Trackside: Brian Fay

Trackside: Brian Fay “Although I have performed well in the US it is the Irish athletics community from the grass roots up that have helped encourage me and mould me into the athlete that I am today and has created the foundations for me to achieve that success abroad” 

Welcome to Trackside! The latest interview series hosted by Athletics Ireland. Trackside joins senior high-performance athletes both at home and away to talk all things athletics and what it means to be an Irish Athlete.  

Ahead of his debut at the European Championships tomorrow night, Brian Fay joined us Trackside to discuss his creative outlets off the track and pay tribute to the incredible coaches he has had throughout his career so far.   

When did you first get into athletics?

“I first got into athletics in secondary school, Belvedere (Co Westmeath). I had tried my hand at most sports and my coach at the time Ronan Duggan really got me into running cross country and track. I think he did a great job at getting me to believe in myself and have confidence in my own ability which I thought was a big breakthrough for me both on a sporting level and on a personal level. If it weren’t for Ronan, I don’t think I’d be anywhere near a track let alone performing to the level that I am on. I owe him a lot.” 

If you could do any other event across athletics, what would you pick?

“I would probably do the sprints or the 800m. I more a distance guy than a speed guy but love ripping a few fast reps with spikes on. It's the events I wish I was good at! Unfortunately, God blessed me to be a distance runner instead.”  

What has been your top moment in athletics to date?

“I think when I competed at Euro Cross in Dublin back in December would be my top moment in athletics. I was the first Irishman home in the senior race and finished top 10. The support that day was immense. Everyone would cheer for Jakob who was leading the race and then there would be a massive roar for me coming in behind. I was hit with a wall of noise every part of the course. Coming down the home straight there was literally 5 or 6 people deep in the crowd either side. The support made me awfully proud of where I'm from and to be Irish. I had just moved away to Seattle so to come back to that is something I think I will cherish for the rest of my life.”  

What does a typical week look like for you?

“I am currently sitting a masters at the University of Washington (UW), so I take a few classes through the week. We have a phenomenal track program out there and I live with a good portion of the team. The team is really talented and everyone on it is good. Andy Powell, my coach, has done a phenomenal job to create such a great training culture and environment at UW which has really brought on my athletics in the past year. We workout Tuesday and Friday but train as a team every day and everyone gets on really well. It makes the week go by fairly effortlessly and the training enjoyable. I am grateful to be in such a great set up at the minute.” 

What does Brian Fay get up to off the track?

I love to draw in my spare time however haven’t had much time of late due to my classes and training schedule. I am an extroverted person so love being in the company of others, so I'm rarely left on my own. I try to make as much time to hang out with friends and just a laugh in general outside the sport.” 

What is the biggest challenge for you as an athlete?

“I think the biggest challenge for me currently is breaking into the top level of distance running. I have had a phenomenal breakthrough this year at Washington however I am still a little way away from being able to compete on a world class stage. I think with a few more years of development and training I hope that I can achieve this and be able to really compete against the world's best.” 

What is the biggest support for you as an athlete?

“I think the support I get from my community at home is unbelievable. From my old training group, the Dublin Track Club, and my old coach Feidhlim Kelly I have immense support and encouragement. Its people and characters like Feidhlim and Ronan Duggan that make up the foundation of athletics from the ground up. Although I have performed well in the US it is the Irish athletics community from the grass roots up that have helped encourage me and mould me into the athlete that I am today and has created the foundations for me to achieve that success abroad. I recognise that and am incredibly grateful for it too. I am also very grateful for my family and local community. To say I am a product of my rearing comes to mind. They are what has made me the man that I am and have raised me to hold the perspective and persona needed in order to compete and challenge myself to the best of my ability in the sport.” 

  

Lightening Round: 

Tea or Coffee: Tea  

Track Running or Road Running: Track 

Early morning training or evening training: Early Morning 

Worst training drill: Jumping hurdles  

Best training drill: Strides  

Who is your sporting hero: Scott Parker, Captaining West Ham in the 2010/2011 season.  

Sweet or Savoury: Sweet 

Tv or Books: TV 

Instagram or Twitter: Instagram 

 

Brian Fay alongside his European Cross Country Championship counterpart Darragh McElhinney will represent Ireland tomorrow in the European Championships mens 5,000m Final at 8:08pm (Irish Time), for the full list of Irish action please see HERE 

We hope you are enjoying Trackside! If you have a suggestion on who should feature next drop us a message on social media.