Karol Cronin

This week we chat to our most successful men’s senior athlete of recent years Karol Cronin.

When did you join Sportsworld?

I joined Sportsworld in January 2010

Where do you work?

I’m a primary school teacher in St Damian’s Perrystown.

What is your favourite club session?

I like the Saturday sessions as I love running in the mornings (not too early) and they are usually the hardest ones where you can push yourself especially track season. 400m sessions are good healthy ones.

What is your favourite race distance?

At the beginning it was marathons but now I like doing 5ks. 1500m on the track is also a bit of fun.

What is your favourite meal before a big race?

I don’t really like eating before a race so I don’t really have a favourite meal but I have something light like a banana or a bit of bread. It’s best to have a good meal the night before I find.

My Favourite place to train/compete is?

Other than the club sessions, the place you would probably find me training is St Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham. It’s a really nice park, not too big with good terrain and history. Running up the mountains is also very nice through the woods.

What is your target for the next year?

I am hoping to improve on the track and get some new pbs. I am hoping as well to do a good 10 mile race and win something with the team.

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

First of all coming second in the Dublin Novice CC which was my first ever medal to win. It was a really exciting race and gave me a real boost after coming back from a year long injury. Then down in Adamstown in 2013 coming first in the Leinster Intermediate CC and winning the team event. It was a great day for the club.

What international events have you ran?

I ran the Boston marathon twice in 2010 and 2011. I recommend everyone to do Boston where the entire city turns up and lines the full route the whole way and gets behind you. It’s a great atmosphere throughout and helps when you’re climbing heartbreak hill at mile 20. My brother who lives over there does it every year. I also did the New York marathon in 2011 and The James Joyce 10k in Boston where they give out free beer afterwards and read Ulysses throughout the race.

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

I like going up to the Dublin Mountains and Wicklow for cycles with my friends. There are really amazing scenery and pubs to visit and it’s a great escape from Dublin.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I played hurling and gaelic with Ballyboden St Enda’s for all my life before I got into running. I had sprained my ankle in 2009 playing gaelic and it took a while to heal. Around this time a few of my friends were doing Gaelforce West, an adventure race in Mayo with running, cycling and a bit of kayaking so I decided to do it with them to get fit again. I really enjoyed the competitive nature to it and did really well in it. So I looked to see if there were any races I could do next and it was the Dublin half marathon. I did it in 1hr 23min and people said that was really good. It was the longest I’d ever run but I decided to do the full marathon six weeks later. I realised I had a talent for running and most of all I really enjoyed it. I remember buying a pair of runners in Mick Dowlings shop and asking him advice to prepare for the marathon and he told me about Sportsworld Running Club in Bushy Park. I ran the marathon in 3hr 17 min and felt disappointed as I blew up after mile 16 so I was determined to join the club and improve on my time. I was hooked after that with running.

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

Running 14.58 for the Rathfarnham 5k and running 8.57 for 3k on the track are ones I’m proud of and winning a Leinster Star award back in 2013 was a nice reward.

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

When I’m fit and healthy, I’d run six times a week, averaging 50 miles a week.

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

There are some really good characters down in the club that make it fun and build a good club spirit. It is a very welcoming club and I like that everyone has a love for running and they can achieve their own personal goals with the help of others.

What was your first day at the Club like?

I picked a good day as it was the annual Christmas cake sale in December 2009. I went up with a friend of mine Cian just after the marathon and we did the Terenure lap. We were given a free cup of tea and biscuits and met Emily and a few other members from the club. The affable Packie Enright was there who filled me in on the club and asked me every question under the sun.

Why is running important to you?

I like keeping fit and running is great for the mind and find it very therapeutic. Since joining the running club, it has introduced me to a life of road races, cross country and track competitions which make running all the more enjoyable.

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

If we had other places to train in the summer as Bushy gets quite crowded. Attracting more runners to the club as we’re a small club in relative terms and it can leave groups stretched at times when competing and more runners will improve competitiveness and times.

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

Myles and Emily are a great help to offer sound advice even though they’ll have a healthy disagreement with each on occasion 🙂 They give up their own time for the club to train us, to help us improve and achieve our goals and always encourage new members.

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

I do a bit of cycling for fun up the mountains and the odd bit of 5 a side football.

National Masters and Intermediate CC Dundalk 2016

Reports by Helen Brouder and Jose Chapa

Photos by Gareth Murren, Will Greensmyth, Eoin O’Brien & Conor Kenny

Click here for two albums of pictures of all our runners: Album 1 – Album 2

Sportsworld results at the bottom

Ladies Race Reports by Helen Brouder

Race reporter Helen on her way to finishing in 8th place

The Athletics Ireland National Masters and Intermediate XC Championship took place in Dundalk IT on Sunday. We had over 50 people competing across the 4 races, so the last race of the XC championship was going to be a good ‘un!

As the bus departed Bushy Park a nervous excitement hung in the air as many contemplated the gruelling agony that lay ahead (i.e. who would have to write the race report!!).

The Masters Ladies were first on the “firing line” (quote Margaret Crowley) at 1.30 with thirteen ladies lining out for Sportsworld in a massive field of 196.

A blistering pace was set from the start and with such a large turn-out it was quiet congested during the first lap but our ladies persevered and thankfully there were no fallers! The pace of the race did not ease on the final lap and our ladies remained strong and challenged for every place.

There were many exciting battles on the finishing straight beginning with an exhilarating battle between Anna Sadowska and Pauline Curley, with the Civil Service athlete winning on this occasion.

