Show Notes
Episode 30 features Tara Wilson from Women Who Run Ireland sharing her Donadea 50K story: the short training block, the race-day fueling plan of real food (bananas, Jaffa Cakes, dates) and electrolytes, and how dehydration and salt loss led to late-race cramping. Tara explains her ‘‘real food running’’ approach, how she pre-fuels and grazes during runs, her recovery routine, and encourages more women to try longer events.
More from Middle of the Pack Podcast
A solo episode about handling taper week four days before the Dublin Marathon: what to expect physically and mentally, why rest and sleep matter, and how to avoid trying anything new.Practical race-day advice on pacing, fueling, logistics and mindset—bank sleep, trust your training, break the marathon into chunks, pack warm clothes, and enjoy the crowds.
Episode 63 features David Gillick — elite athlete, RTE commentator and author of The Race — sharing practical advice for middle-of-the-pack runners. He discusses his shift to longer distances, race-day tactics from the Manchester Half, pacing his wife at the Dublin Marathon, shoe choices, fueling with gels, and how to trust your training during the taper.Simple, human conversation about preparation, mindset, and racing smart for anyone building toward a half or full marathon.
Eoghan O'Brien of Dublin Frontrunners shares his running journey from struggling 5Ks to training for the Dublin Marathon while fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society in memory of loved ones. The episode highlights the club's welcoming community, practical advice on shoes, orthotics and fueling (including caffeine gels), and the motivation that keeps all middle of the pack runners going.Eoghan Fundrasining Page https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/EO99188211 Merch Link: https://unbound.ie/search?q=Motp
Episode 61 features Catherine Harris (Insta RunCoachCath) sharing her running journey from casual 10Ks during COVID to marathons and ultras, and how she became a coach focused on educating everyday runners. She covers practical race-day advice — pacing strategies, pacer selection, fueling and gel timing, shoe choices — and offers specific tips for Dublin marathoners and prep for Chicago. The episode highlights coaching philosophy: simple, achievable plans that teach runners to become confident and independent over time.
Episode 60 of The Middle of the Pack podcast features Brian Kelly from Dublin Frontrunners as he prepares for the Amsterdam Marathon, sharing his late-start running story and how club life transformed his social life and training. Brian covers marathon training routines, long runs and tapering, fueling strategy and gels, race-day expectations, and the social support that helps make marathon prep manageable and enjoyable.