An Irishman Abroad

Did Democrats just do Donald Trump the biggest favour ever by helping avoid a government shut down? Marion McKeone has another theory. This week as a St Patrick's Weekend Special we are giving you the entire unabridged episode of Irishman in America. It seems only right given that this is the week when every American feels Irish and our Taoiseach visited the Oval Office. With everyone asking "how did he do", a few things have been missed - including the used car lot on the front lawn. In the meantime Ukraine is being pummelled and very few are paying attention. We get Marion's take on the latest peace talks and two brilliant book recommendations for your long weekend. Don't switch off, stay awake. Join us as a member to hear the full podcast each week. Just click here and you can sign up with no obligation for less than the price of a fancy sandwich. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad 

Join Jarlath live in America and Canada next month www.jigser.com/gigs - he's bringing his new standup show to New York, Boston, LA, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, D.C. and San Francisco this April.

As the newly crowned European Indoor Champion Sarah Healy admitted this week, running is mostly a mental challenge. That's as true for the elites battling each other at the highest level, as it is for us mortals battling to just get out the door and stick to the plan. In #week6 of the Road To Cobh Sonia O'Sullivan helps us with those nagging thoughts that prevent us from doing our best or running at all. We hear from her hand picked squad and look back on Healy's incredible win over the weekend. Is there a way to trick our minds into running when we don't feel like it? What should our mantra be when the going gets tough? Sonia has the answers.

The Road To Cobh Irishman Running Abroad squad are proudly sponsored by Whoop! We want you to have one on us. WHOOP is a wearable health & fitness coach that provides you with feedback and actionable insights into your sleep, recovery, training, stress, and overall health, and empowers you to be the best version of yourself. The whole squad including Sonia is wearing one. Why not see for yourself what Whoop can do for you and your health/fitness. Have a 30 day free trial on us! ◦ https://join.whoop.com/ie/en/IrishmanAbroad/

Your training plan from Sonia for week 6 is as follows:

M - Rest Day / Recover from the weekend

T - Easy Run 40 mins - 1 hour include hills if you can, just run over them

W - Cross Train, Bike, Gym or easy 30-45 mins run

Th - 10-15 mins easy - Few fast strides

2 × 10-15 mins @ 10 mile race pace

10-15 mins easy or a little faster warm down.

Fri - Day off Completely. (This is an easier week.)

Sat - Parkrun for anyone that wants to change things up a little.

Or 30-45 mins easy

Sun - Run 1 hour easy, then gradually pick up the pace to 10 mile pace for 15 mins, 10-15 mins easy, total 90 mins

Pop over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to hear an ad free extended version of the show each week. 

Jarlath is coming to America and Australia. See his standup show In Bits live www.jigser.com/gigs

Special thanks to New Balance for providing our squad with the best in apparel and shoes. Check out the 1080s and all their gear at The RunHub or a New Balance outlet today.

Right now a week can feel like a month in US politics. Donald Trump's booting of the Ukrainian President from the White House precipitated a dramatic series of domino events and only one person can sift through it, US correspondent and regular contributor to NPR, the BBC and RTE, Marion McKeone. There's a lot to pick through after a near trade war is averted, a state of the union address like no other, transgender mice, the Oscars and the suggestion that egg prices will go down in price if everyone starts rearing their own chickens.

Find the full ad free hour long version of this week's episode on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - support our show and gain access to hundreds of hours of interviews with the greatest Irish people ever to have lived.

Jarlath's tour hits the USA and Canada next month and travels all around Ireland and UK in the coming months. Book your seat here www.jigser.com/gigs 

Everyone remembers the notorious O'Sullivan kick. That change of speed, ace up the sleeve that Sonia's rivals couldn't cope with. Well today on the show, for the very first time, the GOAT talks about how we can all build that kind of endurance, speed and mental toughness. We get right into the psychology of the kick and how we can actually train our brains to believe there is a reserve battery waiting to kick in on the last lap of whatever race we find ourselves in. Only Sonia has the answers and only her hand picked squad have the questions we all need answered. In this extra large patreon exclusive episode you get the lot including her explanation of that throw away chocolate comment from last week. If you want to go fast, this is the episode for you.

Here is the plan for week 5 or the ten mile training plan Sonia has devised for us. Make sure to adjust it to your fitness level. For me that means the easy days are anything between 8km and 14km, and the long run for me is roughly 23km. How are you getting on with your training? Let us know [email protected] 

Sonia’s 10 Mile Training Plan For Week 5

M - Rest, Recover

T - 50-60 mins easy run, include some hills if you can

W - Rest Day or Cross Train

Cycle / Swim / Gym whatever you like

Th - Warm up 10 mins 4 × 100m Strides

10-12 × 1 min fast (90% effort)

1 min jog between each fast min

10 mins easy cool down

Fri - Day off or Bike / Gym / Swim 40-60 mins

Sat - Easy 30-45 mins, if you come across a hill run up it 5 times for 30 seconds, easy walk/jog back down

