When did you join Sportsworld?
Almost a year ago now, summer 2018.
Where do you work?
I’m a flute player with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. I also do some freelance work with some orchestras and chamber groups in Ireland and the UK and occasionally do solo gigs and recordings. I really enjoy teaching also. Love the random chats with students and watching them grow as musicians and people. Will be starting to teach piccolo at the Royal Irish Academy of Music next year which will be exciting.
What is your favourite club session?
I always really enjoy hills and sprints in Bushy Park! Once I get over the initial trauma of it, it’s actually quite good fun. The moans and groans out of people are particularly entertaining, myself included.
What is your favorite race distance?
Sure I haven’t a clue! I really haven’t raced enough to pretend to know. I’m going to say 10K as I’ve done three of those and they were fairly handy. 5K’s always seem a bit torturous. I’m doing my first half marathon in a few weeks so maybe that’ll be my new favourite distance.
What is your favourite meal before a big race?
Again, it’s never an exact science with me. Have yet to work all of that out! I reckon eggs will feature. Or honey on toast as suggested by Lucy? Definitely not a porridge fan, that would end badly.
My Favourite place to train.
I love running locally, around Harolds Cross, Terenure, Rathgar and Dublin town. I’m not living in this neck of the woods all that long so I’m still exploring. I reckon I’ll fall in love with the Phoenix Park this summer though for scones and marathon training – in that order.
What’s your favourite race?
I really enjoyed the Bay 10K last year around Dun Laoghaire. It was my first race, I ran it with an old friend and we’d a great morning. I’d only been in the club a couple of weeks and Myles was already cheering for me. Was blown away by this! What a legend.
What is your target for the next year?
I’d love to be more diligent with my running. I spend a lot of my week feeling guilty for not running more! I’m a bit scatty and sporadic with running but it’s usually just because I’m too busy or working random hours. Work can be physically draining playing all day long and gigs can zap your energy a bit and running is my second sport so it’s all energy dependent really. But if I could run four or five days every week and steadily improve I’d be so very happy.
What international events have you ran?
Lol
Where’s the most interesting place you have run?
Nowhere spectacular really. I get a bit nervous running in countries I don’t know for some reason! Always afraid I’ll end up down a dodgey street or something. Have been guilty of treadmilling it in hotels and walksploring instead!
Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been?
I went to Mexico on tour a few years back and really adored it. China was also interesting if a bit nuts!
What do you like doing when you don’t run? (hobbies/pass times)
I have a horse and we compete a bit in dressage so I’m usually out with her training most evenings, keeping her fit and blowing off the cobwebs. Fluting around too, have to practice most days. Have just started trad too which is good fun. Love knitting, jigsaws, sewing, drawing when I have time and am very sociable so will generally be nattering or hanging out with friends and family anytime I can.
How/when did you start your adventure with running?
I started running to be fitter for my horsie and to improve stamina and sure then I got hooked. Started with the couch to 5K app, went to Catriona McKiernan’s running course as I’m slightly neurotic about doing things correctly and she suggested I join Sportsworld. The rest, as they say, is history
Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
I reckon my inner running talents have yet to be tapped if I work a bit harder! I’m quite a good sprinter. PB’s for a 5K would be 23 ish mins and 49 mins for a 10K.
What is your biggest non-running related achievement?
Building a life and career around a childhood hobby that I still love very dearly. It’s turned me into a dreamer and believing that anything in life is possible.
How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
About 30 – 40K. I try to get out three or four times a week.
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