Full Name: Megan Walls
When did you join Sportsworld? June 2023
Where do you work? I work as an Occupational Therapist in palliative care at Our Lady’s Hospice, Harolds Cross, part-time currently, as my main ‘job’ is my PhD research that I’m doing with the Motor Neurone Disease research team in Trinity College.
What is your favourite club session? I enjoy the fartlek sessions in bushy park.
What is your favourite race distance? I ran my first 10 mile race in phoenix park over the summer and really enjoyed this distance. I tend to prefer longer distances.
What is your favourite meal before a big race? I usually keep it very simple toast, peanut butter and jam is my current go to and lots of coffee.
My favourite place to train: I really enjoy training on the track around my local football pitch in Killygarry when I’m at home in Cavan. In Dublin, probably bushy or phoenix park.
What’s your favourite race? I’m not sure that I have a favourite. I always enjoy the VHI mini marathon and buzz around town after. I also really enjoyed the Killarney half marathon earlier this year, the views were incredible and there was a great atmosphere at it too.
What international events have you ran? I’ve never ran a race outside of Ireland, but it’s definitely on the list, hopefully for 2025!
Where’s the most interesting place you have run?
I ran 10k on the Formula 1 track when visiting friends in Abu Dhabi the year before last. Running in the desert heat was also an interesting experience! Running on Tulum beach in Mexico last year was also very memorable.
Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been? (Doesn’t have to be running related). Again, probably Mexico or Banff in Canada was very cool.
What do you like doing when you don’t run? (hobbies/past times)
With life feeling a little bit hectic at the moment, most of my time outside of work, study and running is spent with family and friends. I love a night out, meeting friends for walks, coffee, that kind of thing and spending time at home in Cavan when I can.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
I’ve always been very active; my family would say that I don’t know how to sit still and never did. My parents had us involved in every sport there was growing up, but I particularly took to gymnastics and the GAA, so sport/running in some form has always been such a huge part of my life. I decided to hang up my football boots after the pandemic lifted, so that’s probably when running became my main thing.
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
10K: 40:57
10 Mile: 1:08.20
Half Marathon: 1:32:20
What is your target for the next year?
My main goals are to improve my 10k and half marathon times. I also need to start doing a couple of shorter races to improve my speed. As I said I definitely prefer the longer distances so tend to avoid anything 5k or shorter. I haven’t raced a 5k yet, so need to put that on the list for next year. I also just want to keep enjoying my running and training, avoid injuries at all costs and continue training consistently for the year.
What is your biggest non-running related achievement? It would probably have to be getting the scholarship to do my PhD!
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage? Typically, 5-6 days a week and probably hitting between 60-70k.
What motivates you? Running or otherwise.
I’m typically quite a motivated person, so it doesn’t take much but I think running is such a massive part of my routine and I enjoy it so much that I don’t often depend on motivation to get me out the door. Outside of running I’m very passionate about the area I work in and feel fortunate to really enjoy my job.
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
For me the structure and variety in training has been massive, before I joined the club my running had no structure at all. I just went out and typically ran at the same pace for however many kilometres I decided to run on that day and every run was the same. I love the sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday evening and having a plan for my easy runs, steady runs, or long runs around them. The variety makes it so much more sustainable and enjoyable.
And of course, running with other people pushes you beyond what you think you are capable of. It’s been great to meet so many other like-minded people! Working from home a lot has been such a new thing for me over the past two years, so I’ve really enjoyed the social side of the club.
What made you join a Running Club?
When I stopped playing Gaelic football it was the first time in my life that I hadn’t been involved in a sports club and I really missed everything that comes along with being part of a club. I’d thought about joining a club but never really knew where to pitch myself or what to expect from a running club. After the VHI mini marathon in June last year, I ended up sitting beside Maria and a group of girls from Sportsworld in Toners on Baggot street. We got talking about the club and I had only recently moved to Terenure, so it was perfect timing. I went down about two weeks later and I’m so delighted I did!
Why is running important to you? It is probably one of the most important things in my life at the minute. Juggling a full time PhD and working part time over the last two years hasn’t always been easy, and running has been my biggest outlet. Getting out for my run whether with the club or on my own is often my favourite part of the day, I never don’t feel better for it.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club? Less hills and sprints…
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better? Emily of course, number one! Always so encouraging and knows when to push you on when you need it! There’s are so many fantastic runners and coaches in the club, too many to name everyone but the group really drives me on and helps me to keep improving.
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis? I try to get two gym sessions in a week, but usually doing well if I get one.
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