My running life: Paul O’Mahony

When did you start running and why?
I started running in 2002 when I gave up cigarettes. I couldn't run 100m and was creeping up to 30 a day. Once off them, running was my way of measuring my health week by week. Mind you, it has got a bit out of hand; I've run 16 marathons and about 20 shorter races.


What has been your biggest achievement?
Finishing a race I probably shouldn't have. It was the Cork City Marathon in 27 degrees a few years ago and I knew I was shot by half-way. The body went first and the brain then started to rebel but somehow I kept going and struggled over the finish line. It's not something I'll ever forget, but in many ways it's more significant than my successful races.


What's the one thing you'd change about running?
I still don't like the 24 hours before a marathon. After months of intense training, sometimes it can all come down to how you feel on the day. Inside the first few miles you'll know how it's going to go and if it isn't going well, it can be a very, very hard slog.


Where's your regular run route?
My regular long route runs from Ranelagh to Donnybrook, out to Stillorgan and Cornelscourt, continuing on to Cabinteely and Shankill, and back. That's a hilly 30km, but I run 10k, 15k and 21k sections of it more regularly.

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What's your regular training schedule?
I cross-train with swimming, so I'll run one day and swim the next to a maximum of six days a week. I'll vary the run distances during the week and do a long run at the weekend, while the swims are a one-hour training routine. I also run in the pool, which is great but probably looks a bit mad to other people.


What are you training for?
The Oslo Marathon in September will be marathon 18 of my target of 20. It'll be my second one in Norway; last year I did the Midnight Sun Marathon, inside the Arctic Circle. It was like running in an oil painting. I'm doing four this year to reach my 20th and then I'll do 10ks and 5ks. Marathon training takes up so much time. I'll continue to run for Aware and Concern Worldwide, and am grateful for the support I get from my race sponsors.


What do you wear on your feet?
Asics Kayano.


Have you any niggly injuries?
I have a good record on injuries, so I've been fortunate. I ran the Berlin marathon a couple of years ago with a shin splints issue that I needed to have strapped with kinesiology tape the day before the race. It worked a dream.


What's on your iPod when running?
Anything from ambient and jazz to Lou Reed or Black Sabbath. On race day, I usually have my sounds teed-up in advance for the race. Sometimes I become unaware I have music on because my brain has Zen-ed out; other times, I really need it to keep motivated.

What's your most embarrassing moment?
In my first marathon in 2006 in Dublin, being overtaken by someone who looked about as fit as Norm from Cheers. It motivated me to get better.


What's your favourite running book?
Born to Run by Christopher MacDougal. It makes what is a very personal experience sound thrilling to others.


Have you ever been chased by an animal?
I was chased by a sheepdog during the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon in west Cork. It is still my best marathon time.


What's your favourite running tip?

Start the marathon at a pace you think you'll finish at. I usually keep a steady pace but sometimes I can't resist sprinting the last 100 metres if there's something in the tank.

Paul O’Mahony is the head of communications at Concern Worldwide