Middle of the Pack Podcast

Episode 49 of the Middle of the Pack podcast — a mailbag special answering listener questions about why the show exists, marathon training tips (with a focus on gut and nutrition), race-day mistakes, and favorite gear. Padraig shares practical advice on fuelling long runs, evening-race strategies, the challenges of producing a weekly podcast, and encouragement for runners of all levels to keep sho...

In episode 48 of The Middle of the Pack, Karen Twomey talks running shorts, pacing the Cork City Marathon 10K, and her personal race superstitions. She shares favorite shorts (Lululemon Wonder Trains, Nike Swift), advice on sizing to avoid ride-up, storage options like pockets and belts, and quick fixes for chafing and phone carry. This episode mixes practical gear tips with Karen’s pacing highlig...

Episode 47 of The Middle of the Pack features Ian O'Brien recounting his Paris Marathon experience, how he manages his running shoes (including buying and selling on Vinted), and answering listener questions about must-have shoes, carbon plates, toe problems, and versatile trainers. Ian shares his top shoe picks, race stories, and practical tips for fitting, sizing, and choosing the right running...

Episode 46 of The Middle of the Pack features Mary Sweeney reflecting on a lifetime of running — from childhood sprints to dozens of marathons, parkrun camaraderie, and running through illness and loss. Mary shares personal stories about training, fueling, shoes, and the deep sense of community that keeps her coming back to the road. This short, honest chat highlights running as both sport and the...

Episode 45 of the Middle of the Pack podcast features Laura Garrigan sharing her running journey — from starting at parkrun in 2023 to completing 10Ks, a sub-4hr Dublin Marathon, the Trasna relay and a 24-hour fundraiser where she runs 5K every hour for the Samaritans. Laura discusses training, fueling, shoe rotation and community support, and listeners can follow her progress and donate via her I...

This episode captures the emotion and community of Cork City Marathon weekend — from the yellow tributes to Ellen Cassidy, to pacers, volunteers and runners sharing finish-line stories across the 10K, half and full. It’s a celebration of why people run: connection, support and the moments that matter more than times. #WWECD Email MOTPIRE@gmail.com

Episode 43 of the Middle of the Pack podcast explores the panic, superstition and strange rituals that hit runners during taper week before a race. Padraig offers practical reassurance—trust your training, avoid over-checking injuries, stick to simple carb and hydration habits—and celebrates the courage of everyday runners. A light-hearted guide to staying calm and enjoying race day. Email MOTPIRE...

Episode 42 features Sean Lucey, Eagle AC's men's captain, who explains why consistent mileage and easy runs matter more than flashy track sessions. He talks through his injury recovery, marathon and half‑marathon breakthroughs, fueling and shoe choices, and how patience and strength work rebuilt his performance. Sean also shares practical club advice for newcomers — the value of asking questions,...

Episode 41 follows Linda McKeown’s running journey from her first parkrun to completing the Cork half marathon, guided by her coach Kieran. We discuss training structure, mileage, fueling strategies, race-day pacing, and the importance of community support. The episode also highlights the IGBF charity fun runs in Dublin (June 6) and Cork/Mallow (June 20), with details on goody bags, medals, and tw...

Episode 40 features Victor Danylyuk sharing his journey from swimming to running and his build-up to the Cork City Marathon. He discusses training changes, working with a coach, and how running improved his fitness after sports-induced asthma. The episode’s key lesson: don’t change fuel on race day. Victor explains his gel experiment (High5 vs SIS), the importance of testing fueling in training, a...

Episode 39 of The Middle of the Pack podcast is a London Marathon special featuring the historic sub‑2‑hour finish, The sub 2 hour landmark performances, and Irish standout Peter Lynch’s national record. We also hear an update from Laura 'Muddy Soles' on running in wellies, the FTD brothers’ fundraising mission, and spend most of the episode with Gerry Lynch from Cork discussing his race prep, exp...

Episode 38 features Owen Wright sharing his running journey—from early runs and joining Watergrass Hill to stepping back into training after family life. He discusses coaching, a hamstring setback and physio, marathon fueling and shoe choices, and his plans for the Cork Marathon. Owen and his wife Fay are fundraising for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, explaining why the charity matters and how...

Episode 37 features Dennis Cronin describing how joining Watergrasshill AC after a Couch-to-5K changed his life. He talks about the social side of running, the supportive running community, and how group runs improved his mental health and friendships. Dennis shares training habits, race experiences including his Malaga marathon, lessons learned about fueling, and why he loves distances like the 1...

