen to run long distances again.
What's your favourite thing about running?
I love the simplicity of running. It doesn’t cost much nor does it require much gear. I usually run alone and I enjoy the solitude. I put in my earbuds and listen to music or podcasts, although I often find my mind wonders. I do some of my best thinking while running.
Tell us about the NYC Marathon and running with Team Fortem
I feel very fortunate to have been selected by Fortem to run in the NYC marathon and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. It’s been on my bucket list for more than a decade but I never actually thought I’d get the chance. It’d be nice to set a PB but, really, I just want to soak up the experience of running in one of the world’s biggest marathons and enjoy all the sights and sounds. I’m really looking forward to getting to know the other 5 team members and sharing this special journey with them.
Have you ever run a marathon before? If so, how'd you go?
I have run 5 marathons and my first, Detroit in 2011, was my best result at 4:12. My last marathon, Canberra in 2017, was an absolute disaster. So much went wrong and I finished in freezing cold rain at 4:41. It was not the way I wanted to finish my last marathon and so I’m glad I’ve got this chance to fix that.
Which three people (alive or dead) would you like to run 6km with?
My first choice would be Father Maurie Crocker. I’m not at all religious, but he was easily the most inspirational person I have ever met. He cared deeply for the less fortunate, always fought for what was right, and loved going for runs with his boxers. Listening to his stories would make the kilometres fly by.
My second choice would be my Pa, my dad’s dad. He was a scallywag and had a real love for life. I wish we could have spent more time together and I would give anything to do so now. I just know he’d whistle the whole 6k.
My last choice would be Keith Miller, the cricketer and fighter pilot. A talented, brave, loyal, and charismatic larrikin who knew how to enjoy himself. Again, the kilometres would fly by while listening to his stories.
What does resilience mean to you?
To me, resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties. It means working on the parts of your life you can control and letting go of those parts you can’t.
When you look back on the hardest moment/s in your life, is there anything you wish you could have told yourself?
I would have told myself that things will get better, slowly but surely. That the lows make the highs feel higher. That I’m loved and supported by my family and friends, that I’m healthy, and that I’m extremely lucky to live here in Australia.
Thanks Harry! All the best in NYC and see you tonight!