Tags: People of parkrun
Brought to you by our friends at Vhi, in this week’s people of parkrun entry, we hear from Niamh Sheehan, a Speech and language therapist from Glen River parkrun.
Name: Niamh Sheehan
Occupation: Speech and language therapist
Local parkrun: Glen River, Cork
How did you get involved in parkrun?
I really got into parkrun when I began dating my now husband. We wanted to get fit together, and we would try to beat each other every week. I’m the faster one at the moment! He’s hoping he will be back on top again by summer.
What do you love about parkrun?
I love the community, the friendly faces, the routine, and the way it connects me with friends and family all over Ireland and around the world who do it each week. We have a family and friends parkrun WhatsApp group – my cousin Liz in Sheffield had completed her 100th parkrun when I was on number five, I think!
Who do you participate with?
I run with my husband and our Togher Athletic Club buddies in the Glen River. When I go back home to Limerick, I do it with my parents in Mungret.
Any parkrun milestones / achievements you would like to share?
My husband and I have both reached the 100 milestone. I hope to have 25 Volunteering credits by the end of the year.
How has parkrun impacted positively on you?
It has kept me going through some sad times and brought my family closer. We always run parkrun around my sister’s anniversary with her friends and on every parkrun I do I think of her and channel her energy into my runs. Running with others in a parkrun helps you realise that there are bigger things than you and get you out of your head and into your body! When we had our baby we bought a running buggy, so we do it with him every week…you certainly get a double workout pushing him up the hill every Saturday!
Who is your dream parkrun running buddy?
I would love to run with Sonia O’ Sullivan. She actually ran the Glen River parkrun but I was doing the Limerick one that week, I was gutted to have missed her. I probably would have been too starstruck to speak to her and certainly not anywhere near speedy enough to keep up! Come visit the Glen again soon, Sonia!
What was your best parkrun experience?
We ran parkrun on our wedding day, June 15th, 2019. We dressed up in the veil and tux, all our friends and family came and ran or volunteered in their top hats and frilly frocks too. We had cake and tea for everyone after the run too, it was brilliant!
What was the funniest parkrun moment?
My husband ran this year’s Christmas Day run in full elf onesie costume, he was like a beetroot after, he was roasting!
What advice would you give to someone who’s never been to parkrun?
Go on, go on, go on, go on! The breakfast afterwards is always tastier after a parkrun. The social side of parkrun is great, you would have your weeks socialising done by 10.30am on a Saturday, it keeps you smiling for the rest of the weekend.
Thank you to all the volunteers, they are amazing!
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