A newbie on the block...

dejanp

Hi all,

not sure how to start the thread, already did delete few versions...

I'm a runner. A guy that started jogging for fun 10 years ago and made of it a great love.
Now, ok ok Berlin 2012 and since then always long beating injuries in fall marathon preparation cycle...marathon PB of 2:48:58.

I'm from Croatia, and starting November, moving from Poland to Ireland and Dublin - new job...

I'm in search of redemption, for being beaten down with all sort of injuries since my "heroic" 4min/km marathon pace... for that path, I'm seeking some help. A track, trails, races, community resources... And as I'm completely new to Dublin, hopefully some crew to have a chat/run/chocolate milk recovery...

help?

Thnx in advance!

Cheers,
Dejan

iAcesHigh

Always nice to get a buddy from home country welcome to the forum and I'm sure you'll have some lovely time and get a bunch of great feedback since I was in identical situation (just for triathlon training) a bit more than a year ago and people from this forum were really helpful.

If you're going to stay in South Dublin you can take a look at suggestions I actually got not that long ago when I asked for running tracks in that part of the town. (LINK). If you're not from that part, well, specify the area you plan to live/work/run in and I'm sure there will be people who can help you out here...

When it comes to races and community, well everything depends on what you're looking for - more marathons, maybe some trail running or...? Clubs or just a few running partners?

RayCun

yeah, post where you're based and you'll get loads of suggestions of clubs

you could take a look at BHAA for their winter season of races

and find out where your local parkrun is, a good way to meet up with runners from your area

dejanp

thnx all for quick replies
now to summ up in one reply...

My rental is at Sandyford. Tried to pick something close to mountains

I've already done some parkruns here in Poland. So I did a bit of goggling beforehand for Dublin and some picks are Marlay are Cabinteely. Marlay looks more technically, and fitness, challenging which is what I'm looking for
I'm generally interested in marathon but marathon path starts with 100m also My lean speed is awfull, leg stride short as school boy's ruler so my aim is to get kicked even in a mile...

And, in Ireland behave like an Irish sorry to say, but in Croatia there is no xc, so I would like to experience and enjoy those kind of events.
I just adore mountains and I tend to do my long runs on that kind of course so mountain races and trail running would be also a great way to run and experience Ireland.

I'll be doing shift work which is: start 6am & end 4pm - 4 days on followed by 3 days off. Shifts are Sunday to Wednesday and Wednesdays to Saturday.
So, I'll need to be somewhat smart and pick

If there is some kind of website with schedules of all running events in Dublin & or Ireland, it would be most helpful to get some perspective which off day to pick: Sunday or Saturday.

Club or partner? well, I don't have any pick...I've been a club member for years and absolutely enjoyed that "family". For last 5 years I've been on my own almost all the time... Think that club would be maybe a better option not only because of the running but also to blend in to Ireland and Dublin and essentially become the part of the society...In any community work that club would be involved, I would also happily jump in!

RayCun

Sandyford is within range of Brothers Pearse, you should join them.
Okay, us.

Not much hill running in the winter, but it picks up again in the spring, keep an eye on https://www.imra.ie/

There's no overall list of races unfortunately

opus

One of the people in the parkrun volunteer group in Cork (who's from Germany) said to me joining the group was his first time moving outside of the 'ex-pat bubble' to meet Irish people so maybe running one of those parkruns close to you & then volunteering would work for you as well.

There seems to be some sort of Irish run/race list launching soon - http://gorun.ie/ that might help you out.

Sacksian

dejanp wrote: »

I just adore mountains and I tend to do my long runs on that kind of course so mountain races and trail running would be also a great way to run and experience Ireland.

...

Club or partner? well, I don't have any pick...I've been a club member for years and absolutely enjoyed that "family". For last 5 years I've been on my own almost all the time... Think that club would be maybe a better option not only because of the running but also to blend in to Ireland and Dublin and essentially become the part of the society...In any community work that club would be involved, I would also happily jump in!

