- James "Jim" McNamara
Wishing A Very Happy 70th to Jim McNamara
I first met Jim on a dark Thursday evening in November 1999 at Donore Harriers. Jim had been coaching the ladies squad for four years at that stage and was having great success. I had never really run before and a friends’ father who was a member of the club suggested I join. Jim set my first goal in running for me that night – to run out to Palmerstown House and back, a distance of two miles. Having completed the run without stopping I was ecstatic. I had got the bug and haven’t stopped running since and I completely attribute this to Jim.
Jim is the glue that keeps the ladies side in Donore so strong. There is an incredible sense of camaraderie and friendship amongst the girls that is quite unlike anything I have experienced in any other club or organisation. I know I am not alone when I say this, as down through the years so many girls have told me that they feel the same way when they enter the doors of the club. It is also a testament to Jim that when girls leave the club and move on in life to do other things they keep in contact with him. There are always postcards sent to the club for Jim from girls in far flung places like Chicago and Australia. He also regularly meets up with his girls who are still based in Dublin but not running anymore. I have also noticed that some girls who were with Jim a couple of years ago but moved away from Dublin, have rejoined him at the club since moving back to Dublin this year. When you meet Jim he becomes a lifelong friend.
Regardless of your ability or the level you are at, Jim is always interested in developing you as runner. He has the same passion for the Meet & Train League as he has for the Cross Country. I think this is what really separates Jim from other coaches. He just loves to see us run and it’s as simple at that. If you stray from the club for a while, or decide to take a break from running, Jim will always welcome you back with open arms and a big smile when you return. Some of the most incredible things about him are that he is totally forgiving, never holds a grudge and never judges you. I have also never heard Jim speak ill of anyone, he only has good things to say about others. He wants to talk about how well people are running and how much of an improvement they are making. He only focuses on the positive.
Jim has had what would seem like a very disproportionate share of sadness in his life. He has suffered bereavement and many family difficulties, but you would never be aware of this. He is always in good form. To moan or complain just isn’t in his nature. He has had an incredible career in athletics including representing Ireland in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Of course this is something you find out about for yourself, Jim never tells you. One thing he does like to speak about however, are the intensive training sessions he did at his peak – 40 x 200 metre sprints in the morning and then a long run later the same day. He speaks about these sessions as if he is reliving the sheer thrill of them.
Something that not everyone might be aware of is that Jim is at heart a very shy person. He says that running has helped him compensate and overcome his shyness. He has a great sense of humour and infectious laugh! I think every girl in Donore can say that it is their privilege to know Jim and that their life has been made better for having Jim in it.
On behalf of all Donore members I would like to wish Jim a very Happy 70th Birthday.
Cliodhna
