This week we chat with Trevor Lloyd who talks about his favorite sessions in the Dublin mountains and those winter speed sessions.
When did you join Sportsworld?
I can’t really remember but around the turn of the century (No! Not the 19th or 20th century). I was a member of the Belfield Bashers at the time but their weekday training time didn’t really suit.
Where do you work?
Unfortunately no one will currently pay me for what I do.
What is your favourite club session?
The ones I enjoy are Myles’ ‘Field of dreams’ in Kiltipper, The park cross –country session and hills and sprints. I’m afraid I find the sessions along the Dodder mentally exhausting
What is your favourite race distance?
Any race where I have a good time!
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
Orange juice and a banana.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
Wherever my favourite club session is being held.
What is your target for the next year?
To stay injury free and be able to keep up with some of the ‘young ones’.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
My best running moment was winning the 1988 Djouce handicap race. (I had a good handicap!). In Sportsworld I suppose supervising the construction of the clubhouse and helping to revive the club’s annual 5 mile race gave me a great deal of satisfaction.
What international events have you ran?
The London and Boston marathons, The Edinburgh ½ marathon, La Santa challenge and various races in France including this year’s Paris to Versailles run
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
I think this was one of the questions Eoin said I didn’t have to answer.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
When a group of us gave up Golden Oldies rugby we started jogging on a Thursday evening as an excuse for a pint. I then joined the Djouce Joggers before moving on to the Belfield Bashers before finally graduating to a real running club – Sportsworld.
Tell us about your PB’s / what is your biggest achievement?
My best run was probably my first Dublin Marathon (3 hr. 25m 40sec). My time for the Edinburgh ½ marathon was about 1 hr 44min. (the older you get the faster you ran!)
How often do you run / what is your typical weekly mileage?
I try to run 3 to 4 times(avg. around 20 miles). I feel consistency is the only way to keep fit and avoid injury.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
Being able to run with a group of like-minded individuals who are willing to listen to you describing exactly why you couldn’t run faster and exactly where you got your latest niggle etc etc. Also it gets you out of the house because if you don’t turn up for a run you will never hear the end of it.
What made you join a Running Club?
The above and the comradeship of running with a group of ‘elite athletes’.
What was your first day at the Club like? I had been told by the proprietor of a certain sports shop in Terenure to turn up at a ‘big tree’ in Bushy Park. I stood around looking lost until one Sean O’Byrne told me to follow everyone as we were doing ‘minute on minute off’. Never heard of it!
Why is running important to you?
It’s a great way to clear the head especially when you are having one of those days.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
I think it important that all clubs/organisations embrace change and evolve. Those that don’t will eventually go into decline.
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
At my stage in life the people who keep me going are all those young ladies who very kindly hold back during the club sessions and encourage me to run with them. Thank you girls!
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I try to get to the gym a couple of times a week to keep the old limbs (other than the legs) moving.
