Middle of the Pack Podcast

Episode 24 features Conor Friel sharing his return to running, training with Carragline AC, race-day stories from 10Ks to full marathons, and the gear and fueling that keep him going. Conor also discusses living with dyspraxia, fundraising nearly €2,000 for Dyspraxia Ireland, and his plans for upcoming races and travel. A really great episode where we, yet again, celebrate an everyday runner facin...

Episode 23 of The Middle of the Pack Podcast with Kieran McKeown explores his journey from junior track talent to full-time coach and why smart coaching beats endless training. Kieran shares practical tips on warming up and cooling down, avoiding injury, race fitness, sensible marathon planning, and the value of community support. He explains how individualized coaching, week-to-week plans, and kn...

Episode 22 reviews the highs and lows of 2025 and looks ahead to 2026, celebrating everyday runners, recovery, and steady progress over flashy results. Padraig shares stories of injury, resilience, personal bests, and the simple joy of running, inviting listeners to set realistic goals and run with presence and curiosity in the new year. As a podcast celebrating everyday runners we look forward to...

On this Christmas Eve special of The Middle of the Pack Podcast, returning guests share their running wishlists — from race entries and carbon‑plated shoes to watches, earphones and recovery gear. The episode mixes practical gift ideas (race vouchers, shoes, socks, gels, reflective gear, recovery sliders) with heartfelt wishes for an injury‑free 2026, family time and the joy of running together. H...

Episode 20 of The Middle of the Pack features Ruairi O'Hagan reflecting on his Dublin Marathon experience, the post-race struggle with motivation and injury, and the training and support that got him through. Ruairi also discusses his role as chair of Watergrasshill running club and the importance of community in his running journey. Listen for candid stories about race day drama, recovery, accoun...

In this episode Cliodhna Ruane shares her moving journey balancing marathon training with devastating family challenges — the loss of her husband to cancer and her daughter’s leukemia diagnosis — and how running has kept her resilient. She talks candidly about recovery after Dublin Marathon, adapting training while caring for her children, plans for future races, and how running provides mental re...

John Calabrese joins the podcast to talk turkey trots, pushing wheelchair racers, and his journey from road races to brutal ultras. He shares fueling tricks, shoe testing, race stories and how running helps him balance family life, caregiving and the highs and lows of the sport. So Buckle up and enjoy the Middle of the Pack podcast Ep18.

Episode 17 features Caroline Coffey as she discusses her transition from corporate life to personal training, coaching busy women, and balancing marathon training with family life. Caroline shares honest stories about race-day emotions, training strategies, fueling, accountability, and how to enjoy food and fitness without extremes.

Episode 16 features Eamon Kearney, who shares his journey from heavy drinking and a near-fatal moment to sobriety and running marathons. After a mild heart attack and confronting severe mental-health struggles, running helped him rebuild his life, reconnect with family, and find purpose. He talks about training, major races like Chicago and Boston, the emotional power of running with his half brot...

Episode 15 of the Middle of the Pack features Tara Wilson of Women Who Run Ireland discussing her 15-year running journey, how running helped her heal and keeps on healing, and her work at the Run Hub helping all types of runners through Women who run Ireland. She shares tips on mental training for marathons, the Super Half series and solo race travel, running community stories, winter gear recomm...

Episode 14 of The Middle of the Pack podcast takes you into The Recovery Room in Ballincollig, Cork, where the host experiences NormaTec compression boots and an infrared sauna for the first time. Jerry Lynch explains the benefits—improved circulation, reduced soreness, muscle relaxation, skin and cardiovascular benefits—and how the facility supports both athletes and people seeking stress relief...

This episode of The Middle of the Pack captures the electric day of the Dublin City Marathon through the host's finish-line buzz and short voice-note recaps from runners and spectators. Listeners hear personal PBs, emotional moments, crowd and volunteer support, pacing challenges and the community spirit that made the day special — with a follow-up recovery-themed episode coming next week.

