Running Matters One:2:One with James Keogh

by Martin Lyons

This man is relatively new to running, but not to the world of top level sport. James Keogh is a former darts player on the PDC tour, who when he stopped playing professionally, released he needed to change his lifestyle and get healthier, for both himself and his family.

As he outlines below in honest detail, James needed to lose weight and that journey has taken him to completing marathons and making good progress on his times.

His story will hopefully inspire and motivate other people who may be out of shape at present to get the ball rolling and to get out, start running and overall to get healthier. James is a good example of someone who’s done just that.

Name: James Keogh

DOB: 31/01/1976

When did you start running and what motivated you take it up?

I started walking/jogging mainly to lose weight. I weighed close to 31st at the time mainly due to my darts career and the habits it brought with it.

I had played darts on the professional circuit for a number of years and I guess the lifestyle caught up on me. I also have two great kids, who need their dad alive, so that’s motivation in itself.

I began training for the Dublin Marathon in 2015, which I completed in 7hrs 15mins. Time wasn’t an important matter for me – it was all about getting out and getting active. That was the key and I’m happy I have done that.

What is your favourite and least favourite type of training and your favourite race distance?

My favourite training routine is a 10-mile run/walk along the old N2 road between Ashbourne in County Meath and County Dublin, as it’s a nice flat run with little traffic. My least favourite type of training is anything with a hill in it. I hate hills! I love doing 5-mile races, especially the one in Clontarf, as it’s a beautiful course and I’m slowly getting my times down, which is an added bonus.

What running achievements are you most proud of and why?

My greatest achievement would have to be my third Dublin Marathon, which was also my quickest, in a time of 6hrs 45mins. It’s a sign of progress from where I started and that’s very pleasing. I love the Dublin Marathon, because it’s so friendly, and you’ll always get to meet great people on route, as well as before and after, where the crack is mighty!

What are your PBs for the following distances?

1 Mile: 14mins 10sec.

5k: 41mins.

10k: 83mins.

Half marathon: 3hrs 7 mins.

Full marathon: 6hrs 45mins.

How have the Covid-19 restrictions affected your training or racing plans?

They have greatly hampered my training, as it was hard to get out when the kids were at home, and the 2km radius that was in place at the start inhibited our freedom, even though it was in the interest of public safety. Hopefully things will get back to normal now, and we’ll be all back training together and racing again soon.

What advice or training tips would you give to anyone who is now looking to take up running?

Pick a different route each time and be kind to fellow walkers and joggers. As long as we observe people’s space during the second and third phases, we’ll hopefully be able to train in small groups and eventually larger groups once again. Staying positive and being kind to each other are the most important parts of our training right now.

What are your lifetime goals and PBs?

My goals for the years ahead are fairly straightforward – start and finish as many races as possible and keep getting new PBs. Along with that I’ll hopefully stay injury-free and just keep enjoying the training and races.

What is your favourite post race meal?

My favourite meal after each race is a chicken pasta, plenty of protein and carbs in that, and not forgetting the odd pint of beer thrown in!