Happy New Year !!!

I was at a friends 30th party last week and got a gentle reminder from a friend of mine Killian Lonergan

that I hadn't updated this in a while.

I love listening to Killian and other friends as we could spend hours talking about running.

It is why i decided to open Amphibian King Ashtown with Mark Horan.

I love listening to customers share their stores both good and bad.Most customers will enter the store and

say ''im only a fun runner''.It doesn't matter what level you are at once you are enjoying the sport.

So my own running has been up and down the last 6 weeks.I upped the mileage too quickly(whats new)

and my knee was niggling at me so had to take 9 days off.

What got me running again was the opportunity to run with the great Haile Gebrselassie over in Manchester.

We just opened up an account with Adidas and they wanted to showcase their new product called Boost.

I got a pair of Adidas Boost glide and have done two good weeks running,they are very responsive and work well in wet conditions.I will report back with a further review after 200miles.

I got to meet both Haile and a former national champion and an absolute gent called James Mcllroy.

Haile took us on a short run around a golf course at 7.30am and some light drills and stretching after.

Afterwards was a nice breakfast and outdoor Jacuzzi :)

Since the new year I have decided to get a coach and have a plan put together.The key is staying injury free and I will probably go backwards before I go forwards again.

I plan a couple of races just to keep ticking over and starting with the Enniscorthy 10k in 5weeks time.

I missed the cut of date for Ballycotton 10mile so will look for another option.

Our new run course starts the 7th and 11th of Jan.for more info log onto our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/events/684616431571270/

Dublin Marathon

What a day and what a weekend !!!
Both myself and Mark where working the expo with CEP compression the weekend.
Was brilliant to talk to everyone and meet new customers.

Our day on Sunday was a disaster for Gary O Hanlon who had his phone stolen by some thug.
The Gardai arranged a sting operation to get it back but ended up with the phone been thrown into the Liffey and Gary with a broken hand.I went home that evening thinking he wouldn't be racing.

Monday arrived and I was at the 10k mark cheering everyone on.Sean and Joe the two favourites came gliding past with Brian Maher pace making.At this stage Sean looked very relaxed and I was thinking experience would count.Gary came past not looking happy as he missed his water bottle and stopped to get one under a car.
At this point i didn't expect him to have a good run but was to be proved wrong with  big pb and 6th place.
Next I was on the look out for Maria and Gary Crossan and you couldn't miss them as it was a very large bunch working together.Maria was a deserving winner and the scenes after with Gary would bring a tear to the eye.

Few things happening in the shop now over the next couple of weeks with a new 8 week running course.This will be for beginers and an advanced group.Follow our facebook page for more info https://www.facebook.com/AmphibianKingPhoenixPark
Belated congrats to staff memeber Lee who  who came 3rd in the Leinster novice cross country.


Final well done to everyone who took part in Dublin and hope to hear all your amazing stories over the coming weeks.

ON runners a huge hit with customers !!!

In the last few weeks I have started to try a new brand of runners called ON.
They are a Swiss made shoe and are new to the running market in Ireland.
When you hit the ground,the highly adaptive rubber elements cushion both vertical and horizontal forces for a soft landing.They give back a very light running sensation and are helping me stay away from pain and injuries.
With my achilles setting me back 6 weeks and no training I have started to ease back into training
running 15-20minutes 4-5 times per week.
Treatement with Ciaran McDonagh once a week is helping and hopefully by December I will be training like a man possessed.

We have had some new stock arrive in the store with the Asics Lyte 33,Puma Fass 100 & 600 and also the very popular Puma Nightglow jacket which lights up like a glow torch when light shines on the fabric.
Our running classes have started on Monday nights and the course being 8 weeks gives plenty of time for runners of all leveles to improve fitness,technique and goal specific training programmes.

This weekend saw Maria win the lakes 10k after a superb win in the Frank Duffy 10mile race.Gary O Hanlon is running for Ireland in Poland in the world mountain running championships.
Last week we had two  sub 4minute milers and European cross country gold medalists in the shop (David McCarty & John Coghlan) We also had a large crew from team Carrie down,177 runners taking part in the Dublin marathon for the first time.
I also managed to get my ugly mug in Mens uk running magazine :)

Great to see so many people training for the Dublin marathon this year.Hopefully see you all over the coming weeks.
Don't forget to follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/AK_Ashtown
and also facebook https://www.facebook.com/AmphibianKingPhoenixPark?ref=hl

Amphibian King Ashtown now open !!!

