Running Matters One:2:One with Annette Bennett

Interview by Martin Lyons

(Photo above) Ger Langtry with her daughter Ruth, Mary Keena McDonnell, Annette (in the middle) and her daughter Holly.

After a tragedy in her life Annette Bennett was put on strong medication, but determined to get off it she decided to take up walking instead, as an alternative mind boosting exercise. She began to grow in confidence and mental strength, due in part to the encouragement on the Rhythm 5k group page on Facebook. After a couple of years she found her fitness and health had improved, so she decided to start running. Annette gives a glowing endorsement of the event in her advice to people looking to take up walking or running.

Name: Annette Bennett

DOB: 22/01/1974

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

I had a traumatic bereavement over five years ago and was put on very strong addictive medication. After a few months I quit the medication and started walking instead. Then about two years later, I started jogging and so about three years ago I started running (well running to me, probably still jogging to others!).

I have two sisters, Geraldine Cassidy and Aisling Corcoran, both avid runners, and they both would have encouraged me to take up exercise, if even for my mental health alone. I work in an office full time so I’m sitting all day at a computer and I also travel up and down daily to Athlone, so I can be sitting in a car for an hour and a half every day and it’s good to get out for a run.

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

I am by no means a professional runner and have never been part of a running club, so I’ve done no ‘proper’ or structured training if you like. I went from walking, to jogging to running, more or less by myself. My favourite distance is a 5k run and my favourite event is the parkrun in Mullingar.

What running achievements are you most proud of and why?

I only ever ran 5k up until the lockdown, but since then I have run a 14k, which was great for me personally.

Another moment to be proud of, I suppose, would be taking up walking in the first place. I joined a group called 5K Rhythmers in Lilliput, for mental health awareness. The aim was to run 5k every day for the month of January.

We posted our walks daily and we got encouragement and gave encouragement to others on social media, which only added to the positive experience. On the final day we all met up in Lilliput and completed a walk or jog together at that end of that month. Also, it was a great way to start the year.

List your current PBs for the following distances.

5k: 27 minutes 12 seconds, Rhythm Lilliput, Jan 2016.

10k: 59 minutes (in training, along the canal line).

How did the Covid-19 restrictions affect your training or racing plans?

If anything I have improved, I’ve gone from running 5k up to 14k, though I find it a bit boring on my own and it can be hard to motivate myself to get out and do the run. I always feel fantastic having completed it though.

What I do have to be careful of is not picking up an injury, and I suppose that’s where the benefit of a club or running group would come in, as they could advise you on correct way to run and train. Apart from that, with the restrictions, the company of fellow joggers is what I miss most.

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

I would definitely encourage people to join the Mullingar parkrun. It’s on at 9.30am on a Saturday and really sets you up for the day. The camaraderie there is unreal. You’re always guaranteed to be cheered on and encouraged, everyone looking out for each other. There’s also a lot of banter, so you’re guaranteed a few chuckles!

That’s what I enjoy most, there’s nothing more satisfying than a good belly laugh and money cannot buy you that.

I’ve done around 30 parkruns and I feel part of the group.

I’m very lucky to be living in Mullingar and to have so many canal routes that I can run on. We’re blessed in that regard in this town and people should really take advantage of the wonderful amenities around them.

What are your lifetime goals and/or PBs for the following distances?

Regarding times, two I’d have in mind would be for the 5 and 10km distances: 5k – under 27 minutes; 10k – under 58 minutes.

I’m hoping to do a good time in Lilliput on the shores of Lough Ennell in a couple of weeks. Apart from that, just to keep enjoying the journey and having more belly laughs and happy memories!

What is your favourite post-race meal?

Any kind of food, I love my food, so pretty much anything goes. Running also gives you a great appetite, so it’s even better for the taste buds!