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Pat Walsh Running, Midleton (2026)

12/06/2026

* Pilgrimage *

I took a few days staycation break in Ireland this week and one of the highlights was a first visit to the ruins of the old Dunlewey Church in beautiful Donegal. Always on my agenda, always associated with Clannad and their music. It was mystical, magical, wonderful. Why did I wait until after the death of Moya Brennan to go visit?

As runners we have wishes and goals. Maybe we should give them a bit more priority.
Do we wait until we can’t and then say why didn’t I? Life can throw curveballs.
Life can bring it’s share of difficulties and obstacles and it is in running that we escape from the tedium and become ourselves.

I always wanted to do……?
Do it,
Don’t wait until you can’t,
Don’t have regrets,
What have you put on the long finger for the future but not made a definite plan?
What should you have trained for but didn’t, and made an excuse?
Is there things to do and places you would like to go?

I have a lot of great memories and races ran, but am I finished? NO
Make a new list of memories to create, not things I should have done.

Running / training isn’t easy but sometimes life isn’t either. Put the work in and take the rewards. They last a lifetime. It isn't easy getting out to train but it has to be done.
Go visit the places you want to, run the races you dreamed of. Always remember nothing learned or gained on the couch.
Open your eyes and see what is around you. Travel the world but don’t neglect the beauty of our own country.
The future starts today.

Few early morning runs on the banks of the River Finn were good for the soul. Donegal didn't disappoint.

‘Down past Dunlewey's bonny lakes one morning I did stray,
Until I reached sweet Clady banks where the silvery salmon play,
I strolled around through old Bunbeg and down along the shore,
And gazed with admiration on the green fields of Gaothdobhair’…. Clannad

06/06/2026

* Macroom Castle Demense parkrun *

Go West my son, go West …. And so we did and rocked up today to Macroom on parkrun tourist day trip.

Fair play to all concerned. Each parkrun has its core group, dedicated supporters and usually a lovely bunch of people. Macroom didn’t disappoint.
Mike and myself manned the cannons at the Castle in case of any incoming drones from Ballincollig parkrun.

Starting at the Castle and into the nearby park the course gently undulates (I’m being nice, there is a few hills) but who cares on a parkrun day out. The rhodedendrons were blooming and the river Sullane gently flowing was on the side of the course (In case Bord Failte need a new P.R.O.)

We had Marie, a local, marking her 250 parkrun runner today and loads of Cork t-shirts from last weekend. Highlight was a lovely spread of food afterwards. So once again a calorie issue in the negative. I ate more than I burned in running. It happens.

Thanks to my travelling companions Anna, Mike, Danielle and Edel for a great morning and fair play to all in Macroom for a fabulous parkrun location. It is unbelievable that it is your run number 580 and I apologise that today was my first visit. It won’t be my last.

The world of parkrun is fantastic and Macroom can hold its own as one of the great ones. Tell the gang in Lynch’s coffee I will be back for the full Irish some morning.

05/06/2026

* Was it just me *

Taking time to reflect properly on last weekends Cork Marathon I was struck by the friendliness and warmth of the occasion. Us runners are super anyway and good to encourage each other but last Sunday through the 3 events, Full, Half, 10K there was a little extra this year.

I think the energy, sense of celebration, acknowledgement of grief that the family and friends of Ellen Cassidy brought to the day just lifted each and every person there.
Greetings were more open, smiles were larger, encouragement was everywhere. I honestly lost count of the number of people who said some version of ‘ we should be grateful to be able to take part today ’.

Fair play to the organisers who went out of their way to accommodate the family and while the loss of a loved one can never be overcome, then hopefully last Sunday will provide some solace to them for the future. To Eamon Hayes and those in charge of Cork City Marathon I wish to say very well done.

There was some fantastic and quality running at the business end of the field and the local runners Ryan Creech 1.04.51 in the half and Niamh Allen 32.14 in the 10k would feature in any quality race anywhere.

As I watched at the finish, there were many who walked over the line at the end. They cheered, they celebrated, they finished the quest that they started. Where running was once an elite sport, it is now a mass participation event for people of all ages and fitness levels and that is to be applauded.
I walked last year myself when I was recovering from injury and I like to think I took part the same as everyone else.

The crowds out supporting, the kids with jellies and water, the housing estate that turned it into a sea of yellow, Ellen’s friends in their yellow vests with tears of joy, the cheers on the new finish line on the Grand Parade.

Was it just me the eternal optimist who felt it or did anyone else feel that we witnessed and participated in a very unique occasion?

Does it take some tragic event to lift us or should we strive to make every day, every run, every event be a celebration of life and our good fortune to be able to take part. It doesn't take much to be nice, to say thanks, to be supportive.

Not everyone is so lucky. Make every day special. Have a lovely weekend and thanks for supporting my ramblings.

“Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.” …Yeats.

Analog Devices Cork City Marathon

01/06/2026

* Cork part 2 *

Congratulations to all who took part in Cork yesterday. Great atmosphere in all 3 events.

