Middle of the Pack Podcast
Episodes
Build-up to the Cork City Marathon: Victor Danylyuk's Marathon journeys
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 40 features Victor Danylyuk sharing his journey from swimming to running and his build-up to the Cork City Marathon. He discusses training cha...
London Marathon Special — Historic and Eventful
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 39 of The Middle of the Pack podcast is a London Marathon special featuring the historic sub‑2‑hour finish, The sub 2 hour landmark perfor...
From Treadmills to Marathon Roads: Owen Wright’s Cork Journey
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 38 features Owen Wright sharing his running journey—from early runs and joining Watergrass Hill to stepping back into training after family ...
From Middle of the Pitch to the Middle of the Pack
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 37 features Dennis Cronin describing how joining Watergrasshill AC after a Couch-to-5K changed his life. He talks about the social side of run...
From GAA Pitches to Marathons: Robert McNamee on Running & BuffBarrier
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 36, Robert McNamee describes his running journey — from youth sports and Gaelic football to taking up distance running in his 30s, traini...
Salt, Sweat & Tears : Practical Marathon Nutrition for Every Runner
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 35 of The Middle of the Pack Podcast breaks down simple, practical fueling and hydration advice for recreational marathoners. Padraig covers h...
Back on the Start Line: Karen Twomey’s Comeback
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 34 features Karen Twomey’s return from injury, detailing her diagnosis, rehabilitation, strength work, and gradual run-walk comeback. She sh...
From Socks to Strides: Tomás Moore on Running, Community & Step One Socks
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 33 of Middle of the Pack features Tomás Moore, founder of Step One Socks, sharing his running journey from a tentative 5K to regular half mar...
Shoe Addictions to PBs: Advice on shoe Rotation
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 32 of The Middle of the Pack dives into Ian O’Brien’s running journey — from starting after a medical scare and taekwondo roots, to coac...
Precision Fuel & Hydration: Practical fueling strategies
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 31 of the Middle of the Pack podcast features George Sherwood from Precision Fuel & Hydration. He explains sweat testing, electrolyte prel...
Real Food Running: Tara Wilson’s 50K Fueling & Recovery Journey
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Take me to the ALTAR — Building a Better Fuel With Conor O'Keeffe
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 29 features Conor O'Keeffe, founder of Altar Nutrition, sharing his running journey from boxing to ultra-distance challenges — including run...
From Parkruns to Cork County Finals: Enda Kiernan’s Story
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 28 of the Middle of the Pack podcast, guest Enda Kiernan shares his running journey from school athletics and Mullingar Harriers to helping...
Negative Split: Building an Irish Running Brand from a Vintage Shop
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 27 of The Middle of the Pack features Cian Charlton — entrepreneur, runner, and founder of 35 Vintage, on Fade St Dublin — as he shares hi...
Running a Marathon in Wellies: Laura’s Muddy Mission for Charity 'Unique'
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode episode 26 of The Middle of the Pack Podcast, Laura Stenton Slater—known as Laura Muddy Soles—shares her running comeback, her dec...
From Youghal to NYC: Anne O'Neill’s 79-Marathon Journey
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 25 of the Middle of the Pack podcast, Anne O'Neill recounts how she started running, her journey to 79 marathons, and the viral TikTok clip...
From Dyspraxia to Marathons: Conor Friel’s Running Journey
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 24 features Conor Friel sharing his return to running, training with Carragline AC, race-day stories from 10Ks to full marathons, and the gear...
The Cranky Coach: Run Smarter with Kieran McKeown
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 23 of The Middle of the Pack Podcast with Kieran McKeown explores his journey from junior track talent to full-time coach and why smart coachi...
2025 in the Rearview: Quiet Victories & Running On
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 22 reviews the highs and lows of 2025 and looks ahead to 2026, celebrating everyday runners, recovery, and steady progress over flashy results...
Sleigh Bells & Shoe Dreams: Runners’ Christmas Wishlist
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this Christmas Eve special of The Middle of the Pack Podcast, returning guests share their running wishlists — from race entries and carbon‑pla...
