Dioreann Hughes, Road Race Grand Prix Winner
Doireann Hughes won the 2023Edinburgh Athletic Club Road Race Grand Prix. “A few words” with Doireann forthe local paper turned into a full-blown interview… Unfortunately the fullinterview was too long for the paper, but it’s an interesting read. See below,with thanks to Doireann!
Original article in the Edinburgh Evening News
What’s your background?
I am from a small village in County Mayo called Carnacon, inthe west of Ireland. I come from a relatively big family. I have two sistersand two brothers. Most of them are living in Ireland, however my sister Róisínmoved over to Edinburgh a year ago.
I grew up playing Gaelic football. I represented teams atclub and county level. I was lucky to have a considerable amount of successwith these teams, as we have won a number of club All-Ireland titles withCarnacon Ladies. It was through playing football and playing alongside some ofthe best Irish athletes that I developed my love for sport, training, and honedmy competitive nature.
I attended Mount St Michael secondary school in Claremorrisin Mayo. I had some great years in secondary school and formed greatfriendships with girls that I am still very close with to this day. The schoolprovided a great environment for learning but also developing extra-curricularskills.
After secondary school I went to Galway University where Istudied Biomedical Science for 4 years. After university I worked as a salesrepresentative for a year, before deciding to return to education. I came overto Scotland and got my postgraduate degree in medicine from the University ofSt Andrew’s and the University of Dundee. I continued to travel back to Irelandto keep playing club football. Understandably, this becomes harder every year,but I love the Gaelic football community, and am very grateful for everythingit has provided in my life.
How did you end up in Edinburgh?
As a final year medical student, a lot of my time was spenton placement in Fife. I chose to live in Edinburgh and commute for my placement.I really liked living in Edinburgh, and having my sister in the city too hasreally helped. After my final year placement, I applied for my foundation yearof training (similar to an internship) in Edinburgh, and I was lucky enough toget the opportunity to live in Edinburgh for another two years.
How did you get into running?
I was always generally quite active. I enjoy the outdoorsand playing any sport possible. I ran the Dublin marathon in October 2022 withmy school friend Annie. I loved training for it. After the race, I knew Iwanted to continue in running, and run a sub-3 hour marathon. But I wasn’t surehow to go about it, especially when my schedule for university and my part-timejob were so demanding.
From there I reached out to Phil Sesemann for coaching. He’san elite British long-distance runner and he’s also a medical doctor likemyself. I was inspired by his ability to simultaneously navigate careersin medicine and in running. He encouraged me to join a running club in Edinburgh,so I went to a couple of the Edinburgh Athletic Club sessions at the Meadows onTuesday nights. The first session I did with the club was 3 x 5 minutes with 1minute “on” and 1 minute “off”. I thought this session was thehardest running session I ever did, but it didn’t put me off!
Prior to joining the club. I didn’t feel very settled in thecity and would go back to Ireland to see friends and family as often as Icould. EAC has provided a lovely sense of community for me in the city. I love havingthe routine of training but also developing friendships with different peoplefrom the club. I feel really “at home” in EAC!
I was never part of an athletics club growing up. I am sodelighted to have fallen into the sport at this point in my life. It’s a nicereminder for people that it is never too late to join a club or return to sportat any point in their lives.
In action in the white vest
Who has helped you in your running career to date?
I am very thankful to Phil Sesemann for all his coaching andadvice since I started working with him in November 2022. I feel like hiscoaching methods focus on the person as an individual and also as an athlete.
When I joined EAC in November 2022, I started attending the Saughton track sessions with GarryRobertson. He’s always in such good form on a Tuesday night. No matter theweather conditions he is committed to the session. Garry is such a gem ofman. I really feel that his expertise, advice and coaching thisseason have helped me develop as a runner.
I’m very grateful to all my clubmates too, especially EuanDuernberger and Rose Penfold. I spend a lot of time running with them. I reallyappreciate the conversations I have with them about sport and life. They arealways very encouraging and supportive of my journey in the sport so far. Inaddition, I would have a special mention for my other teammates that join thetrack sessions on a Tuesday evening at Saughton. These are sessions that Iwould find very difficult to do alone!