Thanks to all who spectated and cheered the runners home. Pacemakers in all events were superb and thanks to all.
The winners of the events in some fantastic winning times were incredible. The people who finished further down the field were were equally magnificent 👌

Special thanks to the organisers of the event. It is getting better every year. Few tweaks this year that worked and well done.
It was also important to honour the memory of Ellen Cassidy and to see her friends and family participating yesterday lifted it from a sporting event to a celebration and acknowledgement of life while keeping her in our thoughts.

Life is more important than running but running is important to a good life.

Well done all and thanks to everyone who said hello, cheered and encouraged me.

Cork is over, Summer is here get out and get on with life.

Thanks to all the photographers for capturing special memories.

30/05/2026

* Cork *

Cork Marathon day ahead tomorrow and the city is buzzing. Expo was fantastic and thanks to Eamon and all the team of volunteers.

First rule of running
When you leave home to run, come home safely.

We run in yellow to honour the memory of Ellen Cassidy who tragically passed away a year ago at this event.

Have a lovely weekend wherever you are running.
Never take a day for granted and always appreciate your own health to be able to run.

I'm delighted to be running the 10k. Go me.. 😂
I will be supporting, shouting, stewarding, encouraging and giving the odd kick if needed.

Be brilliant 👏 Be you. xx

15/05/2026

* Reality v Expectation *

'But past is all his fame. The very spot
Where many a time he triumph'd is forgot.' Goldsmith.. The Deserted Village

When do we accept ourselves and where we are. As runners we are fantastic and still we beat ourselves up trying for further glory. When does acceptance finally hit us with the reality of age and just how we are actually beating it and performing on a daily basis.

I’m old in my sixties or am I young in my sixties?
I run a few times a week and go to races. I'm doing things that a person of my age couldn't, wouldn't or be encouraged to attempt years ago.

I have the mentality of a 23 year old
I have the social internet skills of a 33 year old
I have lovely friends I run with who are 43.
My Garmin tells me my actual fitness age is 53
My birth cert age is 63 and not long to go for free-travel
My knees feel 73 years old
I’m home from hols today and tomorrow’s parkrun could feel like 83 after all the beer and food.

Serious
Too many people pack up or lose enjoyment when they are not hitting the marks and making improvements continually. We age, accept it, but please allow yourself to be able to get slower and know that you are ahead of 99% of the population because you run. Accept your body however flawed it may be.

With age comes a deterioration in function but runners defy / delay / beat / kick the sh**e out of ordinary process. We are special. Injuries happen, recover, drive on.The majority of runners who stop running do so because of inability to accept a slowing process instead of embracing the love of still running.

I love seeing young people running and performing, striving to improve and setting new records. That is life and progress.

If your best days are behind you in term of times then maybe your best days are ahead in terms of love of running. The head or the heart? Support or despair?

Lecture over

'And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, that one small head could carry all he knew.' Goldsmith.. The Deserted Village

08/05/2026

* Apologies *

Never got around to a proper post this week. I contemplated retirement from running and writing rubbish recently. Let me elaborate.

I cycled with a friend of mine a year or 2 ago on a nice fine summer evening. Thanks Miss Ciara. It was a hilly scenic route and we passed the 42 km mark in a few seconds over 2hrs. Leisure cycling with a little effort, (not your head down, arse up, lycra brigade crew.. don't get me started..!), just normal people using a bike. I remarked that when the sub 2hr marathon mark was broken then a person would be running faster than we were cycling. Congrats Sabastian Sawe and fair play but you are killing me man.

So to compensate I took myself to sunnier climes to do a little warm weather training and wonder have I a future in running. Training for what has yet to be decided but at least the intention was there.

Sun, sand, sea, some dubious cocktail selections, some boardwalk runs, some sand dunes, some prayers for a good pair of knees. The future isn't any clearer.

Folks don’t take me seriously as I jest.

'Glac bóg an saol agus glacfaidh an saol bóg thú.
Take life fine and easy and life will be fine and easy on you.. '
The Tailor Buckley. Tailor and Ansty 1942. One of my holiday reading books

02/05/2026

* Parkrun tourist *

May Bank Holiday weekend and we had to go travelling to somewhere new.
My first time at Mallow parkrun, but I can assure you it will not be my last.
An absolutely stunning course on the edge of the Blackwater, it really was a joy on a glorious morning.
Starting at the Castle and down the hill for 2 loops of the Riverside park under the trees with views of the river.
In fairness the welcome was wholesome and honest. Great to catch up with ex-eir colleagues Pat K and John H both stalwarts of the running scene for years.

Thanks to my travelling partners Heike and Danielle for the company and to Edel for falling in for the run with us ( best of luck tomorrow in Limerick).
Run Director Barry Murphy had an excellent team of volunteers on duty at every turn and corner with a smile, an encouraging word or the 'bell'.

