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A/R/TIST IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Murph_D
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Swashbuckler wrote: »Great choice. Hopefully I'm not repeating any questions;
Jaysus, another very long set of Qs. Good job I’m injured this week!1. What's the worst you've ever felt in a race ie when, where and why?
I had to think about this. Which suggests (again) that maybe I don’t hurt enough in races. I suppose the standout is the second half of Boston Marathon 2016, where there were whole stages that felt like wading through syrup, and at one point I realised I was a whole 5k behind where I’d thought I was. A lot of the Irish contingent suffered that day, as it was unseasonably warm, but the locals seemed to be doing fine, so the disillusionment with being passed by streams of runners for what felt like hours and hours was very humbling indeed. And I believe I was in the best shape of my life going in, to make matters worse. Should have adapted the expectations to match the conditions and salvaged a respectable run, but hindsight is wonderful.2. Aside from Dublin what's the best race you've taken part in?
Depends how you define ‘best’. In terms of organisation, the same Boston marathon. In terms of sheer enjoyment, maybe Run The Line last year, although I wasn’t racing it. Howth's Fat Turkey 10k is a blast too. In terms of atmosphere, the Road Relays. In terms of performance, the recent 800m at Tullamore, by a country mile.3. Do you have a favorite distance to race?
I’ve already declared 10m and I’ll stick to that. I’m disappointed to have to drop out of tomorrow’s Frank Duffy, a race I’ve done every year since 2012.4. Have you enjoyed your XC experiences?
Do I look like I’m enjoying myself here?
I was delighted not to get lapped in this year’s Dublin Masters. But the endless 4-mile BHAA race in Tymon Park last January felt like the hardest yet. It certainly toughens you up!5. Whos your hero?
Anna and I were once in a restaurant in Greece, where the walls were lined with stunning, haunting, black and white pictures of rugged-looking men and women in a mountain village somewhere. We asked the owner about them, and he said simply, "These are my heroes" - the ordinary people of his home village, who had, he believed, done extraordinary things in their lives.
My heroes tend to be people like that too - quiet, unsung heroes who fight against the odds, usually anonymously, for the greater good of everyone.6. Proudest moment outside of running?
The birth of my daughters.7. Biggest disappointment in running?
Getting whipped by Bungy Girl in The Lakes 10k smackdown! :pac:
Apart from that - I’ve missed many targets, but I tend not to dwell on bad results - they’re all part of the process. To be honest, the most disappointing miss was probably the 4:02 on my marathon debut.8. Best Guinness in Dublin?
Gaffney’s in Fairview, is as good as anywhere else. Otherwise it wouldn’t be my local.9. Best moment in the history of professional athletics?
I’m not at all knowledgeable about athletics, strictly an armchair enthusiast, and only the big occasions at that. A lot of the big names leave me cold. My favourite moment was probably seeing Sonia O’Sullivan’s 1995 World 5,000, from a barstool in Killybegs, appropriately enough.10. Crisps or chocolate?
Why not both? OK, chocolate.
Enjoyed those Qs, thanks P.0 -
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I’ve been fortunate enough on this front, relatively injury-free over the seven years since I took up running. I have a prolapsed disc - predating my running days - that gives me trouble every so often (the source of my unplanned rest this week). I was out for about three months with it in the winter of 2013/2014. Mostly good since then, with just the odd niggle.Pomplamousse wrote: »1. Your worst running-related injury?
I’m the world’s oldest entry-level academic! My field is film/media studies, and i used to work in TV, video, and advertising production.2. What's your profession?
That’s a good one. You don’t get to my age without making a show of yourself (maybe literally) at least once. Won’t say any more than that, but you can take it that it’s about as embarrassing as you can possibly get.3. Most embarassing moment of your life?
So many. Nafplio, Greece, followed by the Dolomites, Italy, the Bavarian Alps, St. John’s Point, Donegal, and of course Clontarf!4. Most scenic place you've ever run?
Thanks for that mercifully short list.
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I’ve been fortunate enough on this front, relatively injury-free over the seven years since I took up running. I have a prolapsed disc - predating my running days - that gives me trouble every so often (the source of my unplanned rest this week). I was out for about three months with it in the winter of 2013/2014. Mostly good since then, with just the odd niggle.
I’m the world’s oldest entry-level academic! My field is film/media studies, and i used to work in TV, video, and advertising production.
That’s a good one. You don’t get to my age without making a show of yourself (maybe literally) at least once. Won’t say any more than that, but you can take it that it’s about as embarrassing as you can possibly get.
So many. Nafplio, Greece, followed by the Dolomites, Italy, the Bavarian Alps, St. John’s Point, Donegal, and of course Clontarf!
Thanks for that mercifully short list.
For some reason I thought you were a Doctor Racism is now hiding behind the cloak of Community activism.
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Singer stole all the leftover questions!
1. Have you ever considered trying other sports? Golf doesn't count! so I'm really asking about cycling or swimming.
2. What would you do if you couldn't run any more?
3. You mentioned RTL as being a race you really enjoyed, would you consider including more mountain or trail races in the future?
