'I bought into the barefoot running craze'

THIS RUNNING LIFE:Stewart McKenna is a 28-year-old doctor from Sligo

When did you start running and why?

I started about six years ago back in college, but it was purely on a treadmill – just to stay fit – and terrifically boring. Only in 2009, when my brother-in-law got me into triathlon and adventure-racing, did I start running on the roads and in the mountains. Suddenly running became fun. I haven’t been on a treadmill since.

Where's your favourite place to run?There's a famous run up and down a mountain in Strandhill in Co Sligo called the Warriors' Run. It's about 15km but all mixed terrain. I used to run it every week, and the time it took me to do it was a measure of how my fitness was progressing – it brings you to the top of Queen Maeve's grave and gives you what must be one of Ireland's most spectacular vistas.

What's the biggest challenge you've taken on?There have been two. The first was completing my first Ironman, back in 2010, having had no idea what to expect.

The second was the following year when I wanted to break 10 hours for the Ironman.

What's your proudest achievement?Completing my first Ironman. Getting a medical degree. And breaking the 10-hour mark for Ironman.

What keeps you going when things get tough?During hard training sessions I just imagine the finish line of whatever race I'm training for, and imagining how it will feel to beat my friends. During long races, I find interacting with the crowd is a great way to keep the spirits lifted.

What are you training for?I'm currently training for the Sligo Marathon on September 15th.

Are you a morning or evening runner?Both. The hours in my job can be quite erratic so I get out whenever I can, sometimes at 6am, sometimes at 11pm.

What does your average weekly training consist of?During peak Ironman training, I was doing 12-20 hours a week, divided into four cycles, three runs, three swims, and two weights and core sessions – each of which was a different type of training session, ie speed, endurance, strength. Now I'm training around six hours a week for the marathon, one long run, and two shorter ones – it's a lot more manageable.

Good or bad diet?I go through phases of only eating lean meat and vegetables for a while, followed by other phases of only consuming beer and crisps.

Do you have a coach?Last year I had a coach, Oliver Harkin ( primedcoaching.com). It was great to have someone to tell you what to do every day and not need to think about it. I was taking it easy this year so no coach. I qualified for the amateur triathlon world championships next summer in London, so I think I'll be starting up with Oliver again.

What do you wear on your feet?I bought into the whole barefoot running craze last winter and have since been running in Vibram 5 fingers, or Vivo Barefoots. It hasn't made me any faster but hopefully it will prevent future injury.

What's on your iPod when running?Cheesy 1980s power ballads mixed with late 1970s disco. Oh, and Off The Ball if it's on the radio.

Have you ever been chased by an animal?Several times. There's a Hound of Cullen-like dog on the Warriors' Run route who I refer to as Cerberus. He makes you sprint for a few hundred metres from his house – it's great fartlek training.

Worst injury you've had?I broke my elbow falling off my bike when I was a kid, but running-related it's a toss-up between piriformis syndrome and a stress fracture in my foot – both were very annoying.

Any niggling injuries now?I'm only now recovering from a stress fracture in my second metatarsal in my foot. But I've had no tendonitis or the like since I started starting barefoot running.

Favourite running tip?I have no magic advice, just get out there and run, run, run – get the endorphins pumping.