Based on what you've said, I think Rathfarnham would be your best bet. They've a good standard of runner covering every discipline, including xc and track but they seem to be very well represented in mountain running and IMRA too - the location helps, I suppose.

http://www.athleticsrathfarnham.ie/

RayCun

yes, they're a good alternative

menoscemo

dejanp wrote: »

thnx all for quick replies
now to summ up in one reply...

My rental is at Sandyford. Tried to pick something close to mountains

I've already done some parkruns here in Poland. So I did a bit of goggling beforehand for Dublin and some picks are Marlay are Cabinteely. Marlay looks more technically, and fitness, challenging which is what I'm looking for

Marlay is a bigger parkrun in terms of numbers but it is pretty fast and flat.
Cabinteely is way tougher with 3 big hills if that is what you are into .

As for clubs. Tallaght AC would be your best bet. We have a lovely tartan track for training (unlike the bothers pearse grass track ) and do out long runs in the mountains.

If you enjoy mountain running, Look into IMRA for a list of regular mountain race.

Enduro

dejanp wrote: »

My rental is at Sandyford. Tried to pick something close to mountains

And, in Ireland behave like an Irish sorry to say, but in Croatia there is no xc, so I would like to experience and enjoy those kind of events.
I just adore mountains and I tend to do my long runs on that kind of course so mountain races and trail running would be also a great way to run and experience Ireland.

I'll be doing shift work which is: start 6am & end 4pm - 4 days on followed by 3 days off. Shifts are Sunday to Wednesday and Wednesdays to Saturday.
So, I'll need to be somewhat smart and pick

If there is some kind of website with schedules of all running events in Dublin & or Ireland, it would be most helpful to get some perspective which off day to pick: Sunday or Saturday.

Sandyford is an excellent location for training in the hills. Possibly the best in Ireland for the combination of access to the hills and access to races throughout the year (As well as access to the city). You're only a few minutes running time from the base of the mountains, and you can run for hours in the Dublin / Wicklow mountains from there. I'm based nearby and do the vast majority of my training in the hills.

As the others have said, IMRA is the go-to place for all mountain running races in Ireland (well, the Republic anyway). It's a bit of a quiet time at the moment, with only one more race before christmas, but the winter league will kick off in January. IMRA weekend races are run on a mixture of Saturdays and Sundays to keep everyone equally unhappy!

If you're interested in running longer distances in the mountains then send an entry in for the Art O'Neill race before the application cut-off date (race is in early January).

There is no Dublin running club that has an active hill-running programme, and I haven't heard of any of their coaches who would have any interest in hill running (tends to be quite the opposite). Most of the clubs will have one or two hill runners as members. So I wouldn't choose any particular club on that criteria. DSD seem to do at least some of their training in Marlay park, so are probably the closest club to get to sessions for you.

Most people do their mountain training runs off their own bat, or with a group of friends. There are some more oganised groups, like trailheads, but they're much deeper into Wickow.

dejanp

Thnx all for great tips!

I'm coached on long distance relationship bases
so, I'm not looking for a group that has a program that fits me, but more a way to build new friendships and not loose my mind by constantly changing between lonely runs and office hours...
so, just to know if there are some clubs, groups etc so I could have in mind that there is somebody over there and if I get enough courage

IMRA I found out already on my own and yes, it's pretty much quiet so I thought that there is something more out there. Eventually I stumbled on runireland.com with it's calendar is also great source.

Tallaght AC - nice sports center
but, you 2 don't start fighting over me I'll check you out both of you

But guys, just to make it clear, I'm not pro I just love running
And I don't mind getting dirty with trail and cross country muddy runs

RayCun

We do this every time someone posts looking for a club
Your best bet is to think about when and where you would like to train and see which club suits that. If it's hard to get to the sessions you won't get as much out of the club

Finglas Flier

.....And running a side...a big welcome to Ireland and Dublin in particular.... :-)