Runner of the week - Kevin O'Donovan

Each week we profile one of the runners taking part in the ‘Irish Examiner’ Cork City Marathon this June.

Name: Kevin O’Donovan

Age: 39

Is it your first time running a marathon?

Yes, I’ve done the relay a few times and the half twice but never a full marathon

Why are you running the marathon this year?

I did the half last year, and wanted to try to push myself a bit more this year and go further. Plus being the 10th anniversary it seemed like a good year to give it a go!

What’s your training/diet regime like?

I’m running four or five times a week, gradually building up my distance, doing a longer run on Sundays. I’ve done a few events too like the Ballycotton 10 and was running in the Mallow 10 too. Usually try to vary where I do my runs, different routes, different places, so it’s not too monotonous. I have a Garmin watch that measures distance ran which takes out the guesswork. For diet, usually try to eat healthily anyway but finding as the distances increase I need to eat extra to keep up energy levels.

Hardest part so far?

I hurt my knee in training, and then had to make sure I didn’t go back too soon and be out longer. I’m OK again but it has set me back a bit.

Best part so far?

I cut eight minutes off last year’s time at Ballycotton so was delighted with that.

One piece of advice to anyone thinking of doing it in the future?

Train with a few friends if you can, ye’ll get each other out more often, and push each other on. Don’t miss training just because they can’t go too though!