iTAB Star, May 2023
Aislinn O’Toole from Dublin, Ireland.
“It really made me work that bit harder when I knew I was going to have that number engraved on the back of my medal.”
Aislinn O’Toole’s return home to Ireland during the Covid years and the need to destress from work and lockdown saw her catch the running bug that culminated in her completing the Irish Life series, the Dublin Marathon and her third consecutive Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.
‘The energy was amazing, there’s nothing quite like it and that feeling of relief when you cross the finish line as well, it was just fantastic.’
Aislinn, on her Dublin Marathon Experience.
Hey Aislinn!
Hey iTAB!
Why do you run?
I run to think I run to get out in nature and get some vitamin D. I run to socialise as well, and lately to just disconnect from work, finish roughly on time and get outside.
Best thing about running?
That you can do it anywhere in the world. I used to travel a lot for work, and it’s just so easy to pack a pair of trainers and go out and explore.
How does running make you feel?
It actually makes me feel stronger. So, being able to do something like the Dublin Marathon last year gave me a sense of achievement and that if you set your mind to it, you can do it. So that has translated into other areas have given me a bit of confidence, I think.
Which club do you run with?
DSD, Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club, in South Dublin.
Greatest running achievement?
It would be the Dublin Marathon, I was very happy with that. Just happy to finish it and enjoy it to want to do another one, not with an injury.
What was the Dublin Marathon experience like?
On the day itself, it was a bit rainy in the morning and we were all a bit nervous about gear and what to wear. We met as a group before and were all talking about nutrition and what you should bring and what medicines people had and what bottles of Diet Coke everybody had stashed in different places along the way to give them a pick me up. There’s a lot of excitement and nerves. I ran quite a lot of it with friends of mine from the club, and we just kept chatting slowly but consistently along the way. It actually felt pretty comfortable, and at kilometre 35 I realised I had more energy left in me, so I just gave it a welly the last few kilometres. There were people all along the south side of the river, friends and family and spectators, random people shouting your name. The energy was amazing, here’s nothing quite like it and that feeling of relief when you cross the finish line as well, it was just fantastic. And to see colleagues you know along the way, and my partner running alongside me for part of it, it was lovely.
How would you describe the moment you crossed the finish line?
Relief. I was ecstatic, perhaps a bit emotional. Just chuffed really that I felt like I still had some energy left in me, which I was really surprised by so I probably should have pushed it a bit harder. Yeah, there was great celebration that evening with the running club for sure.
Why run an event?
I would say run an event because it gives you something to work towards, it keeps you honest with your training, and there’s camaraderie in it as well. If you can get a group around you running together, you’ll make really good friends, I think and that’s what I realised. When training for the marathon last year I was going to try and do it on my own and I’m so glad I joined a local meat and train group.
How important is group running to you?
I think it’s really transformed my running. There’s kind of a social commitment there, you check in on each other if you’ve not been to training, and you check out how somebody’s doing with an injury, so there’s a great social aspect to it. But sometimes i need to just run on my own and clear my head as well, and i use running to just get it into my zone, and get my thoughts straight, destress, so i mix it up.
What motivates you when the training runs get tough?
Friends that I’m running with, that’s why I run with a group, competition probably as well, not wanting to be the last or the slowest. And I usually like to plan my route so that there’s a coffee stop right at the end that I have to get to.
‘I usually like to plan my route so that there’s a coffee stop right at the end that I have to get to.’
Aislinn, on how she gets through tough training runs.
Wy run an event?
I would say run an event because it gives you something to work towards, it keeps you honest with your training, and there’s camaraderie in it as well. If you can get a group around you running together, you’ll make really good friends, I think and that’s what I realised. When training for the marathon last year I was going to try and do it on my own and I’m so glad I joined a local meat and train group.
How many events have you run?
That’s a good question, I’ve never actually counted. I’ve done a couple of half marathons, and I definitely clocked up more miles and races last year when I was training for the marathon. I did the Irish Life Series, so the 10 miler and the half, and of course, I did the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon last year. In fact, I’ve done that three times over the years.hat finish line I was like ‘I’ve done it’, I’ve done the London Marathon, and I was just so happy!
What makes the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon so special?
There’s a fantastic atmosphere running Vhi Marathon. It’s just a great day to be in town whether you’re a spectator, or a participant, or a family member. And there’s a great feeling of community to it, women of all ages of all abilities, whether they’re running for the first time or running for the 100th time. There’s actually women in the club that I run in that run the first Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and are still running it, and it’s just such an accessible thing for everybody to partake in. I’ve run it with friends over the years with different abilities. One last year was running because she’s getting fit for her wedding, another for charity so there’s always there’s always a good reason, and it’s a great day out.
Are there any Vhi races that are particularly memorable?
Last year just because I took the training a little bit more seriously, but also because I ran with a friend who is getting fit for her wedding. So that was quite a special thing to train together for. And yeah, it was it was a good one because I had decided I was going to get an iTAB and I was going to commit to a time, so it really made me work that bit harder when I knew I was going to have that number engraved on the back of my medal.
Are you running the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon this year?
I am running the VHi runs this year. And the goal I have in mind is to be last years’ time, so that that would be that would be brilliant. I have had an injury recently that I’m just coming back from, but I have a good feeling about this, I think I can I do it.
Advice for first-time runners?
I would say be kind to yourself. Take it very incrementally, try the couch to 5k or something similar, or find a buddy whether it be a neighbour or a friend that lives nearby, or a colleague that can go out at lunchtime with you. Take it slowly but track your track your runs, whatever device you want to use or whatever app you want to use on your phone, but the data is quite important because then you’ll be able to see your progress and even if you don’t feel it some days you’ll be able to see your trend over time. For me I’m a bit of a data geek so I love that kind of thing and I think it really helps.
How would you describe the running community?
The running community are generally very open and chatty, and a mix of people from various backgrounds, ages, and abilities. I would say runners are a little competitive, and maybe a little ambitious, and generally outdoorsy, so just like being in nature. It’s a really nice way to integrate into your community, I think.
What would you say to all the event organisers and volunteers out there?
I’m always amazed by the energy and the enthusiasm of the volunteers on the day that make it really special. I know members of our club who have volunteered at races before as well, and they’ll cheer everybody on equally including those that are not in the club. And I know there is so much planning that goes into it beforehand, so I really appreciate what they do.
How important is the medal?
The medal is it’s nice to have, especially when it has the time on the back. That’s a helpful reminder for the next one that I do that that I’m just going to try and beat that time, so that helps for sure. And obviously it means something to me because usually I leave them hanging the video calls behind, so it’s probably something I’m quite proud of subconsciously.
What made you buy an iTAB?
To be honest, I had gotten engravings on previous medals at the events, but I was tired of waiting in the rain after the run when I’m really tired. But I wanted the time on the metal, so yeah, that’s what made me order the iTAB.
Thanks Aislinn, you’re a star!
If you want to follow in Aislinn’s footsteps, here are some of the events she has completed:
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