At her own pace

“I am the opposite of a bridezilla,” she says.

“I make everything very simple. I went to one shop and bought my dress.

“We are really lucky, in that, for some reason, in our lives we always have people who want to do stuff and help us. Even for our wedding. A friend is doing the invites, Peter’s mother is doing the flowers, another friend is doing the cake, my best friend is a wedding photographer — it’s very personal. I just concentrate on training and, every now and again, I take a little bit of time to sit down and look at wedding stuff on Pinterest — I don’t really immerse myself in it.”

* Derval is patron of the Cork University Hospital (CUH) Charity, and is asking participants in the Cork City marathon, on Jun 3, to run in aid of the intensive care unit (ICU) appeal. To join and receive your sponsorship pack, or for further information, contact [e-mail], or see Facebook ICU RUN for LIFE, or donate at www.mycharity.ie/event/icurunforlife.

What shape are you in?

This is my preparation phase for my outdoor season. I am pretty fit, in terms of the distances I am running and the gym work I am doing. I spend between two and a half to three hours training every day. I have to work hard not to over-train — my inclination is always to do more.

Do you have any health concerns?

I used to be pretty conscious of my diet, in terms of performance, but now, as I’m getting older, I am very conscious of my diet in terms of my quality of life. I have an ongoing problem with my back that I have to be very careful of, but that just takes good management. I also have to be careful with my asthma, which is under the best control when I am training a lot. I’ve never actually found it’s a hindrance. I am on inhalers.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I eat a lot of fish. I never really crash-diet or do any faddy-diet stuff. I always try to have really good consistency in my diet — it’s rarely awful and rarely 100% perfect.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

I have three things that I’ve never completely cut out of my life, because I would just get sad if I couldn’t have them: an occasional glass of white wine, a little bit of chocolate and coffee.

What would keep you awake at night?

Being injured and worry about not running fast.

How do you relax?

I find cooking really relaxing, if I have some time and I’ve gone and got loads of ingredients. I spend a lot of time walking with Peter and my dog, she’s a gorgeous Labradoodle called Berlino.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Rapper JV, Ronan O’Gara — he would just tell me anything I want to know, off the record — and my fiancé.

What is your favourite smell?

A fresh vanilla pod smells amazing.

What would you change about your appearance?

I’d love to have another two inches on my legs — I’m 5’ 7”. It’s pure vanity: I don’t think it would make me run any faster. And I’d like lovely, dark brown skin, instead of my Irish, freckly skin.

When did you last cry?

I had a little cry last week. I was so frustrated ... I had a sore-foot injury. It wasn’t clearing up and I had a little bit of an emotional breakdown about that. But I don’t cry in public.

What trait do you least like in others?

People who are excessively selfish.

What trait do least like in yourself?

I am extremely stubborn, which is not always a good thing. It can be really good in terms of performance, but it’s not good in other ways. If I am in the wrong, I find it very hard to say sorry. But the fact that I recognise it makes me a little bit better.

Do you pray?

I’ve never been very prayerful. I very much believe in being a good person, and being kind and good to other people.

What would cheer up your day?

A lovely cup of coffee, a little bit of chocolate, and spending a couple of hours with one of the people I love.