The marathon man puts his best foot forward

This year, Geoffrey Naughton who teaches woodwork, technical graphics and maths at St Brigid's Vocational School in Loughrea, Co. Galway, has two very important dates in his calendar. On April 26th he competes in the London marathon and on November 1st he runs in the New York marathon. Both events are part of a fundraising initiative for Cerebral palsy Ireland (CPI)."Over the years I've taught a number of students with cerebral palsy, including a boy now in Transition year whom I've taught since he came into the school," Naughton explains. "This year CPI is celebrating its 50th anniversary and I decided I would run to raise funds." Ten Loughrea Transition students have formed the Double Marathon Fundraising Committee.Naughton, a Galwegian, started running over a quarter of a century ago an took, part in hid first marathon in Galway back in 1982. Last year, he notched up his 20th marathon when he competed in the Dublin event."For me, running id total relaxation," he explains. "There's a stress element in teaching and I find running a great release." He runs most evenings - every evening when in training - clocking up between 60 and 70 miles a week. "Before Christmas I did some weight training - I don't enjoy it but I needed it to build up my leg muscles." Hill-walking in Connemara is another much loved activity, he says.Training for a spring marathon can be difficult. "The weather is often against you - through this year I've been blessed, the winter was so mild. It's also the time of the year when your preparing for Leaving and Junior Cert exams, which is taxing. Coming home ad then going on a 15-mile run can be tiring. But it's a good cause, so it's worthwhile."Autumn marathons are easier-you have the summer and hopefully good weather in which to prepare. Training, though, is time-consuming. You need an understanding partner-I'm lucky," he says.Naughton, who has been teaching in Loughrea for the past 10 years, says hem enjoys his job. "I wouldn't stay if I didn't like it. I like helping young people. Teaching practical subjects enables you to build up a confidence in students.; They work with raw materials to create something. It gives them a sense of ownership and achievement."Loughrea Vocational School's Double Marathon Committee was established last September. In support, a no-uniform day was held in schools throughout the country in February. Students each contributed £1 to come to school without a uniform and teachers were invited to buy lines on sponsorship cards. The fund now stands at £3,400.Loughrea's Transition Year students have persuaded local businesses to sponsor a calendar. Both the TUI and the ASTI have lent a hand and Naughton hopes to launch a raffle later in the year. "It would be great to be able to offer tickets to the All-Ireland finals," he says.Suprisingly, Naughton says he runs best on an empty stomach, but he tries to eat a high carbohydrate meal the night before. The most difficult part of as marathon is the first mile or so.Take the London marathon, where you have as many as 30,000 runners. "You have to be careful to keep your feet under you-you could easily trip in the crush. When you start to get space ahead of you and you feel you must want to run you really start to focus and concentrate on what your doing. As I run I'm thin king all the time . I keep check on each marker and make sure I'm maintaining the correct speed."Everyone's a winner in a marathon, he believes. "To have the right attitude, to have trained for and started and finished the race is a marvellous achievement.* Contact: Double Marathon Run CPI, Loughrea Vocational School, Co. Galway.