I knew I wanted to do something meaningful to mark one year on from my husband's tragic passing, something that spoke of the horror of depression and the terrible consequences of suicide. I also wanted to do something that offered hope, that showed a way forward even in the midst of such suffering. Within mountain-running … Continue reading A Winter Denis Rankin Round to Remember
I was ready to go. I had spent months preparing for the day. I had recced the entire ninety-kilometre route during the dismal winter we had, when snow and glacial winds battered the Mourne Mountains. Returning from each run, I meticulously marked up my map with compass bearings. I had developed lists of food, drink, … Continue reading Failing to Respect the Denis Rankin Round
I’ve never felt so guilty about having a race entry. Back in October, the Art O’Neill Challenge started to sell race places. The Challenge itself consists of 55km of terrain, 25km on road and 30km deep within the Wicklow Mountains. What makes it all the more difficult is that it starts in the middle of … Continue reading Racing after Art O’Neill
"Oh I´d love to do the Camino". "Oh I´ve always wanted to go to Santiago". "Oh I´m so jealous of you." That's what people told me before I embarked for three weeks on the trail. And yes, it was good. And I´m very glad I did it. But it wasn´t always fun and games whilst … Continue reading The highs and lows of the Camino de Santiago trail
"So where have you flown in from?", the woman beside me asked. I had just arrived in Dublin Airport and was heading straight home on the bus. "Spain", I replied with a fleeting smile. "Were you working there?" she asked, idly making conversation. I thought the truth might shut her up. "No, I've just run … Continue reading I did the camino… my way
Wow, what a journey. For the last 19 days, I´ve been on the Camino de Frances, the 780km route from France´s St. Jean Pied de Port to Spain´s Santiago de Compostela. I´ve slept in hostels and bunk beds, weathered sunburn and snow, nursed blisters and aching calf muscles, met weird and wonderful people, and ran … Continue reading 19 Days Later and 780km later – in Santiago de Compostela
My mate, Roger, lives in Kathmandu. Not only is he a mad mountain runner, but he’s an increasing promoter of mountain races in Nepal. Now, having read my book on the Wicklow Round, his thoughts have turned to the possibility of a similar Round around Kathmandu’s mountain rim. As Roger himself has recently penned, “Races … Continue reading A Nepal version of the Wicklow Round around Kathmandu?
Just found an interview I did last year for Friday Weekly, a Kathmandu based magazine, whilst I was based in Nepal. Thanks to Leah Olson for writing it. “I’m spoiled here,” ultra-runner Moire O’Sullivan says. For O’Sullivan, mountain ranges are not simply panoramas to be admired from a distance. They are not just picturesque photography … Continue reading Interview with Friday Weekly Magazine, Kathmandu
Today is my two year anniversary. So please permit me to be nostalgic. Two years ago, I became the first person to run the Wicklow Round. I never realised that this 26 mountain, 110 kilometre, 10,000 metre climb challenge would leave such an indelible stamp in my life. It took less than 23 hours to … Continue reading The Wicklow Round – Two Years on
So, after a sedentary 4 day walk on the Milford Track, I was itching to do some proper running. We were staying in Te Anau for 2 nights on New Zealand’s south island. Unlike Milford Track, that you need take a boat to get to, the start of the Kepler Track is a mere 4 … Continue reading Running the Kepler Track, New Zealand