Triathlons, road races and cross country this man goes from strength to strength

Introducing to you the Clare Champion

Quinton Bourke 

 

1.When did you start running

Back in 2010 my brother in-law and a few other lads got me to do Gaelforce West Adventure race in Connemara. I was never really a runner so I ran in the Porchfields in the months before the race to build up some fitness so I could at least try and keep up with them.

 

2. When did you join Trim AC ?

In the summer of 2010 while training for Gaelforce I met John Ferry in the Porchfields and he told me about the Braveheart race and the club. After the summer, I went down to one of the club training sessions and the first person I met was Don Mahon.  I was at my limit the first evening trying to keep up with Don while he was running at his easy pace.

 

3.Why do you run ?

Mainly to clear my head as I work from home.  I usually run at lunchtime and I run with the club once a week. As I’m not from Trim, it is a great way to meet new people with similar interests.

 

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

It must be the Dunshaughlin 10km. I run it most years and I think nearly every year, I got a PB, so it’s been a lucky course for me personally.

Outside of Ireland, the London Marathon. I ran it 5 times.

 

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

During long runs on my own, I usually put on the headphones and I listen to a mixture of music. Recently, I enjoy running outside taking in the natural environment and fresh air without music.

 

6. Favourite type of training. ?

When I turn up at a training session and the lads say we’ll just have an easy run this evening.

 

7.Who is your athletics hero ?

Admire so many in the club for the achievements they have done but growing up, I loved watching the Olympic Games. I admire Sonia O’Sullivan and international sprinter and long lumper Carl Lewis of the USA.

 

8. What is your best memory from the sport ?

The Dublin City Marathon in 2019. Usually on the last few miles of a marathon when everything hurts and you say to yourself “never again”, this one was different. Every mile, I was running quicker and my legs were still fine at the end.  It was just one of those days when everything went well and my family/friends were there to cheer me on.

 

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

The London Olympics in 2012. I got tickets to the Olympic stadium and I saw Derval O’Rourke compete in the hurdles.

 

10. What aspect of the sport gives you satisfaction ?

There’s always that competitive aspect with yourself, when you think you’ll never repeat a PB in a race and the following year you surprise yourself by going quicker again.

 

11. How important is group training to you ?

It is great to have the chat before and after training with club mates. And of course, a great way of getting me out of my comfort zone. I’m finding it hard to do the intervals and tempo runs on my own these days.

 

12. Has the sport influenced life in general ?

In the last few months, it reminds me what being part of a club is all about. Sport is about people and being part of a team.

 

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

I enjoy giving advice to other club members on running and triathlon activities. I valued advice from other club members when I started out. It’s satisfying to see runners from the club progress through the sport.

 

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

I find it difficult to motivate myself on wet and windy days... Give me heat any day. If it’s raining, I wait in the house till it clears. I don’t mind running in the rain but not starting in it.

 

 

15. What advice would you give a new member ?

Don’t think athletic clubs are for fast runners only. No matter what level you are at, there’s a group for you to run with and make some great friends within Trim A.C. Is féidir leat!