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.

Stook 10mile race

Hit the road early with Gary in the van for the 10mile race organised by Gowran ac.The weather looked perfect and we found our way to the race without any wrong turns for a change.
We unloaded the van and set up the shop with a short 1mile warmup and a few strides.
I was in a really good frame of mind before the race even though most people said the course was full of hills.
A friend of mine David Mc Carthy who is one of the favourites for next weeks National Intercounty cross country was
out with his training partner Philip Harty and was planning on running 6minute miles which suited me so I asked if he would run around/pace me :)
Philip would be Gary's biggest rival today and both very good runners on the hills with Gary having the slight advantage on the downhills and with the final 2miles this proved to be decisive as Gary won in 51.59 around 30+ seconds ahead.

The start of the race was strange for me as I was holding myself back and sticking to my 6minute mile plan.
Back in about 14th place after mile1 I was chatting away to Dave and as we passed each mile we started to pick of some runners that went out a little too fast.
After 5miles of running I was running 6minute miles handy enough but was preparing forthe real hills at 5.5miles.
The next mile was the slowest of the race in 6.15/20 and as we passed the next runner on a climb I got excited and my legs where abit like jelly near the top,at this point Dave slowed to wait for me(thanks Dave)

Mile 7 I was back rolling and suddenly at mile 8 I saw this huge downhill and let the legs stride out.We passed another runner and I now found myself well inside the top10.
My last 2miles I ran 9.20/30 and finished(8th place) strongly with this race giving me the appetite to train harder/smarter and look forward to 2013.

Well done  to Simon and Gowran ac on a fantastic race.

Berlin marathon awaits me.............

Never a good sign when a blog hasn't been updated in over five weeks.Trying to go back and remember things when I should be logging my training in a diary.
Since the last time I posted I ran a marathon in 2.55 and blew up badly in the last 5-6 miles.I have signed up for Berlin marathon next September and with the right training can have a good crack at a 2.3x marathon.

This week has gone well with a good session Tuesday of 8 x 1k repeats and one long run of 95minutes.The rest are my usual 4mile commute to work.

This weekend we are one of the sponsors of the Stook 10mile road race in Kilkenny.I plan on running 6minute miles with the last 2-3 a little quicker.