Questions and answers with Joe Chawke

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into running?

Joe Chawke: “I started running when I was in first year in college after finishing third in a race.
Niall O’Regan encouraged me to train with Declan O’Donoghue’s running group in University of Limerick.

2. What inspired you to start running competitively?

“I loved the comradeship of training and buzz of racing.”

3. What have been the standout moments or highlights of your running career?

“Winning the Munster road championships in 1993, running 4:11 for the mile and the Limerick County Cross Country team title a few times with West Limerick.”

4. How has your approach to training and racing evolved over the years?

“I firmly believe in the 80/20 approach to training now, initially I did too much faster running.”

5. Who were the biggest influences or role models in your running journey?

“Mike MacDomhnaill and Tom Brouder were my biggest influences in the early days.”

6. Are there any athletes or coaches (past or present) that you look up to or draw inspiration from?

“Robert De Castella an Australian marathon runner and Eamonn Coughlan were my biggest inspiration.”

7. What inspired you to transition into coaching or mentoring runners?

“I got a serious running injury and wanted to give back to athletics my knowledge and expertise of racing and training.”

8. How would you describe your coaching philosophy? 

“Train smart and enjoy the journey.”

9. What are the key principles for you to focus on when training athletes, especially the younger or less experienced runners?

“Develop your speed and gradually build up your endurance.”

10. What are the most common mistakes runners make in their training or racing and how can they fix them?

“Increasing their training load too fast and racing too much. Only race once every two weeks and increase your weekly mileage by no more than 10%.”

11. What advice would you give to aspiring runners who want to improve or pursue competitive racing?

“Join your local running club and find yourself a coach.”

12. What does running mean to you on a personal level?

“Running is so important for you mentally and physically. I always feel better after a run.”