AR/tist in the spotlight - smmoore79

AuldManKing

This weeks guest star is a real star of the Irish competitive running scene, from humble beginnings in Jan '10 he has shown stellar progress and is always competitive at the top end of races.

His progress and current happenings are found on his excellent log "Sub 2.30 marathon? Suits you sir!"

Ladies and gentlemen of Boards.ie - get your questions ready for smmoore79!!

TRR

great choice

Sporting background?
Favourite race distance?
Strongest race distance?
Current PBs?
Times you'd like to run by the end of this year?
Any bucket list races?
How did you get into running?
Ever run when you were younger?

smmoore79

Good questions TRR, here goes!

Sporting background?

Not much of a sporting background. Tried rowing when I was 12, gave it up at 13 when puberty kicked in. A bit of astro football in my 20's but nothing major. So started with a terrible base and level of fitness!

Favourite race distance?

Id have to say 10k. Just the perfect combination of speed and endurance.

Strongest race distance?

Id have to say both 5 miles and 10k. The speed kills me over 3k/5k and the distance in half/full marathons kills me in a different way. 5m/10k is perfect for me in that its not too long and the speed doesnt hurt as much as the shorter distances.

Current PBs?

All pb's were in 2013, so a vintage year! 3k-9 17 Jan 13; 5k-15 47 Jun 13; 5M-26 03 Jul 13; 10k-32 53 Jul 13; 10M-54 35 Mar 13; Half M-72 30 something; Marathon-2 39 Oct 13

Times you'd like to run by the end of this year?

I wont be doing a marathon this year so am focusing on the shorter distances. So would love to go sub 32 in the 10k; sub 26 in a 5 miler and sub 15 30 in the 5k. I may do the odd 10 miler or half marathon so sub 54 and sub 72 in those. That would be a successful year for me!

Any bucket list races?

The other half is from East Germany and her folks think my running is a nice hobby. They dont get that its a sport, my sport! Would love to head over to their nearest city(Chemnitz) and enter any local race there just to show off in front of them Other than that, the scenery usually is the last thing on my mind when slogging myself in a road race so race/race venue not too important, as long as Im competitive and pushing myself hard then Im happy.

How did you get into running?

Back in 08, 2 work mates entered the Docklands 5 miler. One was a hurler for his local team in Cork, the other a female fitness fanatic. Somehow they coaxed me into this. I was 28 and very unfit and hadnt done anything competitive ever. 3 of us headed down to the start to meet up with the hurlers cousin who also played hurling. Theyre advice was to run my own race and drop off them when I felt the pain. I was more worried about being chicked by the girl!!! So we started and within 100m the girl was left behind, relief!! I paced with the 2 lads for 3 miles, where the cousin said to my workmate "Jayz I thought yer man wasnt fit?!?" After 4 miles I got bored and left them for dead opening up 2 minutes on them and crossing in 35 mins!! So that was where I got the bug; that year I entered and ran the Dublin marathon with almost zero training in 4 04. The next year I ran 3 10 after following a program. Joined a club in 2010 and havent looked back

Ever run when you were younger?
Once at around 10 years of age. A race in school around a field twice. I didnt win but came 3rd I think. Thought nothing more of it as I wasnt the sporty type. Just a bit of doss football with mates in the inner city with a burst ball!

Hope Ive answered your questions..

AuldManKing

* favourite other sports.

* do you watch athletics

* whos log do you 1st look out for when you log on to boards

* what runners do you wear?

* GAA: Hurling or Football?

* Tayto, King or Walkers?

TRR

Anyone in your immediate family particularly sporty?

Do you speak German?

What do you think of German food?

Your club seems to have a great marathon training group at the moment, did you know any of the lads before you joined the club?

In terms of atmosphere, fast course, good spread etc what is you favourite race?

Similar to above the worst race you've ever competed in?

A top 10 Irish finisher in DCM or a sub 2.30 marathon?

What does your OH think of your running?

Beer or wine?

McDonald's or burger king?

smmoore79

* favourite other sports.

Deffo football, love watchin the Irish footie team and would keep an eye on Bohemians aswell in the LOI. Gaelic football too, great to see the Dubs win and if I had to pick a club team it would be Ballymun Kickams. Keep an eye on the tour de France aswell but wouldnt really be the most knowledgeable at cycling..

