After living abroad for four years and moving home last year, I still very much feel like I am becoming reacquainted with Ireland. Now living in Wicklow, I’m taking full advantage of everything that’s on my doorstep; the mix of both mountains and sea really offers so much from a training and running perspective.

My week of training always includes strength and conditioning, zone two/cardio, and getting outside in nature for a run with plenty of doggo walks. While wellness and moving my body are still a number one priority, now that I have two kids, I tend to lean into quick, effective workouts, with convenience playing a key factor. Those days of swanning around the gym are well and truly gone, and actually, as a result, I’ve become far more consistent and productive with my time.

So if you’re a busy mum or perhaps looking to add a new trail or training spot to your list, here are some of my regulars.

Running routes

My daily go-to trail: Kindlestown woods

Smack bang on my doorstep, this is where I walk or run most days with our kids and dogs. When we moved to Wicklow, I felt like we had discovered a hidden gem. It’s the perfect mix of hills, woodland trails and sea views throughout. It ticks the box for so many reasons; you can reach the highest point within 15 minutes (perfect for little legs joining the hike) and enjoy those epic sea views stretching from Bray to Greystones. It gives big wow factor feels for little effort. Equally, those looking to challenge themselves can take a longer loop. You will meet lots of friendly dogs off the lead, something I love to see!

A morning walk here and nipping to the Fire House Bakery or Pigeon House in Delgany for breakfast afterwards is my perfect morning.

Scenic run: Vartry lakes in Roundwood

My husband John introduced me to Vartry Lakes 10 years ago and it’s become a firm favourite of mine. You have the option to run a nice 3km loop around the lakes or push on even further, reaching up to 21km (I tend to choose the shorter option). On a day with blue skies, the view of the lakes is pretty breathtaking. This view definitely takes my mind off how far I’m running and really allows me to soak in my surroundings.

It would be hard not to mention the Roundwood Stores and The Coach House because let’s be honest, meeting for a run with pals is great, but the coffee afterwards might just be the best part. The porridge here is 10/10.

Run and family fun: Belmont Demesne

Since becoming a mum, I’m often trying to think of ways that we can combine family activities while sneaking in a quick training session… multitasking!

Belmont Demise in Wicklow has both mountain-biking and walking trails. They even have a little bike track for smaller kids. So, if you have an extra set of hands who can help entertain the kids with bike tracks or see the farm animals, you can very easily enjoy a 30-minute trail run and all meet up in Café 28, which is on the grounds. Plus, it’s dog-friendly!

My go-to gym: No.17 Personal Training, Dublin City Centre

This is the reason I fell in love with strength training, so of course, No.17 Personal Training is on my list of destinations. Operating out of the very cool Vaults on Upper Hatch Street and the gorgeous Leinster Hotel Merrion Square, No.17 PT has some of the best coaches in Ireland (in my opinion). I was 25 at the time when I tried my first class here and I remember thinking, “Oh, this is it; this is what people talk about when they say good endorphins”.

I loved the style of training, learning new movements while gaining confidence with my technique. So much so, this spurred me on to study Personal Training. If you want to learn to move better, meet your training goals with a coach who truly cares – this is the place to put at the top of your list.

Group training: Ignite Fitness Delgany

I’ve always found that if I have a training partner or train in a group, I ultimately push myself so much more. As I returned to the training after having my baby boy, I really wanted to find somewhere that was close to home but somewhere that I loved to train.

From the playlists to the style of classes and coaching, Ignite Fitness has become one of my favourite places to train, offering a lot of variety when it comes to their classes. If you have an upcoming Hyrox or simply enjoy training alongside others, check out Ignite Fitness. Oh, and The Fat Fox coffee drive-through is conveniently on route for a caffeine hit pre-training.

Beach runs

I love running by the sea, it’s simply good for the soul. One of my favourite things to do is a beach workout, incorporating running on the sand, some bodyweight exercises, and finishing with a sea swim (when the weather allows, of course). I’ll be very honest, I’m more of a summer sea swimmer in Ireland. Here are my three favourite spots.

Lahinch Beach, Co Clare The perfect sandy beach for running with a backdrop of the Cliffs of Moher. Also, a brilliant spot for surfing if you have this on your list to try.

Strandhill, Co Sligo A really nice mix of terrain for those looking to challenge themselves, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Knocknarea mountain. Option to run on the beach for approximately two kilometres or create a longer looped run. To finish this off, pop to Shells Café at the beachfront for breakfast and coffee.

Greystones, Co Wicklow Running along Greystones beach to the Marina and a small loop around the village to finish. This run is definitely more about the sauna and swim finisher for me. You can book in ahead of time at Fad Saoil Saunas, have a quick dip in the sea, followed by coffee at Rise at the Cove. The perfect Saturday morning plans.