From goal keeping to time keeping

Setting a great example to her kids by putting

sport and exercise into her daily routine

Susan Clancy

When did you start running?
Q1. After I had my first child in 2012, my motivation was simple - to loose some weight and reintroduce some sport to my life since hanging up my football boots in my late 20s ! My sister Louise had started running & encouraged me to give it a go.

When did you join club?
Q2. I joined in 2015, I always thought you had to be a certain speed/ability to run with an athletic club so never even considered it. Kieran joined a year earlier and loved it, that planted a seed in my head - so on a Tuesday evening in early October I put the runners on and went to a club session and have been going ever since

Why do you run?
Q3. Apart from the physical benefits of running, it’s the part of my day when there’s no stress, no deadlines, no work calls, no emails, no kids no thinking, it’s just one foot in front of the other and breathing!

Favorite Event?
Q4. I don’t have a favorite event or maybe I’ve just not ran it yet! There’s something special about wearing the candy stripes and hearing the shouts for your home town when running Dublin Marathon.

Do you listen to music when running?
Q5. Never listen to music running

Favorite type of Training ?
Q6. You can’t beat a good hill session in the porches in the summer, lung bursting but rewarding!

Who is your athletics hero?
Q7.I don’t have an athletics hero .... all of you club mates !

Best memory from the sport?
Q8. I’ve two stand out special memories, Kieran proposed at the end of my first half marathon, sweaty and out of breath but officially off the shelf ! The other is my first marathon in 2013. I ran with my sister Louise & friends Sandra & Clare . Although I remember at the time thinking child birth was less painful, no time improvement can top the euphoria of actually completing the distance for the first time with the girls.

Best race you did not take part in?
Q9. Watching Kieran in Connemara Marathon last year, even on a wet breezy cold day(which it was) the setting is amazing , Kieran ran so well such a buzz. Rob & Shane did the ultra that day too, if there’s ever an advert for the run it’s them - it’s now on the bucket list.

What aspect of sport gives you satisfaction?
Q10. Achieving goals (or getting close!) is satisfying to me. Running is a great platform to push yourself and set your own targets whether it’s completing a training session, running faster, run farther,doing a trail or cross country run or just simply running. I also love that my kids see exercise/sport as a normal part of daily life.

How important is group training?
Q11. I wouldn’t enjoy running as much without the group sessions, Tuesday & Thursday are kind of like a good pain, it’s comforting to know you’re not the only one who does it voluntarily. The inclusion, company & encouragement at group sessions echoes how great it is to be part of a club.

Has the sport influenced your life?
Q12. Yes absolutely, in too many ways to mention all positive apart from the weekly row in our house about who gets to train more

Best sporting attribute?
Q13. I think I’m consistent and know I get what I put in.

What motivates you to train on a wet windy day?
Q14. Knowing I will feel good after and also knowing if I don’t go I’ll be kicking myself!!

What advice would you give a new member?
Q15. Everyone is a beginner sometime. Some people are chasing new goals some running after old achievements, some are just running . Set your own goal, put the runners on & join a group session - there is a place for everyone.