* do you watch athletics
I did on off through the years, cheering on Sonia would be in my childhood memories. Since I joined the club though, Id deffo go out of my way to watch athletics on tv(Athlone indoors last weekend being a case in point). Also went to Switzerland last year to propose in the Alps, this also coincided with the Diamond League in Zurich, so 2 birds with 1 stone

* whos log do you 1st look out for when you log on to boards
After my own , Id say Ecoli and Krusty with a little TRR thrown in for good measure. KU's log just to give me a laugh and Ive started looking at Stazza's just to confuse myself with yo yo's and the like!!

* what runners do you wear?
Adidas all the way babay!! Adizero featherlight for long runs/easy runs. Adizero Adios(or is it Hagio?) for races and trackwork. Since I began running, I tried Asics, Mizuno's,Brooks; all marathon shoes and all weighed a tonne, deffo not suited to my slim build!


* GAA: Hurling or Football?
Football, COYBIB

* Tayto, King or Walkers?
Monster munch, but if Ive to choose from this list, King.

smmoore79

Anyone in your immediate family particularly sporty?

Yep, my brother was a goalkeeper playing for all the decent underage clubs(Homefarm, Cherry Orchard etc). Man Utd even came to see him play! But life got in the way and he got a full time job so plays football amateur these days. My uncle played for Pats in the 80's. My dad was a good football player/hurler too at underage. he was also underage Dublin champ at handball(we have handball alleys around North King street area and there was a huge tradition on handball in the area, not sure if many play these days, though 1 alley is still there, the others being knocked 10 years ago). Not much on my mothers side from a sporting view point!!!

Do you speak German?

Not German per say, but my pigeon German is spectacular!!!

What do you think of German food?

Im a big fan of German food esp pork knuckle, red cabbage and dumplings! Though if I lived there, the novelty would soon wear off!!

Your club seems to have a great marathon training group at the moment, did you know any of the lads before you joined the club?

No, didnt know anyone when I joined. I was plugging around making small gains and bumped into one of the lads in SM park and we ran for a bit chatting away. He mentioned the club and I headed down 2 weeks later. Havent looked back since. Big marathon group there esp for the Autumn marathons, though for the last marathon I tried to follow the PD program as opposed to the group plan.

In terms of atmosphere, fast course, good spread etc what is you favourite race?

Has to be Raheny, weathers been sh1t the last 2 years with wind and rain but the course itself is challenging. Maybe not the fastest but it attracts a serious standard of runner and I was in my element in a pack of at least 10 lads running. Savage goody bag too!! K Klub 10k should also get a mention as its a nice enjoyable race with great scenery and no pressure to aim for pb's(I have gotten pb's there in the past though!)

Similar to above the worst race you've ever competed in?
Dublin staff relay is annoying as its way short of 5k and I almost got lost the 1st year I took part! No marshalls at points where there should have been some. Plus its a crazy price to enter a team!! I only run this as my company pay for it as a team building exercise! We were lead the wrong way in the West of ireland fun run a few years ago and I havent run that since.

A top 10 Irish finisher in DCM or a sub 2.30 marathon?
Deffo sub 2 30! Marathons and HM's are the only races I go by pace. Other races such as 5k's/10k's I am in too much of a world of pain to be looking at the Garmin, such is the balls out nature of them

What does your OH think of your running?

My running coincided with us meeting for the first time so she jokes that I only took it up to get some peace from her! But, she's very supportive and never complains. I sometimes feel guilty when Im getting up early on a Sat/Sun morning but she's used to my ways now!!

Beer or wine?

Silly question, has to be beer. Esp when in Germany and the Steins are flowing!

McDonald's or burger king?

McDonalds - the McChicken beats Royal
Burger King - Angus Burger beats big mac
Fries - so close but I reckon burger king fries are better

So Burger King wins it!

Krusty_Clown

Do you remember a brief spell in history when I was faster than you? :rolleyes:
Diet - anything goes/paleo/vegetarian/healthy/normal?
What has been your max. weekly mileage?
Any interest in competing in the shorter distances, like 400m, 800m, 1,500m?
Do you have any longer term goals - like 2-3 years from now?
How many days a week do you train?
Ever listen to music/podcasts while training?
Do you wear running tights?

smmoore79

Nice questions Kruty, here goes..

