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Neil Purdy

When did you join Sportsworld?

I contemplated showing up for a session for a few months in 2015. Had visions of showing up and instantly being left behind by a load of elites. Did my first session in January 2016 and it was the Ballyboden lap. Was hanging out the back but didn’t stop me coming back on the Thursday

Where do you work?

I work as a Network Engineer with a network and security solutions company. They provide Network and Security services to different industries such as… zzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!

What is your favourite club session?

Winter Hills/Sprints or Bank lap and Saturday Track sessions.

What is your favourite race distance?

Do people have favourite distances? I guess the longer the distance the better as I’m not built for speed! I’ve avoided the marathon this year in favour of shorter distances which I have successfully been unsuccessful at…

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

6 pints of Guinness. No more no less.

My Favourite place to train is?

Bushy park is a great place and being so close to home its handy.

Phoenix park is probably my favourite. Recently I have been doing my training/runs around work so have been running more around Irishtown/ Poolbeg and its been enjoyable.

What’s your favourite race?

I have to say the Dublin Marathon, It’s the race I’ve completed the most, I think. Rathfarnham 5k as its right on the doorstep and there are some good races in the BHAA calendar.

Wicklow Way relay is another I was lucky to do with the Sports world team. Some really enjoyable reccie runs in advance and a great race day.

What is your target for the next year?

Next Year back to the marathon grind. Dublin will be on the list but will throw may name in for a few international marathons too and see if can get a place.

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

Running or non-running?

Some great mornings long run’s when training for Dublin 2017 with the marathon group. Everyone keeping each other motivated and the little Strava battles to get up the table!

Docklands ’17 post race.. ????

What international events have you ran?

Rotterdam Marathon is my only international event. A great Marathon with really friendly crowds and couldn’t ask for a flatter course! Other than that Cork is as far as I’ve ventured for a race!

Where’s the most interesting place you have run?

When I’m away I tend not to run so not many.. When in San Francisco I went out early one morning so I could run up Lombard st and a few of the other steep streets. I tried to run in Hanoi when in Vietnam but was just crazy and so humid I didn’t make it far.

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

I enjoy cycling, have done a few longish charity/sportive cycles. Have cut back a good bit since birth of our daughter but hopefully have some more time next year. Would love to go to France and cycle some of the famous Tour de France climbs.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I only really started running around 2012 when I moved down to Terenure. One of my first races was the Terenure 5 Mile. It took e a couple of years and two fairly unsuccessful attempts at the marathon to make me look into clubs.

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

Some times below.. as said not built for speed!!

Dublin 2017 was my best run I think – 3:33

Rathfarnham 5k 2018  – 19:36

Dublin night Run 2017 – 41:16

Have never had a 10mile or HM race that I have been happy with for some reason.

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

At the moment I’m a part time Team B soon to be relegated to Team C the way im going!

Run 3-4 times a week roughly 50k

What motivates you? Running or otherwise

Motivation is to be outside and not stuck in work, although you probably only ever hear me moan or make excuses when I’m at training or at races but im actually happy inside!!!

Bit of a priority shift lately so now the priority is on Family and raising our daughter. PB smiles everyday!

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

There are many things great about running with the club. The help with training, questions, advice. Pressure to buy a certain pair of runners when a bargain is posted!

Have improved loads since joining the club and taken part in some great events with club mates. Made some really good friends and enjoyed lunches/ brunches/ nights out and gigs together.

What made you join a Running Club?

The endless running in circles not getting any better on my own.

Now I run in circles with others being shouted at by Emily and Myles.

Why is running important to you?

As said earlier it’s getting outside. Even if I’m on my own I find running a good way to stop thinking about everything for that time and relax.

And boojum.. I can eat more boojum.

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

Its everyone really. You look at the fast guys and girls and want to put in that extra bit of pace or run a little harder in a race.

Others doing crazy distances week in week out. Some doing unbelievable hard events like MDS and Mountain runs.

And Emily and Myles are great for motivation and encouragement.

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

Cycling to work is about it at the moment. I should really do more!!

Achill Half Marathon and 10K

report by Anna Carrigan, photos by everyone

July 6th was the date of the Achill half marathon and 10K races. The weather forecast was surprisingly good and we all arrived armed with sunscreen and summer racing gear. Most of the Sportsworlders group had travelled as far as Westport on Friday afternoon, and having sampled a little bit of the Westport nightlife that evening were really looking forward to letting our hair down on the Sat night after the race. It was going to be a good night !

