My morning run with Tony Abbott

Reporter Lauren Novak goes for a run with the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, his daughter Bridget and a posse of photographers and camera operators

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott went for an early morning jog around Brisbane with his daughter Bridget. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

IF it wasn't for Bridget Abbott, this reporter would probably be lying passed out on Brisbane's riverfront somewhere.

This morning I decided to tag along with Bridget and her father, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, for a morning run in the Queensland capital.

With his reputation for fitness, it was ambitious to think I'd keep up - but it's not every day I get to pit myself against a triathlon competitor who is in the running to take leadership of the country.

Thankfully for me, Bridget was joining him on this run and kept a pace much more to my liking.

Reporter Lauren Novak (back left) tries to keep pace with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Picture: Gary Ramage. Source: News Limited

We set off about 7.10am on what was to be a 7km route, jogging up the street from the Hilton towards the Botanic Gardens on the riverfront.

As we left the lobby, Mr Abbott remarked that he had not seen me in the gym that morning - revealing this would be his second workout of the day.

The previous two days I had spied the Opposition Leader in the hotel gym, always accompanied by his security detail. We had chatted briefly about his workout regime and what it was like to see himself on the bank of television screens lining the gym wall.

Before I go much further, I should probably include some context. About four years ago I badly injured my foot and spent four months on crutches.

Needless to say, running isn't exactly my strong suit.

So as we emerged into the crisp morning air, I had a slight moment of panic, wondering if this was actually such a good idea. Too late now!

Tony and Bridget Abbott pass the Cathedral of St Stephen during their jog through Brisbane. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

At first the going was fairly easy, with regular stops as we waited to cross at traffic lights. But once the Botanic Gardens came into sight Mr Abbott noticeably increased the pace.

Up ahead ran a member of his Australian Federal Police security detail and a minder. I was by this point bringing up the rear with another AFP officer and minder. The AFP officers looked like they were running at about one tenth the pace they were capable of.

Cameramen and photographers had been leapfrogging the pack but peeled off around this point.

Bridget and her father chatted easily as boats passed on the water to the left.

I puffed self-consciously a few metres behind, trying to look like this was the kind of thing I did every day.

Mr Abbott was friendly, checking in to see if my foot was holding up. I informed him through heavy breaths that my foot was the least of my worries!

Passers-by called out to Mr Abbott "good luck" or "welcome to Brisbane" and some runners even overtook him.

The best reaction came from a young woman on a bike who hit the skids when she saw the familiar face approaching, narrowly missing him as her brakes squealed.

"Hey!" she yelled to him before turning to her companion: "That was Tony Abbott," she exclaimed.

There was no negative heckling.

News Corp Australia reporter Lauren Novak. Source: News Limited

Dressed in a black and white T-shirt and black shorts and sporting a blue cap, Mr Abbott seemed anxious to pick up the pace, often edging a few steps ahead of his daughter.

Thankfully for me, Bridget, dressed in matching white singlet top and black shorts, held her ground.

She was on to him, as he'd tried the tactic to spur her on during a previous run in Melbourne but "it doesn't work", she said.

Mr Abbott had dressed up for the occasion, comparatively. The previous mornings he had arrived in the gym in what appeared to be a white undershirt, his hair still slightly mussed from the pillow.

About halfway through the run we hit Brisbane's Story Bridge.

The incline was deceptively persistent and it was about here I started to wish I was covering Kevin Rudd's campaign instead, given his morning routine is a more manageable brisk walk.

It was a welcome relief when the Abbotts stopped at the top of Story Bridge for a father-daughter photo-op and I could catch my breath.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, with daughter Bridget, is well know for his intensive fitness regime. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

But there was no hanging around - Mr Abbott was always keen to keep moving, always on his toes.

His impatience was clear at one set of lights, as he almost abandoned the crossing because it was taking too long.

At times he would run ahead, including when a group of young men jogged past, one of whom struck up a conversation with the politician as he increased his stride to keep up.

However, he would always turn back to Bridget, usually with a big grin on his face. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

Then came four words I had been waiting to hear: "Only two blocks left," he told Bridget.

By this point I was a nice shade of beetroot, dripping with sweat and puffing harder than a bagpipe player. I was definitely feeling the burn. But my pride had taken me this far, I wasn't about to pike now.

As the hotel entrance came back into sight the intensity lifted and the pair made a last burst for the doors - a cynic might argue for the benefit of the camera crews awaiting Mr Abbott's return.

All up, the outing took about 50 minutes - the longest continuous run I've done since my foot operation. I was surprised to make it but tomorrow I may not be able to walk.

Less than 45 minutes later, Mr Abbott was fronting news cameras for a press conference at the hotel looking fresh and composed.

I'm still recovering.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott looked relaxed as he ran through the streets with daughter Bridget. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

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