Middle of the Pack Podcast

On this Christmas Eve special of The Middle of the Pack Podcast, returning guests share their running wishlists — from race entries and carbon‑plated shoes to watches, earphones and recovery gear.

The episode mixes practical gift ideas (race vouchers, shoes, socks, gels, reflective gear, recovery sliders) with heartfelt wishes for an injury‑free 2026, family time and the joy of running together.

Happy Christmas and a heartfelt thank you to all who supported me on this Journey. Ding Dong Merrily.....

Episode 20 of The Middle of the Pack features Ruairi O'Hagan reflecting on his Dublin Marathon experience, the post-race struggle with motivation and injury, and the training and support that got him through. Ruairi also discusses his role as chair of Watergrasshill running club and the importance of community in his running journey.

Listen for candid stories about race day drama, recovery, accountability from coaches and teammates, and Ruairi's goals for future races and club growth.

In this episode Cliodhna Ruane shares her moving journey balancing marathon training with devastating family challenges — the loss of her husband to cancer and her daughter’s leukemia diagnosis — and how running has kept her resilient.

She talks candidly about recovery after Dublin Marathon, adapting training while caring for her children, plans for future races, and how running provides mental release and strength through hardship. There's lots of silly small talk too in what was a very easy episode to record..

John Calabrese joins the podcast to talk turkey trots, pushing wheelchair racers, and his journey from road races to brutal ultras.

He shares fueling tricks, shoe testing, race stories and how running helps him balance family life, caregiving and the highs and lows of the sport.

So Buckle up and enjoy the Middle of the Pack podcast Ep18.

Episode 17 features Caroline Coffey as she discusses her transition from corporate life to personal training, coaching busy women, and balancing marathon training with family life.

Caroline shares honest stories about race-day emotions, training strategies, fueling, accountability, and how to enjoy food and fitness without extremes.

Episode 16 features Eamon Kearney, who shares his journey from heavy drinking and a near-fatal moment to sobriety and running marathons. After a mild heart attack and confronting severe mental-health struggles, running helped him rebuild his life, reconnect with family, and find purpose.

He talks about training, major races like Chicago and Boston, the emotional power of running with his half brother, and how his TikTok account has inspired others to change their lives. Episode 16 is about resilience, recovery, and community.

Episode 15 of the Middle of the Pack features Tara Wilson of Women Who Run Ireland discussing her 15-year running journey, how running helped her heal and keeps on healing, and her work at the Run Hub helping all types of runners through Women who run Ireland.

She shares tips on mental training for marathons, the Super Half series and solo race travel, running community stories, winter gear recommendations, and why celebrating everyday runners matters.

Episode 14 of The Middle of the Pack podcast takes you into The Recovery Room in Ballincollig, Cork, where the host experiences NormaTec compression boots and an infrared sauna for the first time. Jerry Lynch explains the benefits—improved circulation, reduced soreness, muscle relaxation, skin and cardiovascular benefits—and how the facility supports both athletes and people seeking stress relief or medical recovery.

The episode covers practical booking details, session timing recommendations, pricing, and the private, personalized nature of the services, plus insights into the adjoining private personal training studio.

This episode of The Middle of the Pack captures the electric day of the Dublin City Marathon through the host's finish-line buzz and short voice-note recaps from runners and spectators.

Listeners hear personal PBs, emotional moments, crowd and volunteer support, pacing challenges and the community spirit that made the day special — with a follow-up recovery-themed episode coming next week.

Padraig hosts a Taper Week special on Middle of the Pack, exploring ‘maranoia’—the nervous, restless anxiety many runners feel before a marathon. Previous Guests share personal tips, packing lists, race-day advice and how they’re managing rest, nutrition and nerves ahead of the Dublin City Marathon.

Short, practical guidance and warm encouragement for first-timers and veterans alike, with reminders to trust the training( the Hay is in the Barn), enjoy the race and celebrate getting to the start line.

On this episode of The Middle of the Pack Podcast Dave Buckley talks about his running journey from school cross-country and soccer to road races and marathons. He shares memorable races (Cork and Dublin), training highs and setbacks, pacing stories, shoe choices, fueling strategies and brutal hamstring cramps that nearly stopped him at the finish.

Dave also describes the addictive PB feeling, why he prefers 10-mile races, and his plans and hopes for future marathons. Expect candid race stories, practical tips and plenty of passion for the sport ( and a bit of a laugh).

