So how do you keep fit while deployed at sea during COVID-19 restrictions?
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Start running!
And that's exactly what former HMAS Albatross sailor Leading Seaman Aviation Technician Avionics Scott Tunnard did.
LS Tunnard hasn't let the pandemic restrictions nor a sea deployment control his physical fitness level.
While HMAS Canberra took part in the Regional Presence Deployment 2020, LS Tunnard set himself a personal goal to run the equivalent of the distance from Sydney to Flinders Street Station, Melbourne: 931 kilometres.
He said the driving force behind his extreme physical goal is to keep himself fit to play his favourite sports of ice hockey and Australian Rules Football.
COVID-19 restrictions have meant that it's difficult for deployed ships to have traditional port visits, so the running goal has helped LS Tunnard remain fit to fight and decompress from the working day.
"While I found myself stuck at home in Sydney due to the restrictions, I started running to remain fit," he said.
"I was running further and further; I noticed progress and kept going.
"I realised that the lack of port visits on this deployment would get very monotonous and I wanted something to focus on throughout the journey."
Australian Army Private Billy Hancocks said he regularly noticed LS Tunnard running on the flight deck and applauded the hard work.
"It's good to see someone have structure in their training while being at sea," PTE Hancocks said.
"It's definitely something I could see myself doing if I'm in this environment again."
LS Tunnard finds the hardest part of the challenge getting up early or staying up late to increase his running distance as he runs around his working hours.
He has definitely noticed an improvement in his fitness: thanks to months of training, he is now able to comfortably run a half marathon whenever his work schedule allows.
As Canberra sailed through the Philippine archipelago, LS Tunnard endured a 3 hour and 50-minute run in the humidity to complete his first marathon (42 kilometres) on the flight deck, a feat he was very pleased by.
"It's been great to challenge myself and meet this goal; I'm already thinking about my next endeavour," he said.
