Gerry McGrath – the Virtual Interview

<img src="http://goodcowebprojects.com/aspire/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/93118663_10158329319788851_8281621111980949504_o.jpg" alt="93118663_10158329319788851_8281621111980949504_o.jpg" /> Next up in the Virtual Interview Series is Gerry McGrath a long time club member, retired athlete who now works as hard for the club off the track as he did on the track. 1. When and why did you join DSD AC? I joined South Dublin in 1983 as I was training with Ger Dunne in UCD and my home club did not have a strong senior section. 2. What was your best event and what event did you like best My best event was marathon bit like most distance runners, 3000m was ‘favourite’ (let’s face it, its easier) 3. What is your favourite training workout? My best workout was 14 x 600 on the track with 50 secs rec. if i could average 1:46 or so i was in good shape.. 4.And your least favourite? 200’s were definitely hardest. 5. What is your most cherished or proudest moment in your athletics career? National Champ 10,000m I think. 6. What is your most loved athletics sporting moment of all time ? Maybe Cathy Freeman, 400m 2000 Olympics. Or David Rudisha 800m 2012 Olympics 7. What is/was your favourite race / athletics meet to take part in? Dublin Marathon 8. What was your worst injury – and how did you get over it? Achilles. Physio and friction. 9.What did you eat before a race and how long before did/do you eat? A huge meal night before (2 desserts!) Could rarely eat much on race day. 10. If you could have dinner with 3 sporting personalities past or present who would you pick Emil Zatopek. George Best. Mick O’Connell 11. What is your next running / athletics goal? Keep up with Finn. 12. How are you motivating yourself to continue training at these difficult times? Not competing so just enjoying the gift of being able to run 13. What piece of advice would you give an aspiring athlete? Take a rest day every fortnight and take three weeks break at the end of the year. apart from that, train every day (at least once). 14. Do you have any memorable or funny story from DSD that you could share? We won a keg of beer as a team prize in a road race in Blackrock one year and Ian O’Riordan got the keg and had a party. But didnt invite his team mates. Yes, still bitter. 15. Can you share an old picture from your running days Er yes. 1996 I think