In this episode Sinead Power, an oncology and palliative care nurse, talks about balancing compassionate work with her life as a back-of-the-pack runner. She shares how the running community, club life and parkrun kept her connected and motivated.

Sinead discusses starting with couch-to-5K, marathon training and fueling strategies, coping with grief while running, and why running is about wellbeing and belonging rather than pace or podiums.

On this episode of Middle of the Pack, Karen Twomey recounts her journey from junior success and repeated stress fractures to rediscovering running in 2023, training for marathons, and the injury that forced her to withdraw from Dublin.

Karen shares the diagnosis of a stress fracture, her recovery plan, a renewed focus on 10Ks and half marathons, and honest reflections on nutrition and supporting young athletes—ending the episode with a positive, practical plan for coming back stronger.

Join Padraig & Karen for a chat about all things Running ( Highs & Lows)

Laura Fleming, a runner and emergency nurse, recounts her experiences working in the medical tents at races and will be  at the Dublin marathon 2025. She describes how hot weather, under-fuelling and dehydration can quickly make runners very ill, and why half-marathons sometimes produce more medical cases than full marathons.

This episode covers common race issues—heatstroke, low blood sugar, muscle breakdown, falls from discarded bottles—and practical precautions: hydrate, take electrolytes, fuel properly, write emergency contacts on your bib, and be mindful of shoe choice and training in warmer conditions.

Laura also shares personal running habit...

Host Padraig and guest Gareth Franklin talk candidly about his running journey — from lockdown walks and Couch to 5K, through parkruns and marathons, to the goal of breaking five hours. They cover training, pacing, fueling strategies, race day atmospheres, and the mental challenges of middle-of-the-pack running.

Gareth shares tips on hydration, gels, shoe choices, and club running, plus his upcoming races and personal targets. 

Episode 6 features Karen Twomey — teacher, personal trainer, TikToker and devoted runner — sharing her return to the sport, race experiences (Blarney, Charleville) and how running shaped her life and career choices.

She discusses founding an inclusive run club with interval sessions, gear and shoe preferences, the benefits running has for mental health, and the supportive running community that keeps her motivated.

Join Padraig & Karen as they Chat all things running....

Padraig interviews Clodagh O'Neill, who ran her very first race as the Cork City Marathon. They discuss her training journey, shoe choice, fuel strategy, diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma, and the crucial support of pacers and running groups that helped her finish.

Clodagh shares practical takeaways for new and middle-of-the-pack runners—listen for honest tips about pacing, training progression, race-day fueling, and the simple advice to "take the next step."

And we will get her to run a Park run soon....

Host Padraig talks with Laura Fleming — an emergency nurse, mother of three and dedicated middle-of-the-pack runner — about how running became her lifeline through marriage breakdown, injury and the pandemic.

They cover Laura’s journey from Couch to 5K to multiple marathons, training and coaching strategies, balancing shifts and family life, fueling and hydration tips for long runs, and practical recovery hacks (including a surprising plantar fasciitis trick).

In this episode Padraig  welcomes back Angeline and Fergal Murphy to talk  about their Dublin marathon journey — the drama of securing tickets, lessons learned from Cork, and how group training, pacing strategies and fueling (including caffeine gels) are shaping their race goals.

They discuss pacing tactics, mental preparation, warm-up routines, and tips from club sessions as they build toward Dublin, plus a preview of upcoming episodes and guests.

Welcome to the Middle of the Pack podcast. In this episode, host Padraig invites fellow Cork City marathon leaders Angeline and Fergal Murphy to share their experiences leading up to the Cork Marathon and their preparation for the Dublin Marathon. Join us for the first Part of two episodes as we explore the challenges of balancing family life, demanding careers, and marathon training. Discover practical tips and hear real conversations about running within the middle of the pack, with insights into goals, strategies, and the importance of staying motivated. This episode is packed with engaging anecdotes and advice for...

Welcome to the first episode of the Middle of the Pack Podcast, your go-to source for all things running! In this introductory episode, host Padraig shares his personal running journey, revealing the ups and downs of training, racing, and balancing life as a middle-of-the-pack runner. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned marathoner, this podcast offers practical tips, honest gear reviews, and engaging conversations with fellow runners chasing progress, not perfection.

Discover the joys of hitting personal bests, learn about nutrition, gear, and more, all while enjoying the camaraderie of a supportive running community. Tune in weekly...