In Episode 36, Robert McNamee describes his running journey — from youth sports and Gaelic football to taking up distance running in his 30s, training for multiple Dublin Marathons and aiming for a sub‑4 finish while balancing strength work, recovery and group training. He also explains how BuffBarrier was born to solve chafing and blisters with Irish‑made, natural formulas (beeswax, shea butter,...

Episode 35 of The Middle of the Pack Podcast breaks down simple, practical fueling and hydration advice for recreational marathoners. Padraig covers hydration strategies, when and how to use electrolytes, and how caffeine gels can boost performance — plus references to experts and resources like "More Fuel You" and past episodes. Key takeaways: drink to thirst, practice your gels and drinks on lon...

Episode 34 features Karen Twomey’s return from injury, detailing her diagnosis, rehabilitation, strength work, and gradual run-walk comeback. She shares practical coaching, pacing and training insights while juggling work, sleep and race life. Highlights include her first parkrun after injury, pacing plans for the Cork 10K, goals for a Lisbon half-marathon birthday race, and a positive message for...

Episode 33 of Middle of the Pack features Tomás Moore, founder of Step One Socks, sharing his running journey from a tentative 5K to regular half marathons, 10-milers and plans for a marathon. He discusses why he prioritizes enjoyment over PBs, the supportive running community, and how his brand grew — overcoming manufacturing issues, expanding colors and singlets, and collaborating with run clubs...

Episode 32 of The Middle of the Pack dives into Ian O’Brien’s running journey — from starting after a medical scare and taekwondo roots, to coaching, club runs, and an expanding collection of running shoes. The conversation centers on choosing the right shoe for easy runs, sessions, long runs and race day, and looks at brands like Saucony, ASICS and Adidas. Ian shares practical tips on shoe rotati...

Episode 31 of the Middle of the Pack podcast features George Sherwood from Precision Fuel & Hydration. He explains sweat testing, electrolyte preloading, and practical fueling strategies for runners—how many gels to take, how much carbohydrate per hour, and when to use caffeine for best effect. George emphasizes practicing fueling in training, tailoring sodium replacement to your sweat rate, a...

Episode 30 features Tara Wilson from Women Who Run Ireland sharing her Donadea 50K story: the short training block, the race-day fueling plan of real food (bananas, Jaffa Cakes, dates) and electrolytes, and how dehydration and salt loss led to late-race cramping. Tara explains her ‘‘real food running’’ approach, how she pre-fuels and grazes during runs, her recovery routine, and encourages more wo...

Episode 29 features Conor O'Keeffe, founder of Altar Nutrition, sharing his running journey from boxing to ultra-distance challenges — including running 32 marathons in 32 days — and how persistent gut issues inspired him to create a better endurance fuel. Conor explains how he developed "speed dust," how to build carbohydrate tolerance, practical pre-fuel and race-day strategies, and uses cases l...

In episode 28 of the Middle of the Pack podcast, guest Enda Kiernan shares his running journey from school athletics and Mullingar Harriers to helping launch the first Parkrun outside Dublin in Macroom. He discusses the people who influenced him, his commitment to volunteering, and how running shaped his coaching and role with Cork under‑20s and club football. Enda also talks practical topics like...

Episode 27 of The Middle of the Pack features Cian Charlton — entrepreneur, runner, and founder of 35 Vintage, on Fade St Dublin — as he shares his running journey and the launch of his Irish running brand, NegativeSplit.ie They discuss Negativesplit gear, early product launches (the skull cap), design and manufacturing plans, balancing business with training, shoe habits, and Cian’s upcoming trai...

In this episode episode 26 of The Middle of the Pack Podcast, Laura Stenton Slater—known as Laura Muddy Soles—shares her running comeback, her decision to run the London Marathon in wellington boots for the charity Unique, and the personal story behind her motivation: her son's rare chromosome disorder. Laura talks about rediscovering running after years away, how TikTok and a supportive community...

In episode 25 of the Middle of the Pack podcast, Ann O'Neill recounts how she started running, her journey to 79 marathons, and the viral TikTok clip from the New York Marathon that sparked worldwide attention. Ann discusses training while working as a nurse, overcoming injury and cancer, running low-key marathons across Ireland and abroad, and her plans and dreams toward reaching 100 marathons. A...