When did you join Sportsworld?
August 2016
Where do you work?
I work in Marketing for Diageo. Currently looking after a number of Eastern European countries selling Johnnie Walker whisky.
What is your favourite club session?
A tough one as I don’t dislike many – except 600’s/800’s on the Dodder! But my favourite would have to be Hills & Sprints. I like the combination of the two and the fact that you are always moving during the session, even if it’s jogging back to start again…the less stopping the better.
What is your favorite race distance?
I really enjoyed the training for the marathon last year. It’s amazing how after a few months you are comfortably able to run 15-20 miles and your fitness levels are amazing. But in terms of races I definitely prefer the shorter stuff. I think 5 miles is probably my favourite at the moment.
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
Chicken, pasta, broccoli & pesto.
My Favourite place to train is?
Phoenix Park is a great park to have in any city and I’m lucky that work is only around the corner, so definitely enjoy the runs up there with the views over the city. The 10 mile Sunday run on grass is brilliant too which I didn’t know about before joining the club.
What’s your favourite race?
The Raheny 5 Mile. Really well organised, slightly downhill, a brilliant field of runners and of course the goodie bag!
What is your target for the next year?
I’ve two targets really for the year. The first one is to work on my Half Marathon time, I’d love to get it down around 80mins and have two races over the next few months to try and achieve that. The other target is just to take part in more Cross Country after only doing two races last year.
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
I will never forget the Cross Country in Galway ever! The toughest race I’ve ever run. I’ll never forget the face of the runners at the start line. I’ve never seen a more disinterested, apprehensive, almost scared bunch. We did however have brilliant support from the club on the day by so many people who weren’t even racing themselves and that definitely helped.
Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been? (Doesn’t have to be running related)
I lived in Jakarta, Indonesia for a couple of years. Quite the opposite to Cork.
What international events have you ran?
Singapore Marathon, Bali Marathon, Phuket Marathon were the big ones but I ran quite a few races in both Singapore and Indonesia while living in that part of the world.
Where’s the most interesting place you have run?
I think MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore. It’s essentially a small rain forest with walking trails and about a 10km loop. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/singapore/attractions/mac-ritchie-reservoir/a/poi-sig/365313/357350)
What do you like doing when you don’t run? (hobbies/past times)
Really enjoy anything outdoors. Hill Walking is definitely up there as one of the things I like to do to switch off and have been trying to tick off sections of the Wicklow Way.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
I played a lot of soccer / gaa when I was younger but no athletics at all. I really didn’t start running consistently as a sport until 2010 when I was unemployed for a few months and needed to get out of the house.
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
Despite the pain of it I think the Dublin Marathon last year was my biggest achievement. A tough day out but I finished it.
5km – 17.34
10km – 37.02
5 mile – 28.37
10 mile – 62.54
Half Marathon – 82.50
Marathon – 3hrs 17mins
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
Usually 4 times a week. Ideally the Tuesday / Thursday club sessions, a long run at the weekend and another run somewhere in the middle. I try to get around 50-60km per week.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
Definitely the chance to meet likeminded people. I’ve made some brilliant friends since joining the club. The training sessions have also brought me on leaps and bounds and I’ve discovered parts of Dublin I didn’t know existed like the Waterworks.
What made you join a Running Club?
I was actually doing the Clontarf 5 mile in 2016 and at the start line there was about 5 lads in Sportsworld gear and I think they all finished in the top 10. At the end I realised one of them was Conor Mc Carthy who was in my class in College and he said to come down and try out the club for a few weeks.
What was your first day at the Club like?
It was summer time on the grass in Busy Park. I think the session was 800s / 1,000s. I remember there wasn’t much of a warm up, no stretching and I was definitely humbled after a lap or two by the pace of it. What struck me most was that no matter what ability there’s a group that everyone fits into so no one is left behind.
Why is running important to you?
It keeps me sane for sure. I’d be very grouchy otherwise. But my favourite part about it is discovering new places when away on holidays or with work – a great way to see a new city.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
I think looking at doing some races abroad beyond the La Santa trip could be interesting, even to the UK for a long weekend.
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
The machine himself- Martin Doyle. Some might say his training is unorthodox, but the results are clear to see. He’s had an amazing past 12mths with some great PB’s and it all comes from hard work (and Strava pressure). There are a lot of people in the club who have seen big improvements from their efforts in training and I think that’s the key- consistency especially attending the mid-week sessions as a minimum.
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
The past 12mths I’ve been going to strength and conditioning class once a week. I find it definitely helps for building more core strength so not getting tired towards the end of races and also getting the glutes going!
