No Finish Line
By John O'Regan - Ultra Runner & Endurance
No Finish LineOct 29, 2019
Barry Loftus - Marathon des Sables
In this episode I'm joined by Barry Loftus, a recent finisher of the Marathon des Sables, a 250Km Stage Race in the Sahara Desert.
The MdS is a race that has always been popular with runners from Ireland and it's one that I get asked a lot of questions about. My knowledge of the race is fading and I used this opportunity to ask questions that help with anyone planning to take on this or any other similar event.
We talk about the training, the kit selection, what to expect when over there and how to prepare for your return.
Barry has also recently published a book that documents his journey to the start line and then his experience in the Desert.
Instagram @strandfitness.ie
Velcro Service for Desert Gaiters
Discover Laois & The Slieve Bloom Mountains - Ellie Berry
The scenic trails of County Laois are accessible all year round. Whether you are looking for an invigorating winter run or a calming summer stroll, Laois has a trail to suit your every needs.
Visitors to the county can choose from a range of trails that cater to different preferences. The challenging Glendineoregan Loop takes runners through the Slieve Bloom Mountains, while walkers can enjoy the picturesque Glenbarrow Loop with its stunning views.
However, Laois offers more than just hiking. Visitors can explore its many cycling options, from Mountain Bike Trails to designated road cycling loops. Its golf courses are also second to none, and there's a growing network of kayaking and canoe clubs opening throughout the county.
And after a day on the trails, walkers can indulge in Laois's vibrant food scene. From gourmet restaurants to charming local coffee shops, there's a wealth of culinary delights to refuel with.
Visitors will find a variety of exciting activities, beautiful views, historical riches, and friendly people – all just an hour away from Dublin. Visit laoistourism.ie to plan your next adventure.
You can also visit the The Slieve Blooms.
Carla Molinaro - 50Km World Champion
Wayne Spies - Comrades Marathon
Wayne Spies is an Australian International Ultrarunner. He is famed for his serial participation in South Africa’s iconic Comrades Marathon. What's more, for a man who never showed much athletic talent during his formative years, his achievement is made even more remarkable by the fact that he broke three-time champion and Olympian Vladimir Kotov's 11-year-old Masters record of 05:48:12 on his way to stopping the clock in 05:42:00.
I caught up with Wayne at the IAU 50Km World Championships 2023 in Hyderabad, India. We had a very insightful talk about Ultra Running including the training, racing and most importantly the recovery. Wayne places a lot of emphasis on the recovery part of the training. Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed the talking.
If you enjoy this or any of the recent podcasts then please consider leaving a review or sharing.
Thanks,
John
Instagram @johnoregan777
Matthew Collins - The Marathon Aftermath
You may not have given much thought to your Marathon Recovery but in this episode we talk about why you should plan beyond that finishers medal.
Matthew Collins is an Irish International Ultra Runner and seasoned Marathon Runner with over 40 quality Marathons completed with the past 10 years. He has gone from a 3:20 finish to his most recent sub 2:30 in the Dublin Marathon 2023. He shares the lessons he has learned while on this journey and he talks about how he managed with some planning and a changed mindset to eventually achieve his goal of running under 2 hours 30 mins.
Matthew shares his thoughts on mindset and recovery both physical and mental.
We hope you enjoy this episode.
Prof. Barry Smyth - Running with Data
In this episode we discus some of his findings.
This episode will be of benefit to runners of all distances
Prof. Barry Smyth on Medium
Alex O'Shea -Pacing the Marathon
I've asked a few questions based on my own experience of Marathon Pacing which dates back to 2006 when I was asked to run with the Runners World Magazine Pacing Team for the London Marathon. I went on to Pace London every year until 2015 and was also one of the first Dublin Marathon Pacers. In 2022 I again Paced London (3:30) with a Sports Travel Agency from Los Angeles.
#marathon #dublinmarathon #marathonpacing #ultrarunning
Noel Carroll Running - The Marathon Taper
Noel is a very experienced runner and coach who has been involved in athletics for over 20 years. He has competed as a long distance runner on the road, track and cross country, competing at Provincial, National and International level.
Noel has a Marathon PB of 2:29 using his experience he now coaches a wide array of athletes.
