Physio Gallivan hails laid-back and wisecracking Heffernan

Emma Gallivan has come to appreciate Rob Heffernan’s idiosyncrasies, so much so that his wise-cracking prior to yesterday’s event didn’t surprise her in the least.

Gallivan, head Physiotherapist with Athletics Ireland, carries sole responsibility for ensuring the Cork race-walker is correctly mobilised each time he steps onto the road.

The routine of yesterday morning then, has been on replay ever since the pair first joined forces in March of last year.

Underneath the bowels of the Luzhniki Stadium every nook and cranny was thoroughly examined, the lower back, glutes, hips and hamstrings all checked.

Less than an hour out from the defining race of his career, most would have expected dead silence from Heffernan, stern concentration, unwavering focus. Not those who know him best however, not Gallivan.

The Togher athlete was his usual boisterous self, cracking jokes, shooting the breeze.

Indeed, one would be forgiven for thinking he was limbering up for a morning stroll, much less the World Championships.

“Ya know what Rob is like,” she laughs.

“He was chatting away, cracking jokes. He puts everyone at ease around him. Myself, Ray Flynn and Marian were there and Patsy McGonagle. Rob was quiet, but he still put us all at ease.

“He is not one of those athletes you have to be careful what you say around him before a big race. You can act normal around him. He was the same as ever.

“We spent about 15 minutes mobilising the key areas just before he went into the call room. He was great, quietly confident.”

Since making acquaintances 17-months ago, their paths have been largely interwoven ever since.

Where Rob goes, Gallivan follows. This year alone Heffernan organised training camps in Grand Canaria, Almeria and Guadix — the physio’s schedule succinctly tailored to accommodate that of the Corkman.

Moreover, Gallivan, based at the Institute of Sport in Abbotstown, hops into the car after work every Wednesday afternoon and heads for Cork.

“We have built up a very strong relationship, especially when you are out on those camps. I’d be very close to Rob.

“He has just gone from strength to strength. The times he has been hitting have exceeded where he was last year. We knew from a physical perspective that he was in better shape than he was last year.

“It is consistent mobility work really with Rob, lots of pre-activation work. Prior to a training session we would spend a couple of minutes mobilising him, different stretches to try to get him as mobile as we can.”

Gallivan, aside from her duties as physio, was always on the road with Heffernan during those gruelling training sessions at home and abroad, though supported by four wheels.

“A car would be hired and I would follow him on his training. I would be out with him twice a day, looking after the drinks.

“Normally we start at 10am which is the longer session for two, three hours and then the easier session at 7pm for an hour.”

Once training is done, Heffernan switches off and in Gallivan’s words, the pair “have the banter”.

Athletics fades into the oblivion.

Gallivan was one of the first to offer her congratulations, but wasn’t the least bit surprised when he didn’t show for his recovery session yesterday. Nor does she expect she will get him on the treatment table for another while to come.

World Champions have more pressing matters to attend to.

Team Heffernan

Rob Heffernan’s backroom team comprises of four individuals.

At the head of proceedings is wife Marian who has acted as Rob’s coach since last year.

During training and race-days Marian would attend to Rob’s hydration, be it water or gels, at regular intervals.

As well as that, Marian oversees the video analysis of Rob’s training sessions and would accompany him at training camps abroad.

Emma Gallivan, Athletics Ireland’s head physio, has worked very closely with Rob since March of 2012, attending all training camps, in addition to paying weekly visits to Rob’s home in Cork.

Robbie Williams is the strength and conditioning coach. Williams operates out of the Fitnessworx Gym on the Tramore Road in Cork and oversees all of Heffernan’s gym work.

Ray Flynn, retired middle-distance athlete, provides support at training camps and on race-days. Flynn assisted Marian at the drinks station yesterday morning.