Guest Post: Interview with Cork Runner Aoife Cooke at the Tokyo Olympics... by Pat Walsh

Cork runner Aoife Cooke is representing Ireland in the marathon at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Pat Walsh caught up with Aoife for this interview...

 ** Tokyo Olympics ** 

🏅🥈🥉

As the Olympics have started and the excitement is building to see our Irish Olympians in action, I went behind the scenes to interview our very own  Aoife Cooke. 

The object of the exercise was to show that behind all the obvious talent of all our chosen participants, there is a normal decent person that deserves our utmost support.

So whether it is ‘pulling like a dog’ for the rowers, ‘gloves on’ for the boxers, ‘ready set go’ for the runners or any of the other Olympians that pull on the Green singlet, get behind them and shout them on.

The time and commitment to get to this level is unreal and they do themselves, their families, their Clubs and the Nation of ours proud. So whether they get a medal, make a final or go out in Round 1, they are still heroes that get a chance to put one word on their CV. ‘Olympian’

🏃

Thanks Aoife for this opportunity and best of luck on the 7th August when the Ladies Marathon will be held. You know all of Cork will be behind you and I will make sure we get the rest of the Country as well.

☘️☘️☘️

PWR: Who was your favourite sporting hero growing up?

AC: Sonia O Sullivan and Mary Sweeney (Aunt of Aoife and a pure legend of Cork Running added by pwr)

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PWR: First medal ever won?

AC: I was 8th in the Munster cross country championships when I was 13. There were medals for the top 12. I had won some team medals before that but that was the first I won individually 

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PWR: Except for the PWR Mug you got for running a sub 2.30 Marathon what was the weirdest, quirkiest prize you have won in Athletics?

AC: Probably the vouchers for the Army Surplus Store in Midleton. Those were the prizes for winning the Ballcotton 5 mile races. Turns out I was going on a hiking trip to Peru that September so I was able to get most of my gear there 🙂

*

PWR: Favourite other sport you would love to be good at?

AC: Probably some sort of dance. 

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PWR: Free flight anywhere to go on a holiday what is your destination?

AC: Hawaii 

*

PWR: Favourite musical band / group / individual?

AC: The Cranberries 

*

PWR: Favourite Album?

AC: Stars: the best of the Cranberries 1992-2002

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PWR: Free ticket to a Live, Full crowd, Open-Air concert... Who is the Headlining the Gig?

AC: Queen 

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PWR: Party Piece when cornered to perform?

AC: I know all the words to Coolios Gangstas Paradise 😁 

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PWR: You are not on a strict diet for the Olympics what is your Treat Dinner?

AC: Burger and chips from Son of a Bun when I’m at home!

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PWR: Are you a good Cook in the kitchen as opposed to a VERY GOOD COOKE on the Roads?

AC: I'm a decent cook in the kitchen but I wouldn’t make it to the Olympics for it!

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PWR: What is your favorite movie about sports?

AC: Million Dollar Baby 

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PWR: Pick? - Magnum or Cornetto

AC: Magnum 

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PWR: What do you do to calm your butterflies before / while you compete?

AC: Breathing exercises. Listen to my running playlist 

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PWR: Any superstitions or things you must do before you compete?

AC: Get a haircut! 

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PWR: Would you beat me in a race if you were running and I was cycling?

(please be kind)

AC: I think it would be close, but I know you’ve been training a lot on the bike so you would probably win 😅

*

PWR: Favourite TV Comedy?

AC: Probably Schitts Creek

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PWR: Are you an early or late person? What would your friends say?

AC: I'm an early person. My friends would say the same

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PWR: If Disney turned you into a Superhero who would you be?

AC: Elsa from Frozen, or Elphaba from Wicked (their names are even similar to mine!)

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PWR: When I write the story of this Olympics and Christopher Nolan makes a movie of it, who is playing your role?

AC: Charlize Theron

*

PWR: A motto to live by?

AC: ‘Life is only worth a damn because it’s short. It’s designed to be consumed, used, spent, lived, felt. We’re supposed to fill it with every mistake and miracle we can manage, and then we’re supposed to let go’

🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️

Now we know some more of the real person and I dare say there are many more like her on the team.

Feel free to give a shout out to anyone from your locality that is competing in any of the events and we will put the full weight of our love and support behind them.

Special shout out to Brendan Boyce (Athlete) in the 50K Walk. Although a Donegal native he resides in this area and we have often seen him in training. He walks faster than we run...!!

"Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment"🎤🎼

#pwr #daretodream #Tokyo2020 ☘☘ Aoife Cooke Fitness