Noel has a very useful course description for the Dublin Marathon from his website www.noelcarrollrunning.com
Aoife Cleary - Let Your Inner Child Run
I don't really know how to introduce this episode as I hadn't heard of Aoife until her recent win in the Dublin Half Marathon (2023). I expected to be talking about training and racing but that was just a small part of the conversation. Running is what she does but it's only a small part of who she is. I think there are a lot of useful takeaways from this conversation that just came out as we were talking. Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording. Part of me is wishing I had stayed recording after we had finished as the conversation continued. Maybe there will be a part 2 if Aoife decides to run a Marathon. #run #running #marathon
Stephen Murphy - Connemara 100 Mile UltraMarathon
Most recently he has won the Connemara 100 Mile race and set a new course record in the process. We talk about his journey and how he shifted his focus and harnessed that winners mindset. Stephen's attention to detail is second to none and he shares details on how he plans and prepares for these events. He treats every event with the same level of respect and he's an all round nice guy always willing to help those around him.
#ultrarunning #endurance #ultracycling #ironman
Ellie Berry - Walking the Waymarked Trails
Ellie’s time from the 1st summit to the 275th summit, was 50 days, 5 hours, and 45 minutes. The previous record was 56 days.
Between 2017 - 2019 Ellie and Carl Lange walked every National Waymarked Trail in Ireland, becoming the first people to do so. They walked over 4,000km and documented the project through Tough Soles.
She has published academic papers as part of the Made of Walking International Encounters/Conference, researching; photographic representations of the Irish landscape and how that shapes our interactions with it (2019); and a paper that asked questions into how walking art practices could incorporate or consider Leave No Trace within the practice (2021).
Instagram @allezberry
www.ellieberry.com www.toughsoles.ie
Jon Shield- Ice Ultra & Jungle Ultra. The Winning Mindset
There are many other races in his trophy cabinet and in this podcast we talk about the career changing injury that steered him towards the sport and his realisation of a hidden talent.
We talk mindset, resilience, competition, bouncebackability and how where we have come from can help us to get where we are going.
You can keep up with johns adventures by following him on Instagram
@Jon_shield_runs_ultras More information
Thanks to @johnbelton for supporting this podcast and making it happen
John Belton - Jungle Ultra
In this episode I talk to John Belton about his recent experience in the Jungle Ultra, a 230km self-sufficient ultra marathon through the Amazon Rainforest. As well as talking about the race we also focus a lot on the before and after including our thoughts on preparation, mindset and resilience. I'll update with John's Kit List Further information on the race available from Beyond the Ultimate. John Belton Instagram @johnbelton
#junglemarathon #jungleultra #ultrarunning #amazon #rainforest
Sinead Kane -Trans Sahara Marathon
you can follow Sinead on Instagram @kanesinead777
My Instagram @johnoregan777
Trans Sahara Marathon Video
transsaharamarathon.com/
Trans Sahara Marathon (Rough Recording)
Damian Browne - Extreme Adventurer
Damian Browne is a former professional rugby player, traveler and adventurer hailing from Galway, Ireland. After a sixteen year career battling on the rugby pitches of The Celtic league, English Premiership and French Top 14 Championship, injury forced his hand and he made the tough decision to retire. During his down time from the intensity of professional sports Damian indulged his passion for travel and adventure, visiting more than 50 countries on 6 continents and challenging himself in different ways.
In October 2022 Damian became the first Irish person to row the Atlantic from New York to Galway. An incredible and hazardous journey which he completed after 112 days at sea.
In this episode we talk about the mindset required for these epic challenges and Damian shares some of the the tools and tricks that he uses on a daily basis.
“I am on a mission to live an extra-ordinary life. A life full of challenges, extremes, learning, risk, growth, fulfillment and action. A life of integrity, sincerity and courage. My life will be my masterpiece.”
For more information you can contatct Damian through his website https://damianbrowne.com
You can also follow Damian on Instagram @auld_stock and watch out for his future plans with @magee1866
And you can follow my Instagram account for information on future podcasts. @johnoregan777
Thanks again to Great Outdoors Dublin for providing a room to record this episode.
Keith Lane - Kerry Way Ultra.
In this episode we talk about Keith's training to include the mental as well as the physical and discuss how he takes his training from the lab to the mountains.
Keith also talks about his race preparation and he gives some good takeaways for anyone wanting to be competitive in this or any other race. If you listen with an open mind you will see that the strategies discussed in this episode can transfer to any sport or beyond.
Scott Jenkins - The Uk's 200 Mile Man
Scott Jenkins is a Welsh male Ultra Runner, motivational speaker and philanthropist. He favours races of 200 Miles or longer and has finished 15th out of the 227 finishers at the Moab 240 in Moab, Utah, behind winner Michael McKnight. Jenkins's finish was the fastest on record for a British finisher.
