1. How long have you been an Athenry AC member? I joined in 2013.
2. Briefly, what started you running? Marathons. I always loved the idea of running a marathon and was amazed that anyone could run that far.
3. What shoes do you train/race in? Saucony Guide 9 for training and racing.
4. What piece of running gear/apparel is your most prized possession? Garmin Forerunner 610, Garmin Express and Garmin Connect – couldn't do without them! Also although its not technically running gear/apparel the Nutri Ninja gets a lot of post-run use.
5. What is your favourite event/race of the year? The Portumna Forest Marathon. There's something about certain races and this has it all, professionally run, relaxed atmosphere, friendly people, a forest and a good chance of some sun! The Dublin Marathon weekend is also a favourite.
6. What event/race that you haven’t done would you most like to compete in? The Reggae Marathon in Jamaica. Its on in early December and would be the perfect time for a holiday. The race starts at 5:15am and the average temperature is still over 20C. Run a marathon and relax on the beach for the rest of the day. Club trip? www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKUpYUtvBq4
7. What performance/race do you take most pride in? The 2016 Trim 10 Mile. A lot of hard training had gone in before it and it was a great confidence boost to see that the training is paying off. My time was 1:02:13 (but 62:13 looks better) which was a big PB over what I considered to be my previous best performance in the Craughwell 10 in 2015.
8. Is there any performance/race that you would rather forget? The Run Killarney Marathon in 2013. This is a beautiful marathon course but when you throw in 28-30 degree heat it quickly turned into damage limitation. The cramps arrived very early in the race and I had to walk large chunks of it. I walked some if it with another cramper and we'd take it in turns to try and get going again, which never lasted more than a few hundred metres. Agony. I was a sweaty mess at the finish and hobbled home in 4:23. Maybe I won't go for a PB in Jamaica!
9. Where is your favourite place to train? Its more about the people than the place.
10. What type of training is your “favourite”? (Speed,Tempo,Short,Long Run,Slow????) Probably the long Sunday runs, but Tuesday night speed is also a great session. I don't miss many Tuesdays and it gives you a great idea of how fit you are (or aren't).
11. Do you prefer solo or group training? Before I joined Athenry AC I would definitely have said solo but now most of my training is with other people. Its so much easier to get out the door if you know you are going to have good company, especially on the long runs, or on days when the weather is against you.
12. What’s the funniest/strangest thing you’ve seen or heard on a run? It was on a recent (very) long run with clubmates. One of them (not naming names but it rhymes with 'Sprain Scan') had worked out a road I could take to shorten the route by a couple of miles and we'd meet up on the way back to Athenry. So I took the road which quickly deteriorated into a chaotic mix of ankle deep sludge and rocks fit for farm vehicles and Land Rover Defenders only. I tip-toed my way through the Tough Mudder training course trying not to lose a shoe and unfairly cursing at the cattle in the fields on either side. I knew it was only about a mile though and it would bring me back on the roads that I knew. But about 0.7 miles in the road ended and was replaced by three gates with fields beyond. So back I went and got a second coating of sludge on my way back. Sorry cows!
13. If you were to give 1 piece of advice to a newcomer to running what would it be? Join a club like Athenry. Everything else will fall into place after that and you'll meet friends for life.
14. What injury has caused you the most problems since you started running? Thankfully I've never had a long term or recurring injury.
15. Do you cross train? If yes what type? Yes, core/circuits at Athenry Physiotherapy & Performance Clinic three times a week.
16. What is your most embarrassing running related incident? In one of my first ever races in the Headford 8K wearing an uncalibrated Garmin with a foot pod I thought the finish line was only 100 metres away so I blasted passed about 6 or 7 people. The finish line never came though and those 6 or 7 people and more returned the favour before I finally fell over the finish line 400 metres away.
17. Which club member would you most like to beat in a sprint to the line? Anyone who is in front of me with 500m to go.
18. Do you have a favourite current or past athlete that inspires you? The recently retired Ryan Hall from the USA (he ran a half marathon in under 60 minutes ). He's only 33 so I have a feeling he might be back. Closer to home, Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock) is the real deal and its great to have him at the Fields 10K every year. There are also lots of inspirational people in the club. Obviously Jane Ann, who sets high goals, achieves them and then goes again. Jim Leahy is another one. Jim's 2015 was inspirational – he won his age category at the Connemarathon Ultra in April, finished the Portumna 100K in 7th place in June with an incredible last lap to get under 10 hours, and then he achieved the magical sub 3 hours in the Dublin Marathon in October.
19. Which PB would you most like to break this year? I'm hoping to run under 18 minutes during the 5K Series but the big one is the marathon.
20. Can you share the following PBs with us?.......
Distance Time Where When
5km 18:16 Resolution Run Jan 2016
8km 30:24 Streets of Galway Aug 2015
10km 38:11 Kiltullagh Dec 2015
10 mile 1:02:13 Trim Feb 2016
Half Marathon 1:27:13 Athlone Flatline Sep 2015
Full Marathon 3:09:50 Dublin Oct 2015