Success Stories & Testimonials

Jack Ryan 

Wicklow

Why you joined up - I decided to join the FGRC as I wanted to see how a group dynamic benefitted my running. I knew that a coach would steer me in the right direction and add some variety to my daily/weekly workouts. As someone who primarily runs alone, it has been a great addition. 

Expectations of training - The training was more or less what I had expected, however, there were some days when the workouts really tested me. It's great. Having some accountability for hitting a certain goal is a brilliant motivation. 

Results or achievements - My goal setting out was to go for a sub 3 hour marathon and I had built towards that for a while. I was worried I may never get there but with Andrew's help, I achieved that last year. With that, I also have PB's in most of my other distances although he hasn't convinced me to do an ultra yet.

And now your future goals - The next goal will be to repeat the sub 3-hour marathon but this time go even further below and secure a place in the Boston Marathon.

James Murphy

Cork City

Why you joined up

In the last three years I’ve been aspiring to get into long distance running and in particular trail running. However, anytime I set a goal to do long distance race, I ultimately ended up injured and out of action for weeks. All because I didn’t have the knowledge to train smartly. I discovered Andrew on instagram and saw the fitnessgoose community he built and the successes those he coached were having. I had already registered for EcoTrail Wicklow and I felt signing up with Andrew to help get fit for that race and train the right way was a must for me.

Expectations of training

Structured training plan, accountability, progression, fun and support 

Results or achievements

Completed my first long distance trail race, EcoTrail Wicklow 47km 

And now your future goals

Istria UTMB 69km

Sub 3:30 Marathon

EcoTrail Wicklow 80 km

A 100 km race in 2025

Catriona Courtney

Cork

Why you joined up: focusing more on ultra events, needed some guidance. Also looking for flexibility in a plan that wasn’t going to be difficult to follow with a busy life of work, family with 4 kids. Knowing that the plan would help me achieve my goals. 

Expectations of training: I thought I’d be doing lots more miles and that I would not see too much progress due time constraints and bring a 50+ female athlete!  

Results or achievements: 2023 3 ultras incl 1 50 miler and 1 x 100km + race plus other smaller races like trail half marathons. I also strength train 2 times per week plus mobility and yoga. No injuries. Still sane and healthy. Shaved 2 hours off KWU nite 100km last year with excellent programming from Andrew. His flexibility and empathy to situation really makes it all feel easy when it isn’t! 

And now your future goals: April Ultra Skeeps Head, transvulcania 73km 4600m vert May, KWU full 180km (100miler), and s couple of other > half marathons IMRA races on trail. Stay injury free and sane and not stressed with it all just making steady progress weekly and trusting the process. 

Lucy Mannion

Dublin

I joined up to the Fitness Goose Run Club as I had been starting to enjoy running for the first time in years but had no structure to my training and wanted to be held accountable by a coach. I was also looking for something that had a strong social element as I was hoping to meet new people and build a support network to further motivate me in achieving my goals.

Although I hadn’t set out with a marathon goal in mind, after one month of training under Andrew I was so pleasantly surprised by my commitment to his training plan that I signed myself up to my first marathon - the Rome Marathon in March 2023. In the early days of training, I had a goal in mind of completing it in under 4 hours, however Andrew’s training plan and frequent communication of support was so effective in helping me to progress that my goal gradually adjusted to 3 hours 45 mins – which I was thrilled to achieve on the day!

Under Andrew’s guidance, I’ve achieved remarkable goals in many more races since this time, ones I never thought possible – for example running the Dublin Marathon in October 2023 when 5 months pregnant! Between marathons, Andrew's persuasive skills also introduced me to the world of trail running, with its diverse terrains and scenic beauty offering a refreshing contrast to road running. This variety has kept my training exciting and challenging.

 What makes Fitness Goose Run Club so unique is that Andrew goes the extra mile to ensure everyone feels welcomed and valued, creating an environment where lasting friendships are formed alongside personal bests. The club is more than a group of athletes; it's a close-knit community where everyone supports and motivates each other. Andrew meticulously plans both national and international trips for various groups, catering to diverse interests and skill levels. Having been abroad to Rome and Oslo with the club, I know these trips are not just about running; they're adventures that bring us together, creating amazing memories.

I am immensely grateful to Andrew for his dedication and for being more than just a coach – a mentor, a motivator, and a friend. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to elevate their running game while enjoying every step of the journey.

Louise Stafford

Dublin

Why I joined up: After years of poorly following some free online training programmes, I had finally managed to run a sub-four-hour marathon.  I felt I had more in me but knew I needed some help.  I had a spot in the Chicago marathon 2022 and had set a target of 3.45 / 3.50.  The Fitness Goose was recommended to me by a coach in my gym. 

Expectations of training: Having had a chat with The Goose, we quickly identified two problem areas – consistency and maths! The online programmes allowed me to dip my toe in with zero accountability – Andrew’s programme was focused on me and based off the amount of time I could afford to give to running each week. The other area was interval training – having interval sessions loaded onto my watch actually allowed me to do this type of running rather than plodding along at the same pace for every run, as I had previously been doing.

Results or achievements: I ran Chicago with a smile on my face from start to finish.  I got my target time and then some, shaving over 21 minutes off my previous PB.  I ran negative splits for the first time.  Overall I'm enjoying running more than ever!

And now your future goals: Get under the 3.30 marathon mark and qualify for Boston!