Scott has Raced and Crewed at some of the most challenging Races out there and in this podcast we talk about how he plans and executes his race. We talk about the importance of a good crew and how to also be that good crew. There were a few questions I wanted to ask but I also got a few answers I wasn't expecting. I let the interview happen rather than just going through a list of prepared questions.
Races Include:
Badwater 135
Bigfoot 200
Moab 240
Cocodona 250
Instagram: @scottjenkins
For more information on Scott's chosen charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scottjjenkins
Keith Russell - Backyard Ultra, Race of Champions
Irishman Keith Russell claimed second place in the gruelling Race of Champions Backyard Masters in Germany.
The race began last Saturday morning and participants had to complete a 6.7km lap every hour, running it as fast or as slow as they wanted, while ensuring they were back at the start line on the hour mark to go again. Any runner who failed to finish a lap recorded a DNF (did not finish).
In the early hours of this morning, Russell's race came to an end at 89 laps, covering an astonishing 597km in 66 hours, 14 minutes and 22 seconds.
Russell started running in 2016 with his daughter Alanna, who had spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, and ran the 2017 Dublin marathon, pushing Alanna in a special running chair.
The pair raised more than €60,000 for the Meadow's Children's Respite Centre in Navan, but tragically, Alanna passed away six weeks after the marathon.
#backyard ultra #backyardultra #ultrarunning #marathon
John Belton: The Ice Ultra - Cold Weather Racing
The days are short and the course is long; runners should expect long periods running in darkness, following a marked route by head torch, under skies free of light pollution and filled with stars and sightings of aurora.
As a self-sufficient race you are responsible for carrying your entire kit, including food, safety equipment and a minimum of 1.5 litres of water which can be re-filled at checkpoints along the stages. You’ll need some specialist gear to take on the conditions the Arctic Circle can throw at you.
Accommodation each night is provided by way of remote huts and teepee tents with open fires for warmth.
Ed McGroarty- Ultra Runner / The Ultra Mindset
Ed is the Irish 24hr Record holder with a distance of 256.570Km set in Belfast Victoria Park in October 2021 and he also holds the 24hr Indoor Record with a distance of 249.761Km set in Espoo Finland in February 2020. He also holds the Record for the FKT (Fastest Know Time) for running the length of Ireland starting at Malin Head in Co.Cork and finishing in Malin Head Co.Donegal, a distance of 570Km which he covered in 3days 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Ed is a very unique Character and I have know him for quite a few years and have witnessed his journey and progression from Marathon Runner to one of the best ever Irish Ultra Runners.
Shaun Stewart - Multi-Sport Athlete
IN 2018, SHAUN WAS CROWNED NATIONAL ADVENTURE RACE CHAMPION WITH A STRING OF VICTORIES IN THE IRISH ADVENTURE RACE SERIES.
ALONG SIDE THESE RACES, SHAUN ALSO TAKES ON PERSONAL ADVENTURES IN COLD AND MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS.
www.shaunstewart.com
Instagram: @shaunstewart1
Races Referenced in Podcast:
Gael Force - gaelforceevents.com
Quest Adventures - www.questadventureseries.com
Westport Sea to Summit - www.westportsea2summit.ie
For all your Outdoor needs - www.greatoutdoors.ie
Dr Sharon Madigan, Performance Nutritionist.
Dr Sharon Madigan is Head of Performance Nutrition at Sport Ireland and works with the Irish Olympic Team. She is well-known for her work as a performance nutritionist for the High Performance Boxing team and has worked with young boxers and the international team who have had numerous successes at European, World and Olympic games since 2003. She has also worked with the Ulster Rugby team, club and county GAA teams (including Donegal) and currently works with the Olympic Council of Ireland as a member of the sports science and medical team.
Twitter @madigan_sharon
Instagram @sharon_madigan
Ricki Wynne - Ultra Trail
You can follow Ricki on Instagram @rickiwynne10
Jason Black: K2 Mountain Summiteer & Endurance Athlete.
His accomplishments include summiting Mt Everest and the most technical and dangerous mountain of them all, K2.
The fatality rate on K2 is 25% compared to Everest with 6.5%. The main reasons why K2 is a tougher climb than Everest are the lack of Sherpas, support, fixed ropes and claimable routes.
K2 also has more unpredictable weather and more frequency of avalanches. Then there’s the technicality and immediate steepness of the climb and the logistics of the climb and trek.
