We hear from John Meade…

Q. Where are you from?

Rugadh agus tógadh mé i gCorcaigh, privileged to be born and raised on Leeside.

Q. How long have you been a St. Finbarr’s A.C. Club member?

I started running with the Barr’s at the end of 2009, having taken up running earlier that year in the Dubai heat.

Q. What race distances are you focusing on at the moment?

At the moment, I’m focusing on anything from 5 km to half marathon, very specific!

Q. What does a typical training week look like for you?

Sunday long run starting early at The Marina is pretty nailed down. I do a lot of daily running and sessions in Glanmire na laethanta seo.

New cycleways and walking paths down there have been transformative from a running perspective.

I like to race frequently, so I do one session a week, usually longer repeats, KMs or miles at just faster than 5 km / 4 mile race pace. Plenty of S&C then in between the tunes.

Q. Do you have a specific goal for the season?

My goal this season is to keep running. Not snapping or causing rupture to any major anatomical structures. My goal is to work hard consistently and then hopefully get stronger and faster, even as I get older.

My goals are more horizontal, than vertical. I’d prefer to keep running through the years, than go all chips in trying to chase a single, short-term running goal. As runners, we’re lucky in Cork to have such a selection of local races to pick from, and I’ll race plenty of these. We’re spoiled really.

Q. What is your favourite athletics event?

I love the International Cork City Sports, is aoibhinn liom é an tráthnóna sin. To get such close proximity with some of the best track and field athletes in the world is something else. Leaning over the trackside fence as the action explodes is nothing short of awesome. Ahead of this summer’s Paris Olympics, Cork City Sports could be even special than ever.

Q. What is your favourite running memory or single biggest running achievement to date?

Nuair a thosaigh mé ag rith, I was lucky to fall in on Sunday long runs from St. Lukes with Cathal O’Connell and the gang. I learned so much sharing the miles with (King) Cathal, and those are precious memories.

Talking sparkly bling, I suppose being part of a gold medal team at the World Masters Mountain Running Championship in Clonmel in 2022 was a big day for me.

Q. Do you have a top training tip for your fellow St. Finbarr’s A.C. members?

‘Little by little, a little becomes a lot’. Be consistent and improvements will come. Ask others for feedback and advice. There are so many training choices and variations out there, including non-running options. Something different works best for all of us. Discover how to make your own Goldilocks porridge.

Q. Any other comments?

Any of us who are training and running are privileged, we should always remember that. Getting to head off to a race is a gift, enjoy it every time. It’s great to be part of the running community here in Cork. There’s more to why we run than just putting one foot in front of the other, agus buíochas mór le Dia for that!

Thank you John🌟

If you would like to share your story with fellow St.Finbarr’s A.C. members feel free to fill out this quick questionnaire:

Member Spotlight – Share Your Story

Our “Meet the” series continues this week with Meet the Treasurer – Pat Murphy!

1.Where were you born?
Born in Greenmount in Cork

2.How long have you been a club member?
I joined St Finbarr’s at the start of 2019.

3.What was it that attracted you to join St Finbarr’s?
I’m not sure if I was attracted to join St Finbarr’s but if you know Dan Kennedy you know that he has persuasive powers.

I used to meet Dan whilst running in the ‘Farm’ and he suggested I should stop running the junk miles and join the Barrs and get some structured training. I haven’t looked back since.

4.What is the best part of being a club member?
Being of a more senior vintage I was a bit apprehensive about joining the club and wasn’t sure how I would fit in, but the club and the members welcomed me as one of their own.

That is the one special thing about this club, everybody is so friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. The club accommodates all abilities and there is a place in it for everyone.

Together with having the three most experienced and knowledgeable coaches in Dan, Eamonn and Marion, ably assisted by Pat and Graham makes for a great club.

5.Who is you’re your athletics idol/hero?
Not sure if I would call them idols but I always enjoyed watching Lasse Viren, a long-distance runner from Finland who ran in the 70’s and was double Olympic champion over 5,000 and 10,000m and would give the current generation of Africans and a certain Norwegian a run for their money over 5,000 and 10,000m. The competition between Coe and Ovett over the years at 800 and 1500m was also a great watch.

6.What is your favourite athletics event?
Since joining the Barrs I have given most if not all race types a try. I have run in roads and XC Championship races, but my preferred event would be the 800 and 1500m track events.

7.What club achievement are you most proud of?
I cast my mind back to a Cross Country race in Dungourney I think in 2021.It was like something you would see at a Grand National all lined up behind the start line. That day there were 56 Barrs athletes participating, and it was great to be part of that field. Not sure what we won on the day but the pride of being part of this club that day sits in my memory.

8.What personal achievement in your time at St. Finbarr’s are you most proud of?
Personally, I have been lucky enough to have had a little success across the various disciplines, which is down to the great coaching we receive, but my highlight to date would be winning of the 800 and 1500m double at the Masters National Track and Field Championship on a baking hot day in Tullamore in 2022.

9.What is your goal as Treasurer for 2024?
As I have just taken over this role from my mentor Michael Murphy my first task will be to make sure the books balance at the end of the year!

As St Finbarr’s is the club with the largest membership of Senior and Masters’ athletes in the County it would be great to see these numbers grow even more and that those who join will have the same fantastic experience that I have had since I joined. I am looking forward to our club having another successful year across all the running disciplines and seeing as many members as possible giving the races a go.

10.Who is your ‘’one to watch’’ for 2024?
There are so many fantastic athletes in our club both male and female and in the different categories of Seniors and Master that it would be difficult to pick one, so I will pick two.

My Male picks are Sean Twohig and Barry Twohig. Both have been in great form recently on the roads and the mountains and will carry that form into the rest of the year.

My Female picks would be Louisa Browne and Anita Locke who like the lads will be ones to watch out for in 2024.

There are also the many other athletes who may not necessarily finish on the podium but who give of their best at training during the week and who should also be commended and recognised for their efforts running in the Barrs singlet.

Thank you Pat 🌟

If you would like to share your story with fellow St.Finbarr’s A.C. members feel free to fill out this quick questionnaire:

Member Spotlight – Share Your Story

Q. Where are you from?

I’m from the US: I grew up in Goleta, California, a small town on the coast, but most recently I had been living in Boston, Massachusetts.

Q. How long have you been a St. Finbarr’s A.C. Club member?

I joined Finbarr’s in 2017 when my husband, Lance, and I moved to Cork the first time. I was a member for the year I lived here and rejoined when I moved back to Cork in June 2023.

Q. What race distances are you focusing on at the moment?

I’m focused on the 5k at the moment, and also plan to do some track racing, with a focus on the 800, this outdoor season.

Q. What does a typical training week look like for you when you don’t have a race that week?

Rest Mon, easy run Tues, track speed Wed evenings, easy run Thur, tempo track on Fri, ParkRun Saturday, and longer run Sunday; on my easy runs, I throw in a few 30 second strides; I also make sure to get some hills into some of my slower or long runs. I also do strength training twice a week and a lot of mobility and PT type exercises throughout the week. And I have been taking time to regularly do some form of mental training.

Q. What does a typical training week look like for you when you do have a race that week?

Pretty similar to a regular training week but without as much speed work, and I cut back on what I’m doing for strength work. So I would maybe do half the workout on Wed, and not as fast as I would on a regular week. I also make sure to do 3-5 30 second strides in all my runs to remind my body what running fast feels like and keep my legs snappy.

Q. Do you have a specific goal for the season?

I’m on a quest to break 20 minutes in the 5k, after years focusing on longer distances like the marathon. My current PR is 21:10, set last August. I’d be thrilled to reach my goal this year. I’d also love to PR in the 800, which I started running a few years ago. I’ve run a 2:53 and know I’ve got more speed in me.

Q. What is your favourite athletics event?

My favorite events currently are the ones I’m training for, the 5k and 800. They are both interesting challenges mentally and physically. And I love racing and training for events that are short enough that I can race them frequently. I love racing, so focusing on these shorter events gives me the opportunity to do that more often.

Q. What is your favourite running memory or single biggest running achievement to date?

I actually have two: the first time I finished the Boston Marathon, in the 2018 storm year. I will never forget turning onto the finishing stretch on Boylston Street and the incredible crowds. Running the 90km Comrades Marathon in under 10 hours last year is also a huge highlight for me. The course is really hilly and it’s such a long way to run, and also it’s just a magical event. That event will always hold a special place in my heart.

Q. Do you have a top training tip for your fellow St. Finbarr’s A.C. members ?

Run your easy runs easy and run your speed workouts at the prescribed speed. It’s important to remember what the day’s training is supposed to be about and stick with it. I remind myself: training is training, racing is racing.
Also, spend some time on mental preparation: belief in your abilities is an important part of reaching your goals.

Q. Any other comments ?

I’ll add that I enjoy the support of Finbarr’s and am thankful for all the people who work to keep the club running so well. It’s truly a pleasure to show up in all weather on track nights and have such a terrific crew to train with and excellent coaches to run the workouts. And being a part of Finbarr’s at races is always great fun.

Thank you Cherie and the very best with the sub 20. We are all rooting for you 🌟.

If you would like to share your story with fellow St.Finbarr’s A.C. members feel free to fill out this quick questionnaire:

Member Spotlight – Share Your Story