Any Given Runday

This week, we are joined by Niall Connaughton (@nnncee on Instagram), who shares his journey from Gaelic football to Ironman, discusses training, nutrition, and triathlon challenges, and offers practical advice for beginners and seasoned athletes alike for the upcoming Dublin Marathon, as well as thoughts on running the Chicago Marathon, New York Marathon, 4 of his 11 Ironmans in Lanzarote and much more

20:00 We welcome Niall Connaughton
23:13 Balancing a high-pressure career with endurance training
27:48 Nutrition strategies for travelling athletes and macro considerations
31:42 Getting started in triathlon: beginner tips and first race advice
33:43 How to approach swimming as a beginner
36:45 Barriers to swimming in Ireland and solutions
39:07 Why Niall chose Ironman over marathon and other races
40:23 Training in Lanzarote and the appeal of the island
43:22 Involving family in training trips and balancing life
46:12 Recap of Niall’s toughest Ironman experience
48:24 Managing setbacks and injuries psychologically
50:12 The importance of love for the training process
56:29 Tapering strategies for race day
58:09 Approach to long runs and race pace
59:31 Distance versus time in training
61:21 Training blocks and structuring sessions
64:26 Using cycling for aerobic base and recovery
65:36 Comparison of Chicago and New York marathons
72:12 Experiencing race day in major marathons
74:11 How to start training for triathlon and next steps

The Ultrapure 5K Running Bundle is a must have for your running routine. Shop HERE

Get the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE with the exclusive AGR Bobble Hat!!
If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.
Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.
Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.
ALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).
altarfuel.com

We're delighted to have Dr Sarah Kelly (@drsarahke11y on Instagram) & Helen Delaney (@helendelaneypt on Instagram) join us on the Any Given Runday podcast this week to review the Dublin Half Marathon in the Phoenix Park over the weekend

00:00: Dublin Half Marathon recap and introductions
02:44: Helen’s race strategy, pacing, and PB
05:29: Sarah’s race experience and managing the hill
10:21: The mental side of racing: self-talk and finding a finishing kick
16:28: Solo running vs. training with a group
21:50: Balancing training, family life, and busy schedules
22:53:  Finding Accountability
28:11: Why running is freedom, headspace, and stress relief
34:18: Race-day shoe choices: carbon shoes, fit, and comfort
46:09: Post-race recovery and the finish-area experience
49:16: Treadmill workouts and coached fitness sessions
51:25: The final five weeks of marathon preparation
You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrunaypodcast

The Ultrapure 5K Running Bundle is a must have for your running routine. Shop HERE

Get the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE with the exclusive AGR Bobble Hat!!
If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.
Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.
Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.
ALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).
altarfuel.com

We welcome back our Incredibles for episode 3 of their Road to the Dublin Marathon. Are they all on track with their training, and what is their approach to upcoming races? We've also got a special co-host for this week's episode: Cliodhna from last year's Road to Dublin series

00:00 Cliodhna joins Seán for this week's Intro to the podcast, and we find out how she has gotten on since The Road To Dublin 2025 series.
33:00: We welcome back The Incredibles
33:33: Francis’s training progress and knee niggle
36:42: Managing injuries
38:48: Streets of Galway race recap with Danny
40:53: Dee’s injury and fatigue
47:16: Chloe’s Electric Picnic weekend and return to running
56:14: Danny’s three-quarter marathon and Norwegian training approach
62:33: Dee on using tune-up races before a marathon
67:27: Francis’s VO2 max re-test and Dublin Marathon strategy
71:17: Chloe’s plan for the final training block
74:08: Fuelling, hydration, and using Speed Dust in the marathon
83:20: What the next few weeks look like for our Incredibles

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast
The Ultrapure 5K Running Bundle is a must have for your running routine. Shop HERE

Get the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE with the exclusive AGR Bobble Hat!!
If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.
Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.
Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.
ALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).
altarfuel.com

This week on the Any Given Runday podcast, we welcome Paddy McClintock (@paddy.mcclintock on Instagram). Paddy has recently run the length of the country in memory of two of his close friends, who both died by suicide. He’s completed two full distance Ironmans along with numerous 70.3s and is the founder of Check In On A Mate (@checkinonamate)

13:30 We Welcome Paddy McClintock
15:02 Paddy’s sporting background and finding endurance sport
20:22 Grief, suicide loss, and processing the unanswered questions
22:52 How to check in on a mate
30:51 Mental-health education in schools and medical training
34:13 When exercise becomes coping — and finding a healthier balance
40:58 The “beer marathon”
46:10 First full Ironman and the comeback from injury
51:39 Ironman Barcelona and race-day setbacks
58:40 Running the length of Ireland
61:28 Training for a multi-day ultra challenge
67:34 The hardest moments of the Ireland run
72:17 Reaching the finish line
74:17 Check In On A Mate: sport, community, and getting involved
You can learn more about Check In On A Mate:
https://checkinonamate.com/

The Ultrapure 5K Running Bundle is a must have for your running routine. Shop HERE

Get the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE with the exclusive AGR Bobble Hat!!
If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.
Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.
Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.
ALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).
altarfuel.com

This week on the Any Given Runday Podcast, we welcome Barry McCarroll (@mccarroll.barry on Instagram). Barry has represented Ireland in the Anglo-Celtic Plate 5 times along with having a 2:38 Dublin Marathon time to his name. Barry shares his journey from football to ultramarathons, the mental and physical adaptations involved, and insights into training and motivation for long-distance running.

The Ultrapure 5K Running Bundle is a must have for your running routine. Shop HERE

Get the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE with the exclusive AGR Bobble Hat!!
If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.
Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.
Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.
ALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).
altarfuel.com