At 8611 meters, it’s the second highest peak in the world, bested only by Everest at 8 848m. 2008 brought on one of the greatest tragedies in mountaineering history when 11 climbers died on K2 in a single day.
www.jasonblack.ie
Instagram @jasonblack_athlete
Paula Wright: Couch to 220K - Ultra Running
“When my youngest was one, so I’m talking around 2011, I realised that I had a serious problem because I was just that heavy, so I decided I’d start walking. And walking didn’t really do anything, I started a bit of swimming, that didn’t work, I started diets and they would make the weight drop a bit but you can’t live with the diets – you have to live normally as well. So then I decided that’s it, I’ll start running, because I did like a running a bit before.”
The literal and metaphorical distance Paula has travelled over the past seven years is borderline inconceivable. After all, her beginnings in the sport were humble, in the most extreme sense.
“I couldn’t run past two lamp-posts before I was out of breath - I was so bad, I was so out of breath, I was just so out of shape. It took me well over seven or eight months before I could run from 0 to 5k, but the first 5k was actually the hardest.”
This is a small part of her story adapted from the Nenagh Guardian.
You can follow Paula's journey on Instagram @paulawright_runner
Great Outdoors Q&A with John O'Regan, Ultra Runner
Caitriona Jennings - Ultra Runner and Quarantining.
At the time of recording, Caitriona Jennings was quarantining in a Hong Kong hotel in line with travel restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Caitriona had just returned from taking part in the Hoka One One 'Project Carbon X2' event in Arizona.
In this episode we talk about Quarantine and the coping strategies Caitriona is using during this time. We also talk about the PCX2 event and competing as an elite female athlete who is also pregnant at this time.
We mention a medical journal article and you can access it with the attached link:
https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000652
Eoin Keith Q&A with Great Outdoors
This episode was from a series of Instagram live interviews hosted by Great Outdoors. Eoin Keith talks about his life of Adventureland shares some of his tips and advice learned from racing around the world. If you were thinking of trying an Ultra Marathon then this episode might help you decide.
www.greatoutdoors.ie
#ultrarunning #adventureracing #thespinerace #thebarkleymarathons
Mark Casserly - High Performance Muay Thai & K1 Coach
Towards the mid point of the the interview Mark countered my attack and had me on the ropes and if you can stay focussed on the conversation you'll see how it played out.
www.championthaiboxingk1.com
Training Principles
December 26, 2020
Hill Training for Power & Endurance Athletes
In this episode I talk about the benefits of Hill Training for sports and endurance athletes. This is based on some of my own training and experience. The cover photo was taken before the start of the IAU Trail World Championships 2012. This race was held in Connemara, Ireland and I was running with Team Ireland.
Tips for Running your first 5K
This podcast was prompted by a recent conversation I had with a group I met while out running. They were fans of the podcast and were asking questions I get asked so often. It was the reason to start recording again.
You can find my plans on instagram @togetherapartwerun
Or printable plans from www.runinthedark.org
Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon
On May 29th 2007, I took part in the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon with blind adventurer, Mark Pollock. This race which boasts the highest start line for any race in the world took us almost 2 weeks of trekking to reach the start line. Then, on the 54th anniversary of the first succesful ascent of Mount Everest we assembled at the Khumbu Icefall above Base Camp to begin our Marathon back to the Sherpa town of Namche Bazar. This was to be an incredible challenge and in this podcast I share my own experience of how I came to take part in this amazing adventure.
Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary reach Everest summit at 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal and Edmund Hillary of New Zealand, become the first explorers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, which at 29,035 feet above sea level is the highest point on earth.
Looking Beyond the Finish Line.
Over the past 17 years I’ve competed in some of the most extreme races in the world taking in the 7 continents (twice) plus a Marathon at the North Pole and have represented Ireland on 10 occasions in the Ultra Marathon, but my running career was almost over as quickly as it had started.
Mike Wardian - Professional Ultra-Runner
In this episode I catch up with Hoka Athlete & Professional Ultra-Runner Mike Wardian. We talk all things running and Mike share some of his thoughts and strategies on Training, Racing and Recovery. We include the bit’s in between the races. I know you're going to like this one.
Ask Me Anything - Q&A Hosted by Great Outdoors
This podcast is the recording of an Instagram Live Q&A with Great Outdoors. In it I answer question submitted by viewers and we talk about mostly about training and racing and include some of my adventures.
