INTERVIEW WITH BARRY CAREY
Interviewed in September, 2015
Select an athlete to view their profile:
What is your age, and how long have you been training with Sean?
I will be 30 on the 22nd of September, 2015. I joined Sean in 2014.
Are you an online only client, or do you attend sessions as well?
I attend sessions.
What has your progression as a runner been like? How have your times improved?
Massively. It is only because of Sean and putting my consistency into my training – I would never have gotten my times down. Keith Bateman’s technique sessions have also been very helpful. I have gone from 18 minutes for 5k down to 16 minutes, 10k down from 38 to 34 minutes, and City to Surf down from 56 minutes to 48 minutes.
Have you attended Sean’s training camps? If so, how have you found them?
I found them great. It is great to be around a number of positive people who just want to achieve goals, from a PB to wanting to run on the ‘big stage’. It is good to get to know people and to see your own strengths and weaknesses as compared to others. Sean is a great organiser and everything is ‘spic span’. The social catching up is also good as well, talking about what people do for their work and plans for the future. The camps are brilliant. Sand dunes at Cudmirrah were out of this world for me. Getting to see nature is unreal. And they work you hard – especially Jindabyne at altitude. The experience of running up to Mount Kosciuszko was unbelievable. Such a feeling to reach the top.
Baz, you have been known to do impromptu performances on tables in restaurants. Do you plan to become a performer like your training partner, Warren Williams?
I always say ‘never say never’. It is one opportunity I am willing to give a chance but right now I am focusing on running and settling up my massage.
You have just become an Australian permanent resident. Congratulations. What are you doing for work now?
I am working in construction at the minute and you have your good days and your bad days but I now realise that I have a talent and I have to use it to the best of my ability and I am willing to give up work in construction to do a job I enjoy doing. I have recently become an accredited massage therapist and I would like to grow that business as it will give me the opportunity to be my own boss and have more flexibility with my time. In construction it is hard to get the time off work to do other things.
A mate back home in Ireland said that some people go to work unhappy and come home unhappy and he asked me why do a job that you hate when you can do one that you love? It is very important to do what makes you more happy.
What do you invisage as your ultimate running distance when you reach your peak in the future and why?
Maybe the marathon or 10k. I would like to represent Ireland in the 10k someday. To go to the Commonwealth Games in 2018 or Tokyo Olympics in 2020 would be goals. It might be too optimistic but I want to be in the top 20 next year in the City to Surf and run 32 minutes for 10k and I will do anything in my power to try to make it possible. Everyone has dreams but actions speak louder than words.
What has been your experience in training with Sean as a coach?
Just brilliant. As I have said before and as I will say now and the next five years – brilliant and his plan does work and he is a great believer that if you don’t put in the hard work then you are not going to get the results. With his experience, you just have to listen to him. Five years ago I would have never believed that I would have run 48 minutes for the City to Surf and 34 minutes for 10k. I did not realise what I could do with my fitness until I came to Sean.
Who is your favourite runner?
Sonia O’Sullivan. For shorter distances it would be Usain Bolt. In the Squad, it would be a tough question. Probably Ben St Lawrence, because he has been at it so long and he has had a lot of barriers with injury in his career and he keeps bouncing back and it shows his character and that he has a great desire in running. He is a top bloke as well. Personality shines through. The other person who is very close is Harry Summers. He has great ability and is one of the best movers. It is also good to see Cam Page and I would like to see him work hard and take things to the next level. Female Vic Mitchell. She has great technique and she is pretty tough as well.
Who is your favourite non-running sportsperson?
Peter Canavan – he was a great Gaelic footballer and could score a goal from almost anywhere.