Phoenix Park - Ice ice baby??

Iron Enthusiast

I'll be doing a run that will take me from the city centre and through the Phoenix park tomorrow evening after it gets dark.
This is the most direct route for me and I was wondering if anyone knows what the ice is like on the paths in the park at the moment - down chesterfield avenue?

(There are grass verges to run on most of the way, but they can get a bit steep at points.)

Many thanks in advance!!:)

nerraw1111

On Sunday afternoon all the paths along Chesterfield Ave were indeed ice ice baby. Was necessary to stick to the grass then.

macinalli

Was there yesterday, paths were icy, stayed on the grass all the way. Also gets very dark at night as soon as you leave the paths - the lights in the Park are nice and quaint but won't be of much use to you tonight...

Iron Enthusiast

Sounds like i'll be running on the grass verge so!

I know what you mean about those gas lamps. They look great but don't really do too much "illuminating":o) I usually just watch out the sound of bike bells and try and see the path ahead by the car headlights!

Sometimes running through there is like sensory deprevation - you can't see anything, theres no noise except the road and your running and theres no distinguishable landmarks besdies the roundabouts to perceive your progress!

sTILL THOUGH, Not a bad place to be after a day in the office!:pac:

menoscemo

Dunno about phoenix park, but the paths In Tymon park were perfectly runnable today even thought hey were like Ice rinks a few days ago. The fresh snow had given a gritty like grip to them today

Ghost Rider

I did a 4 mile circuit of the park on Sunday - mostly on the grass - and it was fine. But a word of advice: if you're doing it at night, stay between the cycle track and the main road (i.e. Chesterfield Avenue). The grass on the other side of the cycle path is often very boggy in places which, right now, means it's iced over.

alive

hey guys,
Just noticed this thread and was wondering how safe running in the phoneix park at night is? I live near the park but have never ventured in after dark, maybe just a chicken!
thanks

onimpulse

I'd say grass verge all the way... it was patchy when I was out, the new snow did give a bit of grip but in places this was compacted again & with it freezing out again now - I'd say it's safer on the grass.

As for is it safe after dark - I cycle home through it - after dark these days, I've never any any trouble on the main road, it seams to be full of people cycling, running, walking etc. I've never been there later than about 8pm though... also, I've never ran there after dark - even though my experience on the bike has been fine I'm still a bit chicken! It's all guys running there after dark as far as I can see, as a girl I wouldn't feel safe - I feel safer on the bike, at least I'd be able to make a quick get away if I needed to, can't say the same for my running!

alive

Thanks onimpulse, I was starting to think I was a total chicken not goin in there but I defo wouldn't be fit to run away from anyone! Think I'll stick to the weekends till the evenings get a little longer!

bren74

the bike path up Chesterfield Avenue was fine between 7-8 tonight, we even managed to pick it up a bit. Caution needed at roundabouts and crossing roads.

Iron Enthusiast

I hear ya, I regularily run in the Park after dark but only along the main Chesterfield Avenue route.
I've never had a problem running there but it can be a lonely stretch of road, especially in the dark. (But while on the bike I've had coins thrown at me and have been clipped by cars etc.. when cycling on the back roads there).

I definitely wouldn't recommend women to run alone there after the sun goes down, as at the end of the day it's very badly lit place and borders the city centre.
There was a thread a good while ago here about a runner who had a knife pulled on him at the North circular Road gate?

All in all the park is a briliant place to train, but like everything I think keeping your eyes open and using your head when choosing when to run/cycle will usually be enough!:)

RRSC

for safer running in the Park after dark - think about joining one of the running clubs near the park in islandbridge . check out www liffeyvalleyac.com which has a thriving womens section for runners of all standards - beginners, improvers, elites even.....

nomadic

Loads of people in the park today. Looked like the pope was coming again at the cross. A little hard going on the bits of fresh snow. Great day for running though.

How Strange

onimpulse wrote: »

As for is it safe after dark.... I've never been there later than about 8pm though... also, I've never ran there after dark - even though my experience on the bike has been fine I'm still a bit chicken! ... as a girl I wouldn't feel safe

Our club go running in the park on a Thursday evening during the winter and we had some scares there on a few occasions. It was nothing but we realised how vulnerable we were and we were girls running in groups. Even in the summer I wouldn't run in the park at dusk.

For the winter evenings stay to the main avenue even if it is boring as hell at least you'll be safe.