RoadTrip
Rosie collecting goodie bags

We set out on the hour long journey to Keel, Achill Island at 8:30 the Sat morning. Notwithstanding the good weather forecast, the weather on the way out to Achill was decidedly misty and cloudy and even a lit bit cold. We’d been duped !

The 2 races were being run in parallel, with the half marathon starting at 10:30 on the big loop and the 10K 45 mins later on the smaller loop.

Optimism

As we got ourselves ready the atmosphere was decidedly calm and relaxed. We looked at the sky and thought no need for sun screen today, some were even in two minds about wearing sunglasses. As we got ready we met up with some more Sportsworlders who had stayed the night in Achill, they were looking a lot fresher than us I have to say! We then made our way to the start line for 10:30 where we were relieved to get started so we could warm up !

My aim was to get around the half marathon course without any drama. The course route itself is very scenic, particularly the coastal parts. For me this was an extended long run. I decided I was going to enjoy the run and take in the views. Down towards the back initially for the first 5 or 6 kilometers I was in amongst likeminded people who also just seemed to be enjoying the experience and having the chats. I found myself following random conversations about the dramas in peoples lives from  love and heartbreak to their determined resolve to move on with their lives. And so they had come to conquer Achill! Having completed the first and longest of the climbs, I got chatting to a guy who had done the Achill half a few times in the past. It was great at that point to get the low down on what was left of the route, it was going to be easy for the next few kilometers and then in the second half we would need to have a bit saved for the several hills that were to come, and in particular one long steep one. Grand I thought. On the upside, the finish would be down hill – something to look forward to. Having talked about running and running personalities for a while we parted company as we embarked on the second half of the race. At about the 14k point, my leg muscles started talking  to me. I thought 7K to go, just don’t stop. The scenery helped take my mind off how I felt. Dugort beach was one such surprise which suddenly came into view as the road turned, however  Slievemore as the beautiful backdrop at the far end of the beach also provided, if not the longest climb, definitely the steepest.

Steep

This was the killer hill, which just seemed to go on forever ! Maybe the fact that it was between miles 9 and 10 also added to this feeling ! It was at this point that Grainne  entertained the spectators with a cry of frustration  – “I didn’t think we bleedin needed climbing equipment for this race !!” It was 10 miles by the time this hill was conquered.

Having mentioned spectators, I have to say the locals gave great support to the race particularly over the second half of the route, which also really helped to keep everyone going.

While that wasn’t the last of the hills, at least we were into the last 5K count down and back onto the 10K route where we met a lot of the walkers from the 10K.

The kilometers went by slowly, but finally we were into the last one. At this point we were treated to one of the most stunning views of the race (no not the finish line !) – the Minaun cliffs at the far end of Keel strand. Even with quite a bit of cloud overhead the view was just magnificent. Back to focusing on the finish – that last kilometer seemed to go on forever. We could hear the compère, but couldn’t see the finish line gantry. Finally it came into  view, and we were there!

Lots of celebrations and hugs, followed by some champagne courtesy of Irene and her husband Sean! What a way to finish off the race. We didn’t hang around afterwards for too long due to the not so warm temperatures and the cold setting in !

Despite this however, I still managed to get burned through the clouds ! I couldn’t believe I had the sunscreen in my hands before the race and decided I didn’t need it ! Definitely a lesson learned.

Overall, I would describe the race as challenging, but definitely worth it for the views Great goodie bags too !

group cackle

The race done and dusted, we headed for Nevins outside Mulranny for a well earned lunch and then onwards to Westport to re-energise for the night ahead where the  jacauzzi’s and saunas at the apartment complex got a try out ! We hadn’t realized, but we had another marathon schedule ahead on the Sat night ! Once a good meal was had, it was on to the Porterhouse – where our lead dancing queens Carmel and Val kept us all dancing and singing for the night ! We were also treated to a super rendition of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Valerie’ by Bronwyn ! We partied on until about 3am, and everyone was agreed that Westport definitely had a good vibe and to be recommended !

