I promised you all that we would have 3 Female Profiles in the coming weeks. I can guarantee that you will find each one very interesting reads. The first one from an athlete who is back with us after taking time out to start a family. Its Aoife Byrne ( Culhane).
1. How did you get into athletics ?
I joined DSD in 1991 when I was 10. Liz McDonagh was coaching the athletics in my primary school in Ballinteer. I qualified on the relay team and in the high jump for Santry. I was involved in lots of sports and music already but I kept nagging my parents to let me join the club. Eventually they bought me my first pair of Asics gel and there was no stopping me, I loved it.
2. Why do you run?
There are so many reasons but the main one is that it makes me happy. I love meeting friends for a run to chat and catch up. I also love just heading out on my own for some headspace and no matter what else happens in the day, it is one positive thing that I have done. Running has enriched my life and opened so many doors for me along the way. I have travelled and visited many countries I never dreamed of going to. I feel very grateful when reflecting on my running journey so far. When I am getting out for my runs, everything else seems to slip into place.
3. Did you try different events or were you always a distance runner ?
Between the ages of 10 and 14 I tried everything in multi event competitions. I once qualified to go to a competition in Liverpool for the high jump and javelin! I desperately wanted to be a sprinter but realised that my best event was the 800m.
4. Can you give a brief synopsis of your running career to date ?
I was fortunate enough to have lots of success as a juvenile athlete up through the age groups winning National titles, British titles on the track and cross country. 4th in the European Youth Olympics 800m. I opted to stay at home as opposed to going to America on scholarship and continued training and racing with the club. I continued to compete on Irish teams up to Senior level until 2013. At 20 I ran my PB of 2.01.86 breaking my own U23 record which was recently bettered by Nadine Power. I reached the semi-finals in World student games, European u23 and European Championships. I also competed in 5 European Cross Country Championships.
5. What would you consider to be your main highlight ?
My most cherished moment looking back and the one that means the most was winning the National Seniors in 2001. I ran 2.03.74 to break Sonia’s U23 record and she came 2nd in the race. My parents and family, club coaches Eddie and Liz and friends were all there to cheer and celebrate. It was wonderful.
6. When did you hook up with TTracers and what was the reason for doing so?
I joined TTracers in 2009. Terry’s wonderful wife Sonya has always been a close friend of mine since we were 14 in DSD and so, I was introduced to Terry through Sonya. Coincidently I ended up living next door to them for 5 years. When I started studying for teacher training in Trinity I happily skipped my Tuesday afternoon lectures to do a lunchtime grass track session (obviously more important). I really enjoyed the group straight away, there was great camaraderie and fun.
7. what would be in your eyes the main advantage of being part of TTracers ?
The main advantage in my eyes is that there is always somebody at your level. Always somebody to do the session with and with the big numbers it seems much easier to get high quality sessions done. Terry is always thinking ahead with the schedule and has a plan and I like that you can sit back and not worry about that aspect, just do the training. I have always felt it is a low pressure, high quality training environment which really suits me.
8. What’s the best running advice you’ve been given which has helped you to become a better runner?
The best running advice I was given was from a fellow athlete at a training camp. She said “It really takes confidence to go easy in training when you need to”
I wish I had listened that year as I ran to the point of exhaustion, not doing my easy runs easy, not controlling the first few reps in a session. But this is definitely something I have taken on board since then. I have learned that sometimes less is better than more, listening to your body and taking a day off when you need it is the right thing to do no matter what everyone else is doing.
9. What’s your running ambition going forwards?
My short-term goal is to get in some consistent training for the next 6 months and reach a good base level of fitness.
Long term I would like to get back to racing. Maybe some road races and I would love to get back on the track again.
1. How did you get into athletics ?
I joined DSD in 1991 when I was 10. Liz McDonagh was coaching the athletics in my primary school in Ballinteer. I qualified on the relay team and in the high jump for Santry. I was involved in lots of sports and music already but I kept nagging my parents to let me join the club. Eventually they bought me my first pair of Asics gel and there was no stopping me, I loved it.
2. Why do you run?
There are so many reasons but the main one is that it makes me happy. I love meeting friends for a run to chat and catch up. I also love just heading out on my own for some headspace and no matter what else happens in the day, it is one positive thing that I have done. Running has enriched my life and opened so many doors for me along the way. I have travelled and visited many countries I never dreamed of going to. I feel very grateful when reflecting on my running journey so far. When I am getting out for my runs, everything else seems to slip into place.
3. Did you try different events or were you always a distance runner ?
Between the ages of 10 and 14 I tried everything in multi event competitions. I once qualified to go to a competition in Liverpool for the high jump and javelin! I desperately wanted to be a sprinter but realised that my best event was the 800m.
4. Can you give a brief synopsis of your running career to date ?
I was fortunate enough to have lots of success as a juvenile athlete up through the age groups winning National titles, British titles on the track and cross country. 4th in the European Youth Olympics 800m. I opted to stay at home as opposed to going to America on scholarship and continued training and racing with the club. I continued to compete on Irish teams up to Senior level until 2013. At 20 I ran my PB of 2.01.86 breaking my own U23 record which was recently bettered by Nadine Power. I reached the semi-finals in World student games, European u23 and European Championships. I also competed in 5 European Cross Country Championships.
5. What would you consider to be your main highlight ?
My most cherished moment looking back and the one that means the most was winning the National Seniors in 2001. I ran 2.03.74 to break Sonia’s U23 record and she came 2nd in the race. My parents and family, club coaches Eddie and Liz and friends were all there to cheer and celebrate. It was wonderful.
6. When did you hook up with TTracers and what was the reason for doing so?
I joined TTracers in 2009. Terry’s wonderful wife Sonya has always been a close friend of mine since we were 14 in DSD and so, I was introduced to Terry through Sonya. Coincidently I ended up living next door to them for 5 years. When I started studying for teacher training in Trinity I happily skipped my Tuesday afternoon lectures to do a lunchtime grass track session (obviously more important). I really enjoyed the group straight away, there was great camaraderie and fun.
7. what would be in your eyes the main advantage of being part of TTracers ?
The main advantage in my eyes is that there is always somebody at your level. Always somebody to do the session with and with the big numbers it seems much easier to get high quality sessions done. Terry is always thinking ahead with the schedule and has a plan and I like that you can sit back and not worry about that aspect, just do the training. I have always felt it is a low pressure, high quality training environment which really suits me.
8. What’s the best running advice you’ve been given which has helped you to become a better runner?
The best running advice I was given was from a fellow athlete at a training camp. She said “It really takes confidence to go easy in training when you need to”
I wish I had listened that year as I ran to the point of exhaustion, not doing my easy runs easy, not controlling the first few reps in a session. But this is definitely something I have taken on board since then. I have learned that sometimes less is better than more, listening to your body and taking a day off when you need it is the right thing to do no matter what everyone else is doing.
9. What’s your running ambition going forwards?
My short-term goal is to get in some consistent training for the next 6 months and reach a good base level of fitness.
Long term I would like to get back to racing. Maybe some road races and I would love to get back on the track again.
