My Running Life: Philip Nolan

When did you start running and why?
About 12 ago years I started running to get fit for the Calcutta Run which is a big charity run organised by lawyers. That led into duathlons and then triathlons.

What has been your biggest achievement?
Coming fourth in my age category in European Duathlon Championships in 2011. In terms of pure running, I was delighted with my 80-minute time in the Airtricity Dublin half marathon in September of this year.

What's the one thing you would change about running?
Move from heel striking to mid-foot landing. But I don't think I have the patience to perfect this.

Where's your regular run route?
I love the trails in the Phoenix Park and if I'm in Kilkenny, the trails out of Inistioge and Woodstock are great. Our running group, coached by Terry McConnon, trains on the grass track in Trinity College at lunchtimes during the summer which is really great for interval work.

What's your regular training schedule?
I aim to train five to six times per week although I ease off a little in November. Since June I've focused on preparing for the marathon but now I'm back mixing in some biking and swimming to keep my options open for next year.

One week per year, I’ll head to Mallorca or Lanzarote and do a big block of training in the sun with some friends or my Belpark Tri club mates.

What are you training for?
I'm still in a period of reflection post Dublin marathon. I did sub three hours and was happy with that but I miss the biking. I'll race a few duathlons in spring and take it from there. I want to have a good crack at Gaelforce West soon, so maybe next year?

What do you wear on your feet?
I train with a heavyish pair of Mizunos and race in lightweight Adidas Adios trainers. They are bright orange so you can't miss them.

Have you any niggly injuries?
Lots of them especially when I moved from triathlon to marathon training. But I have a great physio, Lorraine Hanrahan at Physiofusion, who fixes me up and sends me back into battle without much delay.

What's on your iPod when running?
Deadmau5, Underworld, Arcade Fire and lots of 1990s house music.

What's your most embarrassing running moment?
Going the wrong way in a duathlon in Wexford a few years ago. I went from leading to finishing outside the top 50 by adding 7km onto my run.

What's your favourite running book?
Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn.

Have you ever been chased by an animal?
All the time. I don't get on with dogs. They've been chasing me since I started cycling nearly 30 years ago.

What's your favourite running tip?
Train hard. Race hard. That's more of an ethic than a tip but it helps deliver the results. And after all that hard training and racing, a hot bath with loads of epsom salts.

Philip Nolan is a partner at Mason Hayes & Curran.