All in all – a super weekend, made all the more enjoyable by the many people who contributed. Many thanks to everyone involved in organizing the apartments, the meal bookings, the number pickups, the photo’s, provision of champagne, the lifts etc etc

Race results below:

Half marathon:

Peter knaggs: 1.41.01

Brian Conway: 1.47.15

Grainne Lynch: 1.50.15

Phillip Kerr: 1.50.21

Rosie Mulhern: 1.56.22

Claire Rowley: 1.56.29

Maria Finnegan: 1.57.45

Irene O’connor: 1.59.47

Bronwyn Murphy white: 2.02.04

Anna Carrigan: 2.05.37

Anne-Maria Scanlan 2.06

Helen McGrath: 2.06.33

Alison Mackey: 2.26.17

Michelle Burke: 2.26.19

10k

Anne Sweeney: 49.01

Martina Nolan Jones: 49.57

Valerie Power: 54:18

Carmel Breen: 58.07

  • Race reporter Anna enjoying icecream with Maria and Rosie

Dublin Graded Track No6 Santry July 10th

Dublin track graded races were on last night in Santry. Despite the massive downpour of rain around an hour before the start conditions were pretty good for the 100m, 800m and 5000m (12.5laps) races.

First up was the 100m races. I have done a good few graded races over the years but never a track race involving with starting blocks. Like others I’ve seen the video’s of people falling on their face trying to get out of them but I also didn’t want to run the 12.5lap 5km. Luckily Usain Bolt was picking up his pay check from Trevor Sweeney in St Lucia and explained how to run sub 10sec 100m but explaining and doing are two different things.

The 100m wasn’t pretty but its a start and I now have a time to beat. Have to thank Brian Byrne and Maria Jones for their 100m advice too. If anyone wants to see a slo mo video of my 100m there are a few going around, despite what Gareth’s says it is Slo motion not real time.

Also in the 100m race was Nevin King who has a good bit more experience with block starts and also Cian Buckly who was doing his first ever track race.

Next up was Emma Meade who timed the 800m perfectly and held off a number of strong challengers to win her graded race.

Then we had men’s 800m with semi professional track runner Martin Keenan showing how to run 800m. Also running in the 800m was Michael Lillis improving on his 800m time from a couple weeks ago and Nevin King, Cian Buckly and Michael Cunningham.

The final race of the night was the grueling 12.5 lap 5km. The A race was won in a blistering time of 14.52 but Karl Chatterton, Stephen O Donnell, Timothy Morahan and Conor Keating all had great races with Karl finishing second in his grade.

There are only 2 graded left, the next one is Santry and the final one is in Tallaght if you want to give it a go. Also they are always looking for officials at the track races to help with the timing and organisation so if your injured or not watching Love Island maybe you can help out.

Emmet Wardell

When did you join Sportsworld?

I think it was around May 2015.  I was hooked immediately.  I remember thinking I was flying around Bushy Park.

Where do you work?

I work in IT development primarily as a business or process analyst.  If you don’t know what that means, don’t worry, as either do I.

What is your favourite club session?

Definitely the shorter sharp summer sessions around bushy with Team B working like the well-oiled machine that it is! We need to see you back in action soon Maria!

What is your favourite race distance?

I think it is 5km as that is where my stronger times sit.  I like the way you can count down the pain in minutes too – the end is never too far away.  That said the recent Docklands effort was not a success.  Gemma White has the full details on that one if you are interested.

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

I actually think as little as possible and that is the part I struggle with.  I really really enjoy eating

My Favourite place to train is?

Phoenix Park has to be up there.  I live right beside it making it even closer to my heart.  Being in there really early on a weekday morning with the sun coming up and watching the city awake is a truly magical experience.  While you may have got a little sick in your mouth there, I reckon if you tried it you would tend to agree!

What’s your favourite race?

Hmmmmm…..like you will struggle to find a better experience that the Dublin Marathon.  It is incredible and such a buzz. The way the city and the people embrace the event makes you love the city and our country even more

What is your target for the next year?

Genuinely, now, none!  I am sure I will get it to in some later questions but at 37 it would seem I have peaked as a runner!!  Initially that was annoying/frustrating but I have since realised that the reason I really love running it for all the great things it brings.  Primarily the healthy benefits, being allowed to eat more and all the great new friends I have made because of it

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

Probably would be my first night out with the club after the Docklands 5km in 2017.  The relentless laughter and slagging.  And TK’s vest – sorry Tom!!!!  A great gang was formed that night.  The WhatsApp group lives on and remains the envy of many in the club I understand!

What international events have you ran?

