1. What is your earliest running memory?
I never ran before.I.dont have any early running memories so I feel like a blow in. My first proper race was the Adare 10k in 2013. I have started running a few months previous to that. I broke the hour. I was thrilled. I went home and literally puked my way through the night. So I know say I really did catch the running bug.
2. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I’m gonna get tomatoes thrown at me here but since I was never a sporty person, I never attended events or watched events. I really get joy from average Joe people who go out and do their very best. I really admire people who can go out and spend 5 or 6 hours on their feet doing a marathon. The endurance, the mental strenght is something else. Not caring where they place or what time they do it in, just doing it simply for the joy of running. That’s what it’s all about.
3. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment in athletics ?
I started running in January2013 and then went on to do my first 10 mile, half marathon, 30k human race and then on to Dublin. I completed my first marathon after 10 months of running in 3.35. This was a huge accomplishment for me.
4. What do you currently /did you do in your training that are/were keys to your success?
When I was training hard, I Could go out twice a day. The key is to not run hard all the time. To run easy too. The recovery runs are.anportant part of a program.
5. How many miles on average did you run per week?
Right now I’m running 30 to 35 a week. I have ran up to 60 miles a week.
6. Do you prefer road racing, track or cross country?
I’m not a good sprinter so don’t like track however track sessions are great training
Love roadraces, especially the good auld fashioned country ones when you get fed and watered too for under 15 quid. Great night out.
7. Favourite race distance?
10 mile. Not too short and not too long.
8. Favourite race location/ race event to take part in?
The Burrenhalf is my favourite half. There is no pressure for time. It’s a challenging course but great fun with beautiful views. If.you go out with a head to just enjoy. . Then you’ll do just that.
9. What is/was your diet like?
It is very hit and miss right now. Love love love chocolate. And haeegan daaz pralines and creak ice cream. Cold eat a pint.od that for my dinner. Then I need to check myself and refocus on fruit and vegetables which I crave too . . Just not as much as the bad stuff.
10. Who was/is your training partner or did/do you train solo?
Training partners for last year or so is Brendan O Carroll and AnnMarie Walsh. We seem to always talk each other into races. I do a few long Cratloe runs with The Happy training club too . . There a hoot. Great social able run. But I’m a running hoe . . I’ll jump in on anyone’s run lol
11. What is the best advice that you were given?
Don’t be afraid to go hard and do not go hard on easy days. Like I said, recovery runs are important.
12. Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?
Embrace the fear. We all have the fear of the unknown but embrace it, take it on and enjoy life knowing you CAN do it.
13. If you could run with any person, past or present, who would it be?
Siobhan in Limerick Sports Store. Sure, she is a living legend and she was some runner.
14. Anything else you’d like to share?
It’s a good idea to run with someone faster than you. It forces you pick up the pace even when you don’t want or feel like to.
Anyone running tomorrow?