The Sportsworld ladies, led home by Ruth Kelly, were an inspiration to watch and won the National Club title in a highly competitive field of 23 clubs. Congratulations to all the Masters ladies on an incredible team effort!!

On completion of the Ladies Master race it was time to warm up and contemplate how we were going to follow that performance! No pressure!

As we warmed up around the perimeter of the course we cheered on the Masters Men and the reality of the mud and water logged course began to resonate. I silently began to panic as pre-race jitters kicked in.

The Intermediate field was much smaller than the Masters with 53 lining out. This momentarily gave me some solace and then the race began! After 800m I felt wrecked and wondered how I was going to make my way around this loop three times.

Erratic thoughts such as running out the gate ran through my mind followed by regrets about eating too close to the race, not training enough, going out too fast etc. It was an endless list and all that kept me going was the support from the crowd which was incredible. With the big group that travelled there was someone shouting your name and pushing you up every hill and through every mud puddle.

That hill!

This culminated in climbing “that hill” for the last time; I felt like crawling up it and probably would have, if not for the Sportworld crew shouting me on at the top. Thankfully after that hill the finish line was not far off.

Although a thoroughly difficult race, I think the sense of alleviation and achievement for all the girls was clear at the finish line. We all ran our hearts out and our legs off and we were in close contention for the bronze medal losing by just 5 points to Dublin City Harriers. To be continued next year ….

Mens Race Reports by Jose Chapa

Race Repoter Jose in action Sunday

Last Sunday, over fifty members of the club made their way to Dundalk IT, to what must have been one of the most popular cross country races ever.

There was a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere on the bus on our way to Dundalk. On arrival, we set camp and shortly after the usual pre-race nerves started to surface. So, while some people went for the almost mandatory course walk, others occupied themselves with an early warm up.

I had only found out that same morning that the men masters race was 7 Km rather than the 6 Km I was expecting, and a gruelling 8 Km for the intermediate. With that extra Km in mind I decided to go for a late warm up as I didn’t want to tire myself out before the race and made a mental note to take it easy on the first lap, being fully aware that it wouldn’t be the first time that my race strategy goes out the window on the first few meters after the start.

After the magnificent master women race it was our turn and while waiting at the start line I asked myself, once again, why was I putting myself through this. The whistle blow quickly ended my predicament as I sprinted along 254 other men. A few meters after that, Peter Knaggs fell almost in front of me. Fortunately, with great grace, he manage to get up almost before he touch the ground without a scratch and to his merit quickly recovered most of the lost positions.

Peter didn’t fall here thankfully!

The course was quite flat with only a bump halfway and a small hill towards the end of the lap. The ground was mostly in good condition but with some muddy parts that quickly became quite challenging as the race advanced, especially around some corners.

Towards the end of the first lap, while going over the hill, I realised that once again I had started too fast. At this point, Peter had already passed me but I was still closely folowing Eoin O’Brien and John Flaherty, who I tend to use as a reference point. I decided to let them go for a few meters, in hope that I could recover some ground later on.

Needless to say, it was more wishful thinking than a real strategy. Nevertheless, I manage to get into a rhythm that I was able to maintain for the next lap or so. I was feeling good and I could still see them about 150 meters ahead of me. I said to myself that the glory is for those who are brave and decided to push for a chase… They must have been feeling pretty good themselves, as the distance not only didn’t diminish but it increased over time.

However, Brian Conway did catch up with me around the third lap. At this point, I wasn’t going to let go my hard won position in the field without a battle and in the final lap we exchanged positions a couple times but with a great finish he beat me for two seconds on the finish line. Enjoy it Brian, it won’t happen again!

At least, this is how I remember the facts, but bear in mind that the great demands of oxygen exerted by my legs and heart during the event, probably left my brain a bit deprived of the vital gas, which might have distorted my perception of reality.

Phil Kilgannon was the first Sportsworld member in crossing the finish line followed by Paul O’Connell, Michael Cunningham and Justin McKeever.

The intermediate race was over 5 laps, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. After a full day of races, the course had noticeably deteriorated and adding an extra lap on top felt like gratuitous cruelty.

Kevin Curran was the Sportswold front runner for a couple laps but eventually Karl Chatterton and Conor McCarthy, got ahead of him, with Sadanand Magee following shortly behind, all of them finishing around 32 minutes. Great race lads.

There was well deserved food and beverages in the hotel near the campus, which we all very much enjoyed in good spirit after the hard day. After all, it was the last cross country race of the season, so some even celebrated with desserts. Yes, you know who you are…

And we learned about the Women O35 Team Club gold medal over lunch which was just the perfect way to wrap up the day.

Special thanks to all of you, who came along to support the team, and to everyone cheering along the race course, it really helps to go that extra bit further.

Let me just finish with a paragraph from Murakami’s book “What I talk about when I talk about running”

My time, the rank I attain, my outward appearance, all of these are secondary. For a runner like me, what’s really important is reaching the goal I set myself, under my own power. I give it everything I have, endure what needs enduring, and I am able, in my own way, to be satisfied. (Haruki Murakami, 2009)

It was only my third cross country race and I must admit that after the Dublin masters I never thought I’d say this, there is no way to sweeten it, cross country is hard, but maybe that’s exactly why I really enjoyed the day. Looking forward to the next season.

