We did it, we’ve raised the bat! Welcome to the 50th edition of the Meet the R4R Runners. This week you get to meet one of my best mates, a Groomsman / MC at my wedding, and the man behind the Running for Resilience hats.
No, not the first baggy blacks that were questionably designed (by me), the newer and better structured ones! He’s done so through his own business but he won’t let me share the name with you… he didn’t want the logo on the back (but I overruled him), so when you see him, ask him about it!
So without further ado, let’s meet the big Com-dog!
What is your name?
Will “Como” Comensoli
Where are you from?
The Berra / Southsider
What's your favourite thing about Canberra? (apart from R4R obviously)
Too many reasons to list. One I really like it that as Peta and I are extremely active, we love to be able to choose whether to go for a ski or a surf on any particular weekend. We also like to undertake the “ski and surf in a day” challenge (purely a personal challenge I set myself a few years back). Its quite easy really given the drive times are manageable.
How did you hear about R4R and when did you first attend?
Been coming since the first few runs but couldn’t tell you whether I was at run #2 or #3… I’ve known Matt since he came to my high school in year 8 or 9 and started showing us up on the basketball court with his silky mid-range jumper.
A questionable memory… but one that I’ll take! What's your favourite thing about R4R?
For me its about two things: being active and being social. It’s always fun (when I can get there) to get out for a run, get some fresh air (sometimes this is more like headwinds, which hit you from both directions it seems most of the time), and finish it off with a cold frothy and to catch up with friends.
It’s our 3rd birthday today and just a gentle reminder that we’re sharing our celebrations with the Dock post-run, tonight! But, do you have any ideas on what we should do before we turn 4?
I think an R4R Athletics Carnival would be cool. R4R is dominated by long distance runners and I’d love to see some legs pumping down a 100m track haha.
Good idea! What's the longest you've ever run?
I’ve done 10-11kms a few times in my life… now that I write this maybe I should do a half-mara as a challenge sometime.
Are you planning on taking part in any races or events soon or are there any just gone?
No races planned. I would like to get down to sub 5:30 minute km average R4R times though.
Which three people (alive or dead) would you like to run 6km with?
Chris Judd, Patrick Cripps, and Steve Silvagni
Da-da-da-da-da-da, up the baggers! What does resilience mean to you (apart from being a long-time suffering Blues fan?
Resilience applies in different ways to different situations for me. In some ways thinking on past experiences, it is about learning and adapting to different situations and moving forward. In other ways it is about setting a goal, and going and getting it done and not giving up.
Great stuff, Como. It’s been a pleasure!
Love me a Southsider.
He ain't wrong about the headwind. "It'll be better after the bend... nope. It'll be better on the way back... nope"
Big way to bring up the half century and yes Como.... you should sign up for a half marathon