Paris Marathon 2018.  Great experience but NOT a good day.  I also did a Park Run in Boston last September.  Was completely revered for being an actual Irish person!!

Where’s the most interesting place you have run?

I am actually struggling with this one.  I got lost on a peninsula in Norway once. In fact I get lost quite a bit.  I am not quite sure that is interesting though!

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

Loads of stuff although it is annoying how work gets in the way.  Amongst other things I enjoy cycling, golf, travelling (starting to sound like a dating app bio here!) eating and drinking too much

As well as that I enjoy messing and doing things I shouldn’t.  The last two are probably my favourite!

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

It started as a drunken bet having previously hated running as a form of exercise. I used to see people running early in the morning and say to myself “look at those losers, have they nothing else better to do?!”.  I now proudly consider myself one of those losers!

For completeness, the showdown/bet never happened as my mate bought out it.  He had done no training so bought out of the bet.  I had been training away and started getting a real buzz out of the progress so stuck with it.

And yes, the above does actually prove that drinking is good for your health!

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

18.24 for 5km in 2016.  The only problem was I didn’t realise it was good and just assumed that next time I would go faster!  As a result, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should.  I had only been running about 18 months at this point

Running the Dublin Mountain Way with a great friend to raise money for Barrretstown is up there too

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

Now I try run an arbitrary 50km a week just to keep me honest.  For the most part I achieve it but it can be a struggle.  I actually find it hard to believe now that I have been through 3 marathon training cycles pumping out 80/90/100km weeks.  The mere thoughts of it now exhausts me!!

What motivates you? Running or otherwise

I am motivated by feeling fit and strong and that is what running gives me.  I also love the craic down at training during the week. I am sure most people think I am total head wrecker as I never shut up but I find myself entertaining and that is the most important thing, right?

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

The aforementioned craic and all the wonderful people I have met.   The club is full of really good and refreshingly really positive, really humble people.  I am sure most clubs are too but needless to say I believe the folk down in Sportsworld and just that little bit more amazing ????

What made you join a Running Club?

Wesley Harrison who remains a good pal to this day takes the credit with this one. Both Wes and I were members in Swan leisure and become pally enough.  This was around the time my love affair with running was blossoming.  He told me about Sportsworld so off I went. The rest as they say is history

Why is running important to you?

It makes me feel great I guess is the real reason.  Plus it allows me to where short shorts and I always feel happy wearing short shorts

It is also a great way (that doesn’t end in a handover) to spend time with friends too.  Like an hour long run with pals is a great way to have the chats/craic.  We have a good gang of old school friends who enjoy running so it is a great way of catching up with them.

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

Like possibly another vom inducing answer but everyone who gets their runners and shares the pain/joy of lung busting session together on a Tuesday or Thursday evening.

Myles and Emily of course deserve a special mention – they work they do is tireless and must be acknowledged.  Despite how he continues to abuse his power to in fact abuse me, Michael Cunningham deserves a shout out too. How he finds time to work, act as chairman of the club, keep on top of his WhatsApp and finish every article on the RTE Entertainment section I will never quite understand.

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

I would always be doing something and find doing nothing the hardest. Although I have discovered that giving yourself a debilitating hangover can bring benefits through rest to key muscle groups. You are unlikely to find that in most good running manuals mind you!

On a serious note I am determined to one day try and achieve my (admittedly self-perceived) potential at the game golf.  I cycle a bit and try to make the gym relatively regularly too.

Clontarf half marathon – 6th July 2019

report by Maria Waterhouse

Throw back to New Year’s day 2019 & me, reflecting on my looming half century milestone birthday… feeling like I needed to mark it in some way & prove to myself & my stalwart “moving on up runners’” What’s App, Sportsworld buddies that I was not a member in name only.  I decided that the only solution was to complete a half marathon.  I originally signed up to the Achill Half Marathon, but a family commitment on Sunday 7th meant I swapped to the Clontarf race instead.

Training went well, I avoided injury & enjoyed the long runs & chats with very supportive Sportsworld buddies.

My other half David & son Joshua accompanied me out to the start. Age & experience meant that the nerves that used to put me off racing in my younger days were nowhere to be seen.  I had a target sub 2 hour finish time in mind, but really just wanted to finish in once piece.

The weather was perfect for running, a typically ‘soft’ Irish summers day, cloudy, 15C with a light misty drizzle.  Not great spectator weather so support on the course was very scarce.

