Grainne Cunningham

I am running proof that even those of us who will never be true sprinters can still get huge enjoyment and satisfaction from the sport. And despite having no innate talent, with training and some sheer dogged determination, we too can see our finishing times come down.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

I had “dabbled” in running for a few years, making a stab at getting into shape just before the women’s mini-marathon every year and then falling out of practice again. In 2002, with what in hindsight seems like woefully inadequate training, I ran the Dublin Marathon in 4:24 and was absolutely delighted with myself. I joined Bray Runners in 2006 when I was doing sporadic training for my second marathon. I took a few minutes off my time that year, running 4:17 but was still pretty disappointed with the result. But by then I was hooked on regular training and loving the craic and chat that came with running in groups. And the competition.

I learned so much in those first few years from those in the club - about speed sessions, fartlek and the value of the long slow run. And I eventually broke the magical four hour marathon barrier in 2008, knocking 23 mins off my previous time. In 2010, my fitness peaked and I ran my best times in most distances - nothing to write home about but satisfying for me. And my marathon time was 3.47.

Over the years with the club, I have had great times, from weekends away in Wicklow and Ballycotton to philosophising over countless cups of coffee. And of course, there’s the running - great gallops over the muddy hills in Djouce, battles again the clock around the paths of Shanganagh and the camaraderie of a friendly Sunday run.

Life has been too hectic of late to give much time to running but watching the marathon runners pour past me down Fosters a few weeks ago has renewed my appetite. Time to lace on those shoes again

Highlights include:

2010 Ballycotton 10m road race: 80m 54s

2010 AA Wicklow Road Championships: 22.47 2nd O/40. Team Gold

2010 Lakes 10k: 48m 05

2010 AdidasDublinCityMarathon 3h 47m.

2011 Raheny 5M: 37m 22

2011 Ballybunion Half Marathon: 1h 49m