Irishman Running Abroad with Sonia O'Sullivan: "The Sneakers Episode" With Guest Marcus O'Sullivan

An Irishman Abroad

Trainers, kicks, runners or whatever you like to call them are the subject of today’s conversation with two Irish sporting icons. The big business of athletic shoes has boomed in the last 30 years beyond all recognition. Today’s runner is expected and recommended to have not one but several pairs to wear on rotation throughout their training week. Jarlath asks Sonia if this is really necessary. Or are shoe companies deliberately making their running shoes less like all round trainers and more like specialised tools? Does the weekend Park Runner need a Swiss Army knife shoe rather than a shoe designed for Kipchogie to run a sub 2 hour marathon? Sonia weighs in with the shoes she loves from today’s selection and the ones she loved back in Cóbh as a teen preparing to take on the world. We get her review of the London marathon and then Marcus O’Sullivan drops in for a quick shoes chat from Villanova University. His tale of taking his spikes to a cobbler with an unusual request and Sonia’s luminous shell suit story are worth the price of subscription alone. There’s also Sonia’s tip of the week and lots more in the exclusive members episode notes on Patreon. Each week Jarlath provides a detailed breakdown of all the advice in the episode with further reading, extra tips from Sonia and links to all the items referenced in the show. Join our running event on strava.com/clubs/irishmanrunningabroad and help raise vitally needed funds for our chosen charity partner jigsaw.ie and all the work they do to support young people in Ireland. Why not join Jarlath in raising money for Jigsaw by signing up to the Irishman Abroad challenge over at https://www.idonate.ie/event/2576_.html To hear every episode in full and to gain access to the entire back-catalogue of over 500 Irishman Abroad episodes that are not available on iTunes for just the price of a pint every month visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad Supplementary research provided by John Meagher. The Irishman Abroad Liveline is now open. You can now get in touch with us and feature on our shows by sending your WhatsApp voice note to 0044 7543 122 330. Why not pose a running question to Irish Olympic Legend Sonia O'Sullivan or ask our America Correspondent Marion McKeone her thoughts on a current talking point Stateside? Of course, if you have an issue with traffic or elephants on the loose in your area, Jarlath can do his best to sort that out too. Our charity partner is jigsawonline.ie. In these tricky times, Jigsaw provides a range of resources, advice and care for your people to help them strengthen their mental health and the skills needed to navigate life. Please visit their website and consider making a donation. For updates on future episodes and live shows follow @jarlath on Twitter, visit www.jigser.com or email the show directly on [e-mail]. Disclaimer: All materials contained within this podcast are copyright protected. Third party reuse and/or quotation in whole or in part is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Irishman Abroad podcast is clearly and accurately provided.