Chris Drysdale is a 2:35 marathon runner. Experienced. Disciplined. Used to pushing through discomfort and coming out stronger.

But last year in Berlin, something was different.

Coming into the race unwell, he made the decision to start anyway. What followed wasn’t a personal best or a breakthrough performance — it was a battle simply to finish. A day when the body didn’t cooperate. A day when toughness met its limits.

In this episode of Your Race or Mine, we talk about what happens when the thing that has always carried you forward suddenly pushes back. We explore ambition, identity, stubbornness, resilience — and the fine line between strength and self-sabotage.

What does it mean when the body says no?
What does finishing mean when it costs you more than you expected?
And how do you rebuild your relationship with running after a day like that?

This is a conversation about perspective, maturity, and learning to listen — even when everything in you wants to keep pushing.

Because sometimes the most important race isn’t against the clock… it’s against yourself.

When Cheryl Auret started running for the first time, she wasn’t chasing medals or finish lines—she was chasing a different life.

At 53, living in Co. Offaly, Cheryl’s running journey began not on a track, but on a treadmill in her shed, and a decision to change. Supported by her family and a community who believed in her before she fully believed in herself, she lost over 70lbs and gained something far greater — confidence, control, and freedom.

In February 2025, she took another brave step to start, showing up, even when it felt hard. Slowly, she became what she once thought she wasn’t — a runner.

Joining her local athletic club transformed everything. No labels. No judgment. Just belonging. Since then, she’s crossed 5K finish lines, improved her parkrun times, completed multiple mini-marathons, and set personal bests that once felt impossible.

But Cheryl’s biggest victories aren’t measured in minutes.

They’re measured in stronger mental health, pain-free movement, better sleep, more energy, deeper confidence — and the quiet pride of becoming someone she’s proud to be.

With the Dublin City Half Marathon and the possibility of future marathons in her sights, Cheryl’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late, never too far gone, and never too small a start.

This is a conversation about courage, community, and what can happen when you simply decide to begin.

If you have a story to share, contact me on YourRaceOrMineIreland@gmail.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Colin Thomas — an avid runner, deeply respected coach, and someone who has spent a lifetime immersed in the sport he loves. Colin has coached and advised runners of every level, from complete beginners to elite Kenyan athletes, and his perspective on running is as grounded as it is inspiring.

Colin shares what sets Kenyan runners apart beyond raw talent — their mindset, simplicity, motivation, and deep connection to running and themselves. Drawing on over 10 years of travelling to Kenya, he reflects on what he’s learned from coaching there, how it’s shaped his own philosophy, and why many of the most powerful lessons are surprisingly transferable to everyday runners.

We talk about consistency over complexity, the value of loving the process, and how running can give far more than it takes when approached the right way. Colin also opens up about how fortunate he feels to make a living from the sport that’s given him purpose, perspective, and community.

This is a thoughtful, uplifting conversation for runners of all abilities — whether you’re chasing your first 5k, a marathon goal, or simply a deeper appreciation for why you run.

Read Colin's book on all things Kenya

Running on the red dust: A firsthand insight into the creation of the world's best athletes from Kenya: Amazon.co.uk: Thomas, Colin: 9798740401096: Books

If you have a story to tell contact:

YourRaceOrMineIreland@gmail.com