Do you remember a brief spell in history when I was faster than you? :rolleyes:
Yes, Dublin marathon Oct 2014, by 1 minute I think, maybe 2!!!!!!! Oh and that famous 10 miler in 2011(or 2010) where we went toe to toe for 9 miles before you took me to school
Diet - anything goes/paleo/vegetarian/healthy/normal?
sways from normal to unhealthy. trying to cut out chocolate(very difficult) and limiting myself to 3 cups of tea a day(was 5 but replaced 2 with green tea). Other than that I east healthy enough, pasta or rice, 11am scone/brown bread; muesli or porridge at 8am; a banana and apple every day. Plus cod liver oil multi vit tablet each morning!

What has been your max. weekly mileage?
I hit 60 back in January but am happy to be hitting around 50 these days..

Any interest in competing in the shorter distances, like 400m, 800m, 1,500m?
No interest whatsoever. I just lack that natural speed that is required over those distances. Come to a track session on tuesday and you'll see me moaning beforehand/hanging on for dear life during/moaning about being left behind in the last rep after the session!! Having said that, Rudisha is my fave athlete..

Do you have any longer term goals - like 2-3 years from now?

I take each year as it comes and am a hoor for comparing races between this year and last. So far Ive knocked 30 seconds each year off my 4 mile times(xc) so Id hope to continue this statistic and who knows where I'll plateau!! Wont make Rio, but the one after could be on the cards in 2018 (though i'll be 38 at this stage of the game so Mo will probably outsprint me in the 10000m final!)

How many days a week do you train?
started off at 5 this year but im now up to 6 days. No doubles though..

Ever listen to music/podcasts while training?
No, tried it on my 1st marathon in 2008 and when the wheels came off, i just wanted to throw it in the bin but was forced to carry the damn thing all the way to the finish. Im a fan of listening to whats goin on around me!

Do you wear running tights?
Ocassionally when Im in the mood

Gavlor

Very interested in your answer re pacing for 5/10ks.

Do you simply run to feel or do you tend to settle in with a group of like paced runners?

Do you train/race to hr?

Stretching. What type, how often and for how long?

Broad question but how do you plan on continuing to improve? Ie what changes will you make from your current training structure

Do you watch your diet or eat like a king?

NiallG4

1. My first question is the same as KC's first question
K Club 2011.
16 2530 Niall Gorham 00:35:45 [0] Senior M 5->0 ACC Bank
17 1573 Stephen Moore 00:35:50 [0] Senior M 13->0 UBS
2. What do you put your improvement most down to? club track sessions, longer sessions on Saturdays?
3. Have you ever dropped out of a race while not injured?
4. What was your break through race where you realised "**** I am getting good at this"?
5. Are you running the National Senior CC this weekend up my way?
6. 200M to go in a 10K. Times are gone and a club mate is in sight. Do you nail him?
7. If you won a big Lotto, would you train as is and enjoy lazy afternoons spending money online or up the training to professional levels.
8. Let me know when you are doing a 200m or 400m. I think it is my only chance of revenge.

smmoore79

Hay Gavlor, hope below answers your questions..

Very interested in your answer re pacing for 5/10ks.

Do you simply run to feel or do you tend to settle in with a group of like paced runners?

Usually over 5k/5m/10k I'll run with a group. At this stage theres always someone I know who's racing. On a good day i'll keep with them and push on. On a bad day, i'll hang on for dear life and try to maintain the gap. I seem to hold the gap much better on raod than XC; when the wheels come off in XC the gap can be huge!!

Do you train/race to hr?
Nah, only garmin pace pace for training. and just run hard in races

Stretching. What type, how often and for how long?

Like most people here, Im terrible at being consistent with stretching. The only stretching i really get is my dynamic warmup/stretching before hard training/racing.

Broad question but how do you plan on continuing to improve? Ie what changes will you make from your current training structure

No changes really. What im doing seems to work i.e consistent training over long periods injury free. I havent noticed these jumps in fitness, just when I compare last years races to this years races and see the times drop a bit. Having said that, Ive introduced core work and am doing this for a month now. time will tell over the next few races whether it pays off..