And we’re off … I stuck with the 1:50 pacemaker to start, knowing that I wouldn’t be up to that pace for the whole race .. I knew I would lose time on the beach so I thought I’d try to gain some minutes ahead of the sand.. The splits for the first few km were better than I’d hoped for .. & I felt good. 

I heard a voice saying ‘Sportsworld’ & looked to my right where  a friendly faced guy in Sportsworld livery trotted up beside me.  We intro’ed ourselves ( he Tim) & chatted briefly about the weather & our hopes for finish times.. both in around the 2 hour mark. My training buddies will know me as a bit of a chatterbox on training runs ( shut up Waterhouse!  )  but chatting was not on the agenda today !!  We had a job to do!!

Next was the wooden bridge onto Bull Island, a water station & some heavy sand to get onto the compacted sand of the beach.  The beach was difficult as there was so much slippery algae covering the sand except for a narrow strip, so the runners tracked along the sand for 2.5km or so in more or less single file, it was nigh on impossible to pass anyone.

I was glad to get off the sand & back onto the road to Sutton.  A couple of Sportsworld vests flashed by , in the other direction.. the leading pack heading home..

We were almost half way there & the psychological high of making that U turn & knowing we were on road back was energising.. but we had to face the beach again on the return journey.  The course is beautifully flat so again I tried to make up some ground before the beach loomed again.  Tim was still in sight & looked back making sure I picked up water at the stations & even surrendered a lone Jelly baby he picked up from a spectator.. Thanks Tim!!!   Who needs isotonic gel ( thanks  tho’ Mary !!) when you’ve got Jelly Babies !!

The beach felt easier on the way back, a wider track through the algae had been worn by the multitude of pounding feet.  My legs were beginning to tire & just as I passed the 18km mark I stumbled over a bump on the beach & landed face down in the sand!! The indignity !! I bounced up like a rubber ball, and was back running before the steward could get to me.  My pace slowed as I took a few deep breaths & composed myself for the final few kilometres.  I saw Tim’s familiar red vest in front of me & dug deep to catch up with him.

Just when I needed a boost I heard a familiar voice shouting my encouragement from the sidelines, Mary Colclough had come out in the rain to cheer me home. The camaraderie & support from the girls I have met through Sportsworld never fails to astonish me.   They are just amazing women .. the lot of them..  LOVE  YA  LADIES !!!

The finish line with my target time in sight was enough to put turbo boost into action & the photo will show Tim (Murphy) & I crossing the finishing line together in our matching red & white!!

Bucket list ticked… Fifty , Schmifty … you’re as young as you feel & capable of surprising yourself at any age.  Bring on the next decade !!!

PlaceNameSurnameClubChip Time
4SadanandMageeSportsworld AC1:19:03
154willmurraySportsworld AC1:37:35
205NicolaLenehanSportsworld AC1:39:07
217EmmaMeadeSportsworld AC1:39:41
469DavidCulhaneSportsworld AC1:47:47
810MariaWaterhouseSportsworld AC1:56:51
812TimMurphySportsworld AC1:58:08
934AndrewMurphySportsworld AC1:59:07
981lindaO’ConnorSportsworld AC1:59:44

Katie Nugent

When did you join Sportsworld? 

I originally came down to the club in Summer 2012. I fully intended to come back again but work and a few niggles got in the way. I think I was then down again a handful of times in 2014. It was in April 2015 that I ran my first race in the Sportsworld singlet at the Meet and Train road race in Lucan. However, this was followed by further absence due to work and niggles. I only really got to know anyone in the club when I threw myself into a cross country race in October 2016. I have tried to make a better effort with training and competing for the club in the last couple of years. 

Where do you work? 

I work as a solicitor in Dublin City.

What is your favourite club sessions? 

In the winter I really enjoy hills and sprints. It is an excellent workout and we all push each other.  In the summer I love the Tuesday night speed sessions in Bushy Park. I really enjoy group training and feel that it really pushes me to run faster. 

What is your favourite race distance? 

This is yet to be decided. I do a lot of 5k races but I am not sure I really enjoy them. I am experimenting with various distances this year to see what suits me best. 

What is your favourite race? 

I think my favourite race is the Liberties 4 mile race in Kilmainham each July. It is usually well attended by the club and is part of the Liberties summer festival offering a nice distance and route which starts and finishes on the grounds of the Irish Royal Hospital Kilmainham. 

