Want to take up running? Here are Sonia O'Sullivan and Jessie Barr's top tips for beginners

The new year is an ideal time to put on your runners and hit the road. We talk to Olympians Sonia O'Sullivan and Jessie Barr about avoiding injuries and staying motivated 

Sonia O'Sullivan: "Netflix will be there when you get back. It is not going anywhere." Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

THERE weren’t many positives to come out of the pandemic but one was the surge in the number of people taking up exercise, especially during the first lockdown. According to the Irish Sports Monitor report, conducted on behalf of Sport Ireland, activities such as walking, cycling and running increased substantially between March and May 2020. However, as restrictions eased and society reopened, people began to fall out of their healthy habits. 

While running is one of the easiest sports to take up, it is also one of the toughest when it comes to maintaining motivation. If anyone knows about the dedication and commitment needed to keep running, it’s legendary Irish athlete Sonia O’Sullivan. The Cobh woman has signed on for the Irish Life Runuary initiative to encourage runners to lace up their trainers again this January. After decades of top-level training, the Olympic silver medallist has now become accustomed to running for pleasure and fitness.