4. Will you cycle to work now?!
5. Is Dublin 5 in a row inevitable? (I don't necessarily think so but interested to hear your thoughts on the progression of Mayo, Tyrone and possibly even Kildare next year.
108 parkruns?!!! Nice. 0 -
Annie get your Run wrote: »5. Is Dublin 5 in a row inevitable? (I don't necessarily think so but interested to hear your thoughts on the progression of Mayo, Tyrone and possibly even Kildare next year.
108 parkruns?!!! Nice.
I’ll go out on a limb here and say Galway footballers will be the ones to break Dublin’s run of All-Ireland’s. Ye read it here first.0 -
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Some list, B. Now that I’ve cracked open a Dubs 4-in-a-row celebratory beer, I’ll have a crack at it. I presume the idea is to say the first thing that comes into my head?
I’ll probably break this one down into a few posts, if you don’t mind.Any historically notable sessions, where you recall completely nailing it and setting yourself well up for a race?
Of the marathon plans I’ve done, I think the meno plan had the most interesting MLRs and LRs. 20 miles with 10 easy, 10 steady, or 22 with 10 at MP. I did that plan a few times and always nailed those long runs (including the 14 @ MP two and a half weeks out, and always went into the race full of confidence, and usually got the result I was looking for, including my first Boston qualifier.Any particularly memorable regular runs (i.e. not sessions or races)? What was so great about them?
First time I ran the Dodder all the way to Tallaght. I mean, all the way to Tallaght! I’d never have considered it was even possible to run to Tallaght not so long ago.Did you like school? I'm guessing you liked college...
I had a lot of good teachers but i didn’t like secondary school and got a very mediocre leaving cert (failing maths) and was lucky to scrape into college at all. That first college attempt (studying architecture in DIT Bolton St) was a disaster, but a couple of years later, after travelling abroad for a while, I found my gear at NIHE (now DCU), studying Communications (which at the time everyone assumed had something to do with telephones).What's your fave running gear? Any particularly nice or preferred tops/shorts/etc.?
I do have preferred tops and shorts, and I always try to wear something I like during races or difficult sessions. I’ve started drifting away from the ‘free’ race tops in recent times, in favour of something a little more comfortable, as I find some of the free stuff a bit scratchy.
Tops - a few Nike Dri-Fit tees, and a finely woven Penn tee, which is probably a tennis shirt. Also a nice Asics singlet, the one supplied for DCM pacing in 2015.
Shorts - a regular in the rotation is an old pair by North Face, so probably hiking shorts. Very comfortable, with good pockets (I like proper pockets). Several pairs of Nike Dri-FIt which I find very comfortable (all about the quality of the inner lining).
Socks - always race in 1,000 mile, regardless of the distance!
Shoes - see previous post.How much time do you spend on the Internet each week?
Probably too much - but I’ve always consumed a lot of media and it’s pretty much all delivered via the net these days. If you’re watching Netflix you’re on the net. WhatsApp has replaced phone calls as well as email and other IM plafforms. News sources, podcasts (or what we used to call ‘radio docs’) - it’s all included. A lot of my work related research is net-assisted, as most academic journals etc are more easily accessible and searchable online. I spend a bit of time on Boards and Facebook, but don’t really browse aimlessly, and try to stay away from Buzzfeed and other fake news sites!
… to be continued.0 -
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Top 3 concerts you've been to.
So many memorable shows and so unfair to rank them, but off the top of my head…
1. The Smiths, SFX, 1984. There’s a recording available here, although I’ve never listened to it as it might spoil the memory.
2. U2 at the TV club, 1980, Boy tour.
3. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Royal Hospital, 2018.How did you meet Anna? Was it love at first sight?
I met Anna on the first day of college, and asked her out three years later. :pac:What did you want to be when you grew up?
Fireman (the word firefighter hadn’t been invented yet).Why did you go back to college?
It was a long-held ambition to go back and do a masters, because I wanted to explore the theoretical side of the media practice I was involved in. Ironically, the economic downturn provided the opportunity when my freelance production work dried up overnight and I had some time on my hands. I enjoyed the experience immensely, did well, and was encouraged by the DCU faculty to go further, including a scholarship, so I continued on to the doctorate (where I was really, really out of my comfort zone, but survived).
… TBC.0 -
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Annie get your Run wrote: »Singer stole all the leftover questions!
1. Have you ever considered trying other sports? Golf doesn't count! so I'm really asking about cycling or swimming.
What am I going to start at this stage? Bowling? Ferris has taken up tennis, maybe he’ll invite me for a game and give me a few lessons. I enjoy cycling but strictly recreational and the idea of racing in a group at speed, especially downhill, scares the crap out of me! Swimming, as I think we were discussing recently - would love to get better at it. Took a fairly long set of one on one lessons a few years ago but never mastered the breathing. Might get back to it at some stage.2. What would you do if you couldn't run any more?
Start going to the cinema again, probably. And walking, which I’ve always enjoyed - might get more extreme about it. The Mrs would approve.3. You mentioned RTL as being a race you really enjoyed, would you consider including more mountain or trail races in the future?