And we found an excellent coffee shop right next to the run 'Coffee Life'...... because I'm worth it.....

Folks it is one that should be on your to-do list. You will not regret it.

Enjoy your weekend

01/05/2026

* Mickey Mouse Zero Fly-by’s *

During the week I caught up with with a fellow runner who had a fantastic London Marathon. His time came from 4hr+ to a sub 3.30. He agreed to be interviewed for this post. Name changed to assure anonymity.

Pat... Well done John, what do you put your big improvement down to?
John... Well you know like, I did a bit of training like, and prep work as well but I bought these new super shoes and jaysus man they were fantastic. The bees knees, top class, pure mule man…!

Pat... That is brilliant, can you tell me what shoe type you wore.?
John... It was the Mickey Mouse Zero Fly-by’s 9.0.1 with the go-faster stripe on the side. I was bouncing off the road so much I had to be careful I didn’t hit my head off the low bridges. My wife said I was moving like Roo from Winnie the Pooh. I was a Johnny Dazzler type, I even had to put sunglasses on while I was wearing them. There was bounce from them, it was like running across a new King Koil mattress in a furniture showroom.

Pat... You mention a go-faster stripe on these.
John... Indeed. A little orange strip from front to back and it improves the aero dynamic co-efficient by 0.001% which equates to 6 seconds over an entire marathon. Surely they were worth the small fortune I paid for them, even though we won’t get on any family holiday this year.

Pat... You mentioned training and prep work.
John... Yes I actually trained for this one for 9 months. I did the long and short runs, paced tempo, hills, fartlek, you know the usual stuff you should be doing before a marathon. I was training so much the neighbours starting calling me Kipchoge. Normally I wouldn’t put the runners on until 6 weeks before a marathon. Someone shouted 'Run Forrest Run' at me one day and I don't even look like Tom Hanks.

Pat... I hardly recognized you today, you are looking very fit.
John... Ahhh fair play and thanks. I gave up the fast food and the fry-ups. I only have the occasional beer and I think I’m 2 stone lighter than I was a year ago. I have discovered salads, fresh fruit and vegetables. To be fair, if I died and they buried me tomorrow it would be like planting a human grow-bag.

Pat... Did you do anything else that may have helped?
John... I suppose I did start that ol’ stretching lark. I touched my toes for the first time since P.E. in secondary school. Herself took me to a yoga class one night. ‘In ainm Dé‘, I did more twisting and turning than a politician on Prime Time. I tried a few stretches on the ground at home one day and the dog ran out of the house barking as he thought I was after getting a seizure.

Pat... I’m absolutely thrilled for you but can I ask a hard question. Maybe your improvement was down to your own work, dedication, diet, training and little to do with the shoe you paid so much for.
John... Ahh jeepers no way man. If you spend the big money on the best of gear it must be a guarantee of a good finishing time. If it was that simple a solution with training and diet then why wouldn’t we all be doing it the proper way in the first place.

Interview suspended a minute later as John fainted when reality dawned on him.

24/04/2026

* Well earned *

Beautiful spring weather and great to be alive and outdoors. I dug some of the vegetable patch today to get the plot ready for the onions and courgettes. I need to rake it next before I plant. Then weeding, watering, harvesting and drying just to have a few onions for winter. A bit of physical effort in the fresh air. Working with our hands in the soil, a time to think and be free from the world. A chat with the robin who thanked me for opening a free takeaway of worms with such a glorious song.

If I had a literary bone I could invoke the spirit of Heaney, McGahern or Kavanagh and wax lyrical about the loamy brown fertile soil of East Cork crumbling in my fingertips but I can’t. It would be easier and cheaper to go to the supermarket and buy a few onions. But where is the satisfaction in that.

What has all this to do with running you ask? Everything really.

We train, we plan, we start something and bring it to a conclusion by finishing a race and all you might get is a banana. But it isn’t any banana. It is one you have earned and cannot be bought.

It isn’t the intrinsic value of whatever we are handed, it is the joy and self satisfaction that you accomplished something worthwhile. Cherish that moment, you did it. In team sports it can be an overall effort that determines winning or losing but in running it is your win and you alone.

The greater the effort, the longer time from inception to finish the more you should value the moment. Think of the physical and mental benefits the entire process has brought to you. The fresh air, the friendships, the laughs. We forget the tears. You cannot quantify the value of that.

In a world where we think we can buy everything then it is important to appreciate the things you can’t purchase. The next time a small child, who is helping at a race, hands you the banana, then know it is a special one. My banana. When I’m having steak and onions for dinner in the depths of winter I will still hear the robin singing his beautiful refrain.

‘Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I’ll dig with it.’….. Heaney

Take care and be kind in a world of turmoil. No fossil fuels were burned in the garden today.

Pat Walsh Running

12/06/2026

06/06/2026

05/06/2026

01/06/2026

30/05/2026

15/05/2026

08/05/2026

02/05/2026

01/05/2026

24/04/2026

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