1. How did you get into athletics ?
It more or less happened by accident. I was a competitive cyclist for
about nine years, but when our first baby was on the way I gave up the bike.
I started running to keep up my fitness, and discovered that
transferring from cyclist to runner works well. Haven’t looked back
since. Prefer running to cycling.
2. Why do you run?
For me it’s about racing. I love racing. The easy recovery days, the hard
sessions, the steady long runs, they’re all about being ready for the next
race.
3. Did you try different events or where you always a distance runner ?
I started running at 40, so the decision pretty much made itself! My
background as an endurance athlete suited long distance,
and the lads I started running with were all long distance runners, so it
just happened that way. I also know from training and racing that shorter
stuff isn’t my strength.
4. Can you give a brief synopsis of your running career to date ?
Started running for fitness with a few of the lads from RTÉ AC. Became
great friends and training partner with Paddy Lyons and Paddy introduced
me to proper running training and encouraged me to enter a few races. Paddy
also heard about TT Racers and suggested we check it out. Thanks Paddy!
From there I just kept training and racing and thankfully improving all the time.
Last season was a dream year really, and it included the highlight of earning
the Irish vest for the British and Irish Masters cross country.
5. What would you consider to be your main highlight ?
Thankfully I’ve lots of races I’m really happy with. Charleville half in 2019 was
one of my best ever races. I ran 70.50 which is my PB, and two of my training
partners at TT Racers, Michael and Brendan, had brilliant performances on
the day. They both hammered me, but I was delighted for them.
Of course racing in the Irish vest in Aintree last year was something special,
and getting to share the experience with some of my regular training partners at
TT made it even better. Great to be over there with Tom, Colm and Ronan.
6. When did you hook up with TTracers and what was the reason for doing so?
Autumn 2016 because I wanted to become a better runner. I never imagined
the improvements would come so quickly, but a few months of TT transformed me
as a runner.
7. what would be in your eyes the main advantage of being part of TTracers ?
There are many advantage’s, but I’d say the main ones are the quality group I
get to train with. The TT sessions are always the best sessions in my training week. There is brilliant
support from within the group and from Terry. We all work hard at those sessions for mutual gains.
I also love the support TT Racers give each other on race day, before race day and after.
8. What’s the best running advice you’ve been given which has helped you to become a better runner?
My two favourites are…. go easy on your easy days and hard on your hard days. And always race for
something bigger than yourself.
9. What’s your running ambition going forward?
I believe I have another couple of years of improvement left, and I want to squeeze every last drop
out of it!


