By Alesha Capone
Michael Goldsworthy’s advice to anyone who wants to take up running is to simply get up off the coach, do it for yourself and don’t set expectations at first.
The Wyndham Vale resident, who took up running less than 12 months ago, is set to participate in his first marathon later this year.
Mr Goldsworthy, 49, said he started running in September last year, because he wanted an activity he could do without wearing a mask and, conveniently, a wetlands is located right outside his house.
“The track I ran on is just outside my front door,” he said.
“Living in Jubilee, thanks to the wetlands I can go for run, or I can do five kilometres on the treadmill in gym, which is available for residents, if weather is terrible.”
Mr Goldsworthy said that at first, he set no goals, and gradually worked his way from completing one lap of the wetlands to two, then three.
“Now I run 25 kilometres a week,” he said.
“Some days are better than others, sometimes it is mentally challenging, other days it’s just great.”
Since taking up running, Mr Goldsworthy has taken part in a 10-kilometre run at Werribee Mansion and a 14-kilometre run along the Great Ocean Road, which he described as “brilliant”.
He is now preparing for the Nike Melbourne Marathon on October 10.
Lotus Living, the developer behind the Jubilee estate, is sponsoring his marathon efforts and will donate funds to the Starlight Children’s Foundation on his behalf.
Mr Goldsworthy, who also coaches Werribee Centrals under-14 girls’ and senior women’s teams, said running helped him remain fit.
He said running also helps him to keep up with his three grandchildren, including the eldest, two year-old Boston.
“When he visits, he likes to put on one of my medals and run around the backyard,” Mr Goldsworthy said.
