When did you join Sportsworld?
I joined in mid August 2017, the week after the Rock N’Roll half marathon. I had already committed to the Dublin marathon and knew I was nowhere near where I needed to be with my training. Also myself and my wife had just bought a house in Rathfarnham and thought joining a local club would be a good way to integrate ourselves in the area!
Where do you work?
I work for AIB
What is your favourite club session?
I really like the pyramid session in Bushy Park (600/400/300/200), & in winter Hills & Sprints is a good blow out!
What is your favorite race distance?
Before I joined Sportsworld it was definitely the half marathon. I haven’t raced that distance since I joined so one of my targets for the year is to attack that distance! Recently I’ve been enjoying both the 5 mile & 10km races.
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
I have a fairly strong stomach thankfully, and I never get hangovers which is a blessing, so generally I get away with eating whatever I like. The morning of a race I try to stick to porridge and a banana but if the race is later in the day I could end up eating anything!
My Favourite place to train is?
The Phoenix Park! I love that place. Before we bought in Rathfarnham we lived in Smithfield for 4 years and it was fantastic having the PP on our doorstep !
What’s your favourite race?
I would have to say the Dublin Marathon because of the crowds. The Raheny 5 mile is also a cracking race!
What is your target for the next year?
To keep improving! I’d love to have a real crack at both half marathon & marathon distances! If I managed to dip under 3 hours for Dublin Marathon then I’d consider it a very good year!
What do you like doing when you don’t run? (hobbies/past times)
I’m a Leinster branch rugby referee so I could have matches most weekends from Sept-April. Outside of sport I’m a massive fan of Guinness! At home I enjoy cooking and baking!
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
I played rugby for years but gave it up because I kept getting injured (broken ankle, knee ligaments twice, cracked ribs, broken hand, 3 broken fingers, dislocated shoulder, broken collarbone, broken nose, and 3 concussions). I took up running as a substitute because I figured it would be easier on me long term!
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
All my PB’s have come in the past few months since I joined Sportsworld! As I mentioned earlier I really want to try and have a proper cut at both half marathon & marathon distance this year. Recent PB’s are 5km (17.25), 5 mile (28.40), and 10km (35.36). I ran Dublin Marathon last year in 3 hrs 12 min so really want to better that this year.
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
At the moment I’m running about 50km per week, usually over 4 days. Hoping to increase that to 80km and 6 days over the summer. Once the rugby season is over I should have a bit more time on my hands to slowly increase the mileage!
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
Definitely the fact that you make progress so quickly, and you really notice the results! Also training with other people really helps you push yourself whereas it’s easy to slack off if you’re training by yourself!
What made you join a Running Club?
The Dublin marathon was approaching and I didn’t want to disgrace myself! I had entered with the intention of raising money for Epilepsy Ireland in honour of a really good friend of mine, Liane, who sadly passed away last April due to her nocturnal epilepsy. My friends set up a fundraising page and I agreed to run the DCM as part of it. To date we have raised close to €40k. Also, as I mentioned above we had just bought a house in Rathfarnham and thought joining a local club would be a good way of getting involved in the locality.
What was your first day at the Club like?
It was tough! I met Myles in the clubhouse before it started and he was asking me what my race times were! It was embarrassing because I didn’t know. All I could tell him was that I had ran the Rock N’Roll half in 1.29 the previous Sunday. He pointed out Jose Chapa to me and just said to follow him. The session was fartlek lap 10 on / 4 off / 6 on / 4 off / 4 on / 4 off , then do it all over again. I was exhausted afterwards!
Why is running important to you?
It’s great for clearing the head. I spend most of my days in work in front of a computer so running really helps to clear my mind and help me wind down!
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
In winter I’d love to see less of 800s/600s by the dodder! I find them demoralising!
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
It would have to be Myles. He was fantastic when I joined and his influence gave me a lot of confidence. Also the grinders in the marathon group really encouraged me to better self!
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
Just the rugby reffing. I tried my hand at a few triathlons but have given them up because I’m a terrible swimmer!
Tell us something that no one in the club knows about you!?
I can solve a rubix cube!