Padraig hosts a Taper Week special on Middle of the Pack, exploring ‘maranoia’—the nervous, restless anxiety many runners feel before a marathon. Previous Guests share personal tips, packing lists, race-day advice and how they’re managing rest, nutrition and nerves ahead of the Dublin City Marathon. Short, practical guidance and warm encouragement for first-timers and veterans alike, with reminder...

On this episode of The Middle of the Pack Podcast Dave Buckley talks about his running journey from school cross-country and soccer to road races and marathons. He shares memorable races (Cork and Dublin), training highs and setbacks, pacing stories, shoe choices, fueling strategies and brutal hamstring cramps that nearly stopped him at the finish. Dave also describes the addictive PB feeling, why...

In this episode Sinead Power, an oncology and palliative care nurse, talks about balancing compassionate work with her life as a back-of-the-pack runner. She shares how the running community, club life and parkrun kept her connected and motivated. Sinead discusses starting with couch-to-5K, marathon training and fueling strategies, coping with grief while running, and why running is about wellbein...

On this episode of Middle of the Pack, Karen Twomey recounts her journey from junior success and repeated stress fractures to rediscovering running in 2023, training for marathons, and the injury that forced her to withdraw from Dublin. Karen shares the diagnosis of a stress fracture, her recovery plan, a renewed focus on 10Ks and half marathons, and honest reflections on nutrition and supporting...

Laura Fleming, a runner and emergency nurse, recounts her experiences working in the medical tents at races and will be  at the Dublin marathon 2025. She describes how hot weather, under-fuelling and dehydration can quickly make runners very ill, and why half-marathons sometimes produce more medical cases than full marathons. This episode covers common race issues—heatstroke, low blood sugar, musc...

Host Padraig and guest Gareth Franklin talk candidly about his running journey — from lockdown walks and Couch to 5K, through parkruns and marathons, to the goal of breaking five hours. They cover training, pacing, fueling strategies, race day atmospheres, and the mental challenges of middle-of-the-pack running. Gareth shares tips on hydration, gels, shoe choices, and club running, plus his upcomi...

Episode 6 features Karen Twomey — teacher, personal trainer, TikToker and devoted runner — sharing her return to the sport, race experiences (Blarney, Charleville) and how running shaped her life and career choices. She discusses founding an inclusive run club with interval sessions, gear and shoe preferences, the benefits running has for mental health, and the supportive running community that ke...

Padraig interviews Clodagh O'Neill, who ran her very first race as the Cork City Marathon. They discuss her training journey, shoe choice, fuel strategy, diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma, and the crucial support of pacers and running groups that helped her finish. Clodagh shares practical takeaways for new and middle-of-the-pack runners—listen for honest tips about pacing, training progression...

Host Padraig talks with Laura Fleming — an emergency nurse, mother of three and dedicated middle-of-the-pack runner — about how running became her lifeline through marriage breakdown, injury and the pandemic. They cover Laura’s journey from Couch to 5K to multiple marathons, training and coaching strategies, balancing shifts and family life, fueling and hydration tips for long runs, and practical...

In this episode Padraig  welcomes back Angeline and Fergal Murphy to talk  about their Dublin marathon journey — the drama of securing tickets, lessons learned from Cork, and how group training, pacing strategies and fueling (including caffeine gels) are shaping their race goals. They discuss pacing tactics, mental preparation, warm-up routines, and tips from club sessions as they build toward Dub...

Welcome to the Middle of the Pack podcast. In this episode, host Padraig invites fellow Cork City marathon leaders Angeline and Fergal Murphy to share their experiences leading up to the Cork Marathon and their preparation for the Dublin Marathon. Join us for the first Part of two episodes as we explore the challenges of balancing family life, demanding careers, and marathon training. Discover pra...

Welcome to the first episode of the Middle of the Pack Podcast, your go-to source for all things running! In this introductory episode, host Padraig shares his personal running journey, revealing the ups and downs of training, racing, and balancing life as a middle-of-the-pack runner. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned marathoner, this podcast offers practical tips, honest gear reviews, and e...