What is your target for next year?

I have managed a PB in each distance I have raced in this year. It has been a good year so I really just want more of the same and to stay injury free and attending sessions.

 I think I am doing a 10 mile in a couple of weeks so hopefully I will get a PB there. I really want to try and get a sub 20 minute 5k this year. I have came close enough this year and I know where I am falling down. I just need to work on those points and fingers crossed I will hit 19 minutes in 2019.

I tried my first track race recently so I would like to try more of them and take some seconds off my time. 

I also would like to give cross country a better shot and be a more useful member of the team next season.

Tell us about your PBs/biggest achievement

As I said 2019 has been a good year for me. I am happy to see some progress and to be training consistently. My PB list at the moment is:

5km – 20.18 (Tallaght 5K, 2019)

10km – 43.06  (Mini Marathon, 2019)

5 mile- 36.10 (Irish Runner 5 Mile, 2018),

10 mile – 1.19.19 (Irish Runner 10 mile, 2018)

Half Marathon – 1.40.26 (Lisbon Half Marathon, 2019)

The Nugent sista’s hit Lisbon

What international events have you run? 

I took part in the Lisbon Half Marathon on St. Patrick’s day this year. I wanted to do a half marathon this year as I had avoided the distance for the last couple of years. It was also nice to plan a weekend away around a race and Lisbon is a really cool city. I had no expectations as I had not done very many long runs in advance and I was coming off the back of cross country season. It went really well though as I got a 9 minute PB at 1.40.26. I enjoyed the race and was delighted for my sister who completed her first half marathon in a great time. I want to do more international half marathons/races and the Lanzarote International Running Challenge in the future. 

How often do you run/what is your weekly mileage?

30 to 40km at the moment

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

I enjoy going to the gym twice a week, swimming and I play tag rugby when I can. If I have any more time I would try and fit in a yoga or Pilates class. I used to play Gaelic football in Roscommon and Dublin but found it too hard to make the training sessions and matches as I generally work long hours.  

How/ when did you start your adventure with running?

I played Gaelic football with my club in Roscommon since I was 7 or 8 years old. There was a focus on running in the training sessions and I started to realise that I really enjoyed running. I think I did my first 10km race in 2013 in 51 minutes. 

What would you say is the best thing about being in a running club?

I really enjoy training with a group.  It is a very social club and I have met really great people during my time there. It is really nice to meet like minded people who have similar interests and goals. There is such a good atmosphere at training and races. Everyone is encouraging and I really appreciate the advice and encouragement I have received from club members over the last couple of years. We are blessed to have people like Emily, Myles and Michael who work so hard to make the club a wonderful place. 

meeting like minded people down the club

What do you like to do when you don’t run?

Work and training takes up a large part of my week. However, I always make time for friends and family. I love eating out, going for drinks or the cinema and I enjoy watching most sports or going to gigs and festivals in the summer. Life can be pretty hectic so I just like to really chill when I can. 

What motivates you? Running or otherwise.

I always want to make my family proud. They always taught me to work hard to achieve my goals. 

What is your biggest non running related achievement?

I was pretty good at quizzes back in the day. I won two all Ireland titles two years in a row in a question time event.

I also have a box full of medals and trophies from my Irish dancing and football days.

In more recent years, my biggest achievement was qualifying as a solicitor after many years of training and study. 

St Coca’s AC 5km – 28th June

report by Mark Hogan

June really is the time for some very fast road races as the summer weather finally kicks in. Following on from the huge turnout at the Docklands 5km, another big crowd of Sportsworlders made the short journey to Kilcock for the St Coca’s 5km. With an entry price of only €16, the promise of a fast competitive course and the sell-out of the Dunshauglin 10km, this meant a record turnout for this annual 5km race.

The organisation from the local club is very good with ample parking right next to the start line, a 1.2km dirt track to warm up on and real toilets (!) in the local school. After a quick warm up with a few of the lads we all lined up in the sub 18 / sub 20 category right at the front of the pack. The nice thing about the course vs. Docklands is that it is certainly less of a mental battle when you don’t have to look at the 5km distance ahead of you or think about the dreaded u-turn at a cone. The course follows winding country roads pretty much all the way round with only one slight hill at about the 3km point before a very fast finish back into the village.