Sunday - Up to 90 mins long run, very easy

(Get the full plan and explanation at www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad plus a further 40 mins in this episode)

Don't forget that the The Road To Cobh Irishman Running Abroad are proudly sponsored by Whoop! WHOOP is a wearable health & fitness coach that provides you with feedback and actionable insights into your sleep, recovery, training, stress, and overall health, and empowers you to be the best version of yourself. The whole squad including Sonia is wearing one. Why not see for yourself what Whoop can do for you and your health/fitness. Have a 30 day free trial on us! ◦ https://join.whoop.com/ie/en/IrishmanAbroad/

New Balance have provided the whole squad with shoes and training apparel. Thanks to New Balance - why not check out their range at a New Balance store or stockist today.

Catch me on tour across the world in 2025 with the new standup show “In Bits” www.jigser.com/gigs - we just added dates in Chicago, Wexford and Dublin.

Powered by the WHOOP 4.0  wearable fitness coach, Ireland’s athletics queen Sonia O’Sullivan opens up her private notebooks from years of training to discuss how best to fuel our bodies for running. From water intake to balancing pre run carbs, this episode has everything you always wanted to ask but never could. Comedian Jarlath Regan has gathered questions from Sonia’s training squad. Today she answers them. Week 4 of her comprehensive 10 mile training plan starts this Monday and it’s not too late to join in.

The Road To Cobh Irishman Running Abroad squad are proudly sponsored by Whoop! We want you to have one on us. WHOOP is a wearable health & fitness coach that provides you with feedback and actionable insights into your sleep, recovery, training, stress, and overall health, and empowers you to be the best version of yourself. The whole squad including Sonia is wearing one. Why not see for yourself what Whoop can do for you and your health/fitness. Have a 30 day free trial on us! ◦ https://join.whoop.com/ie/en/IrishmanAbroad/

Your training plan from Sonia for this week is as follows:

Mon: Rest Day

Tues: Easy Run 30-50mins

Wed: Stay active / cross train 30-45mins

Thurs: Session Day: (15mins running warmup followed by 4x100m at 80%) 4-6 repeats of 3mins running at your threshold/10mile pace. 1 min jog walk in between. (Afterwards 15mins cool down)

Fri: Rest day

Sat: Easy run 30mins or cross training

Sun: Long run of 80 - 90mins with the last 15-20mins at a noticeably quicker pace.

Pop over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to hear an ad free extended version of the shower each week. This week Sonia goes back in time to the 1992 Olympics and attempts to answer some of the trickier nutrition questions on the race day difficulties you’ve been having.

Jarlath is coming to America and Australia. See his standup show In Bits live www.jigser.com/gigs 

The betrayal of Ukraine is how many observers have described it. The unthinkable swing behind Russia and North Korea has spun the world out and left leaders reeling. Today Marion examines the many layers of cowardice underneath this move and what might happen next. It’s another breathless episode of Irishman In America where we try to understand the many bizarre decisions this administration has made in the last 10 days. Including but not limited to mass firing of Federal workers via the email debacle, the banning of AP from the White House and the firing of General Brown. Is Donald mentally able for the job? He certainly is struggling with complex ideas. Marion digs into the Elon Musk popularity index and the fall of Tesla sales.

To hear the full extended cut and Marion’s reflections on how Ireland will cope at the White House this St Patrick’s Day head over to www.Patreon.com/irishmanabroad  

Training to take on and enjoy hills sounds impossible when you say it. Sonia O’Sullivan is here to tell you it is doable with some very simple principles. In this fun conversation with comedian Jarlath Regan she breaks down everything you need to know to become a stronger hill runner.

This episode is the third in the series preparing listeners to take on the challenge of the very hilly 10 mile road race in Sonia’s hometown of Cobh. We hear from some of the listeners she has selected. How has their training been going and what are their questions about hills? Find out even more in the full extended cut over on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Sonia’s 10 Mile Training Plan For Week 3

Mon: Rest

Tues: Easy 45-60mins

Wed: Rest / Cross Train 45mins

Thurs: 60mins

(Finish fast at threshold pace for the last 10-15mins)

Fri: Day Off or Easy 40/60mins

Sat: Easy Run 30-45mins or Cross train at the same effort

Sun: Long run 60-80mins walk if you need to - don’t run away from the hills!

The Road To Cobh Irishman Running Abroad are proudly sponsored by Whoop! WHOOP is a wearable health & fitness coach that provides you with feedback and actionable insights into your sleep, recovery, training, stress, and overall health, and empowers you to be the best version of yourself. The whole squad including Sonia is wearing one. Why not see for yourself what Whoop can do for you and your health/fitness. Have a 30 day free trial on us! ◦ https://join.whoop.com/ie/en/IrishmanAbroad/

New Balance have provided the whole squad with shoes and training apparel. Thanks to New Balance - why not check out their range at a New Balance store or stockist today.

