Q1.When did you start running and what got you interested in it?
I started properly in 1996 to give up smoking and become a healthier person generally. I also wanted to run just one marathon to see what it felt like.
Q2. How many marathons have you run?
30 marathons, 7 ultras
Q3. What’s your favourite event?
Anything off-road and multi-day – xnrg.co.uk events are wonderful, also Jurassic Coast Challenge
Q4. How many miles do you run in a typical week?
At the moment 35-40, rarely more than 50, except on holidays.
Q5. What’s your best ever running performance?
Joint: London marathon 2003 3hrs 29 mins. Delighted with that and still trying to recreate it. And Dublin 2011: ITB pain from mile 5 made it very difficult to walk for 5 miles, then found a nice ambulance man with a big bandage at mile 10 and carried on regardless afterwards. Delighted I didn’t give up.
Q6. What running shoes do you wear and do you wear racing flats?
Have been in sequential models of Asics 2100 series since 1997. No racing flat, never thought I was serious enough, but would like to try.
Q7. What was your worst marathon experience?
Had to pull out of second day of Thames towpath challenge in Oct 2011 due to a virus. Very frustrating, despite knowing it was the right thing to do.
Q8. How fast could you run a mile on a track?
6.26 is my best, but thats a while ago now and was on a path not a track. I mght try it and let you know
Q9. What’s your marathon PB?
3 hrs 29 mins 41s
Q10. What’s the best piece of training advice you were ever given?
Plan your training around defined goals/races
Q11. Have you ever had a serious running injury?
Not serious, Achilles and knee niggles, and a very painful verrucca that caused all sorts of problems
Q12. What training session do you find the hardest/dislike the most and what’s your favourite session?
Interval training e.g. 800m’s – the hardest but greatest buzz! Love running hills
Q13. What is the longest race you have completed?
Day 1 of Thames towpath Challenge 34 miles
Q14. Do you have a Favourite quote running or otherwise?
Life every day as if it were your last
Q15. Weirdest food you’ve ever eaten during a marathon?
Rocky road cake
Q16. Strangest thing you’ve ever seen during a marathon?
Various fancy dress costumes
Q17. What usually goes through your head as you cross the finish line of a marathon?
Joy of achievement, and where’s the tea?
Q18. Do you get narky if you don’t get a run in?
Yes usually, sometimes very.
Q19. Have you ever considered how you’d handle it if you couldn’t run again?
Often. I’d try to do something else with equal determination
20. What event have you not yet completed that you would like to do the most in the future
Cork marathon – family are from Cobh. Also San Francisco to go over the Golden Gate bridge
