My Running Life

David Murtagh

When did you start running and why?

I started running properly in February 2012 as a way of losing weight. I joined Portmarnock Athletic Club shortly afterwards as I always found it hard to keep motivated when I ran previously.

What’s been your biggest achievement?

Completing the Dublin Marathon 2012.

What’s the best thing about running?

The feeling of freedom and relaxation.

What’s the one thing you’d change about running?

The price of runners.

Where’s your regular run route?

It depends on where my club is training but my own regular route would be the coast from Portmarnock to Malahide. I also love running in Malahide Castle – it’s such a quiet, relaxing place with lovely wooded areas as well as paths to run on.

What are you training for now?

I want to bring my personal best times down for smaller distances like 5k and 10k in 2013. The new Malahide Parkrun is fantastic for helping towards this as you can track your progress each week.

Are you a morning or evening runner?

I love getting out early in the morning when it’s quiet on the paths and roads.

Do you stretch?

I was very good at stretching when training for the marathon but have let it slip slightly since then.

Have you a good or bad diet?

It’s very good while training but again it’s something I had let slip for a while. But I’m getting back into it now.

Do you have a personal trainer?

No, only the coaches from Portmarnock AC, Richard and Dermot.

What’s your average training week?

I train about three to four times a week, and I do about 15-20 miles a week at the moment.

What do you wear on your feet?

I go between a pair of Asics GT 2160 and a pair of Mizuno runners.

What’s on your iPod when running?

I don’t actually listen to music when running; I prefer the random thoughts that pop into my head.

Have you any niggly injuries?

Not at the moment but I did have the dreaded shin splints when I started upping my training at the start of the year.

Have you ever been chased by an animal?

Only mosquitoes. They invaded Portmarnock where we train in summer and every time we trained we would all be covered in bites afterwards.

What’s your favourite running book?

Who Dares, Runs by Gerry Duffy – it’s really inspirational.

What’s your favourite running tip?

Keep putting one foot in front of the other.