My Running Life: Ramon Whelan

When did you start running and why?
I started running back in 2008. The main reason I started was to lose weight. I had put on three stone from my chemotherapy and really wanted to lose it.

What has been your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement so far has been completing a marathon. I did my first in Dublin in 2011. I got the bug and have since gone on to complete three more and have Dublin coming up again this October.

What's the one thing you would change about running?
The one thing I would change about running is the addictiveness.

I started out wanting to complete 5k, then needed to do a 10k and it just goes on from there. I feel guilty if I don’t get my run in.

Where is your regular run route?
My regular run route is a nice 10km. Start out from my house in Firhouse and it takes me down to Rathfarnham and then back home again.

What's your regular training schedule?
I like to get out five to six times a week. I run the 10k route four to five times a week and then take in a longer run on a Saturday and give myself Sunday off.

What are you training for?
I am training for my fifth marathon and my third in Dublin.

I love to run in Dublin as the atmosphere is second to none. The encouragement is amazing. I am running again to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society to help it continue to do the great work that it does.

It provides an invaluable service to people like myself who have had a battle with cancer.

What do you wear on your feet?
I wear Asics GT-3000. I find that these suit my style of running and are, more importantly, extremely comfortable.

Have you any niggly injuries?
So far – touch wood – I haven't had any serious injuries that would stop me running.

What's on your iPod when running?
I have a playlist set up on my iPod which has a lot of AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Passenger and other good music which has a great beat to keep me motivated.

What's your most embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment would probably be when I first started running.

I was very self-conscious and felt that everyone was looking at me. This passes when you realise that nobody cares.

What's your favourite running book?
I don't read running books but I do read The Irish Runner magazine.

What's your favourite running tip?
My best running tip that I could give is to listen to your body.

Your mind will give up a hundred times before your body will. So push your mind as the body will keep going.