Rob Casey

Another of our road crew shares his thoughts this time around. A busy man who recently became a father, this man has continuously improved since joining the club and is always willing to try new events.

Have a read and meet Rob....

Name : Rob Casey

Age : 35

Work/School/College : Sulzer

How long have you been a member of Menapians AC : 18 months. Joined to get fit for my first half marathon, love the vibe so I stayed

Interests & achievements outside athletics : Soccer, Gaming, beer pong. The only game I play these days is “Drop my dodee/Pick up my dodee” with my 10-week old daughter. She is very good at it.

Events you have competed at : Various fun runs from 5km up to half marathon. For Menapians, I’ve run country cross country novice & intermediate, county track meeting in Enniscorthy, intermediate road race the last two years (I keep unintentionally missing the novice event & intentionally missing the senior).

Favourite event : 5km, especially Wexford Parkrun.

Least favourite event : Intermediate cross country 2022. Running around a big ass field a bunch of times in the wind & rain, getting lapped. This was also just before Menapians got the wonderful gazebo tent, so I got changed in a portaloo.

Biggest athletics achievement : 3rd place in County Relay last Friday.

Other athletics achievements : When I was in school, I took part in a charity called Jump for Joy, where you had to shoot basketball hoops & get sponsored. Every sponsorship card filled meant you had to shoot 10 more hoops, & every card was an extra entry into a raffle. I did the bare minimum (10 shots & 1 card) but still got picked out for top prize: a 14” portable TV! I think my phone has a bigger screen now but at the time, that was the height of technology for a 13-year-old. That might be a stretch for an athletic achievement but it’s all I got.

Do you hold any records : I recently changed 3 nappies in 12 minutes, which is a rate of 15 nappies per hour (NPH). But I don’t think I’d be able to keep that pace for a full hour.

Favourite moment of your athletic career : Finishing the Wexford half marathon in April & having my wife & baby waiting there for me at the line.

Favourite track you have competed on : Enniscorthy is the only 400m track I’ve run on. Wexford Racecourse is my fave parkrun course. Not too easy, not too hard, just right.

Least favourite track : NA

Who has been your inspiration both in athletics & outside athletics : Sonia O’ Sullivan & Arnold Schwarzenegger

Favourite food/drink : Black Pudding/Guinness

Post training snack : Whey protein shake (cookies & cream flavour)

Some unusual facts about yourself : Had open heart surgery when I was 29. It was successful!