Fionnuala Smyth’s journey to the Ladies Troop of Clonliffe Harriers began with what can only be described as a waterfall experience…
Well, not quite Niagara Falls, but close enough! It was actually the legendary Water Run charity race hosted by Clonliffe Harriers AC in 2023. And while there may not have been crashing cascades, there were certainly waves of determination.
At the time, Fionnuala had dipped her toe back into running through a few local Parkruns, but like many, her running mojo had gone into hibernation during Covid. The Water Run became her comeback tour. Toe on the start line, son by her side, and absolutely no idea that she was about to change her life.
The race wasn’t all smooth sailing. In fact, the final stages were more “grit and grind” than “grace and glide.” But what Fionnuala may have seen as a struggle, others saw as something special. Her sheer determination and gutsy spirit caught the eye of part-time coach and athlete Kevin Sheehy and Ladies Captain Ciara O’Regan. Before she knew it, she was being warmly (and swiftly!) recruited into Clonliffe’s Fit4Life programme.
And that’s when things really took off.
With natural leg speed, quiet competitiveness, and a refusal to quit, Fionnuala progressed in just six months to the infamous training group of Pam & Ben, a move not for the faint-hearted! Since then, she hasn’t looked back. She has proudly represented Clonliffe Ladies on teams and as an individual at Local, Regional, and National level across Road, Track, and Cross-Country.
Not bad for someone who thought she was “just doing a charity run.”
Fionnuala’s story is a reminder that running doesn’t care how old you are, how long you’ve been away, or whether your mojo took an extended holiday. It simply asks that you show up.
And if you do, like Fionnuala, you might just surprise yourself.
Because it is never too late to start RUNNING!!
Pamala Cooper