Do you watch your diet or eat like a king?

On the whole i watch my diet; plenty of carbs with some fruit and meat thrown in. But I do slip often and find it hard to stay away from chocolate and tea! Plus on average I have a beer blow out once a month or so..:)

smmoore79

1. My first question is the same as KC's first question
K Club 2011.
16 2530 Niall Gorham 00:35:45 [0] Senior M 5->0 ACC Bank
17 1573 Stephen Moore 00:35:50 [0] Senior M 13->0 UBS

Cherish that moment Niall, you could be a while waiting to catch me again, maybe BHAA Eircom XC 2051
2. What do you put your improvement most down to? club track sessions, longer sessions on Saturdays?

I've been racking my brain with that one myself. If I knew, id focus entirely on that aspect of training!!!! Seriously though, as tungusca once said, I rarely get injured and thats huge. Ive run solid since 2011. Plus I reckon Saturdays hills have given me more strength over time which is pushing my road times down. Plus when I started running I had zsero base/strength/endurance so was always gonna improve with training..

3. Have you ever dropped out of a race while not injured?

Nope, only injury has foreced me to stop in a marathon(2010). Cross country is the only race where I consider it, but Im a persistent [EMAIL="f@cker"]f@cker[/EMAIL] and grind it out til the end, even if Im way back. I have the mentality these days that I race to train, not train to race.
4. What was your break through race where you realised "**** I am getting good at this"?

When I was 5 seconds behind ya in the K club I think when I came 4th(then bumped to 3rd) in the Dublin intermediates in 2012. I took a few scalps that day and was well chuffed.

5. Are you running the National Senior CC this weekend up my way?

Sure am, will aim top 60 as i know the standard is class and XC isnt my specific forte. Still 12k through mud will help me long term over the coming road race season..
6. 200M to go in a 10K. Times are gone and a club mate is in sight. Do you nail him?

Yeah, its a race!

7. If you won a big Lotto, would you train as is and enjoy lazy afternoons spending money online or up the training to professional levels.

Professional levels. And I'd skype the missus every day from Kenya whilst brother Colm makes the tea sounds kinda pervy that!

8. Let me know when you are doing a 200m or 400m. I think it is my only chance of revenge.

Ok, but Id say Id still nail ya!!!

AuldManKing

Some more from me:

* Most influential member of the current Dublin team?

* Thoughts on Ire soccer in the Trapatonni years?

* Beetroot juice: Miracle drink or passing fad?

* What line of work are you currently in?

* Favourite session (non drinking)?

* Have you ever looked at the race calendar for a race you know you'd have a good chance or winning (vrs a good race with people of similar abilities)

Cleanman

Great choice RK.

• Do you ever wish you took up athletics sooner, like in your teens?
• If you did, how low do you think you could have gone in the 10k?
• Long term goal in the 5k and 10k?
• If you could train with one athlete for a week, who would it be?
• Irish male and female athlete with the best chances over 5k/10k in Rio?
• Same question for 2018?
• Favourite type of choclate?

TRR

smmoore79 wrote: »

7. If you won a big Lotto, would you train as is and enjoy lazy afternoons spending money online or up the training to professional levels.

Professional levels. And I'd skype the missus every day from Kenya whilst brother Colm makes the tea sounds kinda pervy that!

ha ha, classic answer.

You're a bastard all this talk of chocolate has me heading towards the vending machine. Damn you

NiallG4

smmoore79 wrote: »

8. Let me know when you are doing a 200m or 400m. I think it is my only chance of revenge.

Ok, but Id say Id still nail ya!!!

I feel a challenge coming on here.

smmoore79

Some more from me:

* Most influential member of the current Dublin team?

Ciaran Kilkenny for youthful talent, Bernard Brogan/Cluxton for leadership

* Thoughts on Ire soccer in the Trapatonni years?

Terrible to watch. But respect for the man that he mangaged to get us into a major tournament with that style of football!!!

* Beetroot juice: Miracle drink or passing fad?
Dont like beetroot so not much opinions on that great beetroot debate!!

