‘In running, your only enemy is yourself’

Martin Lyons interviews a man instrumental in the Moate-Athlone running community. A native of Athlone, who lives in Moate, Tommy Burke started running to lose weight about ten years ago and since those tentative first strides, he has truly grown to love the sport and the feeling of accomplishment that it gives him.

His achievements thus far are impressive, including his marathon venture in Lilliput, preceded by a great fundraising venture for Pieta House. He has many more challenges lined up for the future, and injury permitting, he’ll no doubt conquer plenty of more running adventures in the years to come.

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

A: I started running back in 2011, primarily to lose some weight but also to improve my overall fitness. I hated it when I started and really struggled to motivate myself to go out even though I knew it was good for me, but over time like many before and some after me, I really started to enjoy it.

I entered my first race in early 2012. It was an 8km race in Tuam. I loved the challenge of training for the race and then going out and completing it, so it wasn’t long after this first one that I started entering more and my real love of running began.

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

A: I’m not sure I have a favourite type of training, but if I had to pick it would have to be the long run. As much as it is tough, I love just getting out without any real pressure, only finishing. I am only back from a very long-term injury but have recently started doing a little bit of speed work, which I really enjoy.

My favourite race distance is probably the half marathon. I enjoy all race distances but I find the half marathon a great challenge and it doesn’t take as much training time as the full marathon!

Q: What running achievements are you most proud of and why?

A: In December 2016, I took on a challenge to run 5k a day for 62 days all in aid of Pieta House. During the challenge I made the decision to finish with a full marathon on the last weekend. After running every day for two months in all sorts of weather, I managed to run the full marathon, which took place in the lovely surroundings of Lilliput (on the shores of Lough Ennell), one of the county's hidden gems (run by the super Franky and Trish Wright and family). In the process, I got my best ever marathon time of 4hrs 34mins. My challenge also raised €11,000, which was an added bonus!

Q: List your current PBs for the following distances:

A: 5k - 23.54 - AIT 5km, 2012.

10k - 53.14 - Clonown 10km, 2016.

10 Mile - 1.29 - Trim, 2016.

Half Marathon - 1.55 - Tullamore Half Marathon.

Full marathon - 4.34 - Marathon Club of Ireland Marathon, Lilliput.

Q: How have the Covid-19 restrictions up to now affected your training or racing plans?

A: The current restrictions haven't overly affected my training much, as I’m only returning from two and a half years off with an ankle injury.

I have missed meeting up with my running friends in the ‘Moate Athlone Running Group’, but in a little way I am glad I have had time to re-focus and regain my confidence in running. Then with the travel restrictions in place, I have done all my runs locally and there are so many lovely spots around Westmeath to run, and in some ways you appreciate them even more.

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

A: I would just say, don’t be put off by the challenge. I see so many people take it up but give up then as they think it’s too hard and they “aren’t good enough”. Remember: in running, your only enemy is yourself. Running has so many benefits, fitness being the obvious one, but it is also great for the mind. It gives you time to get away from everyday stresses and as the old but true saying goes, you’ll never ever regret a run.

Q:What are your lifetime goals in running?

A: After being out for so long with injury, I am just happy to be doing what I love to do again. If I can stay injury free I would love to get a sub 1.55 in the half marathon and maybe under 4.30 for the full, but we will see.

I have recently joined Athlone Triathlon Club and am really enjoying the different type of training that brings, so I would love at some stage to (maybe) complete a half ironman. But one step at a time!

Q:What is your favourite post race meal?

A: I don’t have a specific favourite meal. During training my friends in MARG (Moate Athlone Running Group) and I love to finish our long runs with some breakfast, and I really enjoy that, but I do love a glass of milk and some chocolate after a race.