This week we have Sportsworld Registrar Sandra Kelly! When she’s not chasing you to pay your club fees she’s found the time to run her first marathon with Sportsworld and made the clubs annual pilgrimage to the Lanzarote International Running Challenge last November!
When did you join Sportsworld?
July 2015
Where do you work?
HR Manager for a Technology Company based in Sandyford
What is your favourite club session?
My favourite session is probably the track, although I think I’m probably better at middle distance/longer distance running. I love the buzz of the track sessions and it gets me up early on a Saturday morning and I love the coffee session afterwards.
What is your favourite race distance?
10k or the half marathon although you wouldn’t have thought so after Clontarf last July! Thankfully I had trained for the race series half by September.
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
I don’t eat much before a race but porridge with banana or toast is what I’d usually have.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
I really like the Waterworks and the Thursday sessions in Bushy Park in the summer. I do like Marley park if going for a run myself and usually run all different routes around there.
What is your target for the next year?
My target this year is to try and improve on my 5k and 10k times and get some speed into my legs.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
I have 2 best memories; the 2015 Club track championship races in Tallaght where I was on the winning relay team along with Anthony Gillen, Kevin Curran, Aoife Brady and myself. I was only in the club about 2 months at the time so it was a nice start!
Running the Dublin Marathon last year was another super memory and a day I’ll never forget.
What international events have you ran?
I ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon a couple of years ago when I didn’t run too much. It’s a great flat course along the coast and I’d love to try it again now that I’ve a couple of years running behind me.
I ran the Great North 5k last September in Newcastle. It’s a great weekend with the city games and the half marathon and fantastic atmosphere.
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
Shopping, shopping and more shopping and watching a good box set on Netflix or Sky Atlantic.
I’m currently hooked on Suits and haven’t watched anything else for a couple of weeks.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
I was a gym bunny for many years and dabbled in running every now and then but nothing too serious until 2015. Someone once told me that if I joined a running club, I would leave the gym and never look back. I laughed at the time, but it was so true. Running is the most fantastic therapy anyone will ever experience and I never fail to feel great at the end of a run, either with the club or running by myself. Even after a not so great session, I’m still glad I went out.
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
I have no great PB’s to shout about but my personal favourite was doing the Dublin Marathon last year and coming in under 4 hours still feeling great at the end of it.
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
3-5 times per week depending what I have on and how busy I am. Weekly mileage is about 25 – 30 miles. Obviously was more when training for the marathon last year.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
The Experience and variety of dabbling in various distances, from 100 metres to 10 miles. Trying out different locations, from Bushy Park to Phoenix Park to the Waterworks to Tallaght track.
Meeting lots of new people and getting the encouragement to get out on a cold wintery night.
What made you join a Running Club?
I was at a stage where I needed a change and spoke to a couple of people who were running at clubs and I’ve always been into exercising so decided to give it a go.
What was your first day at the Club like?
I happened to join on probably one of the best days of the Sportsworld Calendar, the summer BBQ. Need I say more ……
Why is running important to you?
Its Therapeutic, It keeps me sane, keeps me fit and healthy and I can run almost anywhere at any time without relying on anybody or anything. Once you have your trainers, you can get going.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
Nothing in particular to mention
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
Myles and Emily are great for advice and encouragement and the coffee sessions after training are a great way to talk to other runners and get running tips. You can get inspiration from anyone that runs at any level.
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I still do an odd gym session at different times of the year.
