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Thursday, 19 April 2012

One of the biggest excuses for giving up exercise is not having enough time.

But when Roberto Busi found his life getting busier, he took up running - and 18 months later, won his first cross country race.

Research Associate Professor Busi, from the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (School of Plant Biology) is the current state 10,000 metre track champion and running is now a huge part of his life.

"It all started when I was an undergraduate in Turin, Italy, and I won a scholarship," Professor Busi said. "With the money I bought a mountain bike. Soon I entered some races and found that I was OK. As I won more races, I found my academic results were getting better, proving to myself the importance of regular exercise."

But, when he started his PhD, he found he was working more hours and could not find the time needed for long road training. "My then girlfriend suggested I try running, so I gave it a go. I started with a few four-to-five kilometre runs, then tried a half-marathon, which I completed in 78 minutes. I knew that was a pretty good result and I guess my aerobic fitness from cycling had helped me."

He started running more and more and, in February 2005 won a six-kilometre cross-country race in the snow of northern Italy.

"Later that year, I moved here to Perth on an Endeavour Award Scholarship for six months. I struggled to keep up my training because I was spending a lot of time working and improving my English. I just ran to relieve stress. But, after a while my competitive urge took over and I started racing again.

"In 2008, I bumped into a guy at UWA who coached a group of middle-distance runners, Lenny Hughes, and I joined his group. It definitely boosts your performance to train with other people."

Professor Busi started working on a track and achieved what he calls his ‘golden year' in 2010 when he held the State championships in 5,000 metres, 10,000 metres, half-marathon and marathon. He says his running is like a parachute: when things are not going well, it gives you a lift. "I remember 2010 as a very emotionally tough year, yet once again my everyday running helped me to get through personal difficulties."

Last year, he had an injury to his Achilles tendon, but still managed to win the 10km Bridges Fun Run and compete in his third Perth marathon. "I wasn't in good condition for the marathon and it was so physically and mentally hard. It's lucky you don't remember pain because I'm now training for my fourth Perth marathon on June 17."

He said that after a day at the computer, he needed a methodic, rhythmic exercise like running to clear his mind. "I often have good ideas and re-evaluate problems as I run around the river in the early evening."

Professor Busi is now sponsored by the sports clothing company Brooks, providing him with running shoes and gear.

He trains twice a week with other runners from UWA on the track at McGillivray Oval, which he says is a great place to train. He runs about 100 kilometres a week.

When he came to the end of his scholarship in early 2006, he was offered a research position with AHRI . His PhD was in the area of weeds in grass, which was a perfect fit for the UWA centre.

"Running is such an important part of my life," he said. "It helped me to socialise and make friends when I first arrived here. Family, partner and friends as well as my colleagues are very supportive, especially our Director (Winthrop) Professor Steve Powles, who always mentions my running when he introduces me."

Published in UWA News , 16 April 2012

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