Clann Health Inspiring Stories: Ed Galvin
This week we catch up with the charismatic Ed Galvin! Ed is originally from West Cork and is one of our original Online Members where he has trained with us since the start of April from his base in Chicago. Ed is a keen runner and regularly takes part in destination races where he travels the world and races through some amazing places and really epitomizes the Clann Health sense of Adventure and Living life to it’s fullest!
Good Afternoon Ed and thanks a million for taking the time to share your story. Tell us a little about yourself, what health/fitness means to you and how it positively impacts your life ...........
From West Cork originally, I have lived in the US since 2003 both in Chicago and San Francisco. Health and fitness is a no 1 priority for me and even more so as I get older. I am an annual marathoner and running is my favourite way to combat stress and keep in shape mentally and physically. I travel a lot and love to see a new city or location with a long morning run.
“Running is my favourite way to combat stress and keep in shape mentally and physically”
Tell us about your most memorable Activity/Race/Event? And why was it so memorable?
My most memorable race was a marathon I ran in the Arctic circle in 2015. It was the Midnight Sun Marathon and it starts at 8pm..and still full daylight when finished after midnight. It is in small town called Tromso in northern Norway inside the Arctic circle. Fortunately, it was summer so it was warmer but the mountains were snow capped.
You were tuning in with us right from the beginning on our Rooftop days at the very beginning of Lockdown and a huge part of Clann Health is in building a Community not only in New York and Dingle but also throughout America, Ireland and beyond! Tell us how staying active and staying connected remotely has helped you over the past 6 months ….
I switched up travel time for workout time which has been great. I have worked out with Clann Health and on my own on average 6 days a week which is a major shift from where i was - which was about 2-3 times a week. I also run a much faster mile now between 7.3-7.5 mins.
“I have worked out with Clann Health and on my own on average 6 days a week, I also run a much faster mile now between 7.3-7.5 mins.”
What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I have invented a new word - Rike - meaning - a combination of a Running hIKE. Still trying to get in the Oxford dictionary. :)
Ed you are evidently an adventurous person, and someone who enjoys the outdoors and living life to it’s fullest. What do you enjoy most about staying active and what advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting off?
Being active brings me a great sense of adventure, I love travelling to new places and either biking / running to explore where I get there. For newcomers - start small and celebrate the small wins. My first 5k many years ago was a big achievement. Get out and run the 1K and celebrate and come back for a bit more the next day.
“For newcomers - start small and celebrate the small wins. My first 5k many years ago was a big achievement. Get out and run the 1K and celebrate and come back for a bit more the next day.”
You are based in Chicago but we 1st met while you were travelling through New York and you seem like one who likes to travel home to Ireland as often as you can to catch up with family and friends. What’s your favorite place to visit in both Ireland and the US and why?
I love the ocean and west coasts so it has to be the west coast of Ireland (Dingle peninsula in particular) and west coast of US (Carmel by the Sea in California in particular). My favourite beach is Ventry beach, Co Kerry, Ireland.
