Name: Maressa Mills
Member of Eagle AC since: September 2021
How long have you been running what made you take it up:
2019, when a couch to 5KM kicked off at work – but it was only during lockdowns 2021 that I started to head out regularly myself when the gyms were closed. I signed up to some virtual charity distance challenges too which helped to make sure I completed them!
Favourite thing about running: The post run buzz, especially after a tough track session of a Tuesday! The running community – and friends I have made since joining the club. I still feel a bit of a fraudster at the track, running alongside the talent of other club members but the support & advice has been so helpful. I have really seen an improvement especially when pushing my distance further. I’ll probably always be towards the back of the group 😊 ...but will show up at training and put 100% in! I couldn’t imagine my week now without the track, and my long Eagle social runs at the weekends. Favourite race distance to run: 10 miles What is your main goal for this year: Dublin Marathon 2022! I signed up through a charity when registrations were closed off thinking there was a half option...no going back now :) Your best race/most memorable racing moment to date:
Clonakilty Half Marathon 2021. I never ever thought completing it was possible, as a 10KM distance was my max and before that I hadn’t completed many races other than 5/10KM fun runs! I had just joined the club in September – with the race in November. The training sessions, long social runs at the weekend and the encouragement from fellow members really helped. The buzz of the race day was something special, while chatting to other runners along the way too. (I had to strike up some conversations to take my mind off the struggle which helped!)
Tell us something most people might not know about you: On some of my earlier runs in Ballincollig Regional Park, I was known to stop dead in the trails at 3/4KM and walk back home!! Thank god for Strava & the accountability of it now. Biggest heroes (sporting or non-sporting): Up to recently I could not think of a sporting hero for this piece, but it was right under my nose, my hero & local running legend Mary Sweeney. Mary’s not only a great friend of the club, but has been a little inspiration with her incredible running career to date. We realized after meeting through the club that we lived nearby one another, and have gone on social runs ever since. Mary’s advice & support has been so helpful, along with the encouragement to sign up to races. She is a bundle of fun & energy, full of positivity, and a joy to run with and I’m so glad to know her. Check out this super feature on Cork Running blog to read more about Mary’s incredible running career!
One bit of advice you would give to someone thinking of taking up running: Go for it! Heading out with a friend, or running group helps to get into a routine also the chats will keep your mind off the run when its tough. Check out upcoming races, or fun runs in your area, signing up for something & setting a goal will help to have something to train for. 3 things you would take with you onto a desert island:
A good desert island playlist
Extra battery
Enough goodies & chocolate one could carry. To keep the sugar levels up obviously 😉
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