Full Sportsworld results:

Women O35 Team Club Team Points
1 Sportsworld A.C. 18, 23, 25, 37
2 Tullamore Harriers A.C. 2, 22, 33, 57
3 Sli Cualann A.C. 24, 36, 48, 58

Masters Women 4k
18 Ruth Kelly 14.15
23 Noreen Brouder 14.30
25 Mary Finn 14.37
37 Lucy Darcy 14.54
64 Stephanie Bergin 15.39
96 Anna Delaney 16.21
105 Natalia Sokolowska 16.29
122 Ann Higgins 16.55
135 Eileen Rowland 17.11
150 Breda Browne 17.26
157 Aileen Melody 17.43
174 Anna Carrigan 18.17
180 Ellen Lavin 18.47

Masters Men 7k
59 Phil Kilgallon 26.17
91 Paul O’Connell 27.24
105 Michael Cunningham 27.47
110 Justin McKeever 27.55
162 Anthony Gillen 29.40
173 Jim Browne 29.59
177 Joe Byrne 30.05
195 Denis McCaul 30.54
214 Peter Knaggs 32.17
222 John Flaherty 32.53
225 Eoin O’Brien 33.15
230 Brian Conway 33.37
231 Jose Chapa 33.39
240 Noel Lynam 34.12

Intermediate Women 5k
7 Helen Brouder 19.59
15 Kate Kelly 20.54
32 Caoimhe Costigan 22.25
34 Hanna Fuhrweg 22.33
36 Zoe Greene 22.41
42 Naoise Waldron 23.25
43 Catherine Mulleady 23.32
50 Margaret Crowley 25.17

Intermediate Women Team Results
1 Crusaders A.C. 1, 12, 14, 17 = 44
2 Donore Harriers 5, 11, 13, 24 = 53
3 Dublin City Harriers A.C. 10, 22, 25, 26 = 83
4 Sportsworld A.C. 7, 15, 32, 34 = 88

Intermediate Men 8k
51 Karl Chatterton 32.08
55 Conor McCarthy 32.16
61 Kevin Curran 32.32
63 Sadanand Magee 32.40
75 Diarmuid O’Sulleabhain 34.31
80 Conor Keating 35.55

Sportsworlds most famous singlet only comes out for special occasions now!

Laurence Delair

This week we meet one of Sportsworld’s international members Laurence Delair. She has a flaire for running and badminton and has been with the club for almost 10 years.

When did you join Sportsworld?
I very nearly joined the club back in 1995, almost a year after I had arrived in Ireland… I was doing a tiny bit of running and I had taken a number of badminton classes. My now-husband mentioned Emily (former marathon runner) and Mick Dowling (former Olympic boxer), and the meeting point at the tree in Bushy Park. I was chuffed to hear all that! It sounded all so glamorous and exciting to me (I must say that I come from a tiny, sleepy French village, where nothing much ever happens). In the end though, I decided to join the Terenure Badminton Club, so delighted I was to have developed some kind of “hand-eye” coordination.

Fast forward to 2007, after a few years of badminton, dancing classes and running on my own, I finally decided it was time to join Sportsworld.

Where do you work?
In the comfort of my little office in my back garden. I am a freelance translator, working mainly from English to French (and rarely from Spanish into French). I translate all sorts of written contents (and also review other translators’ work) for various companies, mainly in the area of IT.

What is your favourite club session?
Any session that takes place in Bushy Park.

What is your favorite race distance?
I don’t think I have one as such. Maybe 10 miles. For some curious reasons, I have great memories running a couple of them in the Race Series in Phoenix Park.

What is your favorite meal before a big race?
Porridge, but not the magic kind that that fast runners have mentioned in previous interviews.

My Favourite place to train/compete is?
Well, Bushy Park for training, and the area around my village in France. I also enjoyed doing the Race Series in the Phoenix Park.

What is your target for the next year?
Trying to attend the sessions more consistently.

What is your best Sportsworld memory?
Any Meet and Train races (cross-country and road). I don’t think I have a competitive streak in me, but I do love the feeling of anticipation before those races and the fact I am part of a team.

What international events have you ran?
Note to self: start getting out more.

What do you like doing when you don’t run?
Meeting friends for a chat, cooking for family and friends, reading and going to the theatre.

How/When did you start your adventure with running?
As a kid, pretty much at the same time I started zooming around on my bicycle and going up trees. I used to love running for the feeling of freedom it gives you. It was exhilarating.

Tell us about your PB’s / What is your biggest achievement?
I could not wait to answer this question. When it comes to “Perfect Baking” or “PB” as it is known in the club, I can without boasting say that I have produced some consistently good work for the baking sale. Having said that, I have yet to achieve the flair and the finesse demonstrated by Eoin O’Brien and Michael Cunningham…

How often do you run / What is your typical weekly mileage?
In the last few years, partly due to a lingering injury and life challenges, my training schedule has dwindled to one session during the week and a small to medium run at the weekend.

What would you say is the best thing about being in a Running Club?
The company of other runners: I used to run on my own and still do occasionally, and I find it more enjoyable to run with others. The advice: I find that the advice that Emily and others give me is very useful. The variety: the sessions are more diversified,whereas I used to do pretty much the same thing every time I ran! And finally, I feel I did improve as a result of being in the club.

What made you join a Running Club?
After running on my own at different times in my life and having worked for a few years as a freelance translator (translation is a very silent, concentrated activity), I thought it would be good to join a group and to get advice.

