Irish Runner 5 mile - My Experience

After running the Vienna marathon this year I took two months of running in May and June. Main focus of my training was on weightlifting and I also could not face running any more. Kind of had fallen out of love with it. Still I had booked myself in for the entire Dublin race series and on 27.06.2015 it was time for the Irish Runner 5 mile. Last year I finished in 32:42 and this year in 37:01.

How to get to the Dublin race series events in Phoenix Park

I personally travel in from Maynooth and like to get in by Castleknock gate. Over the years I found it to be best to arrive one hour to one and a half hours before race start to get a parking spot and avoid being in front of a closed gate. This also enables you to enjoy the good weather, which somehow is mostly the case for the events,and check out the area. Do your visit to the Port a loo, some stretches and one or two sprints. That at at least works well for me.

Good atmosphere at the race

The commentator was gas as usually pointing out how relaxed the race officials were. As always there were lots of helpers and thanks to the Dunboyne scouts who took care of handing out the goodie bags. In total there were roughly 3600 runner present in all sizes and shapes from young to old. The Bootcamp warm up and FM104 were also present as usually. Asics also sponsors the event series now. which I come to recognize that Asics seems to follow a strategy in Europe too sponsor all of these events. I saw them at the Frankfurt marathon and in Vienna, too. 

The start

I was not sure if i was able tor un under 40 this year, as my training really lacked behind. At first i got into the 40 - 50 minute bracket and then remembered that I ran the Fingal 10K last year in 39:58. So basically I came to grips that I ran two kilometers more in under 40 and made my way to wave one. Usually this kind of thinking is a recipe for disaster and I started off. I kept my pace at 4:30 on the kilometer and was happy that I actually could run that without a lot of hassle. My recent training has been way worse...

The hills

I kept the same pace for the first two miles. I think mile marker 2, 3 and 4 were slightly off mark. At the hilly part of the race down in Phoenix Park my pace dropped to 5 minutes on the kilometer, but it was not too much of a struggle. Was actually surprised that I went a lot better than expected. Cam through fine with some runners passing me on the hills, but mainly me passing others, which is always a good feeling.

The last mile

I finished the last mile strong finishing above the average of 7.25 per mile going below the seven minute mark. If I can achieve this for the Dublin marathon this year I would be a very happy man. A pace run was scheduled anyway for this day. 

The finish of the Irish Runner

I crossed the line with a 37 on the clock and was delighted to have stayed under 40 minutes. It baffles me how generous the Dublin race series team is with what they put in the goodie bags. The Germans over at Frankfurt did not as good a job. The most awesome thing I have at home now is a Dublin race series mug, which will get plenty of use for my future cups of tea. See you at the next race. I am back on running track. Next goal is to beat my 10k best.