* What line of work are you currently in?
Investment accountant is my title, work for a private equity firm. So need running to counter balance this sedentary job.

* Favourite session (non drinking)?
4/5 x 1 mile hilly(preferably the munich lap in the Phoenix park). Great session and serious bang for the buck!

* Have you ever looked at the race calendar for a race you know you'd have a good chance or winning (vrs a good race with people of similar abilities)

Im really lazy when it comes to picking races. Usually someone mentions a race and whether Im running it; thats when i enter! I wouldnt really look out for weak races that i can win which explains why Ive only ever won 1 race!! Still, have some nice national medals and county medals so winning isnt everything!

smmoore79

Great choice RK.

• Do you ever wish you took up athletics sooner, like in your teens?

Yes and no. Yes because I would have been able to maximise my potential, I probably would have gotten to a good senior level and no further, but who knows. And no because Im enjoying running in the here and now. I could be burnt out if I started younger. Plus Im making decent gains for my age and hopefully can push on a bit more in the next couple of years..

• If you did, how low do you think you could have gone in the 10k?

Id like to think sub 30 maybe even low 29's, right now my pb is 32 53 from last Summer so not a zillion miles off right now!

Long term goal in the 5k and 10k?

If my body allows and improves Id love to run a 14 something 5k and get close to a 30 min..sec 10k. Hard targets that may never happen but ya gotta dream!!!

• If you could train with one athlete for a week, who would it be?

Crazy/Mad Len just for the banter!! Plus Id get a lot of speed work done which is something I hate and want to improve on!

• Irish male and female athlete with the best chances over 5k/10k in Rio?

Mary Cullen is running savagely lately, but Britton can do the busisness if she focuses on track and drops xc for a while. As for males, I dunno, Dave McCarthy has bundles of talent

Same question for 2018?
I wouldnt be the greatest statto when it comes to athletics, so dont know too many young guns in the pipeline.

• Favourite type of choclate?

Milk all the way!

smmoore79

TRR wrote: »

ha ha, classic answer.

You're a bastard all this talk of chocolate has me heading towards the vending machine. Damn you

I purposely dont bring cash with me on my lunch time walk to avoid temtation! Just had an apple there, so am doing well today(though an apple is no Turkish delight)!

smmoore79

NiallG4 wrote: »

I feel a challenge coming on here.

We could meet halway and race a 1500

ecoli

Great choice for this

-Most memorable race (both good and bad)?
-Why Crusaders?
-What do you feel is your biggest strength (running wise)?
-If you were to get 2nd last in a race which Irish athletes scalp would it take to make you feel that you are still happy with the race?

smmoore79

Ecoli

Great choice for this

-Most memorable race (both good and bad)?
tough question but I reckon Raheny 5 in January where I placed 14th in a strong field. Took a few scalps that normally take me to school over cross country so that felt brillliant! Dublin marathon 2013 was good but was laced with a lot of bad. From mile 17 I struggled and there was no enjoyment flogging my body for the last 9 miles! Was 9 mins off target too(2 39) but still a decent time..

-Why Crusaders?
Its only an 8 minute jog from where Im living now! Also its a well run club with a good bunch of people involved..

-What do you feel is your biggest strength (running wise)?
Personally I think I lack a little in all disciplines(speed, strength, endurance), so i think my biggest strength on race day is my doggedness; i really do push myself hard at times(DCM 13 being a good case in question!).

-If you were to get 2nd last in a race which Irish athletes scalp would it take to make you feel that you are still happy with the race?
I guess one of the serious seniors on the Irish circuit like Sean Hehir. That would be sweet.

TRR

You mentioned you didn't follow the club plan for DCM but chose P&D instead. Few questions.

Was there a coach setting the club plan or was it kind of organic amongst club mates?
Why did you go with P&D?
Will you stick with a similar plan for your next marathon or try something different?
Your mileage is quite low (although it is mostly quality) for the times you run, especially considering your don't have a big sporting background. Would you consider upping your mileage?

Any other decent runners work with you?

Would you ever consider moving to Germany with the mrs?

pistol_75

Great answers smmoore79

What is the best piece of running/training advice you have received?

What is the worst piece of running/training advice you have received?

Do you always have a training plan or sometimes make it up as you go along?