What was your first day at the Club like?
I have a good memory for the first part. I went into the club house a bit early. It was virtually empty, but Crona came to me and said hello. After that, the training session was a fartlek one, if I remember well… I could not understand for the life of me why people went so fast. I mean, “How long can you keep this up?” was I thinking, desperately hanging on for dear life.

Why is running important to you?
I have enjoyed running for many years and for many different reasons as I was getting older. For the fun feeling it gave me when I was a kid and still gives me now, for the way it has given me strength, and I don’t only refer to fitness but to the grounding effect it has.

Is there anything you would like to see more of or less of at the Club?
I am happy with what is on offer in the Club.

Who is the person in the club who inspires/drives to run better?
I am very grateful to Carol Lynch as she is a great example to me and she inspires me in many ways. I have to say that I admire
Emily, Myles and Paddy for their commitment and their words of encouragement. Their dedication is truly remarkable. I have to say that I admire a lot of the runners in the club. I find there are lots of interesting people whom I admire a lot for their various achievements, small and big, and their humility.

Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis?
I attend Mick’s conditioning classes from time to time.

Silver medal at Munster Masters Indoor Track Championships

Photos by team manager Ann Marie Keenan

Sportsworld Martin Keenan returned from a long injury layoff to pick up a silver medal at the Munster Masters Indoor Track Championships in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary!

Martin was allowed to race as a guest runner on the day in the O45 1500m and crossed the line in a strong second place in 4.53:65. Munster Athletics sportingly gave Martin a championship medal for his efforts.

This distance will be Martin’s focus of 2016 to build on the bronze medal he won at the 2015 National Masters Indoor 1500m and the Silver medal he won at the 2015 National Masters Outdoor 1500m. Congratulations and best of luck in 2016 Martin!

National Intermediate & Masters CC Details

The final day out for the club this cross country season is on Sunday January 24th at Dundalk IT for the National Intermediate & Masters Cross Country.

Race Times:

The club will be entering teams in all four races.

Masters Womens (+ men over 65) 4k – start 13:30
Masters Men 7k – start 14:00
Intermediate Women 5k – start 14:40
Intermediate Men 8k – start 15:10

Bus from Bushy Park:

With 53 athletes entered the club are putting on a bus. Pick up and drop off is Bushy Park at 10.30am.

There is always plenty of room so spectators/family members are welcome.

Post race food & meeting point:

The post race meeting point is the bar in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dundalk, its about 400m from Dundalk IT entrance. We can get bar food, coffees and scoops if your are not driving. There is no area booked so people can filter in after showering and changing. See map: Google Maps

Getting there:

Its about a 60-70min drive.

From Bushy Park take the M50 north to Dublin Airport.

Then take the M1 motorway north and get off at exit 16 (Dundalk South).

Go right at the roundabout as you come off the motorway and drive approx 600m to a large cross roads (The Crown Plaza Hotel will be directly in front of you).

Go left at the crossroads and the entrance to Dundalk IT is clearly marked about 200m on your right (it has a big wind turbine out the back – see photo above).

After the race drive back to the cross roads and take a left, the Crown Plaza Hotel entrance is just there for meeting up after the race for some food/drinks/coffees in the bar.

Marley Parkrun Race Winner

Report by Karl Chatterton

Photos sourced from the Marley Parkrun Facebook page: Gallery

In October 2004 Paul Sinton-Hewitt was an injured runner who created a 5k time trial to help with the training of his club mates and friends. The first run saw 13 people run a 5k route around Bushy Park in London. This was the start of the global phenomenon called parkrun. Parkrun has now grown to 753 events across 13 countries and last weekend 148000 people participated globally.

Parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt with An Cathaoirleach from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CC

Parkrun is a free, 5k, timed run that takes place in parks every Saturday morning. Each event is organised by volunteers and relies on participants volunteering when they can. The events are purposely described as a run rather than a race in order to provide a friendly welcoming atmosphere for runners, joggers and walkers alike. There are no winners, only finishers.

I first started attending parkrun when living in Leeds in 2010. At that time I used to do a bit of running on my own and hadn’t even considered joining a running club. I heard about parkrun and decided to head along one Saturday morning. I ran 19:51 in my first run. When I looked back at the results later that day, I noticed that I’d finished before quite a few runners from lots of different running clubs. This gave me the confidence to go along to my local club.

In 2011 I moved to Dublin. At the time parkrun hadn’t crossed the Irish Sea. In November 2012 the first Irish parkrun started in Malahide. I ran it a couple of times and through this I met a small group of people who were looking to start a parkrun in Marlay park. This was far more convenient for me so I agreed to get involved. After months of planning, DLR County Council agreed that we could hold the new event in Marlay park and provided the initial funding required to get the event up and running. Parkrun in Ireland is going from strength to strength and there are now 44 events across Ireland, from Bere Island to Falcarragh. All organised and run by volunteers.

Saturdays volunteers

Over the last couple of years parkrun for me has gone from more than just a run on a Saturday morning to a social event and chance to catch up with friends for a run and a coffee afterwards. We seem to spend much more time in the coffee shop than actually running!

This year Operation Transformation have partnered with parkrun and will be encouraging their viewers to participate as part of their training. Last weekend saw the RTE cameras come along to officially launch this initiative. Joining them for this was VIP guest Paul Sinton-Hewitt, founder of parkrun. News of the OT cameras and Pauls visit as well as all the New Year resolutions saw well over 600 people gather on the start line at the back of the park.

