Your Race or Mine

One sentence, 5 years, completely different meaning. What does it mean to become a “real runner”? And why do so many of us still feel like imposters, even when the evidence says otherwise? In this deeply honest and uplifting conversation, Mairead Hogan joins Your Race or Mine to talk about discovering running in her forties at a difficult moment in her life, finding confidence through community, a...

They say running can become an addiction — but sometimes it becomes the thing that saves you from far more destructive ones. My guest Cathal Quinn knows both sides of that reality. For much of his life, Cathal battled inner demons that eventually brought him to the very edge. This conversation is an honest and deeply personal account of addiction, vulnerability, self-destruction, and the long road...

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Paul Robinson speaks for the first time since stepping away from elite athletics. From running around Kilcock at just four years old, to running a mile in the South Pole, and everything in-between, Paul’s journey into running was built on passion, discipline, and consistency. By 15, things became serious — setting him on a path toward becoming one o...

We often talk about equality in sports—and rightly so. But when it comes to running, fitness, and health, men and women don't face the same challenges. In this episode, I sit down with Laura Ward from LWF Physiotherapy for a really honest and important conversation about what that actually means in real life. We explore the importance of pelvic health, strength training, and taking a holistic...

What does it really take to stand behind the finish line? In this episode, I sit down with Brian Conroy, co-founder of Pop Up Races, to explore the journey behind one of Ireland’s most recognisable race timing companies. Brian shares how he went from working as a chartered accountant to building a business rooted in the running community — what that transition felt like, the risks involved, and ho...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Noel McCarron reflects on a life shaped not just by running, but by the people and communities it brought him to. At the heart of this episode is Noel’s involvement with the Special Olympics and his role in bringing the World Games to Ireland in 2003. He shares the story behind what it took to make that happen, offering a rare glimpse into the dedication, challenges...

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Noel McCarron to explore an incredible running journey that began in the most unexpected way. Growing up in Letterkenny with little interest in sport, Noel’s path changed when an inspirational teacher from Tennessee arrived at his school and sparked something that would shape the rest of his life. From those early days, Noel went on to achi...

Chris Drysdale is a 2:35 marathon runner. Experienced. Disciplined. Used to pushing through discomfort and coming out stronger. But last year in Berlin, something was different. Coming into the race unwell, he made the decision to start anyway. What followed wasn’t a personal best or a breakthrough performance — it was a battle simply to finish. A day when the body didn’t cooperate. A day when tou...

When Cheryl Auret started running for the first time, she wasn’t chasing medals or finish lines—she was chasing a different life. At 53, living in Co. Offaly, Cheryl’s running journey began not on a track, but on a treadmill in her shed, and a decision to change. Supported by her family and a community who believed in her before she fully believed in herself, she lost over 70lbs and gained somethi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Colin Thomas — an avid runner, deeply respected coach, and someone who has spent a lifetime immersed in the sport he loves. Colin has coached and advised runners of every level, from complete beginners to elite Kenyan athletes, and his perspective on running is as grounded as it is inspiring. Colin shares what sets Kenyan runners apart beyond raw talent — their min...

What if one run could change everything? After recently moving to a new town and feeling disconnected, my guest Camila Melo was looking for more than just fitness. When she couldn’t find a running club that worked for her, she took a brave step and created her own—built on core beliefs: everyone belongs and no one finishes last . What began as a small group has grown into a powerful community of o...

If you love running but crave a new edge, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Kieran Lillis , former Laois intercounty football captain, who shares how stepping away from intercounty football in 2024 led him to the intense, hybrid challenge of HYROX . Kieran explains what HYROX is for anyone hearing about it for the first time—and why it’s proving so addictive for endurance athletes. Combinin...

In this episode, I sit down with health and nutrition coach Yvonne Hudson , who shares her powerful journey from a 24-year corporate career to building a purpose-driven business on her own terms. Yvonne is passionate about nutrition, running, and realistic habit change —and she’s refreshingly honest about what actually works. We talk incremental gains, food variety, planning, and accountability, a...

In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Martin Hoare who proves that success isn’t about overnight breakthroughs—it’s about consistency, grit, and stacking small gains. Starting his athletic life in GAA, where he spent 15 years building strength and resilience, he didn’t lace up running shoes seriously until the age of 24. A brief flirtation with triathlons followed, but once he co...

What does it take for a busy mother to train for her first marathon? In this episode, we sit down with Annemarie Seddon who decided to chase a bold goal—not for a podium finish, but for herself. Balancing work, family, and the nonstop demands of everyday life, she carved out time to train, push through self-doubt, and ultimately cross the marathon finish line. She shares the realities of training...

In this episode, we dive into the transformative journey of a Paddy Hoare who credits the power of accountability and community for his progress. With the support of a running group behind him, he pushed through challenges, embraced the highs and lows of different race experiences, and discovered a new version of himself along the way. He shares how running has reshaped his mindset — not just on t...

Meet Peter Salama whose journey goes far beyond the miles. Living with a chronic illness, he laced up his shoes for the first time in 2019 — not to chase medals, but to chase a purpose. Since then, he’s completed seven marathons, each one a powerful reminder of why he keeps going: his children. Running has become both a lifeline and a legacy. Through setbacks, resilience, and relentless determinat...

Welcome to Your Race or Mine, the podcast that celebrates the everyday runner. Here, we step off the podium and onto the pavement with the runners you pass on your morning loop, the ones juggling families, careers, doubts, setbacks, and victories that rarely make headlines—but always make a story. Each episode, we dive into the personal journeys that shape why people run: the first steps that felt...

This year’s Dublin Marathon was nothing like 2024. What was last year a comparatively smooth, joyful experience became a battle — physically and mentally. After dealing with injury setbacks in the lead-up to the race, the marathon itself pushed me into some unexpectedly dark places. Yes, I walked away with a PB. But the journey to that finish line left me questioning the mental strength I always b...