When did you join Sportsworld?

March 2016

Where do you work?

KAYMED – Sales & Training Manager

What is your favourite club session?

Like hills and sprints, but Tallaght Track sessions in summer probably favourite.

What is your favourite race distance?

5K , really like the Mile as well though its rarely run (more’s the pity)

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

Is’int that a contradiction !! usually keep it light on race mornings with cereal, honey and juice. It’s after the race I usually pig out on the big meal.

My Favourite place to train ?

Bushy Park hard to beat in Summer especially when we had access to all the varied pathways.

What’s your favourite race?

Docklands 5K and Rathfarnham 5K. Dunshaughlin 10K is good too. Afraid I’m a fair weather racer !!.

What is your target for the next year?

After the year that’s in it currently next year for me is just about the opportunity to train and race without restrictions. Specifically, I’d like to get my 10K time down a little – 40 mins is the target.

What international events have you ran?

Have to draw a blank here – for shame !.

Where’s the most interesting place you have run?

St. Petersburg – along the canals. Stunning city – like an open air museum and so spacious. The architecture is amazing, its like it was built just to impress – which it was by The Great – Peter.

Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been? (Doesn’t have to be running related)

Probably Russia specifically Moscow and St. Petersburg. Quebec in Canada was also great.

What do you like doing when you don’t run? (hobbies/past times)

Enjoy a game of tennis (quite a few actually as I’m a member of Templeogue LTC). Gym work for cross training and a bit of cycling. Gotten into gardening of late (like half the population) and I’m dabbling in astronomy after getting a cool telescope in Aldi of all places.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

Late 2013 after I did the Remembrance Day 5K in the Phoenix Park, I picked it up again then after many years absence.

Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?

5K 18.53 Docklands 2018

5mile 32.32. Raheny 2018

10K 41.03 Aware Phoenix Park 2017

Mile 5.41 National Sports Arena 2018

Got 1st in O50s at Docklands 5k 2019 – chuffed with that, and the voucher.

What is your biggest non-running related achievement?

Probably winning the Templeogue Club Championships at both Singles and Doubles Level 3 in Sept 2018. Think the running helped actually though now I’m at level 2 I’m needing something extra which has’nt materialised yet.

How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?

Average 5 days and c 40km weekly. I’ll be honest I’m not in to big distances. I find if I run too far (as I call it) I’m a bit wrecked for the other stuff I do, plus it takes me longer to recover this past year or two.

What motivates you? Running or otherwise ?

Just striving to push myself and be as good as I can be for myself really.

What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?

The opportunity to train and compete with like-minded people in a fun environment. The access to top class coaching – take a bow Emily and Myles.

What made you join a Running Club?

Like many, the chance to avail of all the advantages and test myself as above eventually gave me the courage to cast my fears aside and take the plunge. I had a false start in mid 2015 but then joined up proper in 2016.

Why is running important to you?

It’s a cliché I know but for me its as much mental as physical. There’s nothing like a good run for clearing the head and getting things in perspective, I really miss it if I don’t do it every day or almost every day. And the runners high on race day is hard to beat.

Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?

Someone mentioned Relays recently and I agree – they’re great fun and so competitive. But bring back the baton – would help me exorcise my demons after dropping the baton on leg 3 at Butlins Community Games Finals many moons ago !!.

Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?

Both Myles and Emily are always an inspiration and a key motivator (the fear factor applies there too – don’t pull your weight and they’re sure to notice lol). The Committee too who’s hard work is always appreciated.

Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?

Yes a couple of sessions weekly at the gym and tennis regularly particularly in the Summer. Also tried a course of Tai Chi which was good – it was a bit like meditation but to exercise / controlled movement.

Tell us something that no one in the club knows about you!?

I was selected to write something for the Time Capsule for Dublin Millennial in 1988 (1000 year city commemoration). It’s supposed to be opened 50 years down the line or maybe its 100 years – I wont be around for the mortification thnakfully !!