Jesinta Campbell has a rather unusual response when asked to associate a word or two with Melbourne: "finish line".
As Westpac ambassador for the City2Sea, the former Miss Universe Australia has competed in four of the five marathon events, with the final fun run to take place on Sunday with the crucial finish line at Port Phillip Bay.
Campbell - who lives in Bondi with partner Buddy Franklin - says exercise keeps her balanced and is a crucial part of her daily routine, which is packed with model-shoots, advertising and sponsor meetings and a general busy lifestyle.
Campbell has been raising funds for the Westpac helicopter through her involvement in the race series and participants in Sunday's run will have a chance to contribute to her efforts, with funds going to assist crews of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service of Victoria.
Campbell is looking forward to Sunday's race and not just because it is the final leg in the model's impressive hit-out.
"I really enjoy feeding off the energy of other participants and when we are all lining up on the start line, there is such a buzz," she said.
Jesinta's top tips for race day preparation:
· Mentally prepare: Picturing myself getting through the races and across the finish line has played a big part in the challenge. Visualising the run and having a bit of a plan in mind for how you will approach it, I think, also helps take away any nerves, almost as though you already know what you need to do, so just get out there and doing it is the final step towards your goal!
· Eat: The week before is for fuelling up! Whether you're tackling the 5km or the 15km, it is important to be filling your body with only the best nutrients to ensure you can give it your best on Sunday. I will be eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg, as well as a balance of carbs to ensure I have plenty of energy.
· Fundraise: What better way to push yourself towards a goal than fundraising for an important cause along the way. I will be raising awareness and funds for the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service of Victoria and the crewmen who risk their lives regularly to keep others safe. There is still time to enter the City2Sea and do some fundraising so get on board!
· Sleep - Early nights can make a big difference, I try my best to hit the hay early and wake up fresh, I will be tucked up especially early the night before the City2Sea so I can bounce out of bed for the run, with maybe a coffee on the morning to help get me going!
· Stretch This week your training will have tapered off so that you're saving energy for event day, this is the time for me where I focus a lot on caring for any aches and pains with some nice gentle stretching. The beauty of stretching is that you don't need to set aside a huge amount of time for it or need special equipment - you can stretch anywhere anytime, you just have to remember to do it and your body will thank you later!
· Hydrate -We're all hoping for a beautiful warm spring morning on Sunday so don't forget to drink plenty of water to beat the heat. It is important not to just think of drinking water on race day, but to hydrate well in the days leading into the event as well.
· Warm up Make sure you join me at the start line to do the official Westpac Warm-Up on Sunday morning, I will lead the crowd with a few stretches and we will get some music pumping to get limbered up and have some fun, what better way to warm up than with a few thousand other runners!
· Enjoy yourself! And most important of all in my opinion, is to actually enjoy what you're doing. Whether you're out to break the course record or just stroll and take in the sights, the City2Sea is a great celebration of health, fitness and community spirit in Melbourne which I am very proud to be part of. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the start-line!
The Sunday Age City2Sea presented by Westpac will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2014. The 5km event will start at 8.00am, with the 15km event starting at 8.20am.
*Start times subject to change
*Course distances are approximate measurements only
