Running Matters One:2:One with Treasa Gibney

By Martin Lyons - martinlyons87@gmail.com

This week I’m interviewing an inspirational woman who is the epitome of dedication and hard work in the face of tragedy. Treasa Gibney took up running early in 2013 and having lost her husband in 2012, she showed great courage in moving forward, helped by the motivation of her sisters, who also ran.

Before long she was knocking out marathons and in 2017 she achieved a super personal best time, testimony to her hard work. In the last few years Treasa fulfilled her ambition of playing Gaelic football again and has now returned to take on the challenges of distance running with her new club, in Castlepollard.

Name: Treasa Gibney

DOB: 14/5/76

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

I started running in 2013. It was my new year resolution. So on New Year’s Day that year I ran a half a mile over the road and then back. You have to start somewhere and for me, that’s how it began!

My main motivation for starting were my two sisters, who ran the Dublin City Marathon in 2012 and I was just so impressed with them. They encouraged me to give running a go. I was always into sport growing up, but unfortunately my husband passed away in 2012 and with two young children, I knew football wasn’t an option at that stage, so I gave the running a go.

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

I would say my favourite type of training is doing kilometre reps. They are a straightforward, uncomplicated session and can be done on the road or a track or even around a football pitch.

I usually meet my friend Karen to do them. We encourage each other on, especially on the days when you really don’t feel like pushing yourself.

My least favourite type of training would probably be a tempo run, but I always feel great when they are over! I think they are a necessary evil in preparation for races.

As for my favourite race distance, it would probably be 5k. I really enjoyed doing the Belvedere 5k series in Mullingar a few years ago. It was great to run the same 5k every week and see improvements in your time.

What running achievements are you most proud of and why?

That would have to be running 3.30 in the Dublin Marathon in 2017. I went up to cheer the runners on in 2016 and decided that my goal was to run it the following year and aim for 3.30. I had run the marathon in 2013 (4.08) and 2015 (3.45), so I felt it was a realistic goal.

I started following a plan from the December right through to the marathon at the end of October the following year and I was so proud that day crossing the line in 3hours and 30mins, mission completed.

List your current PBs for the following distances.

5k – 19.23, castlepollard 2017

10k – 41.55, Fr. Murphys kildalkey 2017

10 mile – 72.35, frank duffy phoenix park

Half marathon – 1h 33mins, Bohermeen 2017

Marathon – 3.30, Dublin 2017

In 2018 I was asked by one of the football coaches to go back to play football. I then ask the other coach (who is my brother-in-law) whether he thought I was too old.

He didn’t say no, so of course and I had to give it a go then! I really enjoyed playing it for the last three years but the boots are definitely hung up now and I’m back running again, maybe hunting another PB in time to come!

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

To be honest, they didn’t interfere much at all. As I said, I was only getting back into the running this year anyway, so I hadn’t planned on doing any races at the start of the year. There are plenty of quiet country roads around here.

I’ve recently joined North Westmeath AC, based in and around Castlepollard, and I’m really looking forward to training with them. They organise various runs along the canal and greenway in Mullingar and throughout Westmeath. We are lucky to have these wonderful facilities on our doorsteps.

I also recently took part in the Collinstown 10 mile and the Castlepollard 5k events and both were organised brilliantly by the club and its members.

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

Try to make time for running and make it a regular habit. Be patient with the progress you are trying to make. It takes time to see the improvements, so don’t get hung up on pace early on, just concentrate on enjoying running.

Having a like-minded running buddy to meet up with even on some of your runs makes it more enjoyable and less likely that you won’t go. It is good to enter a race or two and to have those to aim towards.

Finally, I’d recommend to keep doing different types of training sessions, as it helps to keep it all interesting.

What are your lifetime goals and/or PBs?

After a few years away from running, I would like to get back to where I was in 2017. Staying healthy and injury-free is most important. I’ll continue to push myself, bit by bit and see where that takes me. I’ve entered the Mullingar Half Marathon on September 25, and I’m really looking forward to that.

What is your favourite post race meal?

To be honest I always loved the homemade sandwiches and cakes and the cup of tea hosted by the race organisers after a race. It gives everyone a chance to chat to each other and discuss their running too. Hopefully this will return next year and we’ll start getting more socially connected again.