Eddie Gallen, Irish International Ultra Runner - 24hr Ultra Running
Dr Noel Brick Ph.D - Coping Strategies for Endurance Events
Noel Brick, Ph.D., is a lecturer and researcher in sport and exercise psychology at Ulster University in Northern Ireland. His book Think Like an Athlete is scheduled to be published in 2021.
Noel also featured in a recent episode where we discussed his research on attentional focus and self-regulation during endurance activity.
John Belton - Training Considerations & COVID-19.
Rescheduling Your Training Plan COVID-19. - Bonus Episode
Jantastic Journey, from 10K to 100K (includes Q&A) - Part 5.
Jantastic Journey, from 10K to 100K - Part 4.
In this episode we talk a little bit more about the training and specifically Jan's training plan and how it was pieced together. Jan highlights the value of a training diary when trying to figure out what works best and importance of having a good athlete / coach relationship based on trust and communication. We also include some tips for training on a treadmill.
This episode was recorded a few days before the restrictions on group training sessions were imposed and that's partly the reason why I'm publishing ahead of schedule. I would have even posted sooner but the edit can be time consuming.
#jantasticjourney
Jantastic Journey, from 10K to 100K - Part 3.
Use discount code JAN15 to get 15% discount from www.absolutenutrition.ie as mentioned by Jan.
Twitter @jantastic22
Instagram@jantastic2
Jantastic Journey, from 10K to 100K-Part 2
Following on from the last episode, Jan went to visit Sharon Madigan, Head of Performance Nutrition with the Irish Institute of Sport. Jan tells us about her consultation and the changes she will be making to her nutritional plan to help meet the demands of her training. we also get an update on her training and pans for the coming weeks.
You can follow Jan for daily updates on:
Twitter @jantastic22
Instagram @jantastic2
Facebook Jan-tastic
#jantasticjourney
Jantastic Journey, from 10K to 100K - Part 1
By special request I’ll be documenting the training and preparation of Jan Corcoran #jantasticjourney as she prepares to take part in her first 100k Race when she represents Ireland at the Anglo Celtic Plate in Boddington, England on May 16th 2020. Jan started her running journey back in 2015 and completed her first marathon in that same year with a time of 3:43.44. Five years and six marathons later and she has lowered that Marathon time to 2:52.39. Most recently in February of this year she finished 2nd in the 50k National Championships / Donadea 50k in a time of 3:34.13 and achieved the International A Standard and could now run 50K over 10 minutes faster than her first Marathon (42.2K). She has since been selected to run on the Women’s Team at the Anglo Celtic Pate and that’s where we will begin….
You can follow Jan on: Twitter @jantastic22
Instagram @jantastic2
Facebook @ Jan-tastic
#jantasticjourney
Marathon Times
2015: First Marathon, 26th Oct -Dublin City Marathon- 3:43:44
2016: 30th October - Dublin City Marathon- 3:23:28
2017: 29th October - Dublin City Marathon- 3:52:51
2018: 22nd April - London Marathon - 3:36
28th October - Dublin City Marathon- 3:04:15 -( 43rd Lady overall - 14th age category)
2019: 5th May - Limerick Marathon - 3:04:47 ( 4th Lady overall)
27th Oct - Dublin City Marathon - 2:52:39 (26th Lady overall, 5th age category)
Conor Holt - Coach for Ultra Running World Champion Camille Herron.
Conor has coached at Divison 1, Division 2, and the NAIA collegiate levels since 2005. Among his many accomplishments includes:
3 Men's NAIA Cross Country Team Championships
Men's-Women's Combined Team Championship in 2015
70 All-Americans
4 National Champions
1 collegiate qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials (youngest qualifier in the field)
3-time NAIA Cross Country Coach of the Year
Coached multiple athletes to score at the NCAA D1 PAC-10 and Big-10 Conference Championships in Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track
Coached multiple athletes to qualify for the NCAA D1 Regional and National Championships in Cross Country and Track
Conor brings personal and coaching experiences at all levels that is insurmountable in the sport. Combined with Camille's scientific knowledge and applied experiences, together they hold a wealth of unique expertise and wisdom. Conor is excited to share his winning training formula with others and help runners of all levels reach their running goals and their best runs.
Adventure Travel - Earth's Edge
Camille Herron - World Champion Ultra Marathon Runner
Camille Herron is an American long-distance runner. She is the first ultramarathon runner to win all three of the IAU's 50K, 100K, and 24 Hour World Championships. She won the 2017 Comrades Marathon and holds several world best times at ultramarathon distances.
https://www.runwithcamille.com