MEET OUR ATHLETES
Today it is Sean Murphy, consistant in all aspects of training and racing. Top of his age group at county, provincial and national level. As good on the grass as on the road and track and when the club or county comes calling he is "Ready to Race !"

1. When did you start running
Started running after I finished playing GAA in 2005/6. During my school years in Kerry, I would have taken part in the usual schools running events and the local parish sports days.

2. When did you join Trim AC ?
Probably around 2008.

3. Why do you run ?
Really enjoy keeping keep fit, healthy and I love the outdoor life/fresh air in the Porchfields. Being able to support & compete in local races is a great challenge and something that I really enjoy.

4. Favourite event, race or competition (excluding the 2 Trim hosted races) ?
My favorite Marathon is Dingle and I also have a soft spot for cross country racing.

5. Have you any pre event routine apart from your warm-up ?
If possible, I try to jog the last mile of the race during warm-up to identify a few positive elements about this part of the course. Then when running this section of the course at race time, I try and remember these elements form earlier to give me a final push for the end line.

6. Favourite type of training. ?
Interval sessions (the longer the better)

7. Who is your athletics hero ?
International: Yifter from Ethopia (1980 Olympics)
Irish: John Tracey, John Lenihan.

8. What is your best memory from the sport ?
Completing the Rotterdam Marathon in 2h 39mins 51sec.
Getting Leinster Gold and All Ireland Silver medals in the Masters Cross Country 0/45 category in 2019/2020.

9. What motivates you to train ?
The enjoyment that I get from running and feeling fit and healthy keeps me motivated. I’m always looking for little improvements and try to include some new elements into training as this keeps the challenge fresh. It’s also great to be able to train with my running club mates and to see their improvement and progression.

10. What aspect of the sport gives you satisfaction ?
The great friends and comrades that you meet up with within your own club and across the wider running community. Also, the sport caters for all irrespective of age and ability and this is great to see at club training nights and at races.

11. How important is group training to you ?
Really important - everyone benefits from the group training sessions and on many occasions, the pre and post training chats/stretching elements are more important & of benefit than the hard work done in between.

12. Has the sport influenced life in general ?
Yes, it’s made life a lot busier for me in many ways and has forced me to become more organized and resilient. Being involved in running has also given me and my family the opportunity to meet up with great people.

13 . Have you a favourite meal before or after events ?
Before event: banana, toast & coffee.
After: Coffee & a biscuit.

14. What motivates you to go training on a wet and windy day ?
The thought that the next race day could also be like this and to use it as preparation for how to deal with such conditions.

15. What advice would you give a new member ?
To do a little running lots of days is far better than a lot of running over fewer days.
Get into a routine with your running group and don't worry about what distance you are covered.
Some sessions will be a little harder but these are the sessions that you will look back on with the greatest enjoyment and sense of achievement.