Meet your three leaders: Fergus, Jessica and Taragh
over half full for the Wicklow town event on March 25.
For more information on the race, to sign up or to follow the leaders training plans, go to www.wicklowhalfmarathonand10km.com
In the coming weeks, race organiser and peak performance coach Eoin Ryan ( pictured) will share extracts from his new book ‘Outcome Running – 10 milestones towards a more positive and faster you’, which is available from his website www. eoinryancoaching.com.
My name is Fergus Croke and I live in Greystones with my wife and three daughters. Like many other people in Wicklow, I spend a considerable amount of time each day commuting to and from Dublin.
I only started running 18 months ago after spending a two-week holiday abroad with my brother-in-law. I have continued to try run at least two days a week since that holiday. As both my father and father-in-law are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/Dementia, trying to keep fit and eating healthy is important to me.
Finding a regular schedule to run can be quite a challenge so I generally start my weekday runs around Greystones after 9pm. You will also see me running the trails at the weekend around Glen of the Downs or in the Wicklow mountains.
I needed to set myself a goal so in November I entered the Trilogy Half Marathon events taking place in Wicklow, Wexford and Clontarf. I decided that I would benefit by offering to become a leader for the Wicklow event. Being a leader will put the necessary amount of responsibility/ pressure on me to train and the training plan provided will give me the structure that I need between now and the end of March.
My initial goal is to run the entire half marathon. I’m giving myself an initial target of running it in less than 2 hours 15 mins. I am not sure yet if this is realistic - only time and training will tell.
Where to start and why start this journey at all? A 10k run with a twelve-week training programme for a virgin runner – daunting to say the least, I feel the nerves kicking in already. I thought that a new challenge would be the way to go, I feel that I’m the one in the room that always puts her hand up to try new things, to push for the need to try something new. But, I must admit I’m nervous and already have doubts in the back of my mind. The reason for the decision to become a leader is, I must admit, work-related. I’m a physical therapist and have many clients that are runners – from the 5km in Shanganagh park to full on marathon runners. They arrive to me with their injuries and their stories of accomplishment and I do feel slightly jealous at their stories. I feel envious that they can put themselves through what seems at times like an unrealistic goal for their bodies, but never am I more in awe then when they arrive back to me for as post-race rub after completing their race. So, here I am, ready to go, in my forties I still play 15s rugby and have decided to do my first 10k run – wish me well!
I’m Jessica, the owner of Doe Eyes, specialised eyelash extension salons based in Delgany, Wicklow and Kinsealy. Being both the owner and a therapist takes up a lot of my time. When not working, I enjoy playing rugby and tag rugby. I was always pretty sporty. As a teenager, I competed in athletics and martial arts, obtaining a black belt in karate at the age of 16.
I enjoy new challenges and goals, so was very enthused at the idea of participating in the Wicklow Gaol leader programme and getting back into my runners. I haven’t been running much lately and I’ve never completed 10k. I’m especially looking forward to crossing the finish line in Wicklow Gaol. What I hope to gain is a routine of running so I will be following the 10k plan given to me by Eoin.
I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences, good and bad, over the next 12 weeks. Bring on March 25.