Its seems as if this man was born to run.

He has made big strides in a few short years since hanging up his football boots. You could say he is in the sport for the long run.

Mick Counsel

 

 

1. When did you start running ?

My mother will say I never walked and ran as soon as I stood up but after playing football until I was 48 I decided I needed something to keep fit so started running in January 2016 to complete a marathon.

2. When did you join Trim AC ?

November 2016 just after Dublin marathon and I haven't looked back since.

3. Why did you take up running ?

Mainly to keep fit but the more I ran the more competitive I have become so I run to be the best I can be.

4. What  are your favourite road races ?

Raheny 5 mile and Bob Heffernan 5k.

5.Do you have any pre race routines ?

 Pre race is my warm up and drills but one routine I need to do better is get my gear ready the night before, I'm terrible for throwing my gear in my bag at the last minute.

6. what is your favourite session ?

 The shorter intervals would be my favourite, 300m, 400m & 500m repeats but from 800m upwards I find very tough.

7.Who are your athletics heroes ?

 Eamon Coughlan & Marcus O'Sullivan from my youth and Eliud Kipchoge & Meb Keflezghi from more modern times.

8. What is your most memorable race or event ?

 There are so many, breaking 60 minutes this year in Trim, sub 3 in DCM 2019 and Boston 2019 but my favourite has to be crossing the finishing line in my first marathon 2016 while running for Robyn Smyth who sadly passed away 2 weeks ago aged 16.

9. What event that you were not taking part in has made the biggest impression ?

Eamon Coughlan winning the 5000m final at the World championships 1983, I will never forget him giving Dimitriev the eyes coming off the final bend and pulling away from him to win comfortably in the end.

10. What do you enjoy about athletics  ?

 Seeing my friends and clubmates improving.

11. What do you miss from your running routine in the lockdown ? 

Group training is an important part of development as we can each push each other on to be better.

12. Why do you run ?

 Aside from the obvious fitness levels it has made me more disciplined in my day to day life and I'm managing my time a bit better these days.

13. What are your pre and post race eating habits?

For a morning race it will be porridge with coffee and toast but for afternoon or evening nothing too big for at least 3 hours beforehand. Afterwards it's generally just coffee, sandwich & chats with friends.

14.What motivates you to head out training on a wet and windy day ?

 Going out the door on a wet & windy winter morning can be tough but I feel it's character building and toughens you mentally the worse the weather. As they say Winter miles equals Summer smiles.

15. Have you any advice for a new member ?

Best advice would be to always listen to your peers and be willing to learn new things, we are all learning, every day is a schoolday. Build the mileage slowly & stretch regularly. And finally be humble, we all know bad losers but don't ever be a bad winner.