Ryan Tubridy has revealed that Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington has helped coach him ahead of his first 5km run.
The broadcaster is preparing to take part in the Operation Transformation 5k through the Phoenix Park next Saturday. And speaking on his RTE Radio 1 show this morning, he admitted that while he wasn’t a seasoned runner, he got “slightly caught out” by the Operation Transformation crew and was roped into taking part.
“I haven’t run since I was about 11 or 12, and probably from somebody!" he joked. "And since then, it hasn’t happened. So, I managed to get the hell out running for the first time ever. It is a very alien concept, but it’s been good, and I've practised several times.”
Read more: Maura Higgins, Kerry Katona, and Five to feature on Late Late Show Valentine's special
To get in shape for the race, he asked his friend Kellie for help. The Dublin boxer, who won gold in the lightweight division at the Tokyo Olympics, gave him tips on how to steady his pace and fix his form while running.
“In fairness to her, and I hope she doesn't mind me saying, but my mate, as she is now, Kellie Harrington came out for the first one and we did a quick 5k run, which I never thought I would be able to do in my life,” Ryan told his listeners.
“And she said, ‘First of all – slow the hell down. Wait! Relax your shoulders, steady as she goes. Breathe in if you’ve got a stitch’.
“I said, ‘Can we walk now? I’ve done enough. That was fun.’ She goes, ‘Oh no. You don’t walk now, you keep going. We didn’t come all this way for you to start walking.’”
The 49-year-old said Kellie was an inspirational mentor who managed to change his opinion on running. He said: “If you're going to have somebody by your side as a mentor, she was amazing. I've done it, ever since, a few times now and I'm really enjoying it.
“It’s been good. It balances out the pints.”
READ NEXT:
Dublin Zoo offering special offer for couples this Valentines Day
Dublin jobs: Dublin Zoo hosting recruitment open day for seasonal workers ahead of busy summer
Pair of teddy bears flying around the world to raise money for charity
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