From Couch to Marathon: Ruairi's Stories
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 20 of The Middle of the Pack features Ruairi O'Hagan reflecting on his Dublin Marathon experience, the post-race struggle with motivation and ...
Running Through Adversity : Cliodhna Ruane’s Story of Loss, Love and Marathons
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Cliodhna Ruane shares her moving journey balancing marathon training with devastating family challenges — the loss of her husband to...
From Turkey Trots to 100-Milers: The Wild Life of John Calabrese
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John Calabrese joins the podcast to talk turkey trots, pushing wheelchair racers, and his journey from road races to brutal ultras. He shares fueling ...
Finish Line Feels: Caroline Coffey on Marathons, Motherhood & Mindset
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 17 features Caroline Coffey as she discusses her transition from corporate life to personal training, coaching busy women, and balancing marat...
Resilience, Recovery, and Community.: An Irish Sober Strider's Comeback
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 16 features Eamon Kearney, who shares his journey from heavy drinking and a near-fatal moment to sobriety and running marathons. After a mild ...
Women who run Ireland : Tara Wilson on Healing, Community and fun.
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 15 of the Middle of the Pack features Tara Wilson of Women Who Run Ireland discussing her 15-year running journey, how running helped her heal...
From Marathon Muscles to Sauna Bliss: Inside The Recovery Room
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 14 of The Middle of the Pack podcast takes you into The Recovery Room in Ballincollig, Cork, where the host experiences NormaTec compression b...
Dublin Marathon: Tears, PBs and Unforgettable Finish Lines
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of The Middle of the Pack captures the electric day of the Dublin City Marathon through the host's finish-line buzz and short voice-note ...
Taper Week Worries : Surviving Maranoia Before Dublin
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Padraig hosts a Taper Week special on Middle of the Pack, exploring ‘maranoia’—the nervous, restless anxiety many runners feel before a marathon...
Chasing 2:49 — Dave Buckley’s Marathon Comeback
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Middle of the Pack Podcast Dave Buckley talks about his running journey from school cross-country and soccer to road races and ...
Back-of-the-pack: Sinead Power's Sociable Running Journey
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Sinead Power, an oncology and palliative care nurse, talks about balancing compassionate work with her life as a back-of-the-pack runn...
Comeback to Setback: Karen Twomey’s Rockiest Road to Dublin
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Middle of the Pack, Karen Twomey recounts her journey from junior success and repeated stress fractures to rediscovering running in...
Inside the Medical Tent: Marathon Meltdowns, Heat & Lifesaving Tips
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Fleming, a runner and emergency nurse, recounts her experiences working in the medical tents at races and will be  at the Dublin marathon 2025....
Couch to 5k to Marathon: Gareth’s Quest to Break Five Hours
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Padraig and guest Gareth Franklin talk candidly about his running journey — from lockdown walks and Couch to 5K, through parkruns and marathons...
From TikTok to 42K: Karen Twomey’s Running life
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 6 features Karen Twomey — teacher, personal trainer, TikToker and devoted runner — sharing her return to the sport, race experiences (Blar...
From Zero to 42K: Clodagh’s First Race
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Padraig interviews Clodagh O'Neill, who ran her very first race as the Cork City Marathon. They discuss her training journey, shoe choice, fuel strate...
Running Through Chaos: An Emergency Nurse’s Running Journey
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Padraig talks with Laura Fleming — an emergency nurse, mother of three and dedicated middle-of-the-pack runner — about how running became her...
Tickets Secured: The Rocky Road to Dublin Marathon
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Padraig  welcomes back Angeline and Fergal Murphy to talk  about their Dublin marathon journey — the drama of securing tickets, le...
Balancing Miles and Lives, the journey from Cork To Dublin Marathon
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Middle of the Pack podcast. In this episode, host Padraig invites fellow Cork City marathon leaders Angeline and Fergal Murphy to share...
"Keep on Running: A Journey from 5Ks to Marathons"
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of the Middle of the Pack Podcast, your go-to source for all things running! In this introductory episode, host Padraig s...