From “I Hate Running” to Half Marathon Finisher

A conversation between Alex, Rebecca (creators of woowoo), and Orla, a member since 2023.

Orla, from “hating running” in 2022, to half marathoner in 2024.

We’ve known Orla since long before she ever called herself a runner.

Back then, she hated it, she didn’t understand it, and thought that we were crazy whenever we were swimming, cycling or running.

But somewhere along the way, things changed, and now she has completed her own half marathon… and even loved the process.

This is her journey from hating running, to a half-marathoner, whilst still being able to enjoy pizza and wine.

Let’s start right at the beginning. The title says it all - “I hate running.” What did you hate about it?

Everything. My whole life, since school, I’ve hated all forms of sport. I’ve joined gyms, I’ve done classes, I’ve played GAA football and tag rugby. I’ve done a million things, and I hated every single one.

For me, it was a waste of time. I could be in the pub, I could be cooking, I could be doing something else. I just never saw the point.

Even walking was boring. I’d think, “Why am I doing this?” I never enjoyed it.

So why did you do it at all?

Weight. It was always about weight. Most of my life, I’ve had an up-and-down relationship with it. So I’d go through these periods of “I must lose weight, therefore I must exercise.” But I never stuck at anything. Ever.

I’d try something for a few weeks, then give up. There was no joy in it, no reason beyond guilt or frustration.

Can you remember how far you could run back then - before you started this whole journey?

Run? Oh, not at all. Honestly, when I first met Brian (papa woo), even taking the dog for a walk was a challenge. My legs would hurt, I’d be out of breath, completely unfit.

Running for a bus would’ve been impossible. Not that I would’ve run for a bus anyway!

Do you think that lack of motivation was physical or mental?

Both. Mentally, I had zero interest. I’d tell myself, “Why would I want to do that? That’s stupid.”

Physically, I just couldn’t. Even walking felt like work.

But really, I think the missing piece was that I never had a why.

What changed? What gave you that why?

A lot of things happened at once. I was at my heaviest - 97 kilos. I was uncomfortable, couldn’t sleep, and started having hyperventilation. My dad was dying, my work was stressful, and my body just couldn’t cope.

The doctor told me I needed to do something.

Lose weight. Exercise. Take control.

I’d done every diet imaginable before - Slimming World, Weight Watchers, soup diets, cabbage diets - but nothing ever stuck.

This time I just started calorie counting.

And that was the difference. It didn’t feel extreme. It was manageable. I started walking more, bit by bit. By August, I was walking outside, using the treadmill, just moving.

And suddenly, everything started to change. My heart felt calmer. My symptoms went away. The weight started coming off. And I thought - maybe this time is different.

It sounds like you found a rhythm. What kept you going when so many other times hadn’t worked?

I finally had a why.

And then I found my people.

Before, I’d always done things on my own - go to the gym, try to follow some plan, give up. But this time, I had support. I had accountability.

Never before had I had people who’d say, “Come on, you can do this,” or, “You said you’d go for a run, where are you?”

And that changed everything. The dowoowoo group - that was huge.

The Monday Movement check-ins, sharing what we were doing for the week - that accountability made me show up. And when I didn’t, I’d go quiet. I didn’t want to say I hadn’t done what I said I would.

That sense of belonging made me push beyond the treadmill, out into the real world.

I still remember the first time I ran 3k outside. I thought I was going to die. Then I did five. Then ten. Each time, I thought, “Why am I doing this?” But I finished. And the next time, it got easier.

Now I joke that I don’t get out of bed for anything less than ten. Who even am I?

It’s amazing how it snowballs. Did you ever imagine you’d run a half marathon?

Never in my wildest dreams. When people talked about running, I used to think, they’re crazy.

But at some point, I thought, maybe I could try.

I wanted to see what I was capable of.

So I signed up - which, looking back, was probably mad! I’d only been running a year. But I did it.

The race itself wasn’t easy. It was hot, and I made mistakes. I’d done another half just four weeks before, which was silly - I didn’t give myself time to recover. But I finished.

And that feeling at the end - when everyone was shouting my name, cheering me on - I’ll never forget that. That’s what got me over the line.

It was the people. Always the people.

Tri-to-tri 2024 - where Orla completed her first home-made triathlon.

You mentioned making mistakes. What were they, and what did you learn from that experience?

So much. I learned that you don’t have to do the full distance before the event - I didn’t trust that, and I paid for it.

But I also realised something else: I’d lost sight of why I started. When I was training for the half, running became about structure, about a plan, not about how it made me feel.

I forgot that I’d started running to feel better, not to hit a number.

Afterward, my body needed a break. I couldn’t run for weeks. I put on a few kilos - the first time in two years. That was hard to accept.

But I learned to reset. To remember the reason I began - for my physical and mental health. Not just the goal.

That’s such a powerful insight. What does running mean to you now?

It’s freedom. It’s peace. It’s where I empty my head.

I used to eat or drink wine when I was stressed. Now I say, “I’ve had a terrible day - I’m going for a run.”

Brian couldn’t believe it when he heard me say that. He laughed and said, “Who even are you?”

But it’s true - running’s become my way to reset. My body feels better, my head feels better. And I don’t need to be perfect. If I have a bad day, I cap it there. Tomorrow’s a new one.

You’ve come such a long way. What’s next for you?

I want to keep learning. Keep moving. I still want to lose a little more weight, but mainly I want to stay consistent.

I’m back running again - one long run, one intervals session, one normal run each week. I’m getting back on the bike.

And before my 55th birthday, I want to do an official duathlon. That’s my next challenge.

Swimming’s still a work in progress - I’m learning, slowly. But that’s the plan.

You’ve learned so much through this. What would you say to someone reading this who feels the way you used to - who says, “I hate running”?

Find your why. That’s the first thing.

And then find your people.

Once you find your people - the ones who encourage you, support you, keep you accountable - everything changes.

Because we all need people. People who remind you why you started, who tell you you’ve done a good job, who say, “Come on, let’s go.”

That’s what makes the difference. That’s what made this possible for me.

European Championships - half marathon, Leuven 2024

Órla, you are amazing. You give a lot of credit to other people in this chat - but you did this!

You are the one that did all the needed sessions, that stuck with it, and achieved your goal. We are insanely proud of you, and happy for you - and can’t wait to keep the story going.

woowoo is a group of normal people who do extraordinary things. We keep each other on it, we help each other when it’s hard, we celebrate when it’s done. Whether that’s a 5km run, or an ironman - no woo is too small for us to shout about.

Have your own challenge in mind? Need help from the right people? Reach out to us at hello@dowoowoo.com