Are you a slave to the plan or let your body dictate it sometimes?

Do most people run easy runs too hard?

Do you feel lucky to have a park named after you (sort of) to train in?

smmoore79

Here ya go TRR...

You mentioned you didn't follow the club plan for DCM but chose P&D instead. Few questions.

Was there a coach setting the club plan or was it kind of organic amongst club mates?
Yep, theres a marathon coach who sets out the plan and they all head out together for their marathon sessions. All abilities do their long runs together, I assume for the more quality sessions that the group spreads..

Why did you go with P&D?
TBH, its quite easy to understand. All sessions are laid out and the quality work that included MPM's convinced me that this was the plan for me. JD's plan shows 2 quality sessions but ya have to fill in the gaps which put me off.

Will you stick with a similar plan for your next marathon or try something different?
The main difference between plans will be that I have a solid base going into the next plan. So far this year Ive tried to be consistent in my Sunday long runs. Come 2015 I should be ready to take on any plan, but I'll either go for the JD plan or possibly see what the coaches plan is like.. Last years lack of mileage hit me on mile 17 and I struggled from there, if I can push this out to mile 22/23 Id be a happy camper!

Your mileage is quite low (although it is mostly quality) for the times you run, especially considering your don't have a big sporting background. Would you consider upping your mileage?
Right now Im comfotable with my training - track, small tempo, hill reps/long intervals and long run with easy runs in between. This averages at around 50 miles a week. I'll keep this mileage up and maybe in a few months do a double on 1 of the days. Then up it to 2 days. Im gonna do this slowly and sensibly. No point in doing 3-4 doubles now just for the sake of high mileage. That risks injury or burn out!

Any other decent runners work with you?
No, Im the only one in the office. One likes to cycle and another 2 astro ball. The rest are sedintary!!

Would you ever consider moving to Germany with the mrs?
If I could speak German Id consider Berlin or maybe Dresden. But I cant so Dublin it is for now having said that, Im happy in Dublin with the job, running club and friends/family all close by. Shes been here 10 years and has made a life here too and has a good job, so it would be a risk for us to head over..(plus Berlin doesnt have hills or the Munich lap - maybe Munich has, but deffo not Berlin!!)

smmoore79

Hey Pistol, hope these answers are ok..

Great answers smmoore79

What is the best piece of running/training advice you have received?
Active recoveries!!! seriously theyre great! Only did a session last night with 200m actives, really drives fitness and speed up.

Secondly dont get injured, if that means lowering the mileage or knocking 1 session on the head in favour of easy running, then do it. Personally I know my body cant handle a full thursday tempo followed by a Saturday hard session. So I just run easy on Thursdays instead. Recently I've started doing half tempo sessions on thursday which I feel my body can handle.

What is the worst piece of running/training advice you have received?
havent really received too much bad advice TBH. 1 thing I will say is dont train hard when feeling run down. I know lads that will suck it up(me on occasion!) It'll just set you back longer. best to rest.

Do you always have a training plan or sometimes make it up as you go along?
I generally follow the coaches plan at crusaders. But I'll throw in the odd race to mix it up. Or on easy days I'll throw in some strides etc.

Are you a slave to the plan or let your body dictate it sometimes?
Body dictates. Thats why I have an easy week at least once a month! I learnt the hard way from my marathon training in 2010 that listening to your body is the way to go. I limped from mile 11 to mile 13 before withdrawing. Was injured for a month after. I had niggles for at least a month before training and just trained through, rookie mistake!

Do most people run easy runs too hard?
Id say most novice runners or beginners do for sure. My pace goes by feel and varies from 6.30 - 7.30. When I started running years ago i was trying to keep my pace sub 7 30 which looking back was ridiculuos at the time. Body wasnt developed enough to handle the pace(strength/speed and endurance).


Do you feel lucky to have a park named after you (sort of) to train in?
Some of the Cru call it Mooresy park i reckon it should be named after me as I practically live there and i bet Sean Moore was rarely if ever there! Can we start a board.ie petition to rename the park?!?!?!?

BeepBeep67

Some great insights in this thread, really enjoying it.

