Leevale's Niamh Allen on balancing motherhood and elite sport

This time last year, Niamh Allen was far from a household name in Irish athletics. 

Even after finishing 10th at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya last December, her name might not have stood out, until you add one remarkable detail: she achieved that top-10 finish just four months after giving birth. Suddenly, the story takes on a whole new meaning.

It’s easy to frame mothers in sport solely through the lens of their postpartum feats. While others struggle through sleepless nights, the idea of someone competing on the biggest stage can seem almost inconceivable. But Allen’s achievements go far beyond motherhood.

The Cork native herself admitted the doubts have crept in. Was last year’s performance a one-off? Could it have been a fluke to perform well so soon after giving birth?

“I’m trying to manage my emotions after the race and the scenario if it doesn’t go well and being conscious that I can’t have all the expectation on myself. Last year was maybe a fluke, I don’t know, I’m nervous to say otherwise,” Allen told Athletics Ireland.

Since her breakthrough summer, Allen has stepped back from regular racing to focus on returning to work. That decision adds an element of uncertainty heading into the 123.ie National Senior Cross Country Championships in Derry on Sunday.

“I've kind of taken a bit of a step back from competing because I started a new job. I said to myself, ‘look, just, you know, take a step back’ and work on the base training.

“Cross was always going to be my number one, and I knew that was going to be in the diary… I'm hoping to qualify and go to the Euros again.”

The 30-year-old joked that, despite a hectic schedule, she’s less sleep-deprived now than when she lined up in Irvinestown last November, just 12 weeks after giving birth to daughter Lily, where she finished second.

I keep telling myself I can be no more sleep fatigued than I was this time last year. So that's a good sign."

Under the guidance of Leevale’s Donie Walsh, Allen has transformed from a 9:26 3k runner to cementing herself between marathon stalwarts Catriona McKiernan and Maria McCambridge on the Irish all-time list for the track distance.

The marathon may be calling sooner rather than later for Allen who is considering a crack at the 26.2-mile distance next year.

“All the coaches I’ve had pinpointed the marathon, I’d like to do a bit of speed while I still can... I follow whatever Donie says; he’s the coach extraordinaire.

“We are looking at next year. We’d likely go abroad, maybe Berlin, Valencia, to get a proper go. I’d love to do Dublin as well.” 

STELLAR

After a stellar summer that saw her claim both the 5k and 10k track national titles, Allen is hoping that come Sunday the hard work with Walsh will pay off.

I hope that through this training block that I've had, I'm probably in better shape than I was training and competing. 

"I'm hoping that I have built up a bit of a base and can show that now because I have had a bit of a break from racing.” 

And for anyone lining up against her on Sunday, here’s a warning: despite juggling a four-day workweek and a toddler, Allen will get two full nights of sleep before race day, a luxury compared to last year.

“We're going through a bit of a regression with sleep at the moment. So my husband… said, Friday night, try and sleep in your parents.

“Then I'll be travelling up with a few of my team-mates on Saturday morning. So I know that'll be another good night's sleep. I'm actually looking forward to whatever about the race, but just having a little hotel stay and having a proper night's sleep, hopefully.”