I’d decided at the last minute that we had enough volunteers for the morning that I could run and help out around the finish area afterwards. The first 1k involves a climb up the only real hill on the course, and by the time we reached the top, three of us were starting to create a bit of a gap to the rest of the field. By the time we reached the 3k marker the field was well strung out and I was on my own at the front. I crossed the line in 18:02 to a big cheer from the volunteers gathered at the finish before being handed a high vis jacket to help organise the 600 runners who were coming in thick and fast behind me.

If you’ve not tried parkrun before and would like to give it a go just register online at www.parkrun.ie, print out your barcode and come along to one of the events near you. Once you have your barcode you can run at any parkrun event anywhere in the world.

Waterford AC Half Marathon

Race Report by Will Greensmyth

Photos sourced on the Waterford AC Facebook page: Gallery

Will clearly thinking about having to write a race report after

Our esteemed editor has kindly requested/~~bullied~~ that I provide a few paragraphs on this race which took place on Saturday, 9 January. So here’s the latest RRR (Regional Race Report).

This race was initially scheduled for the start of December but was postponed due to Storm Desmond. As such, it became less of a “round out the year” race as opposed to “oh look how much I’ve overindulged over Christmas” race.

I knew from such wise and learned gents as Eoin O’Brien, Conor Kenny and Joe Byrne that this was a well organised race and so it turned out to be. The race is organised by the trojan volunteers of Waterford AC. If there’s one consistent theme in all the race reports, it is that club races are always infinitely better than “for profit” races. This was no different. The race HQ at WIT Sports Campus brought back memories of the National Novice XC in 2013 (humbly recounted in vivid and glorious detail here: http://sportsworldrun.wpengine.com/news/national-novice-2013/) and served as the start and finish of the race.

Confession: I don’t know one end of Waterford City from the other.

In my adult life, I’ve only been to Waterford for cross country races.

Prior to that, as a gasún, there was a school tour in fourth class where a busload of us from Limerick City went down to Tramore. Lord of the Flies hadn’t a patch on us.

The Tramore school tour adventure

While I’m usually all about the route, I hadn’t the foggiest where we were being sent – there was an industrial estate, and we passed the fire station and a couple of car dealerships. We didn’t go into the city centre itself but kind of skirted around the countryside and back along the ring road. As such, ignorance was bliss. A grand crisp morning, plenty of fellow runners around the same pace as myself.

That changed however when we got to 9.5 miles, and we returned to the ring road to be faced by a hill that was over a mile long. As the kids might say… #banter. That was a kick in the stones and served as a break on the relative comfort of the run to then. I had decided to start slightly ahead of the 1’30” pacers and try to keep ahead of them. The pacers and their damned balloons passed me on this mountain, but to be fair to the pacers, once we crested this peak and the one after that, and indeed the one after that, the lads were really encouraging in driving people on to get around in under the 90 minutes. I was happy to turn back into the campus and see the clock just ticking over 1.28. A good morning’s work for the first week of January and hopefully I’ll go a bit quicker along the banks of the Vltava River in Prague in April.

The postrace goodie bag included the famous WAC wooly hat which I will be sporting to all Tuesday evening sessions until the weather improves. Worth the entry fee alone.

As one would expect from a race run by a proper running club, there was a mountain of food afterwards – including more chocolate chip cookies than Willy Wonka himself could imagine and an opportunity to try a famous Waterford Blaaaaaaaaaaaaa. The soft filled rolls are a Waterford institution and were a right post-race treat. Far nicer in any event than what we Limerickians might offer as some traditional Limerick treat, namely a feed of “packet and tripe”. For the uninitiated, tripe is the lining of the cow’s stomach and packet is a sort of pigs blood pudding. It is very easily digested. Apparently, packet and tripe should only be eaten if the letter “r” appears in the spelling of the month.

Anyway, I digress.

The men’s race was won by Mick Clohessy of Raheny in a splendid 1’04” followed home by Mark Hanrahan of Leevale in 1’05. The ladies race was won by Clare McCarthy of Leevale in 1’16 with occasional Sportsworld Saturday training guest attendee Siobhan O’Doherty in second in 1’18.

Aside from myself, other Sportsworld runners to tog out included Joe Haugh who ran a great pb of 1’34 showing the consistent strides he has made since joining the club, Stephen Willoughby who ran a steady 1’41 in his first long race returning from a chest infection. Emma Barry who was in flying form nailing a pb of 1’51 and will be one to watch for 2016.

Catherine Gilmore not far behind running a steady 1’55. Well done to all four after an early start leaving Dublin at the crack of dawn to make the 10am startline.

Joe Byrne

This week we have a great chat with Joe Byrne. Joe is running with Sportsworld for 20 years now and still going strong as one of our most committed and faster Masters runners.

His original battle hardened singlet (as seen in the photo above) was officially retired by Emily in 2014; it had so many holes in the front someone once remarked Joe was like a junkie trying to find a vein as he attempted to pin his race number to it!

When did you join Sportsworld?

Summer 1995

Where do you work?

I’m a self-employed Quantity Surveyor.

What is your favourite club session?

That would be whatever or wherever it is happening on a Saturday morning. Because of my scheduling it is the only opportunity I get in the week to train with a group. Most sessions are done on my own and those midweek speed sessions of 1k’s on my tobler are hard going when you’ve no one to help pull you around, ( help build character according to Myles).

What is your favorite race distance?

Initially when I did have speed in my legs I loved the short sharp races up to 5m but as the years have lapsed I have tended to target the longer distances (10m up) where endurance rather than speed is the optimum requirement. Although I follow the club sessions and run all the championship races at various distances my real passion is now the marathon and trying to get a couple more sub 3 hour ones in before I totally cease up. Gets harder every year though!!