My aim for the day had been to be more conservative at the start compared to Docklands and try pace myself more evenly so that I didn’t go out too hard and die a death. A 5km is never, and should never feel, comfortable but there are definitely easier ways to get the same time or better by being more evenly paced. I set out at 3.20 per km and pretty much stuck to this all the way round except for the slight blip with the hill, but was delighted with the improvement in a week. There were some great results from a lot of people in the club. But I do want to call out Wes who banked a brilliant sub 17 which is a serious achievement and one he’s been so close to over the last few races – obviously the lack of sleep and extra training is paying off!

The post-race feed was also worth staying around for, so overall a 5 star race that I would highly recommend.  

PlaceNameNet TimeSub Cat
41Mark HOGAN16.46MS (28)
44Wesley HARRISON16.5M40 (8)
47Phil KILGANNON16.52M40 (9)
61Conor MCCARTHY17.09MS (39)
69Martin DOYLE17.25M40 (13)
110David MAGILL18.15MS (54)
129Emmet WARDELL18.49MS (57)
132Declan G BRADY18.58M50 (9)
142Anthony GILLEN19.07M50 (12)
158Peter KNAGGS19.3M50 (15)
189James DAWSON19.49MS (74)
240Katie NUGENT2043FS (13)
244Ross The Mule HINDY20.44MS (87)
260Derrick LONG21.1M55 (10)
320Neil PURDY22.29MS (99)

Padraig Looby

When did you join Sportsworld?

Originally joined in 2014 when former member Paul Brady brought me down.

Where do you work?

On Leeson St for a fund admin company.

What is your favourite club session?

Can’t beat those winter hills and sprints. I like that it keeps everyone together and it’s a good hard session. Waterworks a close second.

What is your favourite race distance?

The older I get, I favour the longer races more.

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

Usually granola, yoghurt, chia seeds and honey 2.5 hrs before gun time!

My Favourite place to train.

Phoenix Park by far.

What’s your favourite race?

Probably half marathon distance

What is your target for the next year?

Break 1.28 for the half and 3.10 for the full.

What international events have you ran?

Lanzarote last year, though my running was fairly harmless.

Where’s the most interesting place you have run?

Lanza I guess. I’m a bit of a home bird runner!

Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been?

Wilson’s Prom national park, Australia.

What do you like doing when you don’t run?

After a weeks work and training there’s not a lot of time left. I LOVE a quiet pint and the conversation that goes with it. I have 3 little nieces in Dublin too and they like to keep me on my toes.

How/when did you start your adventure with running?

Like most things, accidentally.

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

Breaking 40 for 10km and 90 for the half were big ones for me. Happy with 3.14 in the marathon but feel like there’s unfinished business there!

What is your biggest non-running related achievement?

It’s a short list to choose from. I’d say buying and redeveloping my house.

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

Circa 50k

Dunshaughlin 10K

Good company and summer nights, it comes as no surprise that Dunshaughlin is one of the most popular 10K road races in the county. Now in its 40th year, the race has produced many a personal best over the years. I first ran this race in 2009 and have been back every year bar one.

Who is that young feela ?

Well placed at the end of June it’s a good time of year to run a PB. Normally there is a massive Sportsworld contingent but this year the 1000 race entries sold out before race day, much to the disappointment of many a club runner. The atmosphere just wasn’t the same as previous years without the large Sportsworld crew. I was glad to have the company of Sadanand and his friend Abhinabha for the drive down.

The course is flat with only 32 meters of elevation and the field is deep, so you always have a good group to run with. My training has been poor since the Copenhagen Marathon on May 20th and a further two weeks work trip to India, with little running, hasn’t helped matters. I arrived at the start line sluggish, with bags under my eyes and a bit under the weather after the Docklands shinanigans on Thursday night but still hoping to run 33.30 and maybe sneak a few seconds in the last few kilometres.

I have a habit of going too fast in this race over the years and struggling home, like last year when I stopped to walk in frustration at 8K. This year, I started off very conservatively and planned to get to halfway in around 16.40 but I quickly found that the legs just weren’t up to it. I never got near the group I would normally be running with and settled into more of a half marathon pace from the 3rd kilometre onwards. I was getting frustrated by the lack of pep in my step by 6K.

Finish line that god!

