This week we’re talking to Paddy O’Leary, a runner for The North Face, cancer researcher at UCSF, and the former co-lead of November Project SF. Paddy spent his childhood in Ireland growing up on a farm. His first athletic love was lacrosse, which he played at an international level before moving to SF and falling in love with running through the November Project. He shares how running helped him find his community in San Francisco and fall in love with all the city and the local trails and how that love transformed him into a professional athlete. Paddy shares what it was like returning to Ireland to chase the Wicklow Round FKT and how his Battle of the Bay Challenge and the Trial of Miles Chase the Throne challenge have kept him exploring, competitive, and connected during the pandemic. Plus we geek out on science and how this past year will shape the future of research and collaboration.
Some highlights from our conversation:
💫 What inspired him to create the Battle of the Bay challenge
👑 Getting to the final four of the Bay Area Chase the Throne
🌍 Racing on 5 continents in a single year
😬 Accidentally “losing” Corrine Malcolm while pacing her on her Tahoe Rim Trail FKT
🥳 How November Project SF gave him community and sparked his love of running
⚡️The story behind his Wicklow Round FKT (check out link to documentary below)
🌄 Learning to love and explore the trails in your own backyard
💨 Why wind is his least favorite running weather
🙌 How SFRC gave him the confidence to pursue running professionally
🏃‍♂️His love for cross country and why it is awesome ultra training
🔥 Running a 2:20 marathon on 50-mile ultra running training
🔬Why he doesn’t apply the scientific methodology that he uses as a cancer biologist in his approach to running
🔑 His key to fitting it all in
⏳ What helped him discover that he didn’t want to stop working and run full-time
💉 How the collaboration within the scientific community last year inspires him
Follow Paddy on Twitter and Instagram @poleary87, check out the Battle of the Bay Challenge, Chase the Throne, and Coming Home the documentary about Paddy’s Wicklow Round FKT.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @Runnersofthebay
Check out our website www.runnersofthebay.com and send us an e-mail at [email protected].
This week’s episode with Paddy O’Leary is brought to you by:
EverAthlete, the online strength and mobility training community for outdoor enthusiasts!  Visit evertathlete.fit and use code ROTB50 to get 50% off your first month!
UCAN.  Go to ucan.co/discount/ROTB/ for 15% off your order!
Music is California by The Spectacular Fantastic.

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