Paul Pollock: Double Olympic Irish marathon runner

Since becoming a professional athlete back in 2014,  I have represented Ireland at every major championships (Euros, Worlds, Commonwealths, Olympics). I had been hoping to make it 3 Olympics in a row in Paris 2024. However, following a tear in my Achilles in early 2024, the only option available was surgery and just like that, my French Olympic dream was over. 

My last run was over 9 months ago. I am more unfit than I have been in over twenty years. The surgeon said that I may never run competitively again. At 38 years old, currently with my foot in a boot, unable to walk, having been unable to do any form of exercise for the past two months, no-one would bet on me making the next Olympics. No-one that is, except perhaps me.

Follow me on this long road back from surgery, learn how I will build back muscle strength, the challenges to overcome in walking again, my training approach to regain fitness and all the other various bumps along the way to wherever this crazy journey may lead.