This week we chat to Crona Brady who now lives in Sydney but for many years was one of the top runners at the club. She’s missed by everyone at Sportsworld but its great news that she is returning to Dublin later this year so we hope to see her back at the club very soon. For those new to the club Crona has an incredible 5K PB of 17:17…
When did you join Sportsworld?
During 2007. I took part in the Port Tunnel 10k in December 2006 and then I started to think about joining a club having gotten the bug!
Where do you work?
I’m a relationship manager for Accounting for Good, Sydney. The company provides accounting services for charities and not for profits.
What is your favourite club session?
My favourite session is down by the Dodder doing 600 and 800s and maybe the odd 1000 which Emily liked to surprise us with at the end of a session! Or the mile laps in the phoenix park of a Saturday morning.
What is your favorite race distance?
5km on the road is my favourite. I also love cross country especially the hills and the mud.
What is your favorite meal before a big race?
I usually eat porridge and a boiled egg on the morning of a race. This is my normal breakfast every morning so tend not to change anything.
My Favourite place to train/compete is?
I love the Phoenix Park. I have fond memories of the Munich mile lap on a Saturday morning, and also the 8 mile ‘pace run’ loop on a Wednesday summer evening. One of my favourite races is the Gerry Farnan cross country race as it marked the start of the cross country season. Its a fiercely competitive and fast race and everyone is testing their legs after a few months of hard training.
What is your target for the next year?
I have hope of getting back to doing a race or two – its been a while. I have one eye on Dublin marathon 2016!
What is your best Sportsworld memory?
I have so many! The trip to Lanzarote in 2007 was my first chance to get to know everyone in the club. We also spent a week away training in Spain in 2011 which was fantastic. My favourite memory is the Inter Clubs Championships in 2010 in Phoenix Park. It was a fabulous sunny day, and our team’s aim was to win the championship; something that has unfortunately eluded the club in all the years. Aoife, Lucy, Eimear, Jean and Helen and I all ran as a solid team, with Aoife taking 6th place on the day. It wasn’t to be unfortunately as we came away with bronze medals with only a few points separating the first three teams. I remember loving every second of that race (despite the pain!) and thinking how great it was to be running with such great ladies.
What international events have you ran?
I have completed the Sydney Half marathon, Sydney Harbour Bridge 10k in Sydney, Lanzarote challenge back in 2007, Zurich 10km and a few park runs in various cities.
What do you like doing when you don’t run?
I love spending time with friends, reading, writing and visiting new places.
How/When did you start your adventure with running?
Back in 2006, I had just started my first proper job and felt I needed something to do after work. I was playing a bit of tennis and badminton and wasn’t enjoying it. My sister Aoife suggested that I take up running and took me out on a few runs. I definitely got the bug after those first few runs!
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
My fondest memory is running 17.17 for 5km in the Rathfarnham 5k. Also winning team gold in the National Intermediate Cross country when my sister took individual gold was a good day!
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
When I was competing, I ran six days per week running on average 60 miles per week. Now its a lot less but still enjoyable!
What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
The team atmosphere. The feeling part of something really positive and having a focus and goals outside of work.
What made you join a Running Club?
I wanted to be part of a team, to improve my running ability and see what I could achieve.
What was your first day at the Club like?
I remember the session was one minute on and one minute off down on the Tesco lap. I remember everyone was so welcoming especially Emily who has an unbelievable ability to welcome everyone into the fold. I felt part of the team within a few minutes. The session was tough, I wont lie! I had been used to jogging around by myself for 20-30 mins. This was a whole other level. I couldnt wait until the next session!
Why is running important to you?
Running has had a huge influence on my life. When I first joined the club, i was working long hours in a stressful environment and it gave me a good reason to get out of work and train. I looked forward to the weekend races and trying to better myself each race. I love being part of a team and lining up with club mates to run the best races that we can run and make Emily proud! I believe running shapes other aspects of my life and has opened up a world of new friends and experiences. Running is something that you can do no matter where you go and I love that about it!
Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
I think Sportsworld has it all. It has great coaches, people and a fantastic club house. It has that good balance between a competitive and fun club. I would like to see more teams competing in the senior championships. For me, I innocently volunteered to compete my first year and while I thought it was going to be a terrifying experience, it actually wasn’t so bad!
Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
Emily is such an inspirational person in an understated way. She was an incredible athlete in her day and is so modest about her achievements. She is so encouraging in training and on race day. The other person is my sister Aoife who encouraged me to run in the first place. She is such a talented athlete, having won many races with Sportsworld and mirrors Emily’s modesty! Any day i can keep up with her at training is a good day for me!
Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I do weights, yoga and spin classes.
