Head-to-head Battle at Quest Killarney 2017

You’d think, after four years of doing events like Quest, that I would find adventure racing easy. Instead, it’s quite the opposite: It seems to get harder with each event. Just look at last weekend when, for the third time, I lined up at one of Ireland’s toughest adventure races, Quest Killarney. I don’t think … Continue reading Head-to-head Battle at Quest Killarney 2017

70km Killarney Adventure Race

“Oh shit”, I thought. The grating noise just didn’t sound good. I looked down. My back wheel was making a really unhealthy sound each time I turned the pedal. This was not what I planned as I left my bike at Kate Kearney’s Cottage the night before the 70km Killarney Adventure Race. I poked and … Continue reading 70km Killarney Adventure Race

Raring to go at Achill Roar Adventure Race

I was on the hunt for points last weekend at Outfront’s Achill Roar Adventure Race. It was race number five out of the nine race National Adventure Race Series, with four races in total to count. I already had two wins and a second place in the bag from three races this year, so I … Continue reading Raring to go at Achill Roar Adventure Race

Pipped at the Post at Dingle Adventure Race

Saturday’s Dingle Adventure Race was the first test of my winter training regime. Last year, I decided I’d give the National Adventure Series a go this season. Four races need to be completed out of nine. Waterford Adventure Race in May was my original season opener. But a bad cough prevented me from reaching the … Continue reading Pipped at the Post at Dingle Adventure Race

The Glacial Lakes Race – Three steps forward, two short steps back

I’ve always wanted to run the Glacial Lakes race since its inception in 2012. This year, I was finally in the right place at the right time, and was able to put in an entry. IMRA’s Glacial Lake event is a 43km race with 1,783 metres of ups and downs. It is primarily designed for … Continue reading The Glacial Lakes Race – Three steps forward, two short steps back

The ‘Fun’ Buncrana Duathlon

“Ah sure, it’ll be a bit of fun”. Fun? I never would have attached the word ‘fun’ to the term ‘duathlon’. But apparently that’s what my coach thought the duathlon would be. A bit of fun. At his behest, I had entered the duathlon up north in Donegal’s Buncrana. It was a sprint event with … Continue reading The ‘Fun’ Buncrana Duathlon

Irish Mountain Running and the Fountain of Youth

It had been nearly 18 months since my last IMRA race. In the interim time, a baby and a move to Northern Ireland had put pay to my mountain racing days. But then Mick Hanney started posting pictures on Facebook. They were of rocks and mountains and muck and puddles. There were views from descents … Continue reading Irish Mountain Running and the Fountain of Youth

Outsider Magazine People of the Year 2013

It’s that time of the year when Ireland’s Outsider Magazine puts together its People of the Year list. It’s their chance to celebrate those that have done incredible things on the Irish outdoor scene in 2013. This year has an incredible line-up: Calvin Torrans (71) who continues to push the boundaries of Irish climbing – … Continue reading Outsider Magazine People of the Year 2013

Ready to Adventure Race Four Months after Giving Birth

"I'm going to do an adventure race before my maternity leave is up." It was a promise I made to myself before my baby was even born. It was a goal I needed to mentally make, something to get me back on my bike and back wearing my running shoes within a few weeks of … Continue reading Ready to Adventure Race Four Months after Giving Birth