Long runs

clem

Hi,
I would like to run the Marathon this year for the first time. I gather running on soft ground is best but can someone recommend a route in Dublin that is softer than running on the road. Do I have to clock up the miles running laps in the park? Is it wrong to run the 20 milers on the road?

Cheers
Clem

tunney

Some say yes, some say no.

Depends on your weight, your running style and alot more.

Personally I prefer to run in the park, albeit mostly on the run in the park because its more interesting than running around Dublin estates.

Krusty_Clown

I'm only in training mode myself, also as a marathon first timer, but have completed a lot of long runs while training for various half's, and so far have done 1 x 18 mile, and 3 x 20 miles (and many, many 10-13 mile runs) for the Longford Marathon in August. I'd imagine that running on grass or other suitable soft surface would be ideal, but difficult in practise, given the distance. The boredom of doing a 20 mile run in a park would get to me after a short while, unless you have a large park available. So I've been doing my mid-week runs in the park, and long runs on the road, in various interesting different routes, which both keeps me motivated and keeps the runs interesting.

Some parks with good surfaces:
1) Marley Park 2-3 miles (depending on route)
2) Shagannagh Park - 2-3 miles (depending on route)
3) Cabinteely Park - Not sure, but a little hilly
3) Phoenix Park - Not sure but plenty more than 3 miles!

Might be a good idea for a sticky, to list some locations/parks with good surfaces.

--amadeus--

A lot depends on your history and preference. What I will say is that the marathon is on concrete and tarmac and if you do all (or most) of your training on soft surfaces your ankles, knees and hips will be in agony by mile 18 of the race as they won't be used to the impact of hard surface running.

earlyevening

I like running on the grass verge on the promenade between Clontarf and Sutton. I live in the city centre and its 8 out, 8 back to St. Fintans High School in Sutton. Then, if I'm looking to go further I'll do my five mile extension out to Merrion gates along the prom in Sandymount. Not too heavy on the joints, no traffic lights really etc etc

How Strange

I run in the Phoenix Park all the time and do all my long runs there. Contrary to what some people say, it's not boring at all.

You can alternate between hard and soft surfaces. I wouldn't run solely on soft surfaces as I can't see how that would be good for you in the long term considering your goal of the marathon will be done on a hard surface.

Log onto mapmyrun.com and find a route around the park which will cover your distance. It may mean you do a route two or three times but once you're focused on the run you'll hardly notice it.

RacoonQueen

I read recently, I think it was in runners world, that due to the technology in running shoes now it doesn't make a difference whether you run on hard or soft ground as the shoes are now capable of absorbing enough shock on hard surfaces to protect your joints etc... I'll try to dig out the article later.
I tend to do my long runs in the phoenix park or run down to the grand canal, down to baggot street around down to stephens green one lap of that park and back towards the canal via harcourt street, they give me different routes to do for my long runs. Short runs are usually in the war memorial park. You can probably tell I tend to run on tarmac and concrete.