Afternoon to spare, 20 mile LSR or 20 x 400?
Long run out and back or loops?
Favourite running place in Ireland?
Where does your head go in the last mile and pace is heating up?
Breakthrough performance?
Guilty pleasures :

• Woman?
• Music?
• TV Program?

smmoore79

Glad your enjoying the thread BeeepBeep!

Some great insights in this thread, really enjoying it.

Afternoon to spare, 20 mile LSR or 20 x 400?
Depends, if Im marathon training then maybe 20 miles. Right now, Id give 20 x 400 a bash, maybe at 5k pace.

Long run out and back or loops?
Prefer out and back loops, gives me no choice but to do the session. Though this backfired(forgive the pun!) on 2 occasions when I had a case of the Paula Rathcliffes

Favourite running place in Ireland?
Phoenix park. It has it all, hills, trail, road and theres nowhere more beautiful than on a bright winters morning in the acres with a view of the magazine fort and Dublin city in the background.

Where does your head go in the last mile and pace is heating up?
I tend to zone out and let the guys Im pacing off drift a few metres; Then I snap out of it and mentally try to convince myself to keep the pace and hang on. Then there are moments where I tell myself that I cant hold the gap. This is where my race outcome varies; sometimes I agree and drift back; other times I kop on and tell myself to push myself once more. So not much time for contemplation in 5-10k's!!!!

Breakthrough performance?
Dublin intermediates a couple of years ago where I hadnt a clue who anyone else was so I ran from the front and only dropped off in the last mile. Came 3rd overall and it was only afterwards that others were telling me "oh you took this scalp and you took that scalp". That result really got me thinking that Im a decent runner. But I still look at lads better than me so I still dont think Im that great a runner, maybe thats what pushes me to improve and close the gap on better runners. Im forever comparing my times and other athletes times on the BHAA website to see if Im getting any closer to them over the years!!

Guilty pleasures :

• Woman?
• Dark haired bird off sky sports news and randomly, the chick in that trivago add, nice!!!
• Music?
• Beatles, Stones, Bruce Springstein, Gene Pitney(yes Gene Pitney), Stone Roses, The Doors, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, the Jam, hmmmmm jam!
• TV Program?
• Really into the walking dead now, man it would be cool to outrun zombies!!! Just saw season 1 of Breaking bad, top notch viewing. Ross Kemp new show is a real eye opener and finally nationwide, for some reason its always on when I get home

AuldManKing

Some q's that I get asked that I thought were good 'uns:

* You have just finished your marathon, what would be in your dream goodie bag?

* Top 3 all time sporting heroes?

* If you could go back 20 years and give yourself just one piece of advice, what would it be?

* Handicap 10k race boardsie race where the seeding is perfect so it really comes down to pure guts/ wanting it more( not running ability). Who wins? (love that Q - Dr Q asked)

* If you had to be mentored/coached by a Boardsie for a year then who would you pick from the following list: TRR, Krusty_Clown, Stazza, T Runner, Tunguska, or Ecoli. And Why?

* Any interesting facts you can tell us about yourself?

smmoore79

Enjooying these random questions AMK!!!

Some q's that I get asked that I thought were good 'uns:

* You have just finished your marathon, what would be in your dream goodie bag?
Well after a marathon Id be in bits, so some Avonmore chocoloate milk for starters! Plus I had to walk to Fitz square in a vest last time so a running jacket of some sort. Hell, stick in a pair of Adizero's and a new garmin too!!

* Top 3 all time sporting heroes?
Very tough question. Loved Roy Keane in his playing days, Holland game comes to mind. Zidane aswell, unbelievable(you can tell footy is my number 1 spectator sport!). Steve Collins beatin Eubank around the mid 90's gives me fond memories too. But that would be on a par with Sonia during her pomp aswell.


* If you could go back 20 years and give yourself just one piece of advice, what would it be?
No regrets. No wait, dont drink those pints of fat frog 23 year old Stephen!!!!

* Handicap 10k race boardsie race where the seeding is perfect so it really comes down to pure guts/ wanting it more( not running ability). Who wins? (love that Q - Dr Q asked)
Id say me or Krusty. We both push oursleves hard..

