BETTER KNOW A STABLEMATE—TREVOR O’DONOVAN

Trevor O’Donovan is a multipotentialite. 

What is your name?

Trevor O’Donovan.

What is your favourite colour?

Black.

What is your favourite word?

Schism.

Who is your favourite musician?

Favourite band is Tool, an American prog rock group. Each musician in the band are masters of their individual instruments, including the vocalist. Recently been mesmerised by Buddy Rich’s drumming as well.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My wife says intelligence, but I would say stubbornness.

What talent would you like to have?

Would love to be a world-class chef.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Apart from the obvious answer of marrying my wife and creating our two daughters (have to say that). My biggest achievement is running with the bulls in Pamplona, not once, but three times in a week. I never thought I would have the nerves to go through with it. Was probably still drunk for each one, as they are held at 8 a.m. each morning. I had plenty of Dutch courage. Not the most animal-friendly of festivals, I must admit; I didn’t know any better back then.

Who are your heroes in history?

I’m fascinated by computers, so it ranges from the inventor Charles Babbage to the innovator Alan Turing, and most recently the creator of the world wide web, Timothy Berners-Lee. To think what computers have evolved into from something as simple as 1s and 0s is staggering.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My wife. Who else could put up with me, look after our two terrors, and all this after spending the day teaching a class full of smallies (senior infants.) She’s always so positive and cheerful—it makes me sick. Plus, she’s a better runner than I ever will be.

What is your idea of happiness?

I honestly don’t think I could ever be fully happy, as I am a full-on pessimist. I could imagine ways that would make me happy but would then find ways that would spoil that idea. People look back at achievements in their lives and are proud, whereas I would look back at things that went wrong and wallow in the regret again.

Where would you most like to live?

West Coast of America, somewhere like L.A. or San Fran. Always a dream of mine to live in the States. Would pick the West Coast for the weather and career opportunities. Think I would fit in there better than Ireland.

What profession would you like to attempt?

Would love to be a professional climber. My two girls are natural climbers, and I used to be similar when I was their age. I’m going to join their club as soon as lockdown is over. Might help with my core as well.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Apart from running shoes, it’s either the latest tech gadget or some pointless accessory for our two kittens. For some reason, I have purchased all available types of cat litter in the market.

What is your most treasured possession?

I feel like a child when I say blanket. I need extra warmth at night to sleep, whereas my wife is the opposite. So, I need double or triple blankets to keep me in a deep sleep during the night

Why did you start running?

In my head, to keep fit. In reality, to GET fit. “Training” five-a-side soccer once a week was all the exercise I did. Luckily, looking back now, the astroturf was not kind to my ankles and feet, so I had to stop. It was either running or cycling. After trying a few bike rides in previous years, I knew my arse wouldn’t enjoy the saddle soreness.

What does running mean to you now?

Running is part of my life now. It’s like second nature to go for an hour’s run—or more—most days. I never realised how unfit I always was until I started running. I was never one for pushing myself in anything that I’ve tried, but it’s different with running. I find myself motivating myself to become a better runner all the time. It’s a bit like EAT DRINK SLEEP RUNNING.

What do you like about Stazza’s Stable?

Running can be a tough, lonely hobby, so being in a group like Stazza’s Stable can make it seem like you’re not doing it by yourself. It also gives you insight into how other people are training, and the comfort that even superstars can die a death during sessions. Great spirit and friendliness flows through the group, along with some wine-induced ramblings of a madman. 😂

What is your motto?

Spiral out. Taken from a Tool song which is based on the Fibonacci spirals. Meaning, to keep expanding and improving yourself no matter what you think the boundaries are. Experience new things that make you uncomfortable. Push the envelope, watch it bend.