Interview with Moire O Sullivan from JuJu Jay with M,S,R Q: Three words to describe you? A: Dogged. Organised. Adventurous. Q: When did you first start trail running and why? A: I started trail running in 2006. I had just moved to Dublin after having lived in Kenya for seven years. My first trail run was a Leinster League race. Paul Mahon invited me along to the Wednesday night event on Corrig Mountain. I was a friend of Pauls sister, Avril, when I lived in Kenya, and she encouraged me to go along. I was new to Dublin and so it was a good way to meet people as well as discover a bit of the area. I remember the race being very painful. My lungs and legs were not prepared for the onslaught. And it was scary as well. The mist was down on Corrig mountain, and I had no idea that I was meant to follow markers. I did pretty badly in the race, but that only made me more determined to work out how to mountain run. Q: Have you always been a runner? A: Growing up in Northern Ireland, I was always involved in school athletics. It was one of the few places where Protestants and Catholics would meet during the Troubles, seeing that we were separated in terms of where we lived and where we were educated. I eventually gave it up when I was 17 to do my A-levels, get my driving license and do other teenage things. I started running again when I was 26 and living in Kenya. There I joined the Hash House Harriers. The Hash is a worldwide drinking group with a running problem. Ive since run with the Hash in Dhaka, Kathmandu, Ho Chi Minh, Nairobi, Vientiane and Dublin. Its a good way to meet people when abroad as well as get a run in and sample the local beer. Q: What is your favourite IMRA race? A: Anything that is long, over rough ground, and preferably involves navigation. I always enjoyed the navigation series. I think there are also some great routes on the Leinster Championship that Id love to run some day. Non-IMRA-wise, Im also a huge fan of Setantas 24 hour Rogaine and the Mourne Mountain Marathon. Q: Do ever walk the uphills in a race? A: I remember taking part in the Croagh Patrick race and walking behind someone who was running. The runner was breathing heavier than me, yet we were travelling at the same speed. So yes, I am not ashamed to say that I walk uphill on races - it can definitely at times be more efficient. Q: How many miles would you run on a training week? A: I am currently training to do multi-sport / adventure races next season, so I do a mix of biking, running, swimming, and gym at the moment. When I was just doing ultra-running and training for the Wicklow Round I averaged 80-100 kms a week. Q: What foods to you eat to recover from a serious long run or race? A: Anything that I can find, and that depends on whats around. In Nepal, I used to go to the nearest restaurant after a long mountain run and eat a mound of lentils and rice. Here in Ireland, Id go for serious sandwiches or a smoothie if I am near a blender. Q: What do you get out of running, mentally? A: Last year I ran the Camino de Santiago de Compostela across the north of Spain. It took me 19 days to cover the 790km from France. With all the time I had alone running on the trail, I thought I would solve all my worldly problems. However, instead of thinking through all my dilemmas, they simply went away. My head became clearer and clearer over the days, and I soon began to think of nothing at all. Maybe it was from exhaustion. Perhaps it was from being “in the zone”. Or maybe it was from all the red wine I was drinking in the evenings with my 10 Euro “menu del dia”. But I simply stopped wondering or worrying. And thats what running can do for me. Q: Can you share your experiences on the Wicklow Round? A: I did the Wicklow Round back in 2009. Within a few months of completing it, I decided to write down my experiences and eventually published the book, Mud, Sweat and Tears. I am so glad I wrote down what happened because, four years on, my memories have definitely faded. What I can say though is that it was one of the most important moments in my life, and it is something that Id recommend to anyone thinking of taking up the challenge. Q: Do you plan to write any more books on running? A: To write a book, you have to have something to say. The Wicklow Round was such a seminal event in my life that I really wanted to tell people about it, to encourage them also to try it. I think now I have said my piece, and instead look forward to reading other peoples accounts of their running adventures. Q: Have you ever tried barefoot running? A: Yes, I tried barefoot running back in 2009. I bought some Vibrams in Singapore and brought them back home to Vietnam where I was living at the time. I remember going for a short run around the streets of Hanoi and really not enjoying it. And, seeing that I didnt have the patience to build up my ability to barefoot run, I now only wear my Vibrams when I go sea swimming. Q: Whats your greatest achievement? A: In July I gave birth to a really cool baby boy. I never thought I would have or would want kids, and never thought that I would be any good at mothering. And though actually having a kid isnt an achievement, I think doing something that I was unsure of and finding out how much I love it has been a real accomplishment. My next goal is to get fit again after nine months of pregnancy! Q: Have you run any Marathons or plan to race any? A: I have run only one road marathon and that was in Kathmandu. It was chaos. They didnt close the roads, and I ended up slaloming around cars, motorbikes and tractors, then straight into a protest march of a few thousand people. By the half way mark the traffic was industrial and I found myself running right behind trucks spewing out thick, glutinous black smoke. By the end, I felt like Id smoked a pack of 20. Needless to say, that was my first and last road marathon. Q: What would you say to all those ladies out there who are contemplating running ultra distance? A: If you want to run ultra distances in the mountains, learn to navigate. Once you read a map and compass, you can literally go where you want, when you want. Blog site: moireosullivan/ Big Thanks to Moire O Sullivan for her time and great interview.. hope you all liked it and will learn something great…. Peace..
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 21:41:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015