Running Matters One:2:One with Sean Corcoran

By Martin Lyons

This man has a great appetite for the parkrun – and the post-run breakfast, among other things!

Sean Corcoran has become a regular face with the Mullingar parkrun community since starting in October 2016, and he has completed more than 100 events, which is great going for a man who initially just wanted to maintain his fitness, after been told to stop playing 5-a-side soccer.

Sean has some other distances in mind for the future, and whatever about the “finish line cake”, there’s no doubt Sean and his friends are looking forward to the return of the parkrun.

Name: Sean Corcoran

DOB: 12/08/1967

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

I started running in 2016 because I had to stop playing 5-a-side soccer and I wanted to maintain some level of exercise and fitness.

I mostly ran on the canal line at The Downs, but I was finding it hard to motivate myself to keep going on my own. I was looking to join a running club, but at my age I didn’t want to join a competitive group.

I can’t remember how I found the Mullingar parkrun, but I went along one Saturday morning with my better half to see what it was like and we enjoyed the warm welcome and the fact that joining in was an easy option, and it has worked out very well for me.

My first park run was on October 1, 2016 and I have since completed 109 parkruns.

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

The only training I’m doing at present is the 5km distance. I am rarely enthusiastic about going for a run, but it feels good after I start and I always feel mentally and physically better afterwards.

I like the routine of getting up early on a Saturday morning to go for my 5k and it sets me up for the day. I also find it much easier to run in company and at the parkrun – you will always find someone with a similar pace, so there’s always someone to help you along and motivate you.

My favourite route is along the canal and greenway beside Trend in Mullingar. It’s usually quiet and there are no cars to worry about either, which is a bonus!

My favourite race distance is, unsurprisingly, the 5km, but having said that I’d like to challenge myself with longer distances like 10k or 20k, in the future.

What running achievements are you most proud of and why?

Completing my 50th parkrun and then the 100th parkrun are proud moments. I didn’t think I’d get 10 runs done and now I have more than 100 completed. Also, getting my 5km time down to the 25mins was another proud moment.

To put that into perspective, on my first parkrun, my time was 35mins, so I’m happy with that improvement. Another proud moment would be when I completed the Pink Run 10km charity race in the Phoenix Park in under one hour, and I was very pleased with that achievement.

What are your Current PBs for the following distances?

5km – 25m 53s – Mullingar parkrun.

10km – 58m 30s – Pink Run, Dublin.

They are the only distances I have had timed so far, but plenty more to come in the future hopefully.

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

I’m disappointed at the suspension of the parkrun due to Covid-19, as I feel it has slowed me down, as when I’m not running in company, I find it hard to push myself and to be motivated.

Having said that, I try to do a 5km run two or three times a week to maintain my fitness.

As well as parkrun being an opportunity for exercise, it is also quite social, thanks to the banter within the core crew, including Blanaid Adamson, Martin Murphy, Mel Leahy and Christy Dalton, to name a few of them, and I miss that interaction, although we all still keep in touch over WhatsApp, which is good, but not quite the same!

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

First of all, run, because it is fun and don’t push yourself too hard. Get yourself a couple of good pairs of runners, and then I’d recommend that anyone join the Mullingar parkrun or another running group when the restrictions have been lifted. I always find it easier to run with other people.

At parkrun, there’s no pressure on you to put in a great time, you are only competing with yourself, but the runners and volunteers all encourage each other. When I joined the parkrun in 2016, I found the group were very welcoming and friendly and I’ve made friends with like-minded people, which makes it easier to keep going back.

What are your lifetime goals and/or PBs?

I’d like to get sub 25mins for my 5km. I don’t have a specific number in mind, I just keep working on improving.

For the 10km, I’d like to get that to sub 55mins.

I hope to sign up for the Aon Mullingar Half Marathon next March (Covid restrictions permitting) as it is a popular event with a lot of parkrunners.

I’ve never entered a marathon, but Orla Hickey and Owen Peters from the parkrun are always trying to convince me to join them for one, so that is bound to happen at some stage, I’m sure!

My wife and I have always spoken about spending a month walking the Camino (500k) and hopefully at some stage of our lives, we’ll get to complete that!

What is your favourite post race meal:

I always enjoyed my eggs Benedict in Red Earth, Mullingar, after the parkrun, but now I make do with a full Irish at home, which is lovely, even though there have been some rumours that I tend to run faster if there is a cake at the finish line, which is harsh, but possibly true!