What is your favorite meal before a big race?

Not a fan of eating before a race. A banana is as far as it goes. But I definitely make up for it after the race!

My Favourite place to train/compete is?

Waterworks 7.30am on a bright Summer Sunday morning. As close to heaven as a runner can get!!

What is your target for the next year?

As mentioned above, a sub 3hr marathon somewhere, if only I can stay injury free, get the training right, peaking at the right time, choose a fast course on a perfect day. Not too much to ask for, is it? Also to get my 21^st season out of the famous club vest I wear. Like myself its looking a bit shook and hence I use it sparingly, however its still good for a few more pin holes and race numbers!

What is your best Sportsworld memory?

Winning a decent collection of championship medals at County, Provincial and National level on many Sportsworld teams down through the years. Always enjoyed the trips to Club La Santa too. Racing was competitive but plenty of chill out time too. Winning individual gold in Leinster 10m road race championships this year was also a nice feeling.

What international events have you ran?

Ran Empire state Building stair climbing championships (all 87 floors) in 1991, 1992 & 1994. Finished 9^th in ,94.

La Santa challenge from 2002-2008.

Derry marathon 2014. (is that International?)

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

Some reading, going to energy centres with my 2 boys to help them run off a bit of steam and my trips to RDS to support Irelands foremost rugby team (3 European Cups to date) play!! Take that Will & Jim!!

How/When did you start your adventure with running?

I always placed a huge emphasis on my fitness from rugby in my early days to basketball and then into the running.

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

5k 15.52, 4m 21.07, 5m 26.56, 10m 55.37, half marathon 76.55. All these times were set pre 2000, then in 2009 I became a born again runner and ran 2.55 in Dublin in 2010. Biggest regret was not tackling the 26.2m in stage 1 of my career. Breaking 3hrs in Dublin Marathon in 2010 & 2012 is a good memory.

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

Summer, probably 40-50m per week. Winter probably only 20m.

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

Being in an equally matched group on a hard speed session with everyone pushing one another to their limit. Also, have met some great people and characters down through the years in the club, many who have come and gone and many who are still there. In addition, the great feeling at the end of a race and the mutual respect you have for other runners who have been through the same hell as you. Despite how you might feel in the lead up to, and at the start of a race, I,ve never been sorry for taking part in any competition I,ve entered.

What made you join a Running Club?

To improve my P.B,s

What was your first day at the Club like?

Was a lovely summer evening in Bushy Pk. The session was 8x200m. I remember thinking afterwards, this is pretty short and easy. Probably the shortest Sportsworld session I’ve ever done.

Why is running important to you?

Running is a drug and I’m an addict. That feeling of fatigue/ exhaustion/ release of endorphins we get after a hard session/race /run is fantastic!!

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

Would love if we could get a club session on the indoor track in Athlone some Saturday morning in the summer. I know it has been mentioned before but we,ve never got it together. Maybe 2016 could change that one??

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

I’m inspired and driven by any runner who gets out on a club session on a cold winters evening or weekend morning to do what they do when obviously there are far easier options available to all. Particularly, I’m inspired by those that put the club shirt on and compete against the very best runners of other clubs, at County, Provincial or National level. We are privileged in our sport to be able to test yourself against the best runners. I am full of gratitude for Myles and Emily standing out in cold winter mornings in places like Kiltipper watching people like me plod around. We’ve been honored in the club down thru the years to have had many members who represented the country at international level. Its also pretty cool having the BHAA Div D 1200m Trinity Track Champion in the Club!

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

I’ve been doing pilates for about 8 years now on a weekly basis. Also in the past year I go to a weekly spinning /circuit class. I would recommend some form of cross training to all runners in order to prevent injury. This is particularly the case as you get older.

Dublin Masters Cross Country 2016

Race reports by Breda and Jim Browne

Photos by Karl Chatterton, Aggie Buckley, Sandra Gowran, Lucy D’Arcy and Aoife O’Leary.

Race reporters Breda & Jim Browne

Report by Breda Browne

On Sunday 10/01/16 the Dublin masters CC was held on a beautiful clear day in St Anne’s Park Rahney. The weather was great for cross-country running – no wind or rain, clear and bright, not too cold but the rain of the previous few weeks meant that the course was to say the least challenging.

More than at any other race, there is always a great atmosphere at masters cross country. Never more so than at this year’s race where 151 (largest entry ever) brave women lined up to take on the sodden 3000m course with everyone friendly, encouraging, good-humoured and respectful to all. Many of the athletes know and have raced against each other for several years which added to the camaraderie at the start or the race.

There was however, little evidence of that good-humour in the Browne household on Sunday morning as Jim and I simultaneously succumbed to pre-race nervous narkiness. Sliding straight in at number 3 on my “how to have a happy marriage” list (after (1) It is never JUST a rugby match and (2) don’t criticise the in-laws) is to completely avoid your partner for at least 2 hours before a cross country race in which you are both competing.

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The race was run over a 2 lap T-shaped course half of which was on grass (a mucky mess) and half through the woods where the ground was firm. This provided great relief when you came off the muck onto the firm ground –the opposite being the case when coming back onto the grass from the woods.

