This week we have Phil Daly, a keen tennis player and fan who made it to all 4 grand slams in 2008. Phils completed the Lanzarote Channage with the club last year as well as racing in Edinburgh and Milan!

When did you join Sportsworld?

First night that I came down was in July 2015.  It was the summer BBQ night so it was a great introduction!

Where do you work?

I work as a Business Consultant in a Software Development Company in Leopardstown

What is your favourite club session?

In the Spring/Summer I think for me that is the track sessions Saturday morning in Tallaght. They are though but good fun and you know at the end of the session there is that lovely coffee as a reward. It was also great way of getting to know people.

In the Winter I prefer to run when it is bright, but I was nervous of going along to the long run in the Phoenix Park on Sunday Mornings. However, my fears were unfounded as you can run whatever distance you prefer and there is always someone running at your pace. It is such a beautiful place to run and again there is chat and coffee afterwards.

What is your favourite race distance?

Hmm I am still trying to work that out! I think probably the shorter distances. 5K, 5 Mile and 10K.

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

This depends on the time of the race. If it is a morning race I would not eat too much, a little cereal and maybe a banana, and definitely a coffee. If it is later in the day, I might have poached egg with avocado on a bagel.

My Favourite place to train/compete is?

The Track and any run in the Phoenix Park

What is your target for the next year?

Probably to try and get a bit faster, but I think I need to work on endurance also!

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

I would have to say the Lanzarote trip. It was just fantastic and especially that there were about 47 or so people from the Club there. I actually managed to complete all the races which was for me a great achievement. When I was in the middle of each race I would be saying that’s it I am not running the next race, but of course I forget about the hard work and turned up at the start line every day.

It was great fun and the support from all who didn’t run was fantastic. Everything about the trip was great including the weather which I am told can be a bit hit and miss in November.

What international events have you ran?     

Before I ran with sportsworld I did do two international half marathons with some friends.  I did a half marathon in Edinburgh in 2010, and a half marathon in Milan in 2012.        Really nice to fit in a weekend away as well as a run. Of course I cannot forget the Lanzarote Challenge this year as mention above.

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

I love to travel and do spend a lot of time organise the next trip away! Before I joined the running club I played Tennis and still have a keen interest in the game, so I tend to watch a lot of matches on TV and travel to tennis tournaments. Back in 2008 I went to the all four Grand Slam Tournaments. My other big hobby is shopping…..I love to shop.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I played Basketball when I was younger and part of the training was running. I was never in a running club but did a few races on and off over the years.  I really only committed to running when I joined Sportsworld in 2015

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

I think my biggest achievement for completing the four-day race challenge in Lanzarote.

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

Hmm….I am not as good in the winter as the summer. Probably 20/25 miles if I do the run in the phoenix park. If I don’t get that run done it is a little less.

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

The encouragement you receive from the other club members is fantastic. Sometimes you need a bit of motivation and you really get this from the other member. The social aspect of being in a running club is great also.

What made you join a Running Club?

I was away on holidays with Sandra Kelly and we talked about joining a running club. Sandra did all the investigation and got in touch with Sportsworld and we came down on BBQ Tuesday. There was no way we couldn’t join after that introduction.

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

Emily and Myles are so enthusiastic that they really inspire you to do better. The commitment they show is fantastic.

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

Not really now. I still enjoy a game of tennis but this is not the weather for that as I look out at the pouring rain.

This week we have Sportsworld Registrar Sandra Kelly! When she’s not chasing you to pay your club fees she’s found the time to run her first marathon with Sportsworld and made the clubs annual pilgrimage to the Lanzarote International Running Challenge last November!

When did you join Sportsworld?

July 2015

Where do you work?

HR Manager for a Technology Company based in Sandyford

What is your favourite club session?

My favourite session is probably the track, although I think I’m probably better at middle distance/longer distance running.  I love the buzz of the track sessions and it gets me up early on a Saturday morning and I love the coffee session afterwards.

What is your favourite race distance?

10k or the half marathon although you wouldn’t have thought so after Clontarf last July!  Thankfully I had trained for the race series half by September.

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

I don’t eat much before a race but porridge with banana or toast is what I’d usually have.

My Favourite place to train/compete is?

I really like the Waterworks and the Thursday sessions in Bushy Park in the summer.  I do like Marley park if going for a run myself and usually run all different routes around there.

What is your target for the next year?

My target this year is to try and improve on my 5k and 10k times and get some speed into my legs.

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

I have 2 best memories; the 2015 Club track championship races in Tallaght where I was on the winning relay team along with Anthony Gillen, Kevin Curran, Aoife Brady and myself.  I was only in the club about 2 months at the time so it was a nice start!

Running the Dublin Marathon last year was another super memory and a day I’ll never forget.

What international events have you ran?     

I ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon a couple of years ago when I didn’t run too much.  It’s a great flat course along the coast and I’d love to try it again now that I’ve a couple of years running behind me.

I ran the Great North 5k last September in Newcastle.  It’s a great weekend with the city games and the half marathon and fantastic atmosphere.

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

Shopping, shopping and more shopping and watching a good box set on Netflix or Sky Atlantic.

I’m currently hooked on Suits and haven’t watched anything else for a couple of weeks.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I was a gym bunny for many years and dabbled in running every now and then but nothing too serious until 2015.  Someone once told me that if I joined a running club, I would leave the gym and never look back.  I laughed at the time, but it was so true.  Running is the most fantastic therapy anyone will ever experience and I never fail to feel great at the end of a run, either with the club or running by myself.  Even after a not so great session, I’m still glad I went out.

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

I have no great PB’s to shout about but my personal favourite was doing the Dublin Marathon last year and coming in under 4 hours still feeling great at the end of it.

