Martin O Leary’s blog: The Road To Dublin
The heartbreaking news from the Ironman, in Youghal, that two athletes sadly lost their lives sent shockwaves around sporting circles and further afield. Deepest sympathies to the family and friends of both men. I take it for granted when I go out for a race, an event or a training run that I will come […]
Martins Blog (Same Martin, Just with a better tan)
It’s been a few months since Cork but I’m back on the marathon road again. That road leads to Dublin at the end of October. It’s a road I’ve travelled before, back in 2012 I ran Cork and Dublin marathons in the same year. In Cork I did 4 hours 11 minutes, and in Dublin […]
It must terrify and excite. Martins Final Cork marathon blog
‘It must terrify and excite, Ignite and incite, Inflate, elate, Create anew, Again and Again, The work must Carry on. ‘The Work’ by Stephen O’Leary Above is the final verse of a poem that my youngest brother Stephen wrote called ‘The Work’ and to me it sums up what marathon training and marathon running is […]
A blast from the past with lessons learned for Cork Marathon 2023
Our marathon leader, full time chancer and occasional runner Ruairí O’Hagan digs into the archives to present a report from last year’s Cork City Half Marathon. Where we sported and played – Cork City Half Marathon, June 5th 2022. The face of a man who knows that the finish line is near. And pints. […]
Families come in all shapes and sizes
Families come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are large, while others are little. They can be bonded by bloodline, or can be brought together out of shared experiences. Family has been to the forefront of my mind this past week. My uncle James O Neill passed away recently. James was a gentleman and […]
40 year old Marathon Virgin
“Always start with a quote. It makes your blog post look super profound” Martin O’Leary, probably. I’m in New York to celebrate my 40th and my wife’s.. eh.. definitely not 40th.. ahem… when I realise I can’t escape the cold hard truth – I’m injured, and I need treatment. It’s the start of April, and […]
The long and winding road to Cork
On a training run a few weeks ago I was out with my good friend Derek, we were doing a short run before the Tramore Valley Parkrun. As most runners do while we run, we talk about all things running. We were chatting about our first marathons. Derek had run his first one in Cork […]
Martin’s blog week 13: All aboard the Bweeng train
I have said many times that I try to concentrate on one run at a time. While there is always a long term plan (mine being the Cork City Marathon) the one run mantra helps me focus and makes sure I won’t get carried away with myself. My focus was on Bweeng on Sunday last […]
Martin O Leary’s blog: week 12: “I feel the need, the need for speed”
‘I feel the need, the need for speed’ so says Maverick, the Tom Cruise character in the 1980s film Top Gun. Along with my housemates we watched that film countless times in college. That was in the cassette days, long before Netflix, Disney+ or even DVDs. I did a speed session of my own last […]
Martin O Leary’s Blog Week 11: Fun in the Sun.
Runners and golfers can be quite similar, while the sports are remarkably different, those who participate in both can be comparable. Runners and golfers come in all shapes and sizes. Runners have different running styles and golfers have different types of swings. Both sports are enjoyed and loved by people of all ages. During my […]