Naas motivator cried all the way home after first session at running club

by Louise McCarthy

A Naas woman whose life changed after she saw a photo of herself is now mentoring runners for the upcoming Naas 10k.

Sinead Loonan (41), a vet's assistant at Grey Abbey, Kildare town, recalls how she cried all the way home after her first session at Brendan's Running Club in Naas. Almost two years later she is running marathons and has become an inspiration to all the members of the club.

So far she has completed the Dublin city full marathon and seven half marathons around Ireland.

At only 5ft 1, just over three years ago, Sinead weighed more than 13 stone. Now she is  nine and half stone,  and says that she is a much happier person. A combination of exercise and healthy eating has ensured that Sinead lost about four stone over the past few years. She said :"The first night at Brendan's Running Club, I tried to do 2k and cried all the way home. I thought about giving up, but I said no, I will give it a go."

The photo of Sinead more than three years ago at 13 stone spurred her into action, and this was a year before she had joined the running club. Prior to joining the  running club she had lost about three stone through participating at Slimming World in Newbridge.

She recalls how she found training for the first marathon extremely gruelling, now she is guiding people throughout the county towards reaching their goals for the Naas 10k.

Four times a week she runs with Brendan's Running Club. Her partner, Colman, a Paramedic, does not share her love of running, but has been fully supportive.

A typical daily diet for Sinead includes porridge and fruit for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and a bowl of soup or a sandwich as an evening meal. Monitoring calorie intake is also an important part of Sinead's regime and sticking to a food diary. Sinead said: "It has become part of my life. I feel much better now, I have more confidence. Before I was dreading going to a wedding as I would have to find something to fit me. I enjoy shopping now. Running has been great for my life, I have made a lot of friends. It is a massive help to have support, I would recommend the club to anyone, I have made great friends."

For anyone who is considering trying to lose weight Sinead advises, "Get into the habit of eating properly and exercise. First of all I would advise joining a slimming club to initially lose weight before the running club. When you are in a group, you stick more to it, there is a bit more motivation and encouragement."

Sinead was not always overweight but it gradually built up over a ten year period.

She said: " I lost my mother at 53 years old and started comfort eating, the weight escalated and spiralled out of control. I am happy now, I have to keep an eye on my diet, with marathon training, you still have to be careful. Starting off is the hardest part, standing on the scales, stepping on the scale gives you the kick you need. It is not easy but joining a running club means you will keep it up. I had a sore throat this year, it was the  first time in ages.  I was heading towards diabetes, now my bloods are down to normal.  I did not think running would become a big part of my life the hardest part of running in rain is getting out of the car. Just get on your running shoes and run."

The 10k at Naas will take place on Sunday September 27th at 11a.m. The event kicks off at Naas town hall and is in aid of the Jack & Jill Foundation.