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Carol Madden

Q1.When did you start running and what got you interested in it?

Firstly I have to admit that I don’t run, apart from breaking into a jog on the odd downhill, I walk. A friend of mine used to see me out walking my dog and persuaded me to do a marathon (over a drink) by offering to walk one with me. That was Kildare Marathon in 2011. The following year I did the Rome Marathon and then the Dublin Marathon and the addiction was born!

Q2. How many marathons have you run?

So far I have done 34 Marathons including one 50k and hope to do another this weekend

Q3. What’s your favourite event?

That’s a tricky question, like being asked to pick your favourite child. I’ve done city marathons (Dublin, Rome, Belfast and Berlin) and the atmosphere on the course is always fantastic, particularly in Dublin, but it’s hard to beat the camaraderie of the smaller events around the country, meeting friends and seeing familiar faces on the course, and the air of celebration at the finish.

Q4. How many miles do you run in a typical week?

It really depends on how close it is to the next event, currently I’m doing a marathon every two or three weeks, so I tend to do around 8 miles two or three times a week in between.

Q5.  What’s your best ever running performance?

As a walker, my times aren’t terribly impressive but my personal best is 5:49

Q6. What running shoes do you wear and do you wear racing flats?

I generally wear Asics Patriot 7’s. (no racing flats)

Q7. What was your worst marathon experience?

Another tough question, I’ve had a few moments here and there but for the most part I just enjoy myself. The Clare Burren Marathon in 2013  was my least impressive performance time-wise because I had bad shin-splints (hard to believe, but true nonetheless) and it’s the only one so far that I’ve been tempted to drop out of, but I was lucky to get talking to some lovely people who were happy to take it nice and handy we pretty much talked our way around the course.

Q8. How fast could you run a mile on a track?

I don’t really know, not fast

Q9. What’s your marathon PB?

5:49

Q10. What’s the best piece of training advice you were ever given?

Get rid of over-worn runners. It seems like a no-brainer but ditching the old runners before they get too worn can prevent a lot of problems/injuries.

Q11. Have you ever had a serious running injury?

No, blisters and shin-splints are the only things I’ve really suffered with.

Q12. What training session do you find the hardest/dislike the most and what’s your favouritesession?

I like to get out first thing in the morning, I find it gets tougher to push myself out the door the later in the day it gets.

Q13. What is the longest race you have completed?

50k

Q14.  Do you have a Favourite quote [running or otherwise?]

Not that I can think of

Q15. Weirdest food you’ve ever eaten during a marathon?

I don’t tend to eat a lot during a marathon maybe the odd bit of banana or a bit of chocolate

Q16.  Strangest thing you’ve ever seen during a marathon?

I was interviewed by Batman during the Rome marathon 2013…

Q17. What usually goes through your head as you cross the finish line of a marathon?

How much I enjoy this! Even on the tough/hilly ones

Q18. Do you get narky if you don’t get a run in?

Yeah, I definitely get a bit antsy

Q19. Have you ever considered how you’d handle it if you couldn’t run again?

With walking it’s probably not as likely to happen, but I would really miss marathons if I had to stop doing them

Q20.  What event have you not yet completed that you would like to do the most in the future?

There are a few that I’d like to do including Paris and London

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  • Welcome to the Marathon Club Ireland / 100 Marathon Club Ireland website.

    Marathon Club Ireland was formed to encourage all aspects of marathon running in Ireland, from participation to organisation. Formed in November 2010 the club is a non-profit body run by a committee of elected volunteers.

     

    Club membership is open to those who have completed one or more marathons and achievement awards can be purchased to mark the completion of 25 , 50, 75 & 100 marathons.

     

    Achievement medals/awards for 20, 50 or 75 marathons can be purchased by members, following verification of their marathon list, for presentation by a selected member at one of our club events, Please note, while we may sometimes be able to arrange to present medals at non-club events, it is not always possible to do so.

     

    The prestigious 100 Marathon Medal is usually awarded free by the club, on condition that the recipient is a paid club member for the relevant year and at least one year immediately prior to the year in which they receive the award.

    Members wishing to receive any achievement awards should submit their list of completed marathons, on an excel spreadsheet (sample provided below) to marathonlists@yahoo.ie for verification, allowing at least 2 weeks for processing. Once the list has been verified medals can be paid for in person or via our online shop

    Marathon lists for should give full details of each marathon completed (official event name, location, date, race number and finish time and links to results website where possible)

    Download a sample marathon list spreadsheet  here

  • Benefits of joining:

    Sharing marathon experiences throughout Ireland and abroad.
    Sharing knowledge and tips on events, training and travel.

    Authorised to wear official ‘Marathon Club Ireland’ gear, (or ‘100 Marathon Club Ireland’ gear if you have completed 100 or club validated marathons)

    Reductions on entry fee to Marathon Club Ireland events.

    Discounts for entry to Marathon Club Ireland events  throughout the year.