'Will this be my last one? Very well could be. That decision isn't made yet' - Phil Healy savouring final lap
Unbeknownst to Healy until she spotted them in between races, college housemates from her UCC days had shown up at Wednesday's Cork City Sports to offer support.
Spread across West Cork, Waterford, Australia, and New Zealand, full reunions are rare enough occurrences any more.
'I used to live with them from 2013-17. I didn't know they were coming, so it is wonderful to see them here because they have followed my journey the whole way,' said the 30-year-old sprinter.
The journey hasn't very many laps remaining. The journey, in all likelihood, is in its final lap.
Phil's Cork City Sports debut was as a 17-year-old back in 2012. Of the 10 editions since, she's missed just one. It was on this track seven years ago that she became the first Irish woman to crack the 23-second barrier for 200m. Only Rhasidat Adeleke has since bettered that clocking.
Wednesday may well have been Healy's last Cork City Sports outing. This track season might well be her last.
Throwing out such forecasting statements is in no way an attempt to retire the former Irish record holder over 100m and 200m. It is simply listening to her words and attempting to pull meaning from them.
'I've come to Cork City Sports every single year it is on. No matter what shape I am in, I just love coming out here and racing. I am not doing Morton Games on Friday, but I wanted to do Cork,' she tells the Irish Examiner once the college reunion is complete and all group pictures taken.
'I know I am at the tail end of my career, and I know I am never going to get these home meets very often. I travel all over Europe to bronze and silver category meets, but to have your own supportive crowd in your own home city, it is very, very special.
'To have family and friends here, a great quality field, and a meet that for me is so enjoyable, it is just so special to come out here knowing that I've done so much in my career to date. Will this be my last one? Very well could be. That decision isn't made yet. But I obviously have to savour every single one that I do.'
She reveals that Paris last summer was very nearly the last lap. With her 2023 season and form having been scuppered because of the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto's disease, she rebounded in 2024 to reclaim her spot on the 4x400m relay team. The 50.94 she produced on the third leg of the Olympic final was the fastest of her career.
And yet she found herself unable to hang up the spikes when they were within .18 of a medal. Too close to go now. Another lap, another push for a world podium.
'I've done every single major championship and been in the finals, and I suppose you are never going to beat fourth in an Olympic Games. Realistically, I've far more years done in my career than what's left. It is about going out on my terms.
'I did debate last year whether I was going to continue or not. For me always, Paris was going to be the end, but when you come fourth in an Olympic Games, it is very easy to continue.
'And so, it is just about coming out, enjoying it, and obviously you always have that competitive streak and you want to make the relay squads and championships. Before, maybe I took some of them for granted that you were automatically on them, whereas now you are fighting for your spot.
'I have been very lucky injury-wise, just had the broken foot, so I've gone to a major championship every year for 13-years. It does take its toll mentally and physically, but I want to end my career enjoying it and going out on my terms, knowing I've done it all. And if I stop right now, I have.'
But she has no intention of stopping right now. Her 11.77 and 24.05 clockings on Wednesday were rust-busters after two months away from competitive racing. Her annual homecoming appearance done, full focus herein is on the 400m and holding onto her relay spot for the Tokyo World Championships in September.
Adeleke's withdrawal from Friday's Monaco Diamond League is slightly concerning for both the individual herself and Irish relay aspirations. But the fact remains; if the Irish quartet show up in the Japanese capital injury-free and in-form, there's a medal there for them.
'What we have done as a team is mind-blowing and what the team can achieve is crazy. That was the same team that finished sixth at the 2022 Europeans [in 3:26.23]. Then to come fourth in an Olympic Games, the quickest time [3:19.90] to never medal at an Olympics.
'The squad is going to go on and on over the next few years, so Ireland will never again go to a major championship just to make up the numbers. 100% a medal is there for the taking when everything comes right and obviously everybody has to be at the top of their game. We got out there to perform, and if a medal happens, a medal happens.'
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