How do you balance training with a demanding job?
Personally, I feel that training helps me copeswith the demands and pressures of working as a junior doctor. It’s the point inthe day where you can switch off and have a healthy release. I imaginethis balance is one way of ensuring longevity in both a professional career anda running career.
How was your season? What were some of the highlights?
The season has been an absolute blast from start to finish,and there have been so many highlights. I love racing, and some may say Iover-race. I am aware that the more I race the harder it is for me to get a PBevery time. But I feel like I learn something new every time I go out.
I enjoy travelling around Scotland supporting local races. Ilove the rawness of them. One in particular that stands out was the Giffordtown5km. It was a small race of around 300 people. It was an out and back race.Running down a little boreen road. Cattle going ballistic in the fields. Loosecarrots on the ground. It was brilliant! I also love the post-race analysis,chatting with folk that you wouldn’t normally cross paths with, but people whoyou are connected to via the passion of running.
Dublinmarathon
I ran the Dublin Marathon in October 2022, and loved the raceand the training process. I ran 3:27, but I knew I wanted to carry on and tryto break 3 hours for the marathon.
NationalCross-Country
Another highlight was the National Cross-Country in Falkirk.I had never done cross-country before, and didn't know what toexpect. It was my first proper outing with EAC, and I loved that day! It was like a little festival – everyone withtheir tents, camping chairs and packed lunches. It was just good, honest,wholesome fun. It was lovely to be a counter for EAC, and we secured secondposition on the podium.
EAC senior ladies: National cross-country silver medallists
Back: Fiona Davies, Margot Wyrwoll, Doireann Hughes, Rose Penfold
Front: Elaine Eadie, Sarah Brown
Manchester marathon
I had entered the Manchester marathon in April and washoping to hit the sub-3 hour time. I was so lucky on the day and ran a time of2:59. It was so special to be able to celebrate this occasion with my friendEuan Duernberger as he ran an amazing time of 2:38 on the day, and he waswaiting at the finish line for me. After the race we sat outside stuffing ourfaces with pizza and basking in the PB glory!
Edinburghmarathon
I had an entry into the Edinburgh marathon in May as aback-up if I hadn’t got the sub-3 from Manchester. The Edinburgh marathon wasvery hard that day especially with the heat, and I suffered from going out tooambitiously.
LochNess marathon
Later in the year, I ran the Loch Ness marathon and camesecond on the day. It was a huge highlight for me this season.
I found the build-up to the marathon very difficult. I hadjust started my new job as a junior doctor, and a couple of races I had enteredduring the build-up didn’t go to plan. Nonetheless, I just kept to the plan andwould incorporate laps of Arthur’s seat into my long runs to prime my legs forthe infamous hills in the Loch Ness Marathon.
Loch Ness is a winter marathon and so the weather can’t betrusted… When we were getting the bus from Inverness to the start line, therewere hailstones battering us. Conditions were cruel. I thought to myself, “Howam I ever going to run a marathon in this weather?!” Meanwhile Euan was prettycontent, sleeping soundly beside me on the bus. However once we got to thestart line the weather had improved, but it continued to spit with rainthroughout the race. I think we got all four seasons on the day!
It was pretty special during the race when the crowd were shoutingat me in the last 5km telling me that I was the second female. If someone hadtold me this time last year that I would be the second female in a marathon, Iwould have never believed them.
On the home straight at the Loch Ness marathon
Howwas it to win the EAC Road Race Grand Prix?
It was really special. There is definitely a feeling of“imposter syndrome” to it! The club has so many fantastic female athletes. Iwas delighted to receive it, especially when you see all the names engraved onthe trophy from previous years, people who are so inspiring to train with andwatch compete.
What are your plans for 2024?
I’m going to run in the cross-county races in January andFebruary, then I’ll run the Scottish half marathon championships in Invernessin March and the 10-mile championships at the Tom Scott in Strathclyde Park afew weeks later. I’m going to run the London marathon in April, it’s also theScottish championship. After that, I also plan to run the Scottish 5km and 10kmchampionships too, they are all EAC road Race Grand Prix events…!