Due to the slippy conditions there were several fallers in the women’s race (including Ruth, Sandra and I) , particularly at the start as everyone jostled for position. Ruth was treated by the paramedics for a nasty cut on her knee post-race. The fall however did not seem to affect her excellent run as she was 1^st Sportsworld person home in 5^th position (1^st in her age category), followed by Mary Finn in 9^th place. Lucy Darcy in 10^th place (3^rd in her age category) is getting back to really good form and Stephanie Bergin in 24^th position meant that the Sportsworld team took the gold team medal followed by Donore harriers in 2nd and Civil service 3^rd.

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The other Sportsworld finishers were… 32 Anna Delaney , 72 Ann Higgins, 85 Eileen Rowland, 90 Breda Browne, 91 Sandra Gowran, 94 Aileen Melody and 144 Audrey O Driscoll.

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Due to injury, it has been a few years since I lined up for a championship race and I was delighted to be back competing on a Sportsworld team. It was great to have so many (11) sportsworld singlets on the start line and despite the frozen wet feet, muck everywhere and burning lungs etc, as always the high at the end of the race (and for hours afterwards) makes me want to do it all again in 2 weeks at the all-Ireland masters in Dundalk.

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Thanks to Emily and Myles for their never ending encouragement and support and for all the sportsworld members who came to St Anne’s park to cheer us on. Also thanks to the men’s team who shouted encouragement whilst warming up for their own race.

Report by Jim Browne

Whilst many club runners endure rather than enjoy cross country season, I must admit I love it and the Dublin Master’s on the 2^nd Sunday of January in St Anne’s Park in Raheny is probably my favourite.

On arrival at the Park, it became obvious that today was going to be a bit different. The normal course had been changed due to the waterlogging /flooding etc. It was a 4 lap, flat course around the playing fields with about half of the lap taking us into a wooded area. It was a sign of things to come that most of the runners didn’t run the full lap as part of their warm up, favouring instead to keep their feet dry.

Whilst the number of Sportsworld men competing was down from last year, we still had an excellent turnout with some heavy hitters like Kilgannon, O’Connell etc giving us an outside chance of a team medal. Making his debut at Master’s level was Club Captain Paul Duffy (you know you’re getting old when baby faced Duffy is a Master) and it was great to see our captain back in the Red & White of Sportsworld.

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My pre-race plan (and general New Year’s resolution) was to go out conservatively and sit in behind some of those guys that usually go flying by me half way/three quarters of the way through the race In fairness that is my plan for every race but something happens to my brain after the start of a cross country race and it becomes ‘Dougal like’ as I fly off at an unsustainable pace.

These cross countries races follow a routine for me and so does the self-talk:

First 1,000 m – I’m flying here
Second 1,000m – Of course you’re going to be tired, but you’re having the race of your life.
Third 1,000m – Shit I have gone out too fast.
Fourth 1,000m – I hate cross country
Fifth 1,000m – I can’t believe he even passed me. (‘He’ is usually a runner I consider vastly inferior to my good self).
Last 1,000m – I’m going backward now and hyperventilating, so the finish line must be near.

Anyway enough of the ‘Old Jim’ and it was off to the start line with my new race plan and Emily’s advice to run through and not around the mud. Glancing around the start line it quickly became obvious to me that not many of these lads had over indulged during the Christmas festivities and the race was going to be as competitive as ever.

The race started at a ferocious pace as 201 under fed looking men made a frantic dash for position. The first 200m was just all mud and elbows and then after a very sharp left the race settled down and the underfoot conditions for the next 400m actually weren’t too bad . We then took a sharp right and boy were we in for a surprise .It’s amazing what 150 Master Women can do to a field.

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It was a total quagmire and wouldn’t have been out of place in the Ploughing Championships. 300m or so later we were out of the quagmire and into a wooded area which offered excellent underfoot conditions. This was pure heaven as the legs recovered and the pace picked up significantly. Once we left the woods we were back into about 200m of very soggy grass and starting the second lap.

The self-talk was going well ‘’slow down Dougal you have three laps to go’’ and I was following Emily’s advice and running through rather than around mud. The underfoot conditions worsened after each lap but as the bell went for the last lap I was feeling tired but in reasonable shape (maybe this not going out ‘like a bat out of hell’ routine works). The last lap was sapping and half way through it phase 4/5/6 of my old self came back with a bang and I really began to struggle. (Ah well Rome wasn’t built in a day) Now it was time just to keep the head down, work hard and get to finish.

Oh the feel of finishing a hard masters cross country race – relief, burning sensation in chest and the camaraderie of your fellow competitors and those lovely endorphins.

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Then it was time for a quick wash in the newly formed ponds, the exchange of the war stories and off to Raheny GAA clubhouse for a cup of tea and the results announcement.

All our men ran very well and whilst we got no individual medals, the team finished fourth which is a significant achievement was bearing in mind the quality of the teams. Hopefully we can go one further next year and secure a team medal and maybe one or two individual medals.

Finally hats off to both the Women’s over 35 team and over 50 team, both were outstanding, with the Over 35 women winning Gold and individual medals.

As always thanks to Myles and Emily for their advice and support and indeed the other club members who were dotted around the course.

Maura Ginty

This week we have the long anticipated meet the runner from Maura Ginty. Maura is on her way back after a long injury lay off. Known for calling a spade a spade and not being afraid of some hard training Maura looks set to annihilate her 2013 times in 2016.

When did you join Sportsworld?
August 2011

Where do you work?
I am a tax adviser with KPMG. I provide tax advice to clients when they are doing deals and also help them in negotiations with tax authorities.

