Famous for starring in the movie Braveheart as the place where William Wallace fought the bloody Battle of Stirling, this hill offers the perfect setting for some fun hill repeats.
Author Archives: Florian Christoph
Sorrel Hill
Short and sweet with sensational 360° views from the top, overlooking the Poulaphouca Reservoir (aka Blessington Lake) – this is one of my local favourites.
Diagonals
Diagonals are a staple of Kenyan and Ethiopian training, although much less known or used outside of East Africa. That’s a shame because diagonals offer a flexible, varied and interesting workout that can be as intense or as easy as one likes it to make. Diagonals are done on grass. Ideally this will be aContinue reading “Diagonals”
Keep it Simple: Train with Purpose
We’ll get there if we just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Running can be so simple. Until it’s not. Especially when it comes to training. So many ways of going about it. So many terms thrown around, sometimes even describing the same thing. It all can sound incredibly complicated. ….Ventilatory Threshold,Continue reading “Keep it Simple: Train with Purpose”
God of the Mountain
Last week Japan’s most important race of the year took place, the annual Hakone Ekiden. A relay race over ten stages contested by universities of the greater Tokyo area (Kanto), this race is perhaps the most incredible race in the world, but few people outside Japan have heard about it. Usually the streets of ToykoContinue reading “God of the Mountain”
Mourne Wall Challenge
The only thing of importance: putting one foot in front of the other. Focus on the next step. Fully present in the here and now. Autumn 2020: This was on the bucket list for a while. Delayed for a variety of reasons, but finally here: I’m standing right beside the Mourne Wall in a bidContinue reading “Mourne Wall Challenge”
Review: New Balance Summit Unknown V2
A light, fast, nimble and responsive trail racer – the second iteration of the New Balance Summit Unknown is a winner. I loved the Summit Unknown in its first version. The shoe was supposed to be the trail option of the superb New Balance 1400v6 racing flat, which is probably my favourite running shoe. ThisContinue reading “Review: New Balance Summit Unknown V2”
Critical Velocity Training
What is the one thing most runners have in common? It’s the desire to run faster. Ideally to run faster for longer, actually. No matter the level of runner – whether that’s the “weekend warrior” or the professional athlete – everyone trains with the aim of sustaining a faster pace over a longer time orContinue reading “Critical Velocity Training”
Ballydonnell Brook
This is an easy, non-technical climb on what is to the most part a relatively smooth fireroad. The average gradient and elevation gain is nothing to shout about, but make no mistake: the profile looks easier than it is.
Uphill Runner 