Almost four months since I updated my blog but been a productive and exciting last few months.
Training took a back seat for a while with injury and getting the new store open.
Myself and Mark Horan decided to open the store together as it is something we both dreamed of and are passionate about.

The store is located 600m from the Phoenix Park and is in a lovely part of Dublin called Ashtown.We have free parking and a huge range of running shoes,compression,clothing,running belts,nutrition,foam rollers and anything a runner could need.
Our first three weeks have been amazing and was great to see so much support from friends and family.

Regarding my training I had a nice block and started of by winning the ARC 10k for a third year.I then finished second in the Prison service BHAA 5k on the grass.
My next race was a 250km relay race around Ireland thanks to Saucony who flew over 60 people from around the world to take part.
our team was made up of the UK and Ireland and we had an amazing battle with team Germany and finished up 2minutes behind after 14 hours of racing.Damian and myself took part for Amphibian King and Ireland.

The few days after my achilles has been at me so no running for a few days.
hope you are all enjoying the sunshine and hope to see you down at the new shop.

https://www.facebook.com/AmphibianKingPhoenixPark?ref=hl

Everyday im shuffling

I have been very lazy with the blog and the month of March has passed with mixed feelings.
I have been on an upward curve with my running since I started back and finally hit a brick wall.
It started with the flu and decided to race,the race went ok and ran 16.04 for 5k on the road so I didn't think
the dose of flu was that bad.Three days later I cut a session of 5 x 1mile short as I felt rotten and was getting slower on each rep.

A trip to the doctor and he said I was over a virus and to take another couple of days off.
That evening I fainted early int he morning and banged my head hard so another 2 days off.
So today was my first run in over a week and managed 90minutes and has given me back the confidence.

This coming week I will be working in our Galway store and looking forward to a fresh place to train.

Moving on and up.........

Well it's been over two months since I updated this log and we all know why runners don't update their blog (INJURY)
I had a problem with my knee soon after I ran the Clonliffe 5k.The race went well and was just outside 16 minutes but the following day I knew something wasn't right.
I was struggling to walk never mind running and after some treatment I realised I had damaged the meniscus.
I was given a two week programme to follow which was to run every second day and build up my runs from 6minutes to 45 minutes by week two.

Long story short it worked and I decided to run an I.M.R.A race last week.Plan was to run it steady but not to risk anything on the downhill.The race was very enjoyable and I was a distant third place but well clear of 4th place so could enjoy the scenery for a change.Coming into the finish no sign of the two leaders and I was told I was first across the line.The lads had taken a wrong turn and I was winner by default.Well I have been known for going wrong myself a few times so maybe lady luck was shining on me :)

This week was some easy running with a couple of double runs as I have more free time right now.
I ran the Urban trail series in Marlay Park,a race which is sponsored by AK.The race had nearly 500 people in the 8.8k race and 200 in the 4.4k race.I won the race which was nice and got some lovely pottery and I donated my AK voucher to a lucky runner.
The race was my sisters first venture into a race,she has started a couch 2 5k run programme 9 weeks ago and was delighted with her run.Have to say she looked fresh as a daisy coming into the finish.

So what is next for Kevin English ???

Well I am starting a running group from the Phoenix park three times per week.
the target will be the Great Ireland run on the 14th April so if people would like more info email
me at      kevinenglish1@yahoo.ie

Tipping away

Since the 10mile race things have gone to plan.I have managed two sessions per week and every week
I have noticed the times are getting a little quicker which is great for the confidence.
Last Sunday I ran my first cross country race in nearly 5 years.The race was 5k and the surface was great,I went out a little hard and paid the price on the second lap but managed to recover and finished up in second place.Our manager in Bray Gary was also running and finished 4th place,maybe next time we will get a full team out.

I also purchased a running buggy a couple weeks ago and it's very handy for days where my wife Elaine is working and I can take it to the phoenix park for a spin.

So I have signed up for the Clonliffe 5k this coming Sunday and hope to run as close to or under 16minutes.
This is silly season now regarding work parties and club parties so head down ad keep the legs moving.