Dublin 18 Interval Training .. help!!

DangerMouse27

Howdy all.

Looking to find a nice flat park that I can run intervals on. 400s up to Mile. All at a decent clip, so that's why I'm hoping for somewhere flat.

I've tried Fernhill track which is free to run on but it's oval so obviously that's an issue with reps. Marlay, seems the obvious choice but people mention Enda's park too. Have contacted Rathfarnam AC but they probably all train in Irishtown, Tallaght or Dundrum, and for various reasons they all don't suit me.

Dundrum and Tallaght are members only and I'm already a member of TH.

I've tried the road too but that's hard going at harder paces. I'm a track demon and faster intervals on the road get some high notes from your plantar fascia.

1.13 for 400s. Under 6 for Mile. I'd knock them out on a track but also have family time issues to consider when it comes to travelling. Anyone do anything of that sort in Marlay or Endas that can point me in the direction of a route?

Thanks 👍

Paddy1234

I would have thought Fernhill would be perfect - what’s the issue with it being Oval?

Would Kilbogget Park work? There’s an old grit track there that could work.

Murph_D

Fernhill - isn’t it 400m, or is it the oval shape that’s an issue? (And if so, why?) Anyway, for a track session I’m usually willing to travel at least a little bit. DSD? UCD?

Unthought Known

Fernhill is 400m and its a nice surface. I'm not sure why the shape would be an issue. There are markings every 100m and I've always found it great for intervals.

Krusty_Clown

As mentioned, Kilbogget park (cinder for 400s, and the paths around the cinder for longer). The Path alongside the M50 southern cross slip road is flat, and you can get a mile out of it, if you head up Balinteer road a little (link). Entrance to the race-course (a little hilly). All tarmac, but probably better to deal with your plantar fascia, rather than avoid these surfaces for intervals.

MisterJinx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340411#Comment_120340411

Seconded for Kilbogget. I haven't run on the cinder track but the outer rings in the park are good for mile type repeats.

See

https://www.strava.com/segments/32654160

https://www.strava.com/segments/10373457

https://www.strava.com/segments/20336592

Krusty_Clown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120340616#Comment_120340616

No! It should always be anticlockwise. 😀

MisterJinx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120341102#Comment_120341102

On a track definitely, it in the wild I'll just go with the wind!

DangerMouse27

Thanks for the comments.

Re: Fernhill. Oval tracks probably have their limitations in regards to high speed, under 30 second per 200m and you just overload on the joints, specifically right side. The track itself is lovely to run on. But in that regard too, there's a noticeable incline, 100-180 and then a steeper decline, 200 to 280.

If your looking for a 200m pb, you'll get it here 😂

Kilbogget is a good shout. It's more or less 400m, but the outside path is anything but flat. You'll get about 200m and then encounter inclines/declines etc. Looking for honest flat courses for specific training.

M50 Ballinteer. Excellent suggestion. I've used the wheel on this before to measure up and it looks like a perfect spot to do longer style repeats. Only thing that's stopped me, is that I've rarely seen anyone using it for running, so I wondered if safety was an issue. I'll lash a few 800m repeats out and see what's what.

DSD/UCD Tracks. These are ridiculously restrictive and in my mind, part of the reason we have terrible uptake on the sport of athletics. Closed facilities, only available to members only and the times at which the members can use them, is restrictive.

I'll travel a bit for the faster stuff. ALSAA and Greystones are within touching distance off the M50.

👍👍

RacoonQueen

You could try Loreto Park opposite Nutgrove Shopping Centre. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Lgs6wG0jqZax6-djIzvA8sFKD8E&hl=en&ll=53.288602999999995%2C-6.270297000000002&z=16 If you can get to Marlay you can get there! Never tried it but I think Rathfarnham do some sessions there. Nice flat path whole way round the park.

I used to use Pine Valley back when I could run. Weird distance lao but I had everything roughly marked out...what's 5m here and there. Not perfectly flat either so probably wouldn't suit you.

Enda's is a lovely place to go for a walk but I find it awful for running.

There is a nice new path around Bearna Park Football pitch too. ~500m. Not usable if a match or training going on though I guess.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hillcrest+Rd,+Sandyford,+Dublin/@53.2704019,-6.2229222,17.46z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4867099f2e2bc0b3:0xc7c31453c4f66565!8m2!3d53.266839!4d-6.2246515!16s%2Fg%2F119v4srlf

RacoonQueen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120344357#Comment_120344357

I generally use that Balinteer M50 stretch to run at least once a week and have done so for years. Often see people running / walking it. It's a great spot to run but can be a bit exposed to the wind.

DangerMouse27

I'll definitely try Loreto Park..I did wonder where the Rathfarnam crew did most of their training. I had messaged the FB page but not sure it's checked on all that often.

And I'll have a look at the others. Very helpful. Thanks for that.

And that M50 stretch is grand. Knocked out a series of 500s on it tonight. Definitely a night for the good jacket and layers.

💪👍😁😁😁

Lambay island

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120344357#Comment_120344357

I use that m50 slip road at ballinteer regularly for reps and find it ideal, I do often pass runners on it too.. Only thing is there tends to be a strong wind that comes off the mountain if your reps are both ways so sometimes i do them by effort

MisterJinx

So I found a new park that might work for you, Tully Park

https://goo.gl/maps/NLH6T3AC9n8qd4WK8

I went on a explore during the week and came across it. There is a 500m track around it, while it is not pancake flat it is fairly flat. Here is a strava segment I make from it and for @Krusty_Clown I did one clockwise and anti-clockwise. Downsides are that it's a bit exposed up there to the weather and the path itself is a fine gravel on top of tarmac, it's not bad but it is gravel.

https://www.strava.com/segments/33949063

https://www.strava.com/segments/33949073

DangerMouse27

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120366819#Comment_120366819

I saw the Strava link and liked the idea of having a crack at those fastest times! 😜 Don't use Strava though.

Good bit of exploring. I'll check it out on Thursday. Could be another little lovely spot to try

DangerMouse27

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120357232#Comment_120357232

Doing them by effort is a great suggestion. I just had the watch on today, and ran the times, and wherever they laid me up. Footfall and traffic was heavy for the day that's in it but its a lovely spot to get lengthy reps in and not have to lap, which I really enjoy doing

MisterJinx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120370326#Comment_120370326

They are fairly soft times alright, will probably do a few reps on them myself!