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The Seven O’Clock Show presenter Ray Foley confesses that he is a reluctant runner.
“I’d much prefer to have a glass of wine, watch a movie or play the Xbox than actually do any exercise,” the Ballina man admits.
However – with a gentle shove from his wife – the former Today FM and 98FM radio star has agreed to lace up his runners to take part in the 10k event as part of the Rock ’n’ Roll running festival, which takes place in Dublin on 7 August.
Speaking with Irish Country Living, Ray explains that part of his motivation to start training was to help him lose weight after gaining four stone; which saw him subjected to abuse by Twitter trolls after he made his debut presenting The Seven O’Clock Show on TV3 on Friday nights.
“There was no two ways about it – the scales told me I’d put on four stone and so did the waistband on my trousers, so I was under no illusions about being overweight. At the same time though, people were very rude,” he says.
“I wouldn’t want to have issues with it necessarily, because, if I did, I could only imagine how that would feel – if I was feeling self-conscious or unhappy about it. I knew I was overweight and I knew I had to do something about it – but I found it rude more so than hurtful.”
When Ray was originally approached by the Dublin Rock ’n’ Roll organisers to be an ambassador for the event, he demurred, but with the encouragement of his wife, RTÉ reporter Kate Carolan, he’s agreed to do the new 10k event that has been introduced this year.
If I wasn’t in work, I was still knackered and even on weekends I was just catching up on sleep
With the help of a couch to 5k training app and music service Spotify, he has been racking up the kilometres, while a change in his diet has also seen the pounds melt away – indeed, he’s lost nearly three stone since overhauling his lifestyle.
“The inclination is there, particularly during the winter months, to go: ‘Oh, we’ll have a glass of wine or we’ll have a bar of chocolate with a cup of tea at night once the kids have gone to bed,’ but we’ve just cut that out,” he explains. “But I’m feeling pretty good.”
As well as running, Ray is currently writing his thesis, having returned to college to complete a master’s in journalism after leaving his breakfast show with 98FM. Part of the reason for the break was also to spend more time with sons Matthew (four) and Andrew (nearly two).
“Since they were born really, I was working an early morning show that involved me getting out of bed at half five,” he explains.
“I was exhausted the entire time. If I wasn’t in work, I was still knackered and even on weekends I was just catching up on sleep – I really felt that with our second fella.
“He’s nearly two now and he was born in the middle of me working earlies. I felt I hadn’t seen him at all, so I have to say that I’m really, really enjoying it.”
And while he still might be a reluctant runner, he admits he is excited to be taking part in the Rock ’n’ Roll event on 7 August.
“I’ve heard it’s great craic with the live acts performing as well along the whole route ... can I use watching a band as an excuse for stopping and catching my breath?”
Dublin Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon
One of Ireland’s most anticipated race festivals, The Rock ’n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon, promises to be bigger and better than before, with great miles, music and medals on 7 August.
This year also sees the introduction of a new 10k race, as well as a 3K family run in the Phoenix Park, and a 5k the day before, making it accessible to runners of all abilities.
Part of a world series, Rock ’n’ Roll puts the fun into running, with live entertainment along the route, which this year will take in some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including the GPO, Christchurch Cathedral, the Guinness Brewery, Kilmainham Gaol and the Phoenix Park – this is an event not to be missed.
To register or for further information, visit www.rocknrolldublin.com or follow on Twitter @RnRDublinHalf and Facebook.
Helen Sexton (40) lives in Bangor, Co Down, with her husband Simon and children Bethany, Jade, Connall and Sam. The stroke rehabilitation worker started running four years ago after losing her brother, David, to suicide.
I had lost my brother to suicide and I wasn’t coping very well. A girl that I was working with, Michelle, suggested that I try running. She said: “The Bangor 10k is coming up; why don’t you try to do that?”
I said: “I couldn’t, Michelle.” Because I’d never run in my life. She said: “Why don’t you do it in memory of David and raise a wee bit of awareness about suicide?” That just sold it to me.
The next day, I bought my first pair of trainers and running leggings. I think I managed to run two lampposts and walk two lampposts, but my journey had started. I did Bangor 10k with Michelle – the last mile we actually went hand in hand. It was hard, but I did it in slightly over an hour and raised £1,000 for charity. Then in 2013, I decided to do a marathon for David – now I’ve done three.
Running helped me cope with losing my brother to suicide
Suicide is such a taboo subject. People nearly shudder when you mention it. Grief is a very lonely, dark place. After suicide, it is added with the shame as people don’t want to hear that word suicide.
So when I knew I would be running to raise awareness and not be ashamed of that word – or mental illness as a whole – it made me feel like I was doing something. In grief, I feel it’s important to feel you are doing something. And the money I raised I hope helped families in the same situation.
But what I enjoy most about running is the support from other runners and hearing their story as to why they run. The running community is full of idols, all running for a reason close to their heart. I am just one of them.
I’m probably fitter at 40 then I was at 18. I was 13st 8lbs and I now weigh 10st 7lbs. Running has sort of brought us together as a family, too – my children do the Park Run with me, my nephew ran the Belfast marathon with me and I did the last marathon with my husband for my dad, who has MS. We raised £1,000 for charity.
I was overweight and could only run two lampposts, but with pure strength and determination I was able to go on and on. Anybody can do it. All you need is a pair of trainers.
James McGarry (36) lives in Navan, Co Meath, with his wife Sandra and children Alex and Isaac. He started running in 2012 when his weight climbed to 17st after he was made redundant.
When I was made redundant as a carpenter, my whole routine went out the window. I was at home minding the kids and my weight just went bananas. At my heaviest, I was 17st 4lbs. I knew I had to do something about it after I saw a photograph of myself – so I took up running in January 2012. Though, when I say running, I mean jogging from one lamppost to the next and then walking for five minutes. I was so embarrassed that I went running at night so nobody could see me.
The first goal I gave myself was a Run with Ray for 5k in Cavan at the end of March. My confidence went through the roof after that, so I decided to register for the Dublin city marathon. I took a training plan out of Irish Runner Magazine and I stuck to it to the letter of the law and I managed to get around the Dublin marathon that October.
Running saw me lose six stone and gain 4,500 Facebook friends
Today, I’m 11st 4lbs, so I’m a lot less cuddly than I used to be! I probably became more positive in myself as my weight came down, so I went back to college to study as a carer and I work now with the HSE.
With the job that I have now, the hours don’t suit to be part of a running club, so I do all my running on my own. That was one of the reasons I set up the Runners Support Page on Facebook, which has over 4,500 members. We have people from Donegal to Kerry and a lot of them run alone as it’s not viable for them to be travelling maybe 10 miles into a town just to join a running club. They come on to my running page for the support and advice that you would get from a running club.
Recently, I lost my dad and the day after the funeral I went out for a run. It clears your head – it’s just you on your own and it works wonders. It’s probably the cheapest therapy you’ll ever have.
I’d be lost without running now.
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