It was a race where I wasn’t going to PB and hence wasn’t willing to hurt. I posted my times between 2018 and 2019 below for comparison purposes. If I’d started with a 3.15 last year I would have broken 33 minutes but not this year. I was able to push on from the group I’d run within the last few kilometres but like any long distance race, you need to spread your effort evenly from the start. A finish time of 34.07 but not too stressed.†

20182019
13.083.18
23.123.23
33.153.23
43.183.26
53.263.26
63.223.22
73.223.26
83.533.34
93.243.21
103.193.22

It’s not what I expected, but I’ll adjust. The Berlin Marathon is 98 days away so training begins tomorrow. I believe in hard days, easy days and medium days. I believe that solid, consistent work over time pays off. I believe that strength=speed. I believe in high mileage, but not so high that it takes away from what needs to be accomplished on the hard days. I’m all in to go for that PB and knocking on 2.30, even if my more recent results don’t reflect it.

Sadanand givings it 110%

A massive congratulations to Sadanand who ran a big PB of 34.37, he’s really flying and loving his running after his recent marathon success. Also, a special mention to Maura, fresh from her training camp on the Wild Atlantic Way is once again hitting her times of 8 years ago. Maura was well under the 40-minute mark. There were also good runs from Martin, Peter and Tim. Apologies for the lack of photos but it was a low key affair.

Gareth Murran 0:34:07
Sadanand Magee 0:34:37
Martin Doyle 0:36:33
Maura Ginty 0:39:19
Peter Knaggs 0:40:39
Tim Murphy 0:44:52

Docklands 5k 2019

If you turn on the TV this week you are likely to see Royal Ascot racing on various channels. It very much reminds me of the Docklands 5k race, where from the get- go, the incessant pace to the finish which you think is near (but is actually far away) and lots of noisy breathing is not dissimilar to a crowd of horses galloping to get over the line.  It’s like the minute you start it you just want it to finish! Before I left the house I had two puffs of my inhaler which I rarely take.  I had an inkling  it was going to be fast.

This was my first proper 5k race aside from park run , where there is not that level of galloping on display! I decided to do it just for something different and I hadn’t done such a short race before. Having got a lift into town, I jumped out of the car during that almighty downpour and had to take shelter under a shop door. I then walked down to The Ferryman where I got talking to fellow Sportsworlders  and I met Olive who gave me my number and  minded my bag while I raced (yes I bought her a drink after!).

A very quick change and warm up and I met more of the girls from the club. It was nice to see familiar faces; particularly the group I run with at training.  Ann and I made our way up to the start line and tried to position ourselves ahead of the 25 minute pacers.  Ann was delighted when she eventually found Breda as she  values  Breda’s pacing abilities!!  A few others around us were Siobhán, Rosie , Ray , Gemma, Carmel ,Maria and Bronwyn  and probably more I can’t remember!

The gun went and zoom – Ray was gone like the clappers!! It was the fastest start I had ever experienced ( besides a cross country) . There’s no time for “ slow down you’re going too fast!” . It was the galloping effect! Wild horses!!  The faster people were around you the faster you went even though you knew it way too fast for you.

Anyway, all ok for the first 3 ks . I knew I definitely was going  faster than I had gone before . I was starting to doubt myself whether I could keep going . (Imagining the post mortem- …where did it all go wrong?!) I kept looking for the bridge that we had to cross. It just seemed so far away. I despaired when we passed the Beckett Bridge.  Then eventually I could see little ants running over the next bridge. Psychologically when you cross that bridge, you feel you can make it home.  

Soon after that we came to the 4k mark. Then 800m – seemed very long until 600m to go.Then I visualised the pitch in Bushy   but it still seemed more. That last stretch was the worst. I just felt if the line didn’t come soon I couldn’t keep going!! It was a relief to finish and I was delighted with a PB .  Lots of Sportsworlders were finishing around me too.

I met Olive then and some of the lads and we made our way down to Capitol Dock where there was a BBQ and free beer –yes alcoholic! Some non-runners even managed to avail of the offerings with runners’ numbers-  won’t mention any names! They deserved it for cheering us on during the race.  Thanks to all the people from the club who supported.

Then on to The  Ferryman –cans of beers in hands (classy) and in good spirits. Lots of chats about the race. It was really enjoyable to talk to many people I hadn’t met before at Sportsworld (new and old members)  and there were lots of laughs. It was much later night than I had planned and I ended up getting the last bus home.  Sign of good night!! Well done to everyone who completed the race. We got to the end!

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