Ciara O’Connor

Dublin

Why you joined up

To train more consistently due to having accountability to a coach. I had run for 10 years and always enjoyed it but always struggled to run consistently due to other commitments, I wanted that to change. 

To improve my running ability overall and reach my running potential

I chose Fitness Goose over other coaches / clubs as it looked like an inclusive, fun community to be part of 

Expectations of training

I personally love Andrews approach which is 1. a great plan, 2. solid advice and 3. the truth on where you are at. This has really helped me progress - if you don’t do the work, he is clear that you will not get the results. But he doesn’t chase you or hound you about training which I like - I hold myself accountable to Andrew but I don’t need another person nagging me and he doesn’t do that. 

I have found that Andrews plans work a treat, he builds slowly and you don’t even notice that you are progressing until suddenly you are where you set out to be.  

I have loved the community element of fitness goose - a friendly, supportive and fun group of all abilities who meet up fairly regularly if you want. It’s great, in particular for longer runs. 

Results or achievements

I have achieved more than I ever could have imagined. I always thought I would reach my ceiling as a runner quite quickly as I didn’t think I had much natural ability and so thought I would improve a little but not a lot. 

By training consistently with Andrew over a 12 month period, I improved astronomically, taking 31 minutes off my marathon time (4:02 —> 3:31) and after 10 years of running, I ran PB’s at every single distance (5K, 5 Mile, 10K, 10 Mile, Half Marathon and Marathon) in 2023. 

In addition, I have loved every second. I was afraid i would lose the love of running if I pushed more.  Yes I have had to push myself at times in training… harder sessions, which I would have shied away from in the past but they have always been manageable and I have really enjoyed the feeling of satisfaction afterwards. 

And now your future goals

Continue to enjoy running and enjoy the Fitness Goose Running Community 

Qualify for the Boston Marathon by running a 3:25 Marathon 

Longer term, I would like to take on some new, fun running challenges like ultra marathons 

Robert Mehigan

Kildare

Why you joined up

I joined Andrew and the Fitness Goose Run Club to run my first marathon in 2022. I run on my own and lacked the confidence to tackle the distance.

Expectations of training

My Initial expectations were completely understated. All I thought I needed was an experienced individual to keep me on track for my first marathon. What I actually joined was very supportive community and got a coach that is completed invested in the individuals he trains. The training was structured to fit around my family, lifestyle and individual goals.

Results or achievements

Andrew gave me mini targets in 2022. This meant I always had a short-term focus which was great. After 10 years of running with self-prescribed plans I was running races able to finish the races as strong as I started. I got to the start line of Dublin Marathon 2022 full of with believe and achieved my target, what an awesome feeling! 2023 I book a multitude of races, every race was PB for the distance. Dublin Marathon 2022 and 2023 I got share the races with some incredible fellow ‘geese’, and each and everyone of them offer support and encouragement.

And now your future goals

Run some new races in 2024.

Megan Jungmann

I joined the running club when I was frustrated that I wasn't seeing any improvement in my fitness or running after a significant time off Within weeks of starting Andrews programme I had not only made up huge ground but had completely fallen in love with running again. I wouldn't have believed 7 months ago that I would sign up for a 58km trail race when I had been struggling to get through 10. It's been fantastic to have a coach so passionate about what he does which has also encouraged a very welcoming community attitude between club members. I really couldn't recommended the fitness goose run club more.

Daragh Howard

Kildare

Why you joined up :

Wanted company on long runs in preparation for a race and some training advice as I’d felt I underperformed in recent races

Expectations of training :

wasn’t really sure what to expect but was delighted with the result, the addition of group interval sessions plus the weekend long runs make training much easier

Results or achievements :

PB in 10km, half marathon, 3/4 marathon and full marathon :) lots done, more to do

And now your future goals:

50km coming up soon, a Faster marathon is a constant goal & maybe a longer distance trail race

Dan Fitzergald

Limerick

The reason I joined the group was to gain knowledge and to get a plan that I could follow with the hopes of getting back running consistently and start enjoying it again. My training had been very intermittent since about half way through the pandemic and I had a goal of getting a PB in  for Dublin Marathon in 2022. I struggle to run a training block myself as I have a very short memory when it comes to running so after 2 good weeks I could over do it or after 2 bad weeks I could throw in the towel. Seeing weeks laid out in front of me helps me keep focus. 

My expectations of training are possibly covered in section 3 somewhat but my expectations were similar to what I got which was a good balanced program that helped me progress and improve over a long period of time.

My results and achievements since I joined up are many for me. 

PB'd my Marathon twice. 

PB in all distances I ran since I joined the group 5k, 10k,10mile , HM , Marathon 

5k went from 19.15- 18.34

10k went from 42.01- 40.13

10mile went from 1.11- 1.06 

HM went from 1.34-1.28

Marathon went from 3.31-3.10

And pretty much all while staying injury free. 

Future goals are to continue running injury free and hopefully keep improving for another little while . My big goals this year are to hopefully improve my 10k time and hopefully get as close as possible to 3.00 for the Marathon. 

Paul Whitford

I went to Andrew as an ‘infrequent jogger’ in June 2020. He set out a training plan for me to complete a personal marathon by early 2021. During training I signed up for an Ultramarathon, which I successfully completed in Feb ‘21, thanks to Andrews guidance and constant support! To the point, knowledgeable and well priced for what you get! - Have and will continue to recommend! 👏🏼