What is your favourite club session?
Saturday morning. Partly because it’s the toughest session but also for the feeling of smugness the entire weekend after.

What is your favourite race distance?
I have not yet decided. If pushed I will have to say the 10k as I was completely obsessed with it for 2 years.

What is your favourite meal before a big race?
Ideally, I get a strong coffee an hour or so before racing.

My favourite place to train/compete is?
I love, love the waterworks. it’s been a long time since I’ve been there but one of my aims is to be strong enough to do the Sunday long run. think my favourite run ever was a summer renegade session there when us girls did a 10 miler with Dave on bike for pacing (and probably security too).

And I take my home place of Ballycroy in west mayo completely for granted; our house is by the sea and there is a 2k loop of Sandybanks where I run with our dog. It’s class. Especially as dog has similar levels of enthusiasm for running as Lucy has.

What is your target for the next year?
Sigh. My PBs seem like they were run by another person now, honestly find it so hard to reconcile with my current performances. So given this, the sensible answer here would be: to remain injury free and do my best in training. The truth however is … Beat all my PB’s, get knocked out of novice xc, get knocked out of Intermediate xc, beat all my new PB’s.

Maybe meet in the middle?

What international events have you ran?
I have run 2 of the Lanzarote challenges. The initial one in 2012 was my first time even running 4 days consecutively and meant tears of relief when completing the half. After that trip, I really felt integrated into the club and felt I really knew my Sean’s from my Trevor’s.

How/when did you start your adventure with running?
I was the opposite of sporty in my teens and 20s – it was just an alien concept to me. My school was co-ed and I recall the lads taking over at the PE classes. Us girls just hung out chatting about who fancied who, how CD’s were wayy better than tapes, who wasn’t wearing the latest fashion (denim shirts, chokers and nafnaf jackets) etc etc… probably also talking about homework too, no doubt.

Then in January 2010 my friend Eimear had enough of my cynical ways and stood by my desk and as good as forced me to enter my credit card details into Bootcamp Ireland website to accompany her on an 8 week session. Ii used all my usual excuses, but she really was having none of it.

And of course the first Bootcamp class was hell. but it was inclusive, I didn’t know what a plank, lunge, anything was and they explained it all in a very enabling environment. so I went back. I didn’t love it but just persevered – initially due to fact that there was 2 of us going and was good chance to catch up with her in the evenings.

By spring 2011 I had reacted to Eimear’s first pregnancy, and indeed the marriages and blossoming fertility of other friends, in a completely normal and rational way by doing a LOT of Bootcamp …c4-6 weekly sessions over a 5 month period. We were doing things like shuttle sprints and lots of running drills, which coupled with a good warm up, meant I was pretty strong at the running and just extremely fit, though I did not realize it.

After doing my first races in the urban trails series (which had been advertised on bootcamp website so seemed pretty accessible), I figured the next step was a 10k race proper and I will never forget the buzz of a measurable time – c43mins. Now I can compare myself to others in a measurable way!! What new, universally-regarded-as-healthy pursuit have we here!!?!

And I thought — goddamnit, I want to go sub 40 for this race.

Tell us about your PB’s / what’s your biggest achievement?
Right now, I would be very disappointed if my biggest achievements were in the past.

Being part of the female team the 2012/13 season when we won 5 team silver/bronze xc medals was my best running experience and it culminated in Emily deciding to send a senior team to the interclubs. Though there was nothing tangible out of it, racing competitively that 8k xc was probably my best achievement to date and best race I have run.

Call it pub talk but I will maintain my PBs are all soft: 5k 18.40 (msb 5k), 10k 39.04 (dunshaughlin), half 1.26 (achill). All in 2013.

How often do you run / what is your typical weekly milage?
The tue/thurs/sat sessions with long run on sunday. Ideally.

What would you say is the best thing about being in a running club?
When I came to the club first, my motivation was purely performance. But despite myself, i’ve met my best friends down the club. *grits teeth* so for me, probably the best thing about being in a running club is friendships. Though if I manage a 5 mile in under 30 mins on the back of flogging myself up in myles’ Kiltipper field then scrap all that …Performance all the way.

What made you join a running club?
I had been contemplating it as realized I needed increased level of training for sub 40. However, joining a club was on the same personal to-do list as sorting out a pension and learning to drive. Then met my college friend Ciara Dillon after the Frank Duffy race and she told me about the club and just would not accept any excuse. She then texted me that the coach called Emily would be waiting for me on Tuesday at 7pm sharp. After a google search, i was in bushy for 6.30pm, slightly nervous about meeting this Emily Dowling character

What was your first day in the running club like?
I can’t remember the session or much really – it was my first time in bushy, so I suppose I was impressed with the park generally, but I was all business, solely in it for the training. By about the 3rd night I met Crona Brady who i knew from work and it was only then I realized there was a social aspect for me here too (as my jog became a sprint trying to keep up with her and Aoife on their cool down)

Is there anything you would like to see more or less of in the club?
Every few months a bit of focus on stretching or injury prevention techniques, whatever they may be

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

Catriona Higgins – For her consistent dedication and bravery in running, which was a real inspiration to me when i joined the club first. She is not afraid to lead a session and always goes out hard from start of a race – I think we both had our 1k pb’s at the start of the Terenure 5 mile (boy, the rest of that race was fun…) And since her injury in 2013, for her determination to get back and her patience in the process.

Do you do any cross training / other sports on a regular basis ?
I do Bikram Yoga and Pilates and when I am injured, the gym. I see a lot of the gym.

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