St.Brendan’s AC
members share their personal stories and different experiences of getting fit
and embracing new challenges in recent years.
To complete 25 Marathons
- Moira
story
In 2010 I decided that I needed to get fitter and started
cycling as it was a different exercise than the walking of which I was doing
plenty of, having spent many years on the golf courses. My initial goal, which I successfully
completed, was to complete the 2010 Ring of Kerry Cycle. My usual training
routine at this time was to incorporate a cycle at 6 a.m. and before the busy
day would commence.
In October of that year an e-mail was sent by Marcus Howlett
to staff and students of the IT Tralee (where I work as Full time Clerical
Officer) looking for novice runners to train for the 2011 Great Limerick
Run. Having considered doing a bit of
running I joined the group and along with other members, the Born To Run Tralee
Marathon Club was established. Over the
following months I completed the necessary training runs under Marcus’s
expertise, guidance and patience, and ran my first full marathon in Limerick
2011. All this would not have been
possible without the support that I got from my twin sister, Monica who looked
after the boys for me on Saturday mornings when the mileage was
increasing. Other training runs were
held during my lunch hour at work.
After I crossed that finish line in Limerick I was hooked on
running marathons and decided to join Marathon Club Ireland and have since set
my new goal of completing 25 marathons. Marathon Club Ireland was formed in
November 2010 to encourage all aspects of marathon running in Ireland, from
participation to organisation. They are a group of like-minded individuals who
complete 26.2 mile races for fun, for a sense of achievement and mostly in a
quest to complete 100 marathons, or more.
Running on to 2015, and
having completed 17 full marathons to date, my first marathon is the one I have enjoyed the most, not only for the
camaraderie with my work colleagues and students, but also for the sense of personal
achievement (and relief!) that I got when I crossed that finish line.
In November 2014 after my son Aaron joined St. Brendan’s AC,
I was approached by Ursula to help out at the weekly club training sessions
with the younger children with Head Coach Artur. Since then Kevin has also joined the weekly
sessions and now my personal enjoyment is running with my two boys, who were
definitely “Born to Run”.
Aaron is a very active member of the Club and has
represented the club in Track and Field events and Cross Country running at
both County and Munster Levels. It is
brilliant to see that the next generation is enjoying a sport that has massive
benefits for them in their lives. Both
boys also enjoy playing Soccer, Football, Golf and Swimming.
To assist with my running, I have joined the Strength and
Conditioning class on Tuesday evenings in Ardfert Community Centre. After the initial first week of pain and
finding muscles that I hadn’t worked before, these sessions are now enjoyable
and I have made new friendships.
Ultimately I would love to be able to train more. I enjoy
running and especially when on my own as it is my head space and “me” time. However, with family life, my free time is
limited. My training runs are still held
during my lunch hour at work, running after the boys and on occasions during
the boy’s activities.
My achievements to date includes 17 Marathons (including one
back to back), Half on the Head and Ballybunion Half Marathons, Ring of Kerry
Cycles (2010, 2011 and 2013), Ring of Beara Cycle (140 km in 2015) along with
numerous 5k and 10k runs.
My goals for the future is to complete 25 Marathons which
will include the Tralee Ultra Marathon.
Everything is possible, so long as you believe in yourself.
There are many obstacles / excuses that can come in the way, but the most
important aspect that I found was finding something I really enjoyed as it
makes it easier on the days when the body is saying one thing and the weather
is telling me something else!!
Moira
More stories from St.Brendan's AC: Chapter 1 - Mags story
