When did you join Sportsworld?

August 2019

Where do you work?

I’m a PE  and SPHE (social, personal, health education) teacher in  a secondary school in Goatstown.

What is your favourite club session?

Hills and Sprints – I don’t like the thought of doing it, but love the feeling of accomplishment afterwards!

What is your favourite race distance?

I feel I haven’t done enough races of different distances to answer this question properly!

I’ve done a few 5km (park runs) and two 10km races, and a half marathon in lockdown and I like all of themJ

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

I’d usually have like ½ banana or rice cake with almond butter.

My Favourite place to train

Lough Key Forest Park, in my beautiful home town of Boyle, Roscommon. Our summer trainings growing up were in this park, have so many good memories from it! It has loads of different running routes, where you are surrounded by beautiful trees and lake, with no cars in sight or sound!! I’ve sought out certain spots in the forest where I can do hills and sprints sessions, which is great! There is also an island which is perfect for doing 800m/1km splits!  There are wild deer in the forest too (not as tame as Phoenix park Deer!). It’s a beautiful sight when you spot them! I’ve also had a few sightings of the red squirrel while on my runs too! — And yes everyone is welcome to come visit and train when restrictions are liftedJJ

What’s your favourite race?

I really haven’t ran many races at all!  Apart from my first season of cross country this year I’ve only done a few park runs and two 10km races!! So to answer from a very small selection, my fav race was the Bray to Greystones cliff race. I did this in 2018, was not a regular runner – I just did it because a friend was doing it. I showed up honestly having never ran a 10k before – so off I went, finished in a time of 48:49 and 7th overall – they even put me on a poster for the 2019 event haha!!!

What is your target for the next year?

I want to do a ½ marathon, duathlon and some adventure races like Gael force west!

What international events have you ran?

No international runs to date – I had entered to do the Berlin Half Marathon in April, but it was cancelled L  But fun fact – I have competed in international bodybuilding comps though!

Where’s the most interesting place you have run?

Venice Beach in L.A. I love that place – It’s such a hive of activity and you can find any sport/activity going on there along the promenade. I would go on a run there and end up running  for ages  (with breaks !!) watching basketball games, surfing, people doing capoeira, yoga, gymnastics on the outdoor rings and bars, bodybuilders in muscle beach, cyclists, skateboarders, beach volleyball – You name it it’s all there – Amazing place!!!

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

Sri Lanka – I just loved it – it has so much to offer – loads of historical and cultural hotspots or beach and chill out places too. The people are so nice and the food is delishJ        Whatever type of break or holiday your looking for I feel Sri Lanka has it!

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

I love to explore new places – in Ireland or abroad – I love random adventures that involve hiking and the outdoors!

I love documentaries so I don’t really watch tv series or shows. I’m more of a docuseries or documentary storm watcher!

During lockdown my hobbies have changed and I started reading more – I’ve always classified myself as a poor reader – but that has definitely changed and I just ordered 5 new books on amazon this morning!!!….on that note online shopping is also becoming a new past time!

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I was in an athletics club growing up, we used to train after school every Tuesday and Thursday and I loved it! That was from around age 6-15 ish.  Community games played a huge role in my involvement in athletics. Qualifying to county finals and then onto Mosney was the highlight of our year!! I made the best friends and memories during that time! We had a fantastic relay team and won gold at the All Irelands for our 4 x 100m relay!! We have the race and post-race interview on video tape and it is absolutely hilarious!!! We ran in our feet! You were very privileged if you owned a pair of spikes!

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

Again my PB’s are few due to the lack of races! My best park run is 21.33, the 10k cliff run was 48:49, my ½ marathon which I did a few Sundays ago (not intentionally), I got 1hr 53! So I feel with consistency and training  I can definitely improve all of these!

What is your biggest non-running related achievement?

I represented Ireland in 4 international body building competitions –  The Arnold Classic 2016, 2017 in Ohio, Arnold Classic 2016, Barcelona and Olympia Las Vegas 2017! Highest placing was 2nd place in my category! It was a very proud moment being called out to receive my trophy after the words “representing Ireland”.

Also last year I completed the Portuguese Camino route solo and that was a huge personal achievement for me!

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

It has definitely gone up since the lock  down! So right now I would say 30-40 km a week

What motivates you? Running or otherwise

I don’t really believe in motivation – its more becoming disciplined, and being accountable to myself and others.

If I need the ‘motivation’ to get up and go I’ll have a coffee, but for consistency at training or for anything it’s repeatedly going when I really don’t want to! I have a WhatsApp group with a few of the girls in the Sportsworld and its really good for accountability!

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

The amazing people you meet in the club. It provides a healthy social outlet and great for keeping the physical health too! It’s like a wellbeing club not just a running club!

What made you join a Running Club?

When I first moved to Dublin (2018), I lived on dodder road, and on those winter nights I would hear these footsteps/pounding, chitter chatter, laughter and heavy breathing outside my house and was like I want in!! haha so I investigated and made sure I was signed up for the following winter!

Why is running important to you?

It clears my mind, I come up with great ideas when I run! I love that you need minimal equipment and it can be done anywhere!

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

The club is really fantastic, I love all the sessions , especially the weekend options too!! I love that if you miss Tues or Thurs session you still have Saturday and Sunday options to finish the week strong. Myles and Emily provide so much support and encouragement for us it’s just brilliant!

I do think some some 15 min optional core and mobility sessions  before or after training – would be nice, especially in the summer evenings in bushy! J Maybe we could lead them on a rotational basis! I would be first to offer when we are back to all being together!

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

Everyone in the club to be honest! – Everybody brings something different and just knowing there is a huge group of people getting out and being active is something that I want to be a part of!

My accountabilabuddies in sportsworld are fantastic – Rachel, Dee, Aoife, Hannah and Amanda! We all joined around the same time and we all help each other stay in check!

I have huge admiration for Myles and Emily also because they give up so much of their time, and their genuine love for us all is palpable – I want to show up and do well for them as a thank you!

Also Lisa Madden – I just love how she is rocking it up in the fast group and I aspire to be up there some day!…maybe 5 or 10 years though haha!!

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

Yup – Strength training is and always will be my first love!:) I had my first personal training job when I was 19, did that part time while in college. After I graduated I taught for 4 years but the gym life was calling and moved to California and worked as a trainer for 4yrs! I have converted a section of my garage into a gym since gyms have been closed!

I also started cycling to work this year, and now in lock down am cycling about 50-60km a week (all within my radius!!!)!

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

When I was 20 spent the summer in Colorado working as a white water raft guide on the Colorado River!!! Crazy crazy  experience!!!