Running in the Real World

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Yes in Portugal for the week very hot but getting the runs in early !

Good woman, very dedicated!

Bungy Girl wrote: »

Did you see they've done away with the lovely trail along the Coast road/Watermill Road and are turning it into a footpath :mad: That was my favourite part of the loop!

I did notice that, pity because it's such a quiet side of the park... Now they'll encourage other people to use it!!

Sunday 12th July:12 miles LSR easy
2:03; 10;16/mi; 19.4Km @ 6:23/km

I have not been feeling energetic this week, and this morning was no different. Went out around 10, in through town -- first time ever running down O'Connell St, surprising how busy it was even at that time on a Sunday morning, then down the quays to the Park, dodging pedestrians all the way. Very enjoyable running through town for a change.

Into the Park, in all its glory, turned left at the monument and revisited those Irish Runner 5 mile hills... wait, it's hardly a hill at all . The lovely S bends and up the infamous Upper Glen Road drag before heading for the trails.

The park was really glorious, views of the river and the Dublin mountains, dozens of runners (encountered a few serious looking club groups, recognised 1 or 2 Crusaders passing me at a fair clip). For a while, I was feeling great, a good to be alive kind of run.

After about 8k, I started to feel just wiped out, no energy in my legs, even at a proper slow pace, even with water. Considered the precautionary Leap card in my pocket and whether this might be the day I use it to get home, and what route to take towards public transport... The trails gave me a bit of a boost as they always do, so quiet and traffic free, but decided to leave the park at Ashtown Gate and head home along the canal... I knew this meant I wouldn't hit the planned 13 miles, but I wouldn't have the option to use the Leap card. I decided I didn't actually care about the mileage target.

The canal gave me another bit of a boost, heading downhill towards home always helps and these were my fastest km of the day, partly inspired by a pair of swans (and two nearly full grown cygnets) blocking the path :eek:. The two adults were settled right across the path, a couple of feet apart. There was no way round them that was out of pecking distance... there was no way i was getting between them... or canal side! As I was carefully passing, the one closest to me reared up and that was my fastest 100m Two cyclists coming the other way laughed and I did too... I stopped to look back as the cyclists passed very carefully, making sure the bikes were between them and the swans, the swan reared up again spreading its wings high and wide and wagging its tail... they are big scary birds. That was fun.

Finished up on Clonliffe Road, among the Westmeath fans arriving early, trying to find Croke Park (sorry Tang!). One asked a steward where the Cusack Stand was... you're nearly there love, he says, only another 3 or 4 miles to go. Ah, the oul' Dublin wit.

So, 12 miles/19.4 Km done, a mile short of the plan. I walked the last Km home, legs like jelly, just weary.

On the plus side, the Liffey, the Park, the canal... Dublin has some great places to run.

WTD: 29 Miles/47Km... plan called for minimum 36 miles but I just wasn't feeling the endorphins this week. D reassured me that the first time he did this plan, he only hit 90% of the lower end of the mileage range and not to get too hung up on that... hoping to get the buzz back next week.

Firedance wrote: »

Ah it was you I spotted crossing over at the castleknock gate, did you have earphones in? Well done for not using the leap card, the heat is very draining but according to one of my clubmates itll stand to us all come winter

I did have earphones although I was even fed up with my podcasts by then! Where were you? It wasn't even hot today, perfect running conditions.

Firedance wrote: »

I was just getting into my car, you were heading into the trails on the left of the gate - thought about calling out but spotted the headphones - I was sweaty mess after only 4 miles!!

sorry I missed you... company would have been nice this morning!

Firedance wrote: »

+1! Id like to do that canal route sometime but too chicken to try alone (some dubs are big wuses)

we should definitely coordinate one of these weekends, it's a lovely route, but better with company (you can tackle the swans )

tang1 wrote: »

Its favourable alright, depends how they get over yesterday. Definitely capable of beating Fermanagh.

Should be interesting alright, will have to support the neighbours on this one... but it's great that one of them will get to a quarter final anyway.