Name: Brendan O’Carroll
Years Involved in Athletics: 6 Years
Any other sports played:
Rugby & Football in school.
1. What is your earliest running memory? I remember the school sports days back in primary school. There was a big field out the back of the school and they
would map out lanes with white chalk. I was never really that fast but I loved the break away from classes.
2. Where do you draw your inspiration from? I didn’t participate in any sport or physical activity throughout my 20’s and led quite an unhealthy lifestyle up to 8 years ago when I gave up smoking. I put on a bit of weight after this and was looking for a solution when I decided to do the Great Limerick Run in May 2010. From this I got hooked on running. I run now to try and maintain a good level of fitness and to ensure I am around to watch my kids grow up.
3. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment in athletics ? Running my 1st marathon in 2013. Looking back now I thought I knew it all about training but in fact I knew very little. I bluffed my way through a few months training and stumbled home on the day in over 4h20mins.
4. What do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success? Up until early this year I never did any speed work. I used to just run. Since I started going to Joe Chawkes Tue sessions my fitness has improved dramatically. My race times have dropped at every distance so far this year. I keep telling myself that I should have went sooner.
5. How many miles on average did you run per week? On easy weeks I’d average 30+ miles per week but at peak mileage I’d be in the mid to high 50’s per week.
6. Do you prefer road racing, track or cross country? As of yet I have never really ran cross country or track, but that will change next season. I race on the road as often as I can. I really enjoy the whole buzz around races. From the prep at home, to toeing the line and then to the cup of tea after wards. It’s a great hobby.
7. Favourite race distance? 10 miles. It’s short enough to go for it but long enough that you have to pace yourself.
8. Favourite race location/ race event to take part in? Dublin City Marathon. The crowds make it.
9. What is your diet like? I work nights so I don’t have the best schedule around food. I do try my best to eat right but I am fond of a take away every once in a while.
10. Who is your training partner or do you train solo?
I do a lot of running with Edel Henriques and Ann Marie Walsh. It was Edel who got me involved with West Limerick.
11. What is the best advice that you were given? My father is big into keep fit and he always advised me to keep a log of training. I have only started doing this recently and it has proven invaluable when it comes to looking back at training and trying to improve.
12. Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? Mind over matter. The body will always do what the mind tells it.
13. If you could run with any person, past or present, who would it be? I have great admiration for both Rob Heffernan & Gary O’ Hanlon. They are great examples of what can be achieved with a lot of hard work and perseverance.
14. Anything else you’d like to share? I joined West Limerick Ac just under two years ago and since then I’ve made some great friends within the club. The gang at Joe’s Tue sessions always have a friendly smile and word of encouragement. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t joined a club to seriously consider it.
