Today’s profile is another of our very consistent performers over the years and a guy who is very easy to work with as he is a willing listener and willing to take the advice on board. Its Sean Fox.
1. How did you get into athletics ?
I was/am big into all sports, played everything from rugby,soccer, football and hurling growing up. Hurling was first love and I played senior hurling with St Vincents in Dublin till my early 30s. I always liked to keep fit outside hurling, with running and cycling. While still playing hurling I ran the 2004 Dublin marathon with 3 weeks “training” thinking I was fit from the hurling.. boy was I wrong!! See attached of my ghost like face when I finished in 3:57..
Few years later I started to do triathlons and really enjoyed the running side, often doing my running in the Phoenix Park. I decided to join Donore Harriers. I joined to improve my running and to get the social element I was used from from team sports. I really enjoyed the training and would look forward to the training for the craic and could see my running improve.
2. Why do you run?
Like a lot contributors have said, running is so simple. I look forward to my run. It helps to clear the head and I enjoy the fitness and wellbeing it gives. I like the idea that I’m still able to run to catch a bus! Plus I like to compete in a sport.
3. Did you try different events or where you always a distance runner ?
Like a lot of new runners, I went straight to the marathon to my cost. The marathon is still my favourite event but I enjoy all the distances from 5k to half. I did quite a few mountain races in the beginning and really enjoyed those but most of my running is road races with a (very) few xc races. I should run more xc races…
4. Can you give a brief synopsis of your running career to date ?
After my first marathon in 2004 in Dublin, I ran a few marathons aimlessly over the years until I joined Donore. I learned a lot about training and how no two runs are the same. Over a period of time, I improved all my times over 5k to half. I managed to run my first sub 3 marathon in 2012 and I managed to run 12 more consecutive sub 3s since with 7 sub 2:50.
5. What would you consider to be your main highlight ?
My highlight was the 2017 Berlin marathon running 2:40:44, taking 6 minutes off my PB at the time. Just the perfect race, where everything went right, including a 2 min negative split.
6. When did you hook up with TTracers and what was the reason for doing so?
I think it was 4 years ago when I started a new job and colleagues Peter Murtagh and Ed Hayes mentioned a lunch time running group that they were a part of. Making training in the evenings with Donore was getting harder with busy family life plus moving house, there was a great attraction to doing quality training during lunch.
From the start Terry and the rest of the runners made me welcome and I really enjoyed the training.
7. what would be in your eyes the main advantage of being part of TTracers ?
I like the atmosphere at training. No matter a runner’s ability, everyone is trying their best and that rubs on everyone else. Terry has helped to cultivate that and so even if I see the session is 400 x 12 off 30s, I look forward to going to the session if not doing the session!! With the various groups, seeing how people have improved provides great motivation to keep at it.
8. What’s the best running advice you’ve been given which has helped you to become a better runner?
I made all the usual rookie runner mistakes, often running each run with the same intensity. Best advice was to build up consistency in training week to week to get the body used to running. Ensuring easy runs are easy and go hard in sessions.
I made all the usual rookie runner mistakes, often running each run with the same intensity. Best advice was to build up consistency in training week to week to get the body used to running. Ensuring easy runs are easy and go hard in sessions.
9. What’s your running ambition going forward?
Stay fit and healthy. Keep aiming to improve and maybe sneak under 2h40 for the marathon sooner rather than later…
Cheers,
Seán
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