I would. My da did the Warriors at least once so I’d like to try that. But sure - why not? It’s all about having or makin the time, I guess. This year it was track, next year might be different.4. Will you cycle to work now?!
Yes, yes I will!5. Is Dublin 5 in a row inevitable? (I don't necessarily think so but interested to hear your thoughts on the progression of Mayo, Tyrone and possibly even Kildare next year.
I’m a poor analyst of GAA, and any sport really. I’m more about the spectacle than the fine tactical points. But yes, it’s definitely on, and it will be an incredible, and deserved, achievement, if they pull it off. Can’t see anyone improving enough next year to mount a real challenge, but I hope someone does.108 parkruns?!!! Nice.
Is that a question? :pac: I’ve only raced about a dozen of those, mind. But yes, parkrun is the business.
Thanks AM.0 -
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Working class heroes wrote: »1. What’s your take on this new book “Leo”. Do you buy the line that the authors were going to write the book whether Leo approved or not? Do you think that he may have actually approached the authors to write it?
Ha ha. I don’t know a lot about it, except for what I heard in an interview with the authors on RTE radio. Put it this way - Leo seems to have been remarkably cooperative, and the fact that one of the lads is apparently a ‘government advisor’ can’t have done any harm in terms of suggesting where his loyalties lie. So I suspect it’s possibly less impartial/critical than it might otherwise have been. But I’ll reserve judgement till I’ve read it (if I ever read it, which I probably won’t).2. Positive, negative or an even split for the 800m?
Ran it all wrong. Big 3-second negative split (75, 72), which is not how you’re supposed to run an 800, by all accounts. Considering I spent six months thinking about the race, it’s bizarre that I didn’t spend more time thinking about how to properly run it. And I didn’t get in as many tune-up 800s as I’d hoped - only one, in fact. All of which gives me confidence that I can do better next time. But don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with the result. If there’s a next time I’ll target the medal more agressively.3. I reckon you’d make a great mod, would you consider it if asked?
Not a hope.4. Have you ever considered mountain running?
Thought you might ask that - see answer to AGYR’s q. I’ve already run a ‘tester’ (Run The Line) which I took very handy as I was a bit wary, and still a bit jaded after DCM. Enjoyed it and have signed up again for this year, although that will be handy again as it’s the week after NY marathon. I’d be wary that my back issue might be a bit of a handicap for this kind of running, however -uneven surfaces don’t really agree with me. Great fun though.5. Did you hand back your cru vest?
I didn’t - do you want one?
Thanks for the Qs.0 -
You’re not far wrong on the first answer, I have the inside track;)Ha ha. I don’t know a lot about it, except for what I heard in an interview with the authors on RTE radio. Put it this way - Leo seems to have been remarkably cooperative, and the fact that one of the lads is apparently a ‘government advisor’ can’t have done any harm in terms of suggesting where his loyalties lie. So I suspect it’s possibly less impartial/critical than it might otherwise have been. But I’ll reserve judgement till I’ve read it (if I ever read it, which I probably won’t).
Ran it all wrong. Big 3-second negative split (75, 72), which is not how you’re supposed to run an 800, by all accounts. Considering I spent six months thinking about the race, it’s bizarre that I didn’t spend more time thinking about how to properly run it. And I didn’t get in as many tune-up 800s as I’d hoped - only one, in fact. All of which gives me confidence that I can do better next time. But don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with the result. If there’s a next time I’ll target the medal more agressively.
Not a hope.
Thought you might ask that - see answer to AGYR’s q. I’ve already run a ‘tester’ (Run The Line) which I took very handy as I was a bit wary, and still a bit jaded after DCM. Enjoyed it and have signed up again for this year, although that will be handy again as it’s the week after NY marathon. I’d be wary that my back issue might be a bit of a handicap for this kind of running, however -uneven surfaces don’t really agree with me. Great fun though.
I didn’t - do you want one?
Thanks for the Qs.
Nah, I have two different club vests as is, it’s enough for now.
Ta for the answers!Racism is now hiding behind the cloak of Community activism.
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Some list, B.
Thanks for the excellent answers
All those interview skills I've gotten through work finally come in useful. Next, could you tell me about a time you were working on a project that wasn't going well? :pac:Although I can (and do) eat anything, and I used to be an enthusiastic cook, ultimately I’m a meat and two veg man. But the best dish i can remember was a simple plate of onions and tomatoes in a little seaside restaurant on the Bay of Naples. It was a starter, and it cost about two euro, and it was incredible.
How were they cooked?
That reminds me of this recipe that I came across this year, which is as simple as you can get (though time is an essential ingredient, it simply can't be rushed) and is utterly amazing: https://www.thekitchn.com/marcella-hazans-amazing-4ingre-144538Chapter One on Parnell Square. Pricy but it’s worth it!
Agreed there.Tofu. Yech!
I find fried tofu very moreish, we may have to agree to disagree on that.The Running Master was the most memorable - for the right reasons as well as the wrong ones.
Hmm, I started reading it last night. It's a bit weird and kind of feels like a reading a slow car crash.
Anyway, thanks again 0 -
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