This week we have a chat with a relative newcomer Andrea McNamara.
When did you join Sportsworld?
I think I first came to training in October 2013 but started attending regularly in March 2014.
Where do you work?
I’m a solicitor with a firm called O’Connell Brennan in town.
What is your favourite club session?
By far, fartlek in Bushy park during the summer months. It gives me time to recover, which I need!
What is your favourite race distance?
I think it would have to be half marathon. It’s long enough so that you aren’t under pressure the whole time but very importantly, it’s not a marathon!
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
I usually eat brown bread toasted with banana.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
I love my long run route at home in Cork. I run along lovely, quiet country roads that bring me up to and around Fota island.
What is your target for the next year?
Just to get faster generally and try to bring down my PBs.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
Probably the time in July this summer when I almost got lapped running 800m in the mixed relay team event in Tallaght!
What international events have you run?
I have run a couple of 10k’s, 14k’s and half marathons in Vancouver over the past few years and I also ran the Edinburgh half marathon in 2014.
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
Play golf, bake (and eat the baking) and socialise and have fun.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
My older brother got into running pretty seriously in his early 20s and he was always trying to get me to take it up. I eventually gave in and started running a bit in 2011. I then lived in Vancouver during 2012 where the amazing scenery and the Vancouverites’ obsession with running meant that it was pretty much impossible to become anything other than addicted to it.
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
I don’t really know what I would classify as my biggest achievement but I guess the PB I am probably most proud of is my half marathon PB of 1.33. Other PBs are 34mins for 5 miles, 41mins for 10k, 72mins for 10miles. I have yet to run a 5k road race.
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
I run 4-5 times per week and typically around 45-55k.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
I would never work as hard on my own as I do when doing one of the club sessions. Also, the social aspect of the club is great.
What made you join a Running Club?
The desire to get faster!
What was your first day at the Club like?
I’m afraid I can’t remember but I think I just skulked around in the background for a few weeks.
Why is running important to you?
I think running keeps me sane and I find it is an amazing way to clear my head after a tough day at work. I also love feeling fit and healthy as a result of running.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
I think the set up at the club is really good but if I had to say something, I think it would be good to encourage a more holistic approach to running, so that information is available to members on nutrition, warm up drills, injury prevention exercises etc.
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
I agree with most others in that Emily provides great encouragement to us all. She has had an amazing running career, so I try to pay attention when she tells me to hurry up.
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
Golf is my original love, so I try to play whenever I can. I also swim twice a week.