* If you had to be mentored/coached by a Boardsie for a year then who would you pick from the following list: TRR, Krusty_Clown, Stazza, T Runner, Tunguska, or Ecoli. And Why?
Right now Ecoli, as he's very knowledgeable but at the same time learning his trade. His sessions are very structured and make sense to what he tries to achieve. After that Stazza, as he seems to know what makes his athlete Jake tick. Plus in his own right, he knows what it takes(sessions, rest, doubles etc) to achieve his own specific 5k target.

* Any interesting facts you can tell us about yourself?
*I cooked marshmellows in a delapidated abandoned pub when I was a kid, and my friend fell through the floorboards!
*Me and my cousin accidently set a skip on fire beside the special criminal court(the 1 for the IRA guys!)
*Indirectly broke my brothers leg and arm on different ocassions
*realised I had a flare for running at 12 when I was chased round the magazine hills by a rent boy! Was in Neptune rowing club and told to do a jog to Chapilizod and back. So me and 2 mates went into the park instead where we interupted a rent boy taking cash from a business man in a beamer!!!
* Never went out with an Irish girl, all foreign. Though that might be a good thing

pconn062

Great answers so far, didn't realise you were so late coming to running, gives hope to the rest of us!

What do you do to relax outside of running?
If you could only race one more distance for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What is your order of preference, road/track/cross country?
What do you find is the greatest benefit of joining a club?
Favourite album/film/book?
Just how fast do you think you could get, could you be competitive at national level?

smmoore79

Some answers for ya PConn!

Great answers so far, didn't realise you were so late coming to running, gives hope to the rest of us!

What do you do to relax outside of running?
I enjoy heading off for the day or a weekend with the missus, Every 3-4 weeks I have a blow out with the mates. Just the usual stuff, not much in terms of other sports these days, running is enough. Between running, work, time with the other half, visiting family, meeting mates etc I have little time for anything else!!

If you could only race one more distance for the rest of your life, what would it be?
10k's. For the main reason its harder to make big gains in 5k's. I'll be stuck in the 15 min zone for the next few years. In 10k, I can get low 32, then sub 32 etc. More benchmarks to aim for really

What is your order of preference, road/track/cross country?
Id have to say Road, cross country and finally track

What do you find is the greatest benefit of joining a club?
The main benefit is the quality of training and the quality of clubmates to push me on 'bad' days. Every Tuesday Im guaranteed to be pushed hard by the others..

Favourite album/film/book?
Think I was asked before about my fav bands and I completely forgot pink floydd!!! Their best of album is quality. Plus the Beatles, seargeant peppers and any of their later stuff really. Favourite film, tough question, as theres so many out there. Coming to mind right now is There will be blood, no country for old men, Lord of the rings trilogy, Argo, Hangover. I like travel style books, Tim butchers Blood river and Heart of darkness are excellent. I enjoyed Kingdom of Heaven which is about strict mormons in Utah. Others would be Tom Crean, cant comprehend how far that man pushed his body to the limit, Alive(book about the guys trapped in the Andes, so much better than the movie version!) and Born to Run. Read Mo Farahs and Usains books recently, very dull affairs so they wouldnt be on my books list!! On another note Im not a fan of books like running with the Kenyans, Why we run and that Dean Karnases book. Full of fudge and aimed at the general public with no specific training, session, diet etc. ok rant over!!

Just how fast do you think you could get, could you be competitive at national level?
Thinking about this logically, lets take a 5 mile cross country for example. I would need to improve by 30 seconds each year over the next 4-5 years to be competitive at the top end of the Irish scene. So far I have made these 30 second jumps over the last 3-4 years. In theory its possible that I can continue to improve. But the realities will more than likely get in the way. Im 34 now and not an ideal age to be trying to break senior level; So it doesnt sound likely that a 39/40 year old can be a top senior. Even if age is not a factor, I should naturally plateau and people say this happens after 5-6 years of training which might suggest 1-2 more years of big improvements before I have to work really hard for pb's by a couple of seconds! So I can dream of pushing myself to crazy levels but realities will dictate that I may end up a decent senior. Doing the National Seniors XC tomorrow, I'll hope for top 60. Over the next few years Id like to improve and maybe break top 30. This seems more achieveable than being in the top 5!! And who knows, over 10k road I may get close to sub 31!