Catch Jarlath on tour across the world in 2025 with his new standup show “In Bits” www.jigser.com/gigs

Running faster for longer requires one thing - aerobic base fitness. Irish athletics legend opens up about how to build it no matter what your running level. Her simple and straight forward, no nonsense advice is the guiding light for her hand picked training squad of listeners taking on the hills of Cobh on April 6th, 2025 in the Ballymore Cobh AC Sonia O’Sullivan 10 Mile Road Race. It’s not too late to join her wider training group. Each week her training plan will be posted with each episode and a deeper explanation can be found along with extra content on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Week 2’s training plan is below. Email the show if you have any questions [email protected]

Mon: Rest Day

Tues: Easy 45mins to 1 hour

Wed: Rest day or cross train for 30 to 45 mins

Thurs: 40mins to 1 hour ( Adding in some strides 20 sec x 6)

Fri: Day off / cross train

Sat: Check fitness at local park run

Sun: Long Run 50mins to 75mins

The Road To Cobh Irishman Running Abroad are proudly sponsored by Whoop! WHOOP is a wearable health & fitness coach that provides you with feedback and actionable insights into your sleep, recovery, training, stress, and overall health, and empowers you to be the best version of yourself. The whole squad including Sonia is wearing one. Why not see for yourself what Whoop can do for you and your health/fitness. Have a 30 day free trial on us! ◦ https://join.whoop.com/ie/en/IrishmanAbroad/

New Balance have provided the whole squad with shoes and training apparel. Thanks New Balance - why not check out their range at a New Balance store or stockist today.

Don’t forget the 2025 edition of the Sonia O'Sullivan Cobh 10 is on Sunday the 6th of April this year and it’s not too late to sign up.

They've got live music played by local musicians along the course, much sought after merchandise, medals galore, plus loads of goodies from sponsors SPAR and EUROSPAR. And of course, there is the finisher's mug for all who cross the line, lovingly designed by Ballymore Cobh AC artist-in-residence, Ruth Phelan.

All race bibs are posted out in advance, so you can just park up (or grab the train from Cork) and rock up at the start line. It's fully chip timed too, so just jump into whatever corral feels right for you.

At €29.95, it's pretty good bang for your buck!

Entries are via Eventmaster or via the Cobh 10 Facebook page.

https://eventmaster.ie/event/6Zz3hEpT5G/AEG5TzGS6

Marion McKeone examines the latest news from America with the help of comedian Jarlath Regan. The image of Elon Musk and his booger eating child in the Oval Office is one that will last. How much of what he says can he actually do? The profound constitutional questions his cuts are raising will test US institutions. Are they up to it? From Gaza to Ukraine, mass deportations and Kendrick Lamar, there is no stone left unturned in this week’s episode. Pop over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad  to hear the full conversation ad free and start enjoying all of the Irishman Abroad podcast network.

While it’s very hard to laugh, we have to try. Why not come and see Jarlath on tour in 2025! www.jigser.com/gigs 

The hardest part of any training plan is week one. Sonia O'Sullivan is going to help you take that first step on the days when you don't feel like it. The Cobh 10 takes place on April 6th 2025 and the GOAT herself is here to guide you week to week through a training plan she has devised. It's easy to follow and it's going to be a lot of fun - no matter what your current running capacity. Give it a go and come on the ride with us for Sonia's homecoming race with her original athletic club Ballymore Cobh AC. Over the last few months Sonia has been pulling her hair out trying to decide which listeners should join her squad for this training block. From hundreds of entries she has made her selection and today we get to hear from them for the first time.

Thanks to our sponsor Whoop Sonia will be able to keep an eye on everyone's progress. Whoop have come on board for this limited series and provided each member of the group with a Whoop to help them track their training efforts, stress, recovery, sleep and overall fitness. The data will be invaluable in helping them stay fresh, avoid over training and injury in the next 10 weeks. If you would like to try Whoop for free on us simply go to join.whoop.com/IrishmanAbroad

Today Sonia explains why the first week calls for restraint and good time management. Finding the sweet spots in your normal routine where you can truly enjoy the runs is the key. Here's what week 1's plan looks like. You should start this next Monday February 10th.

Week 1 - Sonia's Training Plan #RoadtToCobh 2025

Mon. - Rest Day

Tues. - 40-60mins Easy Running/Walking As Needed

Wed. - Rest Day

Thurs. 40-60mins Easy Running

Fri.- Rest Day

Sat. - 30-45mins Run/Walk or Cross Training

Sun. - 50-75 mins (Most important run of the week. Where you start with this will depend on your current fitness level.)

Special thanks to our kit provider New Balance. They will provide training and race day gear for the whole squad in the coming weeks. Why not head down to one of their outlets or the Rub Hub and start experiencing what the team will be wearing on race day.

(For bonus content, deeper training insights from Sonia and special updates sign up on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad )