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🌟
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