COOL FM Presenter Paulo Ross is taking on the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Half Marathon

Name- Paulo Ross

Age – 34

From – Ardglass, Co.Down

Organisation – Cool FM Breakfast Show Presenter

Longest distance ran to date – 15km

Have you ran the Moy Park Belfast City Half Marathon before?

Never, this will be my first time and first time running a half marathon

When and how did you get into running?

My dad's been doing triathlons and Ironman competitions for years and has influenced me to give it a go. My usual sport is CrossFit, so long distance running and half marathons are completely new to me. I thought I would challenge myself by throwing a new sport into the mix

What has been your favourite running memory/experience to date?

Running a leg of the Belfast Marathon in 2023. Great memories of that afternoon - marathon day is always inspiring, streets lined with thousands of people and a great atmosphere. It always makes me want to do the full marathon, and I say the same thing every year. We're doing the half this year as a first!

What has been your biggest struggle while training?

Pace! Being disciplined to stick to paces is challenging. I always start too fast and end up with a stitch after kilometer seven. I'm learning to use the pace settings on my new Garmin for this which has helped

What do you most look forward to after a race?

Sea dipping. I love combining running and sea swimming. It's really refreshing after a long, hot, sweaty run and great for muscle recovery. After the half marathon, I'll probably take myself to Bangor for a well earned dip

How has your training fitted into your life, considering the likes of family, friends, work commitments, and other hobbies?

I'm training for my first triathlon at the moment and doing the Moy Park Belfast City Half Marathon has really complemented this training. I enjoy training and find it boosts my mood and energy, especially after 5am starts on the radio every morning

What would your advice be to someone running their first half marathon?

Start slow, it's a marathon, not a sprint (literally). Enjoy the journey. We often get worked up and focus on running certain times or comparing ourselves to others. The achievement itself is huge and should be celebrated! Just be prepared for catching the runner's bug—you'll end up signing up for all sorts of unforeseen events and further marathons after your first run

What would your advice be to someone considering running?

Do it. Running is one of the best sports to get into and doesn't require memberships, subscriptions or buying expensive equipment. A decent pair of running shoes, step outside, and one foot after the other. The running community is awesome, you'll meet like-minded people and form new friendships. Plus, it's really good for your mental and physical health.