This week we meet Catherine who after only a year with the club is now a key member of the senior cross country team. After winning the award for best newcomer at the club awards this year, she has gone from strength to strength!
When did you join Sportsworld?
August 2014
Where do you work?
Glenasmole N.S., Bohernabreena.
What is your favourite club session?
That’s like asking me which form of torture is my favourite but I suppose if I had to choose I’d say fartlek.
What is your favorite race distance?
I’m not really sure but definitely the shorter distances like 5k or 5 mile.
What is your favorite meal before a big race?
It depends on what time the race is at but most races I do are in the morning so I’d usually have scrambled eggs with salmon and maybe some brown bread and a cup of green tea.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
I’ve really started to enjoy the waterworks. It can be very tough but the scenery is so beautiful it makes it all worth while.
What is your target for the next year?
Survive the cross country season?? Seriously though, I would love to get under 20 minutes for 5k.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
I’d have to say the weekend we went to Berlin for the half marathon. It was great to have such a big gang going abroad for a race. I enjoyed most of the race and then the post race celebrations were great craic. It’s just a pity I wasn’t able to handle to the German beer so well.:(
What international events have you ran?
Berlin Half Marathon
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
Sitting on my ass recovery from the club sessions and probably watching crap tv 🙂 I also love meeting friends and eating out.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
Well I originally started running when I was in primary school and kept it up until I was about 16. I took about a 10 year break basically because I got lazy and none of my friends wanted to run. I started running again in my mid twenties but didn’t realise what ‘real’ training was until I joined Sportsworld. It was a shock to the system 🙂
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
I don’t really have any brilliant PB’s or major achievements but here are my PB’s. My PB for 5km is 20:37 which I got at the docklands 5k, My PB for 5 mile is 35:10 which I got at the Irish Runner 5 mile this year. My Pb for 10k is 44:22 which I got at the Womens Mini Marathon and my PB for the half Marathon is 1::41
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
It all depends on the week in question but I try to train with the club 3 times a week and if I’m having a good week I’ll manage a 4th session.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
Definitely having other people to train with. I love the social side of it even if it’s just catching up with everyone in the clubhouse before we head out for the session. I also love the well earned cup of coffee and a chat after a long run on Sunday. Running with other people also makes you push yourself more than you would if you were just training on your own.
What made you join a Running Club?
I don’t enjoy running on my own. I find it difficult to conjure up the motivation to go out for a run on my own especially in the Winter. It’s so much easier to head down to the club and join a group for a run.
What was your first day at the Club like?
Once I got over the initial fears of not knowing anyone I actually really enjoyed my first session. There were a few other newbies who had just recently joined and I remember Seán and Conor took charge of us and showed us the ropes. I’m pretty sure it was a fartlek session and I remember leaving thinking that I’d definitely be back.
Why is running important to you?
We’re getting to the deep stuff now 🙂 I’m not really sure why it’s important to me. I guess I like the feeling of being fit and trying to better my times. It’s also a great way of clearing your head and just forgetting about any problems and it keeps me away from the aforementioned crap tv 🙂
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
I’m not sure maybe some more advice on stretching after a session.
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
Well when Eoin starts shouting his motivating words that usually drives me to run faster and of course Emily drives me and encourages me to do better.
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I’m a bit sporadic with my cross training but I try to swim and cycle a bit and I also practise pilates and hope to teach some time soon.