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

3-5 times per week depending what I have on and how busy I am.  Weekly mileage is about 25 – 30 miles.  Obviously was more when training for the marathon last year.

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

The Experience and variety of dabbling in various distances, from 100 metres to 10 miles.  Trying out different locations, from Bushy Park to Phoenix Park to the Waterworks to Tallaght track.

Meeting lots of new people and getting the encouragement to get out on a cold wintery night.

What made you join a Running Club?

I was at a stage where I needed a change and spoke to a couple of people who were running at clubs and I’ve always been into exercising so decided to give it a go.

What was your first day at the Club like?

I happened to join on probably one of the best days of the Sportsworld Calendar, the summer BBQ.  Need I say more ……

Why is running important to you?

Its Therapeutic, It keeps me sane, keeps me fit and healthy and I can run almost anywhere at any time without relying on anybody or anything.  Once you have your trainers, you can get going.

Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?

Nothing in particular to mention

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

Myles and Emily are great for advice and encouragement and the coffee sessions after training are a great way to talk to other runners and get running tips.  You can get inspiration from anyone that runs at any level.

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

I still do an odd gym session at different times of the year.

This Wednesday we have James Brady, an integral member of the club in recent years, a self proclaimed chatterbox and a 2hr 49min marathoner!

To see the Meet the Runner archive: Click here

When did you join Sportsworld?

I joined Sportsworld in June 2011. I had moved to Dublin in February of that year, living on Fortfield Rd. I saw a sign for the Terenure 5 Mile race on a telephone pole outside the house one day and decided to run it. I was on the race committee two years later!

Where do you work?

I work in Lucena Clinic in Rathgar as a Community Mental Health Nurse. I work in a day hospital for adolescents with mental health difficulties. I’ve just finished a part time post grad. in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which I’m hoping to do a little more with outside of my normal work day.

What is your favourite club session?

Hmm…Probably the track sessions. I have no speed so I really benefit from those sessions. It normally means the weather is decent as it’s a good time of the year. It’s a short session and you’re done and dusted nice and early to eat a Pickles sandwich, coffee and scone.

What is your favorite race distance?

My least worst race distance is probably the marathon! But I really like the half marathon and a good mountain race. I’m so slow over anything other than a half that its torture!

What is your favorite meal before a big race?

Oh, sure this is why we run. The night before maybe a mild chicken curry and rice. The morning of, something easy to digest. Maybe Frosties if I’m feeling really bold. Or else just white toast and jam. Not too much of anything though. Oh, expect for coffee, lots of coffee.

My Favourite place to train/compete is?

Definitely either the track in Tallaght or the Phoenix Park. I love the Phoenix Park, you can get coffee and cake straight after your long run. Sure what’s not to love about that.

Probably my favourite race is the Wicklow Way Relay. It is a really great team event and you get to run through the best & most beautiful county in Ireland 😉 Or ‘Run The Rock’ which is my local race every year and finishes outside the door of the bar at the Brooklodge hotel in Aughrim.

What is your target for the next year?

Hmm…Well, I was hoping Raheny 5 mile but I’ve been a bit sick of late. So maybe another 5 miler somewhere and a good half marathon. Maybe Charleville in September, its nice and flat! And a PB at my local race.

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

I think probably running down Fortfield Rd. for my first marathon and seeing all the people from the club out cheering us on.

What international events have you ran?  

I ran the Boston marathon in 2014 with my sister, it was the year after the bombing and there were a million spectators out watching. Fairly amazing. Apart from that just a few smaller races in France were my sister lives.

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

Hmmm….I probably eat quite a lot. And have a few sneaky pints. I love watching some rugby or heading home to my family in Wicklow. I like my movies and I like to read too. And watching ‘Homes Under The Hammer’…..

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

It was May/June 2011 after I had seen a sign for the ‘Terenure 5 Mile’ outside my house and decided to run in it. It was my first race since I was about 10 years old. I couldn’t believe the amount of aul lads that passed me out! I thought I better do something about that and came down to the club. Now I’m getting a bit auld!

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

My biggest achievement was a 2.49 marathon in 2013. I’m pretty sure I’ve told anyone who would listen about that, probably even complete strangers. I was really happy to get a sub 30 minute 5 miler. And the 3^rd place team finish with the club in the Wicklow Way Relay.

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

It really depends on the time of year. My mileage always goes up over the summer. So maybe averaging 30 miles per week during the winter and 50 during the summer.

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

Eh, Im a bit of a chatter so having people to chat with to distract you on a long run is great. The speed work is something I’d find very difficult to do by myself. And probably getting to meet lots of people from all different walks of life. There are some really great people in the club.

What was your first day at the Club like?

My first day I met Paddy and a guy called John who I haven’t really seen in years! That’s actually about all I can remember! No traumatic incidents to report!

Why is running important to you?

I think its great for my mental health. Its obviously brilliant for your physical health and it also means I can get away with eating more scones! Oh, and it’s a good excuse not to go on the beer, “sorry lads, I’ve a long run in the morning!”.

Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?

I think maybe getting into the hills during the spring or summer once or twice would make a nice change. And maybe a few more races with a night or two away?

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

I think Lucy has had a massive influence on me. She always giving me advice and pushing me on and is a great inspiration. Damian Kelly has always been a good person to chat with about training and hill running. Ed McEntee is someone who has given lots of good advice about the marathon and Michael Cunningham is a bit of an unsung hero in my opinion!

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

I try to get to the gym regularly. It doesn’t really happen though! I’m hoping to maybe cycle a little more often this year. Defintely something I’ve noticed is that a lot of the good runners in the club seem to cycle almost everywhere!

To see the Meet the Runner archive: Click here