For my first run in Dublin it was cool (about 50) and raining (mostly a light drizzle). This is usually a bad combination for me, but today I had a really nice run. The rain was actually refreshing, and I enjoyed running through Ireland. There are plenty of bike paths, but I didn't quite get to the sea as I wanted - maybe tomorrow. I'll call it 13 in 1:52.
04-17-07
After talking with some of my clients, I learned that I was indeed very close to the sea during yesterday's run - I just didn't know it. So I figured out how to go to get along the seaside road (about 2.5 miles) and then ran along the road for miles and miles. The sun was just beginning to come up. I went through Dun Lougri and past the Dalkey Castle, up to an abbey on the sea. It was really a beautiful run. It was tough coming back to the hotel with some challenging hills. I'm calling it 13 miles with splits of 56, 55 minutes.
04-18-07
I enjoyed yesterday's run so much, I did it again. This one was just as enjoyable, but a wee bit faster: splits were 54, 53 minutes. Not too bad because I didn't feel all that great. I do wish I could get down to below 8 minute pace though. I'll take it anyway.
04-20-07
Same route once again. This time was the fastest yet. The day off helped. My splits were 52.5 and 51.5, so I finally achieved 8 minute per mile pace. Woo hoo. It sure *felt* fast. And just as enjoyable as the other runs.
04-21-07
Here I'll take from my Dan in Dublin blog:
I thought my Ireland running couldn’t be much nicer than that run to the sea, but it’s really nice in County Meath as well. I ran to the village and then along a canal, where there was a path of variable quality – some mud, some rocks, some cow flops, some cows, some sheep, some crushed gravel, etc. But all of it very serene. The green Irish hills and pastures loom in the background. Trees line most parts of the canal. Maybe running did get a bit better.
So after nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes of slow trail running, I get back to the hotel and, for reasons that I can’t think of, went into the spa/gymnasium. There I saw a notice about the Spa’s annual triathlon. It was to take place that very same day. I somehow gathered that there were both individuals and teams, and then, of course, asked if there were any teams that needed a runner. Of course there was. Before I knew it, I was involved. Show up at half-past 11. “Oh yeah,” I said as an afterthought, “how far is this run?” 5.2 kilometers.
Could I go out and do it again after all that trail running? I figured I could probably make the distance. After breakfast and a cold bath to recover, I went back down to the spa. Do I owe any money? No. Who and where are my teammates? They’re around somewhere – don’t worry about them. Follow Liz to get started. But it’s only ten after 11. Doesn’t matter, we’re just starting everyone in groups of 3, and in this case, 2. You can go now.
So me and Jenny started running towards town, hoping to not get lost (the directions were pretty simple, and there was a biker on the course to help). I got ahead of Jenny and then saw the biker, who yelled some words of encouragement as I went by. He was escorting another runner in. Later on he caught up and rode along with me as I looped through town and began heading back to the hotel. He continued to encourage me, and at one point told me I was doing 10 miles per hour. I slowed a bit towards the finish because there’s a hill to overcome, not to mention strong winds. I finished strong with the biker almost alongside and with Liz and about two others cheering madly. Liz kissed me. You just don’t get this kind of running experience (at least by race officials) at home. My time was 20:26, a PR for 5.2 km. And better yet, by beating Jenny, I had “won” the third or so race of my life. The others were equally low-key. I wish I knew how I did in relation to the other runners. When will I know the official results? There will be a picnic in July where they will be announced. How did my team do? Who knows?
04-22-07
Another nice run in County Meath: 18 miles all on roads this time. But some along side the canal too. Narrow, winding roads with high hedge rows made it scary at times. I saw a fox crossing the road in front of me. Herons in the canal too. Another good one here in Ireland.
Afterwards, I did some weights and then it was back to Leopardstown. That means walk, ride train, walk, ride train, walk. I still had time to do some sightseeing that day, but I was so tired I just crashed for the whole afternoon.
04-23-07
Back in Leopardstown, I did the usual 13 once again. I took the camera, hoping for a nice sunrise. It stayed cloudy, but I had a good solid and enjoyable run. 1:43 - the fastest yet. I have a few more days - can I continue to improve these times?
04-24-07
After yesterday's good run, and after lots of miles in the last few, I was pretty worthless today. Too bad I couldn't have made it to the sea because it was a pretty morning. I did jog around Leopardstown a bit: over to the race track and then up to Sandyford and back for 6 total.
04-25-07
Today I felt revived after yesterday's easy one. I went out fast, and stayed strong the whole way. I did the usual Leopardstown to Dalkey run, this time fastest of all: 1:40:4x. There may even have been a tempo run in there somewhere.
It was another beautiful morning, with a few spits and spots of rain, but also a great sunrise.
Later in the day, I almost made it to another race:
Douglas Barry
And to Dan who's in Dublin at the moment. Just up the
road from you at
Leopardstown is Three Rock Mountain (look to the west
and you'll see the
mountain with a mast on it). There's a short race on it
tomorrow (Wed 25th)
at 7.30. Go to www.imra.ie and you'll get the details.
Try it as I should be there too: my eldest son is
running in it.
I tried to catch Douglas a couple hours prior to the race to
ask if he could pick me up. He probably didn't check his email
before the end of the day, because I didn't hear from him. So
I thought I'd try to walk to the race. It appeared to be about
3 miles from my hotel. I can look out my window and see the
mountain. I made it about half-way and then I came to an
extremely narrow road without sidewalks where the traffic was
zooming by. There was no place to walk at all. So I turned
back. Oh well. I had already had my run for the day anyway.
I've probably got only got one more run here in Ireland before
heading home. I'll probably do the usual run to Dalkey and
back. Hard to beat that one.
04-26-07
I wanted to get 10 more in, and I wanted to run down to the sea for one last time on this trip. I was tired, slow and dizzy, but I was generally successful for these things. I got down to some paths right on the sea and went back and forth a bit. Then over to Blackrock and back.
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