Always supportive of colleagues

Cheering younger ones while she warms up

Cheering older ones home when her own race is run.

EMMA GIBNEY

1.When did you start running

Started running 6 years ago after i ran my 1st  junior Braveheart. I must have thought i was going to get biscuits after every run i did as i then joined the club.

 

2. When did you join Trim AC ?

Joined in 2014

3.Why do you run ?

I run because it makes me feel good about myself. If your having a bad day and you go out for a run you feel alot better. I also enjoy running with my friends or meeting other runners out on your run. That one hello smile or wave can make your run alot better.  I also run because it makes me a better footballer.  Im faster on the gaa pitch since i started running..

4.Favourite event, race or competition (other than a Trim AC event)?

Last year i got to run in the All Irelands. It was a great experience as we ran in muck up to our knees but all the support on the sideline was amazing and got me through the whole race with a smile on my face.

5.Do you listen to music, podcasts or the natural world while running ?

Ive never ran with music as ive always had my clubmates to run with. But recently with not being able to train with anyone  ive started to listen to music. I find it really helpful especially on my long run on a sunday morning. I get through it alot easier as my mind is on the music.

 

6. Favourite type of training. ?

This is a hard one as ive always said the short and fast sessions are for me but im starting to enjoy my Sunday morning long runs. So either short and fast or a nice long run would be my favourite.

 

7.Who is your athletics hero ?

My athletics hero is definitely my running coach Pat Comey. Pat is the most inspirational and caring person I've ever met. He tells me I can when I feel like I cant. Pat believes that im so much better than i am. I may not be the best of runners but Pat makes me feel like i can accomplish anything if i put my mind to it. I wouldnt be the runner I am today without him.

My 2 other heroes are my GAA coaches Barry Moyles and Sean Murphy who are both fantastic runners.

8. What is your best memory from the sport ?

Best memory was the Meath Championships last year. Id never won my own individual medal and never thought i would. I can be a bit negative with myself sometimes but I placed 2nd in the 1500 m on day 1 and on day 2  I  placed 3rd in the 800m.   I was so happy as it was a big achievement for myself. Also another good memory was a few years ago i showed up to a cross country race thinking i had only 2.5km to do ( i wasnt a fan of cross country at the time) and my other coach Elaine handed me my number and on it was 3.5km.  And i nearly  lost my life. Told Pat it must be a mistake and he laughed and said " I had to tell you that it was only 2.5k or you wouldnt have come"

Even though i complained it was a great race in the end.

9. What is the best race or athletics competition you ever watched but did not take part in ?

Definitely the Dublin city marathon last year. I went with my Mom and Dad to cheer on all the Trim athletes taking part. And I got to run a few miles with Pat.

The atmosphere was amazing and hopefully when im older I can take part one day.

10. What aspect of the sport gives you satisfaction ?

Putting in the hard work and getting good results in the end.

 

 

11. How important is group training to you ?

Group training is really important to me as i find I push myself when im with other people. I started my running journey with Ava and Sarah and Ive always ran with them. Pat nick named us the 3 musketeers. I love group training as all the girls in the club get on great and aswell as pushing each other on we always find time to fit the  gossip in. I miss the chats these last few weeks.

 

12. Has the sport influenced life in general ?

Yes running has influenced my life in general. One of the reasons i run is because it really brings me on with football.  I took a year out of football few years back to focus on my running but I missed my team mates so I went back and now I try to balance them both in my life. Sometimes its hard but i dont want to give up either of them.

 

13 .What do you feel is your best sporting attribute?

I think my best sporting attribute would be that i always try my best and finish with a smile. My mom and dad always tell me before a race " just go out and do your best "

 

!4. What motivates you to go training on a wet and windy day ?

Coming home to a hot shower and getting into my fluffy pyjamas. 

 

15. What advice would you give a new member ?

Id say do your best even though its hard at the start.  You'll get loads of great advice from other runners and you'll make lots of  great friends along the way.