‘It’s all about the effort’ says Cork City Marathon runner Gary

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

Name: Gary O’Connell

Age: 37

Is it your first time running a marathon?

No, this will be my sixth marathon and fourth Cork City Marathon.

Why are you running the marathon this year?

My primary reason for running the Cork City Marathon this year is to support a fantastic charity called Bumbleance (idonate.ie/GaryCorkCityMarathon). As a father of two beautiful healthy little girls, the story of Tony and Mary Heffernan has always resonated with me and I have found them to be an incredible source of inspiration for any parent.

My second reason is that I am not getting any younger and I need to keep fit. There is no marathon better for a Corkman to run than the Cork City Marathon. And then there’s the afterparty!

What’s your training/diet regime like?

I am running approximately 50km to 60km per week with my long run at the weekend.My diet is not super strict but I have a supportive wife who cooks and eats healthily. I do like to reward myself with a few beers at the weekend.

Best part so far?

When you finish each and every run, especially the long runs! There are few better feelings than knowing that you have completed a run that is beyond most people.

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

Work to a schedule and always set time aside for those long runs. Like anything else in life, it’s all about the effort.

And give yourself a motivator and a reward. When you’re on mile 10 with 16 more miles to go and your legs are hurting you need something to motivate you. My father has just gone through his second bout of cancer and his strength and will to overcome his illness motivates me. He’s my inspiration.