When did you join Sportsworld?
I joined Sportsworld in 2012 a few months after moving to Dublin from the UK.
Where do you work?
I work in Sandyford for a company called Logicalis as a Solutions Architect. We design and implement IT solutions for large enterprises, primarily focused on datacentre and cloud deployments.
What is your favourite club session?
My favourite club session is probably Saturday morning track sessions. The sessions are always really testing and there is always a great atmosphere for the track sessions. Last year’s 1500m and club relays at the track was probably one of my favourite sessions since I joined the club.
What is your favourite race distance?
I’ve ran a lot of different races over the last few years, from marathons to my first 800m race at this year’s first grade meet. I think my favourite distance is probably 5k. I like the good mix of speed and endurance that you need for a 5k race.
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
It always has to be porridge with blueberries, honey, and a strong cup of coffee on the morning of a race or a long run.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
I love training in the Phoenix Park, it is only 2 miles from my house so I train there quite often in the summer. There are so many different options for runs in the park you never really get bored of training there.
What is your target for the next year?
Having done a marathon every year of the last few years I’ve decided to give the marathon a break for a few years so I’m going short this year! I’m going to try and do a many of the graded meet track events as I can over the summer and hopefully that will help me improve my 5k time.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
The races and moments that stand out for me are probably the club races where we compete as a team. Running can be a very individual sport a lot of the time so when you’re competing on a team with your club mates it can be a great feeling. Standout days for me would be winning the team event at the Leinster Novice road race in Gowran last year. Also being asked to run last year for the Sportsworld team in our own 5 mile race in Terenure was a real privilege. We won the team gold that day and the support from all our club mates our marshalling the course was incredible.
What international events have you ran?
Being from the UK I don’t really class any races I ran there as being international! So outside of that I’ve ran the Rotterdam and Berlin marathons, probably two of the flattest marathons you could hope to run!
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
I enjoy cooking and in the last few years I’ve started to become more interested in gardening. I grow my own fruit and veg and this year I’ve planted hops as part of a group called the Social Hops Forum. Basically we’re all going to grow some hops, get someone to make it into beer and drink it! I like heading out for walks with my dog Arthur, who has a PB of 21 mins for a 5k! I also like watching my beloved Sheffield United and try to get home for a game as often as possible.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
My adventure with running started in the pub while I was at University! One evening after a beer with some friends we decided it would be a great idea to run the Sheffield half marathon. After a few weeks of training three of us made it to the start line, I was the first of my friends home that day in 1hr 38 minutes. Back then the race used to start and finish in the Don Valley stadium, it was a great atmosphere finishing with a lap of the track in front of a packed stand full of supporters. The stadium was a purpose built athletics venue originally built for the University games in 1991.
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
I’ve ran most of the PB’s in the last few months, my current hot streak of PBs started back in September when I finally broke 3 hours for the marathon for the first time. So far this year I’ve run PBs for 1 mile (5:03), 5k (16:46 at the St Patricks festival 5k), and 10k (36:22 at the Great Ireland run).
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
Since I finished the marathon in September my mileage and training frequency has dropped. For the last few months I’ve been running 3 or 4 times a week and usually average about 20 miles per week.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
I think the best thing about running with a club is the friends I’ve made. When I first moved to Ireland a few years ago I didn’t know too many people so joining a new running club was a great way to meet people. Training with a group is also great, you always push yourself much harder than you would on your own.
What made you join a Running Club?
I first joined a running club when I was living in Leeds. Back then I joined my local club Rothwell Harriers to help improve my training after deciding to sign up for my first marathon.
What was your first day at the Club like?
I remember the first time I came up to Sportsworld. It must have been during the winter months as the session was the Ballyboden lap. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and ended up setting off chatting to Gareth Murran, and Gavin Finlay. I soon realised they were taking it easy for the first couple of miles and I was probably a bit out of my depth when they picked up the pace and I saw them disappear into the distance! Luckily I’d been living in the area a few months by that stage and knew my way back to the club house!
Why is running important to you?
Running helps me clear my head, I love just getting out and doing a few miles or a hard session to forget about a day at work!
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I play a little bit of squash every now and then but nothing too serious.
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